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Tubular Bells 200310th March 2010 – St Thomas
Introduction
Tubular Bells… Wow, this is a big thing! Where to start? First, I decided to treat Tubular Bells 2003 as an album with its own life and separate it from the original. Just like twin children, they look the same and might have a lot of things in common but they are still individuals.
I have heard this album many times on CD and in the studio with Michael but, like the others, I have never really listened to it and taken the time to get to know it. This album and its twin, mostly, provide for our life. It is because of Tubular Bells that we can live in beautiful places and that I can buy things for the boys and myself without having to worry - within reason - about how much it will cost. In short, it is because of Tubular Bells that I am a very lucky and spoiled lady.
How does it feel to live this privileged life that I haven't worked for? Well, it is one of my folders. The way I try to see it…as long as my family is happy then it makes it OK. Sometimes I succeed at it and other times I fail miserably.
Today, it was a success. It was Jake's 6th birthday and we all had a good day. As a tradition, I always make the boys birthday cake and they loved it. It was a nice party, just the four of us, on the terrace of our hotel room, decorated with lots of balloons – and my boy said that it was the best birthday ever :–)
Last week, Eugene got the better of my headphones and their life ended in three pieces. I got some new ones and listened to the introduction of this legendary album.
Third time lucky… The first time I tried to listen to the track, Eugene woke up from his nap and that was that. The second time, as I just started to get into it, the cleaning ladies rushed into our room loudly.
Michael told me to look for the sound of a heartbeat but I could not find it, I was kind of lost with all the sounds and instruments.
11th March 2010 – St Thomas
Introduction
Last night, it was priceless watching the boys running on the beach. There is no amount of money that can buy this kind of happiness.
I woke up this morning with the track in my head; it is so beautiful that I wanted to live with it for one more day. Michael and I went for a walk around all the magical places I found near the hotel. And for sure, while I have to usually sit for at least 30 minutes before catching the sight of the hummingbird, it came around in less than a minute just for Michael to have a really good look at it. He has this special gift with animals.
I have listened to the track many times and it has really grown on me. I have finally found the heartbeat sound. It is right in the back, so tiny, the left hand on the piano, that sounds just like a heartbeat.
How did Michael get all of the sounds to co-exist perfectly together? One of my favorite moments is when I have the piano in my left hear, the guitar in the center, the flute on the right and they all are in beautiful harmony.
The equivalent of this track in a photograph… It would be a shot with 5 or 6 different kinds of birds, sharp focus on each bird, perfect depth of field, the light would be wonderful and the end result would be harmonious and pristine. Well, today I had the opportunity to have two birds in the same shot, a heron and a pelican, and the result was far from being harmonious. Technically, I just could not get it.
It is just a perfect track and very inspiring.
12th March 2010 – St Thomas
Fast Guitars and Basses
I went for my usual round and took lots of pictures. It was kind of a goodbye to the pelicans, egret, and humming bird… It was a real delight to watch the same brown pelican put on his show, their hunting technique is quiet something! They are as fast as Fast Guitars; the shooting dart dives into the water and hits the bull's eye.
These tracks are Eugene's absolute favorites, you should seem him dance to them. He really goes for it :-)
It made my day; finally after three weeks of patience I got a good picture of a deer.
13th March 2010 – St Thomas
Latin
Mike did it again! This track is really harmonious and balanced. As I walked on the beach, nature looked just like that. The sea, the waves, everything surrounding me on that wonderful beach was in harmony and just beautiful.
However, as I flipped through the channels away from Spongebob Squarepants, a movie named Freedom Writers caught my attention. It reminded me that the boys and I are living in a very protected bubble provided by Michael. Unfortunately, a lot of things that happen in our world are far from being pretty and harmonious.
This movie (which has the same theme as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a novel that inspired me to study at the age of 32) is all about education and how it can change your life. I strongly believe that college education should also be accessible to anyone and for free.
I left school when I was 16 years old, never liked it, was bullied, ridiculed and I just wanted to get a job and leave home. Education is something that I missed and I can't tell you how wonderful it is to lose myself in my biology book after a day of dealing with dirty nappies, cleaning, cooking, listening to the boys arguing etc…
Since I started chemistry last year, it opened up a new perspective to life and our planet. Michael and I have had some wonderful conversations about our world and most of all it gave me new eyes; it is like being a radio that has finally tuned in to a great station. I don't know if or when I will get a degree but, as the saying goes, "it is not the destination but the journey that counts."
Two weeks ago, I was given my first volunteer assignment, to review the chemistry course for www.peoi.org. I was quite disappointed with the content, it looked much more complicated and not as well structured as the course material I studied. Since then, I have searched on the internet for similar organizations and have found a really interesting alternative. The MIT Open Courseware http://ocw.mit.edu/ offers some great free courses with syllabuses, lectures, and exams preparation. Then the course gets accredited through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), at one of their tests centers in England, Europe, and even Nassau. It is really worth having a look at it and even giving it a try.
14th March 2010 – St Thomas
A Minor Tune
 This track is quite melancholic, or maybe it is just the mood I am in. It is a strange feeling to say "Goodbye" to St Thomas. We have had a wonderful time and I feel that I have changed a lot since our arrival four months ago. As we left the hotel, we drove by the humming bird's home and I saw it standing on its little branch. It had a huge spiritual meaning to me to see it for the last time, this small bird that no one notices. It was a sign that I have changed. Before I would, like many people that visit the hotel, have not known of its existence or maybe just caught a little glimpse of it if I was lucky; I certainly wouldn't have known the exact tree that it calls home. It made me feel so happy to look at it for a second as we drove past.
After two minutes, Jake started a duet with Eugene, singing "Are there yet, are we there yet, are we there yet…."
It is really the end of a chapter of our lives and the beginning of a new one. Like Michael said last night, "I wonder what this summer has in store for us?"… I hope we will have lots of great adventures :-)
Traveling is becoming increasingly difficult, but it is amusing to see how people pass the time while waiting for a delayed flight. Michael found this little game with Eugene where they slide his bottle across the table to each other. Soon Jake and I joined in, and we had a lovely time entertaining ourselves like that. We added some twists to it, and Michael made us laugh with his special move as he slid the bottle. These are family moments that make the boring life in an airport brighter.
Apart from the delays and being stuck on the plane for some time after landing, we finally arrived safely in Nassau. It was such a great feeling when the immigration lady, after inspecting our passports, said the two words "Welcome home".
15th March 2010 – Nassau
Michael and I are absolutely tired… We arrived at the apartment at 2am and after only a few hours of sleep, the boys woke up and that was that. Going shopping, making breakfast and getting organized for our new life in Nassau was the focus of our day.
16th March 2010 – Nassau
Blues
For all the time we lived in the Bahamas I never saw one pelican, egret, or any other kind of bird, apart from some seagulls. Today with my soul tuned in to the nature channel, I discovered that Nassau is home to some wonderful birds. I saw two Great Egrets and a Pelican right next to where we live. It is so strange to think that I never noticed them before. I wonder what other things I am missing in life.
It is really nice to see your friends after a long time, but the news that a horse I used to ride got beaten up by a trainer really hurt me. It is a good horse that has been abused in the past and has a lot of issues because of that. But nothing in the world could excuse this act.
I like this track very much, it kind of represents my day. Going along nicely, then getting angry because of the news of what happened to this loving horse, and the nice positive ending.
The ending of my day was preparing dinner with Eugene; we had such a lovely time. He just loves to participate with putting the spices in the dish, giving me the vegetables that need to be peeled and testing his strength breaking up the carrots.
17th March 2010 – Nassau
Thrash
Listening to this track first thing in the morning really wakes you up :-)
The boat finally arrived safely in Nassau and the crew had a good crossing. Our dog, our "Fluffy", did the journey with them and she was so excited to be back. She could have been dancing to this track, running up and down the dock, having a fast sniff around the garden, back to me for some cuddles, jumping up and down, lying on her back for Michael to scratch her and so on… We were all so happy to have our little dog back. We are very proud of her and Michael decided that she should be renamed "Captain Fluffy" and have a new collar that shows her new rank (something blue and white with some golden stripes :-))
18th March 2010 – Nassau
Jazz and Ghost Bells
As I typed the date, I realized that today would have been my stepfather's birthday. I miss him very much. He was very much like Michael, quiet and would only speak to say something interesting, loyal and honorable, a wonderful man. I was very lucky to have him in my life and he was a good father to me. Our son Eugene is named after him.
Ghost Bells gave me a really strange feeling. I am so glad that it is not the last track of the album. It was reassuring to know that something would play after it, like the thought that it would be too unfair if there was nothing after death, a big black hole and emptiness. I like to think that my stepfather can see his grandchildren from heaven.
Today, we saw an interesting house. It is not the most pretty house from outside, they painted it bright yellow and the garden hasn't been looked after for some time. Its location brings a feeling of freedom and energy, it is on a fantastic plot looking towards the ocean. And the nicest thing about it is the studio, Michael would have a fantastic recording studio. Time will tell us if it is the right one.
19th March 2010 – Nassau
Russian
It is difficult to get back into a routine after being away for some time, but seeing Michael organizing his office really encouraged me to do just the same. He was busy all day putting together his new mixing desk, just like a happy bee working and getting things done. I love seeing him like that, I think he very much enjoys the technical issues and putting together his working space so he feels comfortable to compose.
I can't wait until he has a proper big recording studio again, he is just going to love it so much. He will be able to play loud and not have the boys disturbing him. Once on the boat, Eugene detuned the guitar strings while Michael was playing. It is really not an ideal environment to feel free to compose and work, to lose himself in his creation.
This short track is beautiful, the acoustic guitar is to me delicate and almost fragile. I love it when Michael plays the acoustic guitar, it sounds wonderful and it shows his sensitivity. I remember once in Grand Bahama, after dinner, he picked up his guitar and played. He started with a soothing tune and got us all relaxed, then he built it up and built it up, until he was really playing hard on those strings. We all had such a good laugh when Fluffy ended the tune by barking. I bet Michael could be a snake charmer with his guitar.
 20th March 2010 – Nassau
Finale
John Cleese's voice creeping into my left hear really startled me. I think Michael likes doing this "Boo" effect, when he gets everybody cozy with a track and then something surprising appears. The grand piano sounds magical, but it doesn't matter how many times I listen to the track, the sound of the Tubular Bells makes my hair stand on end every single time.
I am telling you… Michael could really be a snake charmer with his guitar. He had really got me under his spell by the end of the track, it is simply superb.
This afternoon, I took the boys to the zoo and we all had a good time. Eugene and Jake were running around like two wild birds having fun. And I got inspired by the flamingos…
21st March 2010 – Nassau
Harmonics
This track triggered one of my folders and it took me all day to work out what it was. First, this track is absolutely an incredible tapestry of sounds and music. I was, well I am still, overwhelmed by its complexity and beauty. Michael has already accomplished so much creatively and I still don't know if I would be able to make something that good within my lifetime.
I believe that everybody must ask themselves this question at some point in their life: "What am I on this Earth for?" I envy Michael only because he can answer this question. He is here to create this amazing music, to inspire others, to give hope, to help people and all the other wonderful things his music brings us.
It must feel wonderful to know the answer to this million dollar question. But in the meantime I have to remember the two words "just be"… Hopefully by the end of listening to all Michael's albums, it will be drilled into my head. So to practice "just being," I enjoyed myself and made an apple cake with Jake. It was great to join him in the childish delight of tasting a sample of our cake mix :-)
22nd March 2010 – Nassau
Peace
This track is so peaceful, it is exactly what I needed today. I am having some problems concentrating on my biology course, I find it difficult to find my footing in our new routine.
Rainy day in Nassau… so I took the opportunity, now that we have a good internet connection, to watch this great documentary called Cracking The Code Of Life available on the Nova website. It is a fascinating subject and brings awareness of many more questions about life. I am especially curious about the fact that more than half of our DNA is not really ours. Apparently, the other half is made of hitchhiker chunks of DNA.
23rd March 2010 – Nassau
Peace
One more day with this wonderful track, I don't want to let it go. It is so peaceful :-) I had such a good day, I honestly believe that the secret of a happy life is unconditional love.
My friend took me riding on the beach and it was so relaxing. It is such a rare and wonderful feeling to be with someone that doesn't want or expect anything from you. And the same in reverse, you don't want or expect anything in return. To be together just because when you do, you have a great time. I was sitting on this gorgeous horse standing in the blue sea and we were just happy to be.
To love an animal, a friend, your children, your parents, your husband, your wife with no conditions is how it should be. And to be loved unconditionally is just the best.
After riding, we went to look at an old house on the beach. It is almost a ruin but it was like discovering a hidden treasure. Photography is a silent poetry… Well, visiting this house was just like walking inside a photograph. It felt like time stood still, the birds in the garden were still, the energy in the property was still, just like entering a time machine. I'll have to take Michael there, I am sure he will be inspired by this place.
24th March 2010 – Nassau
Bagpipe Guitars
Is it the track that influenced my day? Or is it what I experienced during the day that makes me interpret the track a certain way? It is just bizarre that nearly every day is a reflection of what I listened to in the morning.
Well… today, it felt like I was marching and dragging a huge weight behind me all day. It was far from being peaceful like yesterday. I am getting concerned about tomorrow, Caveman is the next one… How is my day going to be? Am I going to get drunk and lose it? :-)
25th March 2010 – Nassau
Caveman
"Good morning, today is Caveman day!" I exclaimed, walking into our kitchen this morning.
8am, first listen of the track… It sounds very Star Trek Klingon, like a couple having a good old argument. It makes me wonder... I hope that I didn't inspire this new version. I got no reply to my question and Michael just whistled his way out. Ah well, what is the saying?… A couple that doesn't argue is not a real couple :-)
I discovered that it is one of Jake's favorite tracks… He was dancing to it, screaming his head off; he is just like a little version of his daddy. Then he suggested to his dad, for the next time he makes a track like that, he should add the sound of a T. rex dinosaur. Caveman is a boy's thing!
8pm, I haven't lost it yet and we haven't had an argument :-) Quite the opposite, I must say, we had a wonderful day. The music on this track is very special. I am not sure if I will ever 'get' the voices but they do make me smile.
Today, we visited a wonderful house that Michael and I would like to call home. It is very special. It must be a primitive need for a woman to have her nest, just like birds, to look after her family and raise the children. Oh, I hope that we will be able to get that nest - I cross my fingers…
I remember in Spain, few years ago, when Michael made a fire in the garden. I have never seen Jake and his dad so excited, two little cavemen dancing at the sight of fire. They were very proud. We are just like computers programmed with some really basic instincts as our operating system… On some level, we are still like our ancestors the cavemen.
26th March 2010 – Nassau
Ambient Guitars
We have been visiting houses for a good part of the day. Eugene came with me to spice things up a bit and he made the viewing more interesting. But, I have to give this search a rest as I am starting to find it stressful. We don't know if we will be able to get the house we visited yesterday and this whole idea that life will be so wonderful once we have a house is silly. What we have is already wonderful, it is priceless, our family is our nest. The idea of having a family home is great, but what makes a home is its family. So it doesn't matter if we live on a boat, in an apartment, in a small house or in a big house. Everywhere will be home because we are together.
I really enjoyed the guitars on this track, it is like they are performing a ballet. I could imagine them, in Music VR, dancing to this track. A virtual world with birds flying around and when you enter a certain zone this track will start and two guitars will appear - yeah, that would be nice :-)
27th March 2010 – Nassau
The Sailor's Hornpipe
It feels like being on holiday! No houses to visit…
This morning, I took Eugene for a long walk to a lake on Paradise island and we had a lovely time. I have been having some difficulties taking good pictures of birds in action as they move quiet fast. So, for practice, the boys are going to be my new victims :-) Like Michael said, this will be real wildlife photography.
This track really made me laugh. If I made a movie of our baby and sped it up, this track would be just perfect for it. It is exactly like Eugene running around, non stop, always up to something. If I manage to get a good picture of my baby, flying birds will really be a piece of cake.
Tonight, Michael surprised me with the idea that mommy should get a motorbike. I have a feeling that he wants to heal my horse folder and maybe he is right. I am excited about it, he found a really pretty machine. Jake and I already named my new metal horse "Lightning McQueen". We will go and have a look on Monday… If we get it, I can't wait to see how the next diary is going to be - hilarious?
 28th March 2010 – Nassau
Tubular Bells 2003
It has been such a pleasure to listen to this album, it is absolutely superb. Doing this diary gives me a new perspective on the man I married, how special he is, his talent, his work. I appreciate it so much more… Thank you for being so amazing :-)
Picture: Eugene - this morning on the beach.
Copyright © Fanny Oldfield 2010 |
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Join Fanny Oldfield on a journey through her husband's music, set against the backdrop of their life in the Caribbean.
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| Music Of The Spheres |
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| Light + Shade |
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| Tubular Bells 2003 |
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| Tres Lunas |
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| The Millennium Bell |
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| Guitars |
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| Tubular Bells III |
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| Voyager |
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