Time, place, and content come together nicely in this concert extravaganza, spectacularly produced by German light show specialists Art in Heaven and featuring guitarist-keyboardist Mike Oldfield and a cast of thousands (well, dozens) performing in Siegessaule Square in Berlin on New Year's Eve 1999. Totaling 80 minutes, the show is divided between “classic songs” (including a brief version of “Tubular Bells,” still by far Oldfield's best-known piece) and “Millennium Bell"songs. The latter are a bit more beat-heavy than Oldfield's earlier work, but for the most part his accessible New Age/progressive sound remains intact; unfortunately, the fact that Oldfield helped pioneer that style doesn't keep it from sounding a bit dated. This couldn't have been one of his most comfortable gigs--it's disconcerting to see the musicians' breath, or watch them wearing overcoats, furry hats and even gloves--but the huge crowd remains enraptured throughout. Bonus features on this Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 recorded DVD include an Oldfield interview. An optional purchase for larger music collections. Aud: P. (S. Graham)
Mike Oldfield: The Art in Heaven Concert (Live in Berlin)
(2000) 80 min. DVD: $24.99. Image Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 18, Issue 3
Mike Oldfield: The Art in Heaven Concert (Live in Berlin)
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