Review
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 about one hour, 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 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 DVD features include an Oldfield interview.
--Sam Graham ....read more List Price
$24.99Amazon Price
$19.95
