Tubular Bells III
| Tubular Bells III | ||||
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| Studio album by Mike Oldfield | ||||
| Released | 31 August 1998 | |||
| Recorded |
Ibiza (December 1996 – March 1998) London (April 1998 – June 1998) |
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| Genre | New-age, progressive rock, electronic, chill out | |||
| Length | 46:38 | |||
| Label | Warner | |||
| Producer | Mike Oldfield | |||
| Mike Oldfield chronology | ||||
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| Tubular Bells series chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Tubular Bells III | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| Q | |
Tubular Bells III is the 18th album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1998 by Warner Bros. Records. A sequel to Oldfield's 1973 Tubular Bells and his 1992 Tubular Bells II albums, it was released on the 25th anniversary of the first Tubular Bells album.
Oldfield created the album while living in Ibiza, and has said the inspiration for some of its electronic elements came from the styles of music played at the island's bars and clubs.
Unlike Oldfield's two prior Tubular Bells albums, Tubular Bells III does not follow the pattern of pieces from the original two parts, but instead references some of the music from the albums in the series. For example, "The Source of Secrets" references the "Introduction" section of the original album, and "Far Above the Clouds" references the "Finale" section of "Tubular Bells (Part One)".
All tracks by Mike Oldfield.
Oldfield has stated that he initially recorded over 70 minutes of music for Tubular Bells III but trimmed it down to the current 46 minutes and 38 seconds. An early version of "Man in the Rain" was written shortly after 1983's "Moonlight Shadow", and is similar in style to the song. An early version of "The Source of Secrets" appears on the compilation Mike Oldfield XXV.
On 4 September 1998, six years to the day after the premiere of Tubular Bells II at Edinburgh Castle, Oldfield held a premiere concert for Tubular Bells III at Horse Guards Parade in London in front of around 7000 people. The live version of the complete album from the premiere concert is available on the double DVD Tubular Bells II/Tubular Bells III.
The Live Then & Now 1999 tour was in promotion of this album and his following album, Guitars.
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