British guitarist analyses Mike Oldfield live in 1981!

[@Coneman3]

Mike is one of the most original and overlooked of guitarists.

[@Realmasterorder]

Indeed so at least in the U.S

[@arekkrolak6320]

I wouldn't necessarily say he is overlooked, very popular where I live

[@christinerobinson9372]

Truly, a classical composer.

[@fifi23o5]

Just guitarists? Musicians.

[@fifi23o5]

I came across Mike Oldfield in 1981. In the Flying Magazine. At that time I was all about flying, music was just a little part of entertainment for me. I've read the article, all from the point of view of a pilot, Mike describing how he got involved in flying, because he was afraid of flying, but with the newly gained fame he was "forced" to travel by air. He tackled his demons, not just that, he became a pilot, a man, who really like flying, writes songs about flying. At the time I met him, I had no idea he was a musical genius. Pretty siin, after two or three years after "meeting" him I realised he was one of the few.

[@patricklee780]

When Mike Oldfield did the studio version of Tubular Bells, he played almost all of the instruments and at the age of 19. His music combined both classical and rock genres along with something that sounded futuristic. To me it was absolute genius.

[@guillaumehenry9671]

No almost, he played them all. He was working as a musician for other albums of others artists in the first virgin studio and as a "payment" he was allowed to record tubular bells in those same studios. It was like he needed to give life to that piece of music, according to witness he was in tears all the way through the process and it was his very first release. The man is a legend. I love him and thanks him for all the happiness he brought to my heart and brain in very dire Times.

[@pbrewsky]

Just small but inportant remark: Oldfield did Not compose Tubular Bells as a score for the Excorcist. The movie only used the composition once it had already been released as a standalone album.

[@FLASHAHOLIC_TV]

There's a dorm scene with Tubular bells playing in the background too.

[@peterbyrne178]

Yep you are correct.. The opening part of TB was perfect for the film..

[@DMD5609]

Yup, I had the original quadraphonic formatted album and later after the movie came out they put a small Exorcist sticker on later prints to boost sales. Still have the album but not the quadraphonic one.

[@davep8221]

I heard the film segment first and it was so cool when the next part jumped in as the first of many great twists and turns throughout the rest of the album.

[@realrael3550]

correct!

[@ilovemydog6847]

The most amazing thing about Mike Oldfield is that he has NEVER had a music lesson in his life. He can play the guitar like that and many many more instruments at the same level and it’s all self taught. He is a true musical genius.

[@michaeln3023]

Das ist absolut so

[@Realmasterorder]

Indeed so he can play pretty much all instruments !

[@Coneman3]

It helped that he lived his music. He literally devoted his early life to his music.

[@northsta]

He attended some musical school (got terrible grades when showing his prowess to the teacher, states in his biography). He also writes his ideas into musical scores as I saw recently on YT or album booklets. Vangelis never had a lesson and wasn't able to read notes. I thought the opposite too 😉

[@brettlewismusic]

Mike wrote Punkadiddle in defiance to Virgin becoming known as the 'Punk' label and not promoting his albums to their fullest extent. Playing shirtless was because Virgin signed the Sex Pistols and Sid Vicious regularly played bare-chested.

[@72marshflower15]

Thanks for the context. ✨🤗✨

[@redmed10]

The father of trance music. No other guitarist can get more from 2 or 3 notes. His style is so unique you can recognise his playing so easily. The only guitarist instrumentalist who gets away with it for me and keeps it interesting. All respect to guitar virtuosos like Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen but they could learn a few things from Mike about creating interesting instrumentals that are more than noodling.

[@urmeli0815]

Yeah, he is a great composer who also happens to be a genius guitar player :)

[@giovannipeirone3915]

My favorite piece of Mike is First excursion. He is an incredible composer (for example the album 'Incantations' is a masterpiece) but for me the sound of his guitar is his best gift to music.

[@BrandonBlume]

What's your definition of trance? I think it differs from my definition.

[@redmed10]

@@BrandonBlume Recurring patterns which are hypnotic like.

[@BrandonBlume]

@@redmed10 Trance to me has always been that, but explicitly in a club/house/dance electronic format. I was big into trance when I was a kid and that's what all the music I found and listened to was called and sounded like. Mike's music certainly is entrancing, and anyone's taste in music and what they call it is their right, but because of my history and the majority classification of it it's just weird to me to hear Mike's music being called "trance". 😄 I'd call his cover of "Romance" trance though from Light & Shade.

[@Neal_Schier]

Sad days back then...when poor musicians could not even afford a shirt 😂 Seriously nice drum kit though! Mike Oldfield is, without doubt, one gifted human.

[@ipsurvivor]

Neal Schier - 😂 Good one! Or when there’s a Battle Of The Band’s final showdown where one band is “shirts” and the other is “skins”...

[@MaynardGKrebs-gv4vy]

At least they didn't come out with socks on their cocks like the Red Hot Chili Peppers...it was in France. Aren't they pretty liberal?

[@ajs41]

Interesting fact: Mike and the band always took their shirts off when playing Punkadiddle.

[@macnolo501dewbackpatrol6]

He's a genius, nothing more to say

[@benedictfishy1218]

Other people: I love Tubular Bells! Me: ...but have you heard Crises?

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Mike had an incredible tone from 1973 to 1985, a crying distortion, obviously using Mesa Boogie amps and Gibson guitars. Along with his finger style playing and vibrato. I also read that in the 70s he used an amp, but used the preamp of an old tape recorder to overload the amp and this gave him a very thick distortion with a long sustain that sounds like his guitar is going to burst under the strain of a turbo driven engine!!! The sound changed after in the mid to late 80s and by TB2 it is a warmer, less aggressive tone. His clean Strat tone on Crises and Discovery is class too. The distorted tone on Ommadawn, Incantation, Platinum, QE2, Five Miles Out, Crises and Discovery is nothing short of awesome, totally original and instantly identifiable. Check out the B-sides, In The Pool, Afghan too for great burning lead tone. The final part of Ommadawn Part 2 is incredible. Funny how Mike and Mark Knopfler are two of the greatest guitarists to come out of Britain and neither use picks. Mike is one of the most underrated guitarists I must add. Similar to Prince, who is more famous for the music rather than the actual guitar playing and technique. Finally I ditched picks in 2010 and discovered a whole new world of playing. Hate the sight of the damn things! Nice analysis there young man and thanks for highlighting Mike Oldfield's amazing guitar style and tone. Regards, A

[@72marshflower15]

Roll that beautiful overdrive.. ✨

[@barbaradownie3265]

I NEVER HEARD A GUITAR SOUND LIKE THAT BEFORE COOL😍😍😍

[@kitahh]

My thoughts exactly. And it's beautiful.

[@jonathanroberts8981]

He ran through a bunch of gain and EQ stages back then. It’s a much more complex tone than he’s used in more recent years.

[@suekay677]

Oh mike caresses his instruments. Makes them all sing in ways you didn’t know possible

[@ajs41]

My advice is to listen to as many of Mike Oldfield's albums as possible. All of them are good. My favourites are Crises, Five Miles Out, and Tubular Bells 2.

[@dalem8332]

Mike was a major talent. Haters just don't get it. Artisty is often hard for the masses to understand.There are people who hear music and those who really LISTEN to music. The artisty. Thanks Fil! U being a musician get it. You are a listener. Great analysis! 😎🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦

[@christianblack9426]

I completely relate to this comment. I don't want to boast or act superior or anything, but I love every Mike Oldfield album, and I try to get my friends to listen to his music, and when they do, they just don't have the patience to listen to it, and they don't enjoy it, because they don't understand.

[@christianblack9426]

@Hector Funny you reply now, because as of the last few months, a few friends of mine, and my cousin, have actually begun listening to Mike because of me lol.

[@johnvicaireiii5537]

He plays the guitar kind of like a violin.

[@234cheech]

bagpipes too

[@phillipecook3227]

Spot on. Doesn't " sound" like a guitar.

[@lapelcelery42]

He applies vibrato by moving his fingers side-to-side, which is a violin technique, extremely uncommon for someone to do on guitar. Really changes the sound.

[@brettlewismusic]

@@lapelcelery42 - sorry Thomas, it's not uncommon.

[@zoeherriot]

@@brettlewismusic it's generally not the way it's taught though. I know of a few well known players that use it regularly - but I can count them on one hand.

[@stuant63]

I love Mike's great tease of the audience where just a very few but very recognisable notes of Ommadawn are struck. That's why they are cheering back at him.

[@richardgoddard37]

His latest album - Return to Ommadawn is his best in years. Really very good.

[@72marshflower15]

“On horseback? … get out… I’d rather be here”.. ✨✊✨

[@sharonn9676]

The guitar playing unbelievable I want to congratulate you 100,000 you deserve it Fil Thank you 😊

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@christianblack9426]

My very favorite musician of all time, Mike Oldfield!

[@jonbarrott]

Aye mine TO>

[@J.Hermansson]

Mike is a musical genius, I have all his albums. When I was 12 years old, the first album I bought with my own money was Platinum. I didn't know anything about Mike at the time I bought the album casue I thought it had a cool cover. After that I couldn't help myself, as soon as I had enough money I went back to the store and bought Tubular Bells. I love Mike as a composer and musician, he is absolutely unique.

[@progfan5239]

I've always been mesmerised by this man's music. There is simply nobody like him. You can say two things for certain about Mike Oldfield's music. One - he has worked successfully in many musical styles - rock, classical, blues, ambient, folk, gospel, and many others - and yet - Two - he is always identifiable. That's an incredible pairing of attributes. I doubt anybody can claim the same.Secondly, thank you for the analysis. It was extremely interesting. And as somebody else says on this thread - maybe you can take a look at his work on acoustic guitars. He plays a mean Spanish too.

[@zoeherriot]

The fast triplets section in Ommadawn, and Incantations Part 3 solos are amazing.

[@freedapeeple4049]

"Tubular Bells" is a really interesting piece. When I watched the movie, the music was ominous and eery, but when I listened to the album at home, it was quite the opposite...

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

Freeda Peeple my Auntie used to play it as holiday music!

[@zoeherriot]

I showed my young daughter the first minute of the BBC performance. She said "It sounds scary".

[@freedapeeple4049]

@RDE Lutherie lol I only just now noticed I had said "the movie" instead of naming it. Oops.

[@kimdawcatgirl]

He actually makes his guitar sound like bagpipes there for a bit and then moves on to sounding like a violin. I really like Mike's playing. He has a great piece he plays with a German electronic artist Schiller that I love. Also want to check out the song with Max Bacon, who I like when he was with GTR. Great analysis of this!

[@simonstock2526]

I did once read an interview with him where he said he aimed to make his guitar sound like bagpipes so well spotted!

[@urmeli0815]

What makes Mike so unique: He´s a first class composer who also happens to be a great guitarist.

[@VoiceofFox]

Such a phenomenally underrated guitarist and writer. Also a fascinating, enigmatic person. No one else sounds like Mike Oldfield. I bought a Gibson SG Jr after watching a DVD of this performance (and I can’t play it even slightly as well as he can).

[@msgoddersgodwin1486]

He is so much more than just Tubular Bells or this piece which is a fight back against punk. He has over 25 studio albums and although the first four are the most fondly remembered, he has created a vast range of musical styles and is the most talented multi instrumentalist and music engineer.

[@promerops]

Mike strongly disapproved of the Punk music movement - it was an offence to his musicianship, as well as that of certain other prog rock artists. This composition, including the shirtless presentation seems to be a mickey take.

[@ajs41]

His disapproval was probably slightly tongue-in-cheek. I can't believe he disliked punk in a really serious way.

[@grantmalone]

​@@ajs41 Why can't you believe that? One year his musicianship and artistry was being celebrated for pushing the boundaries of pop music and launching Virgin Records to huge success. Then a few short years later he was out of favour and derided in the press while Virgin threw its weight behind a bunch of three chord punk bands - essentially the antithesis of his work. Mike has said he felt betrayed, and it seems pretty clear he looked down on punk music.

[@Coneman3]

Also Mike had never been political and certainly is politically naive. He doesn’t fit the role of a rebel, so I can see how he couldn’t relate to the punk mindset.

[@timothyorie7021]

Love this guy..TUBULAR BELLS IS MY RINGTONE!!

[@amarok9097]

Mine too

[@darrenparr8874]

It's also mine as well.

[@rechtschreib-exorzist8936]

Mine the very end of side two: 'The Sailor´s Hornpipe'! :-) (but so now i have problems really wanting to take on the call :-/)

[@floppybob1121]

I hit the thumbs up button so hard I broke my phone screen

[@scottmcgregor562]

I have been an admirer of Mike Oldfield since I first heard Tubular Bells in 1973. It's strange that although the intro of T.Bs. was used for a movie that scared the life out of us,but the rest of this expansive track is absolutely gorgeous. Omadawn was another beautiful more folk oriented album, but still as amazing and haunting as Tubular Bells. On another note. I would love to see an analysis of anything by Gentle Giant. There is "alot going on" in their music both instrumentally and vocally. The way the individual members switch instruments (violins cellos tin whistles brass instruments etc. from traditional electric rock instruments in the context of the compositions is wonderful. But this might be a bit much for most of your viewers. Anyway, thank you again Fil for your fun insightful analysis. Cheers.

[@absolutlynobody]

Still gets goosebumps over his playing here in 2022. Also a brilliant and informative analyse. Cheers from Denmark 🇩🇰

[@aivalsonic3537]

Mike Oldfield is the best musician of the twentieth century. Incredible genius and multi-instrumentalist. For me the best guitarist ever. Great melodies, sonorous instruments combined with such beautiful Celtic music. Mike Oldfield's music is not primitive rock n roll music to drink beer and sing along to in any bar. His music is very intelligent and considered music creation on a completely different level. Like Franz Schubert, Johann Sebastian Bach or Bethoven. I'm a musician myself and a big fan of Mike Oldfield.

[@vivi1649]

Some interesting facts: Tubular Bells wasn't made for The Exorcist, and all variations Mike introduced to the piece in live performances during the late 70's and 80's were to distance the composition from the film. Also, it was composed at a time where Mike was just not well psychologically, and you can hear that in the sound of his albums up to the second half of *"Incantations"* which was made after he went through a form of therapy called Exegesis in 1978, which helped him mend a lot of his emotional wounds, but his music lost a bit of that anxious edge that his earlier stuff has. Punkadiddle is a post Exegesis composition.

[@texasamericanpatriot8535]

Looking at him with no shirt and his Gibson, he's like the anti-Angus Young with his performance. 😖 Fil...you keep us auditioning. 👍

[@annemickelson2621]

Mike certainly has my respect as a musician and composer and deserved of Fil's analysis - don't know about this piece though. Rock! :-)

[@onsesejoo2605]

From album "Platinum", called "Punkadiddle", Oi ! That album is along with QE II a transitional period which led towards "Five Miles Out" and "Crises". They have both long instrumentals and shorter songs with vocal parts. As for guitar solos, the one on "Incantations Part IV" on live album "Exposed" is also splendid.

[@234cheech]

its a nursery ryhme

[@onsesejoo2605]

@@234cheech I have the album and the only lyrics on the piece is a choir of "Oi ! " in strategic places. It is a parody on then fairly new wave and especially punk. However I don't know the origins of the main melody. :)

[@annemickelson2621]

@@onsesejoo2605 Thanks for the insight.

[@paulmullins8425]

People say Eric Johnson has an original sound l think Eric took from Mike l think he was very over looked as a guitarist

[@MartianTom]

To my mind, Ommadawn is Mike's greatest composition - and example of his huge musical talents.

[@donaldgosling]

It's funny watching Mike onstage watching all the musicians playing the instruments he played on his albums

[@volt9903]

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GOD .MIKE OLDFIELD FOREVER AND EVER

[@dagneytaggart7707]

Variety is certainly the spice of this channel. From Marty Robbins directly to Mike Oldfield. The shear volume of education you provide is astounding. And...Leon Redbone.

[@ohblimey21]

I think his best playing is on Ommadawn. An amazing guitarist. A one off.

[@piggly-wiggly]

He's got some nice runs on Incantations as well. And Hergest Ridge. Oh heck, pretty much everywhere.

[@samuelglass6805]

The huge favor that THE EXORCIST did was to expose more people to Mike's work. The disservice was that people were forever creeped out by the theme because of the movie, some never realizing that the piece was selected by director William Friedkin to match the seconds-long scene in which it appears to set the ambiance, which was a perfect melding. HOWEVER - they never chose to check out the entire album, which is a brilliant composition in its own right, independent of the film. By now, though, it's received worldwide acclaim as his masterwork.

[@paulkearney5540]

Tubular bells 2 live edinburgh castle is a must its amazing 30 odd musicians🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✌

[@me0860]

I hope that this is part I of your Mike Oldfield videos. He is so much more than a formidable guitar player. Sadly you only briefly mentioned Tubular Bells which - in my humble opinion - is a masterpiece. And he played all the instruments during the recording. You should seriously consider to analyse Tubular Bells as well. This video can be divided into several sections kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5PVloyqrLKWlZI Mike Oldfield's music always surprises. You never know what comes next.

[@KNOPFLERSGOD]

Totally agree. Mike has many wonderful tracks, his unique guitar weaves in and out of them all the time. Looking forward to Fil reacting to more Oldfield. He also plays wonderful acoustic guitar and very melodic clean electric guitar, similar to Mark Knopfler.

[@bemersonbakebarmen]

Omadawn. Period

[@lapelcelery42]

@@bemersonbakebarmen Ommadawn is a fantastic album, but it almost feels like baby Amarok to me :)

[@zoeherriot]

@@bemersonbakebarmen Incantations is a wild piece too. love Ommadawn though.

[@lphilpot01]

I love Oldfield's music, but unfortunately Punkadiddle takes repetition to an aggravating extreme, IMO. The solo in this version redeems a bit compared to the studio original. Orabidoo, Taurus (I, II & III), anything on Discovery, Amarok, etc. are all great. Just as long as he doesn't endlessly repeat... Take a listen to "First Excursion" from Collaborations. He's right up there with David Gilmour, Bill Connors and Steve Hackett in expressiveness.

[@tullfan7872]

For me, the repetition has a magnetic, mesmerising effect. I reckon it somehow makes the music sound even better than normal!

[@ommadawn8434]

@@tullfan7872 I agree. The best example of this is Incantations, which uses a lot of repetition and becomes almost hypnotic. I love that album.

[@jonathanroberts8981]

The third part of “Incantations” is just amazing - and amazingly beautiful.

[@lapelcelery42]

I've never got into Incantations no matter how many times I listen precisely because it's too repetitive for me - repetition seems to suggest fewer ideas. Amarok, Ommadawn, TB1, and Hergest Ridge are some of the best albums I've ever heard, but I get totally lost with Incantations. And that's coming from someone who loves the dreaded Heavens Open album!

[@Massivehero1]

I agree with you in part. However I love punkadiddle, can’t stand that stupid jingle at the end of tubular bells though. Guess it’s horses for courses.

[@BrainiacFingers]

Tubular bells was only used in the Exorcist because it was a big seller at the time. He didn't write it for the movie and , in reality, has nothing to do with the movie. The begining of the piece , which is the part used in the movie, is based on a J.S. Bach prelude and is treated in quasi minimalist way, similar to Phillip Glass of whom Oldfield was a big fan at the time. Had the music not been used in The Exorcist it would never have been regarded as "scary" music. It's only "scary" by association.

[@rickjason215]

The problem with guitar is the better you get is the more you realize your deficiencies. Interesting player and what a great tone.

[@davidhalay3057]

Mike is the best guitarist and composer in the world way underrated

[@startledmoose]

Nice mention of Maggie Riley, who I always thought should have become a star in her own right. Mike also recorded several songs with his sister Sally Oldfield. My favourite Mike Oldfield song featuring a guest vocalist is Shadow on the Wall, featuring Roger Chapman (lead singer of Family and Streetwalkers). Also on that is a second guitarist credited as 'Ant' (real name Anthony Glynne), who makes for a dramatic contrast with Oldfield's sound.

[@rexwine]

That music conjured leprechauns, MIddle Earth and sitars.

[@johncaesar7761]

You mentioned Tubular Bells (The Exorcist) but forgot things like The Killing Fields.

[@DBSG1976]

Is it wrong that I own only Daphne Blue and Surf Green (one is technically Specific Ocean)guitars? Love the channel and I've learned a lot from the analysis.

[@freedapeeple4049]

Yes, it is wrong. You're a freak. Get help. ✌😉

[@MelindadelosSantos]

I can see the guys at the gym snickering ... but can they play the guitar? 😁

[@KayEl58]

😂

[@samuelglass6805]

THIS^^^

[@mkivy]

My band played the opening of the Exorcist, Bach-Joy, and Peanuts and Pink Panther Theme...we usually hit the pink panther when we’d go to break...love Mike and his SG...I played one in my touring days...I had 4 Les Pauls...to heavy...but I also love my Ibanez Joe Satriani 1999...talented musician man...thank u for the memories...I had the album! I never owned a Chravel but I did want a 1975 guitar just like Dime Bag...except couldn’t afford ...it was beautiful sunburst! And man it played like a dream...I own 6 Taylor acoustics and 2 martins and 2 classical guitars and that still doesn’t add up all my guitars...I gave up my dbl stack marshal and went to Mesa...I wanted to try a 5150, but didn’t have the money...I use a midi rack mount now and a Boss all inclusive Pedal board.

[@paulmullins8425]

People say Eric Johnson has an original sound l think Eric took from Mike l think he was very over looked as a guitarist

[@Bonkers4Hex]

Most underrated guitarist of all time. TUBULAR BELLS II is my favourite album of all time, and the reason I've played guitar for 20 years. Shame there's no live Amarok guitar pieces, amazing.

[@johnbutler5650]

Oldfield has incredible technic and musicality! I watched a live video of the band doing “Tubular Bells “ , really mind blowing! Here is a suggestion for analysis ( apropos of nothing,as it were ) :Sonny Landreth . He is one of the most incredible slide players! He has that same technicality in his playing that you see in an Oldfield or Vai , he’s done several albums solo, as well as playing with John Mayall and the blues breakers, John Hiatt, Clapton, Mark Knopfler and tons more. If nothing else, just give him a listen ( I recommend the track “ Congo Square “ ).

[@marymayer8160]

I second that!!

[@Mannizilla]

HERGEST RIDGE AND OMMADAWN!!!

[@ipsurvivor]

First And love Tubular Bells... And this is awesome as well...

[@charlesross9260]

I just love listening to this guy. He knows his stuff and has so much fun analyzing each performance that you can tell he loves the music. Mike Oldfield is always amazing and Fil's detailed explanation of his technique makes you appreciate him more. Thanks Fil.

[@ipsurvivor]

charles ross 👍

[@sebulbathx]

Mike Oldfield is a master of melodies.

[@bryanmyers1435]

Another nice choice. ROCK!✌❤

[@essenegnostic8711]

I really enjoy listening to extended Instrumental music . Tangerine Dream are my favourite in this category. Shpongle are a close second, with special mention to " Tales of Mystery and Imagination " by The Alan Parsons Project.

[@kyotocoversjimanderson782]

Great to see this. It's pretty amazing, given MO's fantastic output over the decades, that there are so few "reaction videos" on KZbin. Always loved his style and mood changes, from melancholy to manic.

[@SeanCleverly]

Exploring the boundaries, even the very limits of musical expression, is always greatly enhanced with the aid of copious amounts of chemical stimuli. These guys were really, really good at soaring to ever higher realms and thankfully taking us along for the ride. Another excellent video Fil, thanks so much for this brilliant look at another awesome entertainer.

[@daviddrennon4089]

I have this show on DVD. INCREDIBLE! Ommadawn is my favorite of the show. My favorite Oldfield offering that I've heard. Hergest Ridge, not performed at this performance, is my second favorite Oldfield offering then Tubular Bells.. I first heard at 11 or 12 years old before being it was used as a soundtrack to The Exorcist. Ommadawn is so beautiful. It should be covered

[@ilovemydog6847]

I was really hating the fact you kept going on and on and ON about the bloody Exorcist movie. 2 things about this. 1 Tubular Bells came out before the movie and was NEVER meant for the movie. And 2 he HATED the fact that his music was used in the movie as the movie had NOTHING to do with the type of movie The Exorcist was. The absolute opposite in fact. He did a soundtrack for a movie once, The Killing Fields in 1985 but that was the only time.

[@wingsofpegasus]

I didn't go on and on, in fact I think I just mentioned it in the intro and then mentioned John Williams later. I didn't say it was written specifically for the Exorcist, I said people would have heard it from that movie. Also, I'm sure Mike really didn't hate it that much considering the movie gave Tubular Bells sales a huge boost, it was selling very slowly before the movie. If he hated it that much he would have undoubtedly pulled it's use from the movie.

[@Terminus1962]

This musician, while not so well known is one of the top progressive music composers of all time. An amazing performer and greatly respected in music circles for his unique musical abilities. There's no question he is a musical genius and I make it a point to listen to him regularly. The 1973 BBC Tubular Bells Live certainly deserves an analysis video despite it's length. It's very important. He is arguably the most emotive musician in progressive rock music of all time, and that's saying quite bit considering that he emerged at a time that just simply cannot be replicated. Bands like King Crimson, Yes, ELP, and several others, were already producing high quality music. Thus the progressive rock music genre had no scarcity of accomplished song writers and topflight performers. Sadly, these days, we just rarely see this level of musicianship and much less originality. In short; Mike Oldfield is a musical god, and it pains me, I never saw him live. Spot on analysis video of progressive music royalty. Thank you Fil.

[@marcuspfister2047]

I ve seen him here in Germany where he s highly respected and has lots of fans at every age. It was the "Discovery Tour" 1984 with Barry Palmer, Maggy Reilly and Simon Philips at the drums. Never forget it. I was 16. Can t believe it. If would have died the next day I wouldn t have complained.

[@inclaric]

Surely somebody had already typed ....... Mike Wrote TB YEARS before The Exorcist was filmed ........ Tb was PICKED by William Friedking when Lalo Schifing score failed for him. Mike Oldfield was AGAINTS TB to be used in the film ...... without his consent. But ....... suited very well is´nt it ????

[@MarrsAttax]

He did the quintessential Blue Peter theme too

[@SandyRavenAuthor]

You do know he didn't write that music FOR The Exorcist, it was written a few years earlier, and used in the movie because it fit the emotion the director wanted for the audience to feel. I hear Tubular Bells and there is nothing "creepy" about it. It's a magnificent work... history making like Beethoven's fifth symphony, in it's ability to drag the listener through the darkest caverns of their souls and shoot them back to a brilliant world full of goodness and hope. You need to listen to more than just one piece. IMO, Punkadiddle isn't even the best of his work, but I am so glad you heard it and appreciate Mike's talent. I should have waited... Speaking of other artists singing his work, the most recognizable would Mooonlight Shadow that you mention, but there was also Family Man, sung by Hall and Oats. I don't know how high it got on the charts, but damn if I didn't hear it everwhere for a couple of years back in the 80's.

[@avnrulz]

"These are not the topless performers you were looking for..."

[@jennrat513]

avn rulz Hahaha...don't make me comment on someone else..😉

[@avnrulz]

@@jennrat513 it's an easy reference to get...

[@anauticalgate5496]

Absolutely mad for artists who take a concept in their hands,all the way,to it's full realization. Oldfield , Kate Bush,Zappa,Gabriel in particular.

[@tcrane8630]

100k !!!!!!!

[@visnamacpherson5109]

Such a brilliant musician, but this is not the best example of his work.

[@sjwillis1137]

Okay . So , what is ??

[@visnamacpherson5109]

@@sjwillis1137 most of Tubular Bells.

[@JammyTom]

Tubular bells 2 live in Edinburgh castle is my favorite. 2nd would be the full album songs of distant earth

[@compu4662]

In terms of live performance and style, this is not the one that best amazed me, you should see his performance in Exposed, which was toured in 1979 and reflects the earlier stage of his music, Incantations and also Tubular Bells, there is an entire ensemble of strings, brass and winds plus a choir, 2 more guitarist, 2 keyboardist, drums, percussion and electric bass on stage, watch it, is beautiful and also on youtube.

[@randyhecht7415]

I love Ommadawn and Return to Ommadawn... I think These are his best albums...

[@stevemann6576]

But in point of fact Tubular Bells *wasn't* written for the Exorcist. The album was a fact before the film was looking for a replacement soundtrack. I was introduced to the Tubular Bells album by a friend shortly after it was released as one of the four original albums on the Virgin label (white label, Roger Dean art), and have been a fan ever since. I bought my copy in the newly opened Virgin store in Coventry. This version of Punkadiddle is absolutely jaw-dropping good. Makes my wrists ache just watching the power strumming, and the finger-style work is just awe-inspiring. This is the sort of performance that makes you want to immediately take up guitar.

[@amritawhitman8112]

I'm just learning how to play guitar, so that was very interesting and I learned some things from you! Thank you! While I was a fan of Oldfield's music in the 70s - early 90s, I lost track of him. Until two months ago the most recent album of his that I owned was Voyager and while listening to it during this very stressful lockdown period about a month ago I found it so comforting and inspiring, I wanted to catch up and also see if he recorded anything recently. To my surprise and delight I found Return to Ommadawn and I LOVE it! It's the most recent album, released in 2017. Have you listened to it yet? He seems to have retired from performing so you won't find any videos of him performing parts of it. It's a shame that he's retired as a performer. I saw him on my birthday in 1982 in NYC and in 1993 in Los Angeles and he's a wonderful performer. I love how he interacted with his audience in this video. Thanks!

[@lukefallon8276]

Great analysis of Mike Oldfield's playing. I've been a fan of his for so many years and I'm constantly amazed at his incredible talent.

[@samuelglass6805]

Showmanship is something that was a HUGE step for him, having admitted that he used to suffer from nearly-paralyzing stage fright. The fact that he was able to do a series of concerts between the late Seventies - late Eighties was a pretty remarkable feat. It could also explains why he did so very few performances in the U.S., sad to say.

[@dunebasher1971]

Sadly, I think the more pertinent reason for him doing few US performances was simply that he wasn't well-known and successful enough in the States to justify touring there to any great degree. To this day, if Americans have heard of him at all, it's likely to be as "the Exorcist guy".

[@VoiceofFox]

Once he got over his stage fright, he was actually a cool, charismatic figure on stage (as can be seen here).

[@raychambers3646]

Went to see him at Wembley in the 80s the real mix up with the seating and tickets and with the thousands there I ended up sitting next to my sister and her husband !

[@contrabandjoe7974]

Hmmm. I've been playing since 1976 and never heard of this guy.. very odd...

[@jimmycampbell78]

You have definitely heard ‘Tubular Bells’ in some form. I would be amazed if you had not.

[@jimmycampbell78]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYnEpamwjKatgrc&t

[@s1d299]

I've never played and I've heard his name many times. Never actually checked out his music until this video, though. (Thanks, Fil!)

[@gertpersson4271]

Great analysis, as always! You ought to take a look at Television. Here is a performance of their song "In world" from 1992. From Jools Holland´s show. Forward to 2.42 for the song! kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3a0q3qaaLKVl8U

[@lindaz1290]

Interesting composition made way more interesting by your analysis, Fil. Thank you!

[@sharonmuzik]

Almost a Renaissance Fair vibe about it. Amazing playing, at times it sounded like a harpsichord.

[@tullfan7872]

Candice Night lead singer of Blackmore's Night, which makes Renaissance music, said she was influenced by Mike Oldfield, particularly his songs To France and Five Miles Out.

[@sjwillis1137]

Ye olde folk . Plus electric guitars .

[@1satisfiedmind]

Mike Oldfield and The Shirtless Wanderers. MO always interesting compositions. Good stuff.

[@salocin51]

Just an important contextual thing : Tubular Bells wasn't written at all for The Exorcist (the first demo was composed in 1971). William Friedkin wasn't happy at all with the original score written by Lalo Schifrin, and then after he was looking for something that could be in a childhood feel, he discovered the demo composed by an unknown and unsigned artist, and used it in his film some months after the album release by the brand new label Virgin, built just after Mike Oldfield and his Tubular Bells demo were rejected by all the major companies. They just missed a worldwide hit that founded the Virgin empire !

[@EC-ik7si]

I was looking for someone to correct this (lazy) misconception before I did. I knew TB back to front (as with all his music) before I watched The Exorcist. To me it always sounds slapped on. It's so much greater than 'soundtrack' music so to call TB 'The Theme From The Exorcist' really pisses me off. More so when you know it was practically stolen.

[@tullfan7872]

Plenty of crowd participation in this. Great and underrated song too. Spread Your Wings - Queen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oprHk2uJhrOMm9E

[@rcsproject627]

Close your eyes and you would think a violin is playing. Mike has quite a unique style. You can tell he has a classical music background. Thanks for sharing Fil. Cheers!!!

[@dunebasher1971]

He doesn't have a classical background at all. When talking about his fingerpicking style, he has always said it came directly out of folk picking.

[@rcsproject627]

@@dunebasher1971 interesting 🤔

[@hpoonis2010]

What you are listening to here is NOT the same as was on the album; indicating Mike's ability to vary the composition.

[@mintsauce101]

Ummmm, Mike didn’t write the music for the Exorcist. The Director hearted it on the radio and asked Mike could he use it.

[@jonmac3995]

A few years ago i went into a very well known music shop in Manchester and asked if they had any Blue ray discs of Mike Oldfield. The assistant looked at me and said " Who's Mike Oldfield, I've never heard of him".

[@robmarston6834]

Moonlight Shadow sounded pretty mediocre when it came out, although it did have a pretty cool solo. But very quickly you couldn't get the bloody thing out of your head, at the time you did think of it as a Mike Oldfield song, it was only when another girl sang it live, & with Mike that you realised how much of a Maggie Riley song it was too, even though the other girls have done a first class job.

[@elias483]

Escuche la version original varias veces y es hipnótica. Saludos desde Chile !!

[@h01dpl]

Fil when are you going to do an analysis of Steve Hackett, who is with out doubt the most gifted of guitarists and was the pioneer of tapping & sweep picking.

[@bigbow62]

Cool,unique & different...... one of the many reasons I drop in here every night ! Thank you Fil... great stuff like always ! 😆🎸 Keep Rockin mate 😎🤘 Request: My last of many for..... The Band playing The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down from The Last Waltz concert ! I know know you are flooded with requests every day Fil ..... I just really want to hear what you think about The Band.... Especially Levon Helm ( "Mr. Cool" ) Drummer/singer/actor and a musical treasure as far as I'm concerned... I will wait & give you a chance to work through your massive request list before I hit you again 😉 Thank-you !

[@mightyV444]

I used to watch a Dutch game show back in the mid/late 80's that had this piece as its theme music, and I was sure it was by a Dutch artist also (possibly The Nits). It was only last year when I found out with surprise this was actually Mike Oldfield! I'm more familiar with his work from the 'Five Miles Out' album onwards. Thank you for the video, Fil! :-)

[@MaynardGKrebs-gv4vy]

Mike is playing a 1962 Gibson SG Junior, probably a $150 guitar off the shelf. Just goes to show you talent can overcome equipment. No telling what he had done to it though...The best performance he did at this Montreux Jazz Festival was Ommadawn but was very long. Great analysis Fil....Mike is one gifted guy. Rick Fenn of 10cc on bass and various instruments.

[@aaron2709]

A few of the band members forgot their shirts.

[@kcn-qt6fc]

I don't know, I didn't like the shirtless thing or the piece. But I love Fil's analysis.

[@splodge5714]

Nothing to do with Tubular Bells

[@lnugent1000]

Congratulations on 100,000 subs!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@startledmoose]

I agree with what you're saying about Oldfield and John Williams as composers matching an emotion but I don't think they - or anyone else - hits it every time. You mentioned Jurassic Park, which I think is one of the worst examples in the last 20 or so years of Mickey Mousing. This was common during the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1940s and 50s and refers to the music mimicking the action on screen and even the movements of the actors (it was common in Walt Disney cartoons, hence the name). I also think there is far too much music in Jurassic Park - it's almost constant, which was again common in the 40s - with little room for the sound design to shine through. Anyway, your analysis is about Mike and he is undeniably a talented musician and composer (although not a modest one - I remember seeing an interview with him in which he said he was a "brilliant guitarist"). As for The Exorcist, while I don't agree with Mark Kermode that it's the greatest film ever made, it is a technically superb piece of filmmaking and an example of how a piece of music can be taken from one context and be made to work in another.

[@shadowsflame_4007]

It was 1999. I was 10 years old. A friend and I used to sneak into my mom and dad's collection of old 8 track movies they had hidden away, and we would watch them when we were left alone. One day we watched The Exorcist. Scared us both to death. Haven't been able to hear Tubular Bells without rapidly increasing my pulse rate ever since. So Fil, why not go way off the beaten path and do an analysis on the cover of AC/DC's Thunderstruck by 2 Cellos?? I laughed so hard I...well, let's just say it was very, very funny! The faces on the people (stuffed shirts) in the audience in the end.....priceless! ❤❤❤

[@jamminwithjambo7729]

Honestly this video does not do justice to what this guy can do. So I checked out other videos to see what's up when the audio is good. Big difference!!! He really is great. 😎👍🏾🎶🔥♥️🔥🎶