974 NO 1 ALBUM FIRST TIME HALF SPEED MASTER OF ORIGINAL MIX FIRST TIME ON VINYL FOR MIKE’S 2010 MIX FIRST EVER DOLBY ATMOS MIX BY DAVID KOSTEN DOUBLE ALBUM SET / SDE BLU RAY / ATMOS AND SD/HD VERSIONS NEW ARTWORK
Hergest Ridge is the next step in the ‘first three’ anniversary issues of Mike Oldfield’s groundbreaking, early work. Following the Top 20 UK chart success of Tubular Bells in 2023, its UK No 1 follow-up Half speed mastered at Abbey Road, with new artwork approved by Mike, who, from his retirement, wrote a brand new, brief sleeve note. It is the first time ever on vinyl of both mixes together – the 1974 original half-speed mastered by Miles Showell; and FOR THE FIRST TIME ON VINYL, Mike Oldfield’s 2010 mix of the album.
RSD 2024 LP By 1974, Mike Oldfield was coming to terms with the enormous success of his debut album, Tubular Bells, that has been released the previous year. Its success continued to grow stealthily, bolstered by the inclusion of the opening theme in the cinema sensation The Exorcist. The album became a phenomenon, topping the UK charts, winning a Grammy; giving a green light to Mike Oldfield’s career. Oldfield could have at this point done anything he wanted, and he did. He disappeared. He drove west from London and settled on Kington, a beautiful market town in Herefordshire. The town is dominated by Hergest Ridge, the long, high common land with breathtaking views that stretches from the town to Gladestry in Wales. Combining flying his gliders on the Ridge and playing in the local inn, Penrhos Court, Oldfield came up with Hergest Ridge, the successor to Tubular Bells, written at The Beacon, his home there on the borders. Mike’s demo of the album – that was ultimately released in August 1974, topping the UK chart – was first released on the 2-CD set of Hergest Ridge in 2010. Now, for Record Store Day 2024, it makes its debut on vinyl, mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road. With new artwork overseen by Mike Oldfield (including photographs taken on the Ridge in 2023), The 1974 Demo offers a chance to revaluate this breathtaking English pastoral music, two suites performed and played by a 21-year old musician running from fame.
