THE BELL RINGER
Evening News (Scotland) 4 September 1992

Twenty years on a new anthem has its debut Tubular Bells II will blast out across the Castle Esplanade tonight as music legend Mike Oldfield stages the rebirth of his famous anthem in the Capital.

Twenty years after his phenomenal debut album, Tubular Bells, a sell out Edinburgh audience will witness the world premiere of his latest work.

Oldfield was just a shy youngster, hardly out of his teens, when his first LP became a runaway success - securing financial prosperity and a future both for himself and the Branson empire, Virgin, with whom he was signed.

Even now, it is still selling a massive 100,000 copies yearly - more than many artistes can expect in a lifetime, on top of the 12 million already sold worldwide.

Tonight's event will be screened live across Europe and later tonight on BBC2.

Inspirational

And the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust which supports young people starting their own ventures, and the Prince's Trust in Scotland will benefit to the tune of thousands of pounds.

"I particularly wanted to do something with the Prince's Trust because of the brilliant work it does, and when Edinburgh Castle was suggested, I thought perfect," said Mike.

"I want to make this a really inspirational occasion - one that people will talk about for a long time to come."

The Oldfield management company are belived to have approached Edinburgh promoters Regular Music about launching Tubular Bells II at the Castle.

And his new record company WEA are believed to have ploughed huge resources into this mammoth event.

As for the album, which was released earlier this week, we can expect only mild changes to the old format.

Tubular bells and guitars will be back, enhanced only by pipe bands and singers.

One reviewer said: "It is like meeting an old friend after 20 years. There is the joy of recognition with the warmth of familiarity, but also the unexpected development and maturity."

And Oldfield, who claims he suffered from the first signing for a long time, is much more positive about this venture.

Excited

He said: "I want to give people the equivalent of a Disneyworld ride or a Spielberg film. It should be that good."

There have been no attempts to back out or cancel as Oldfield was tempted to do before the 1973 Queen Elizabeth Hall concert in London, because of a conviction that Tubular Bells wouldn't work live.

The original Tubular Bells heralded a nervous breakdown for the performer, who said that he felt his life had been geared to making the album and once it was complete he felt it was over. "I became incredibly insecure," he said.

But now after years of psychotherapy he seems to have at last relaxed.

"When he did the first album and gig, he was very young. But now he is very confident in the way he plays and performs and he is very excited about the Castle concert," said his manager, Clive Banks.