Mike Oldfield - Hergest Ridge 50th Anniversary – New Ltd LP – RSD24

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Format: New & Sealed LP Label: UMR Cat. No: V201350RSD Barcode: 602458779868 Released: 20/04/2024

*** RECORD STORE DAY 2024 Available in the shop WHILE STOCKS LAST from 8am to 5.30pm on Saturday 20 April then Sunday 21 April 11am to 3pm and Monday 22 April 10am to 3pm Remaining stock will be available to buy here ONLINE from 8pm UK Time on Monday 22 April 2024

*** LIMITED SALE 1 PER CUSTOMER ***

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.

Please note that stock is very limited and is only secured for you once you have completed check out. Full info on how we’re running RECORD STORE DAY 2024 can be found here: https://offthebeatentracks.co.uk/pages/record-store-day