Tubular Bells II
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Template:Album infobox Tubular Bells II is a record album by Mike Oldfield. It was his first album for his new record label, Warner Brothers Records, following an acrimonious departure from Richard Branson's Virgin Records after 20 years. The album is a complete reworking using modern instruments and recording technology of his debut Tubular Bells album, recorded in 1973. TB2 follows the sounds, melodies and musical structure of the original without being an exact copy — this feat was reserved for the 30th anniversary release, Tubular Bells 2003, which is a faithful and accurate re-recording of the original album.
The introduction of the instruments at the end of the first half of the album was done by British actor Alan Rickman, though he was only listed in the credits as "a strolling player". The album was premiered with a live performance at Edinburgh Castle in September 1992.
In the USA the album was released as Tubular Bells 2 to avoid consumers thinking it was actually the eleventh album in a series.
Track list
- Sentinel - (8:07)
- Dark Star - (2:16)
- Clear Light - (5:48)
- Blue Saloon - (2:59)
- Sunjammer - (2:32)
- Red Dawn - (1:50)
- The Bell - (6:59)
- Weightless - (5:43)
- The Great Plain - (4:47)
- Sunset Door - (2:23)
- Tattoo - (4:15)
- Altered State - (5:12)
- Maya Gold - (4:01)
- Moonshine - (1:42)
Mike Oldfield plays
Acoustic guitars, banjo, classical guitar, electric guitar, Flamenco guitar, glockenspiel, Hammond organ, mandolin, percussion, piano, synthesisers, timpani, twelve-string guitar, vocals and of course, tubular bells.
Other performers
- 'a strolling player' (Alan Rickman) - Master of Ceremonies
- Sally Bradshaw - vocal
- Celtic Bevy Band - bagpipes
- Eric Cadieux - programming and digital sounds
- Edie Lehman - vocals
- Susannah Melvoin - vocals
- Jamie Muhoberac - keyboards, special effects
- PD Scots Pipe Band (actually pipers from the New York Police Department) - bagpipes
- John Robinson - percussion