Tubular Bells III is a record quite similar to Mike Oldfield's second update of the original classic, recorded just six years prior. The production methods are a bit more polished and the tone is more serious, but the music remains dreamy, somewhat overevocative new age-with-a-beat music, quite similar to Enigma -- thanks to the Eastern textures of vocalist Amar on three tracks. There are a few occasional moments of levity, however, including the raging guitar stormer "Outcast" and a remake of Oldfield's early-'80s hit "Man in the Rain." ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Mike Oldfield (Producer), Mike Oldfield (Engineer), Mike Oldfield (Main Performer), Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells), Mike Oldfield (Concept), Clodagh Simonds (Vocals), Rob Dickins (Executive Producer), Simon Fowler (Portraits), Simon Fowler (Portrait Photography), Andy Earl (Photography), Silvie Muller (Assistant Engineer), Ama (Vocals), Amar (Vocals), Cara (Vocals), Heather Burnett (Vocals), Rosa Cedron (Vocals), Francesca Robertson (Vocals)
Tubular Bells III is the 18th album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1998. 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.
At the time of creating Tubular Bells III Oldfield had been living in Ibiza, and thus certain elements of the album reflect the moods of the island.
It features vocalists in the following songs; "Man in the Rain" features Cara Dillon (credited as Cara from Polar Star) with additional vocals by Heather Burnett. "The Inner Child" features Rosa Cedrón (Luar Na Lubre). "The Source of Secrets", "Jewel in the Crown" and "Secrets" feature Amar and "Far Above the Clouds" features Clodagh Simonds and Francesca Robertson. Also, Mike Oldfield can be heard saying 'Out Demon' on "Outcast".
On September 4, 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. The live version of the complete album from the premiere concert is available on the double DVD Tubular Bells II/Tubular Bells III (see Tubular Bells II Live and Tubular Bells III Live).
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.
Critical reaction
Tubular Bells III is the least successful of the three main Tubular Bells albums, only attaining #4 on the UK chart, unlike its two chart topping predecessors. Critical reaction was mixed, with many accusing Oldfield of pushing the Tubular Bells series too far[citation needed]. The very distinct similarity of "Man in the Rain" to the hit "Moonlight Shadow" was sometimes interpreted as Oldfield trying retread old ground. Some fans thought that the introduction of dance-orientated tracks was not staying faithful to the Tubular Bells name.[citation needed]
Oldfield also used sampled drums from his Crises and Ommadawn album on certain tracks. "Man in the Rain" features sampled drums from "Moonlight Shadow", "Outcast" features sampled drums from "Shadow on the Wall" and "Far Above the Clouds" features sampled drums from the end of "Ommadawn part 1".
