Hergest Ridge (50th Anniversary): Vinyl 2LP

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.

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.

With new artwork overseen by Mike Oldfield (including new photographs taken on the Ridge in 2023), Hergest Ridge offers a chance to reevaluate this breathtaking English pastoral music, two suites performed and played by a 21-year old musician running from fame.