Mike Oldfield- In Dulci Jubilo (First Listen) 

This is a church song that is at least 600 years old. I had to play it decades ago during my recorder lessons when I was a 10 year old innocent boy. Oldfield gave it a more folky character and once again shows how unique he is as a guitar player.

My 4-year-old daughter loves this song. It's one of her favourite Christmas songs along with Step Into Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)!

Yes... more Mike Oldfield please

The word "genius" is over-used, or at least, used too loosely or easily, depending on which state of mind one is in. But, Mike Oldfield is the real deal. A musical Genius with a capital 'G'. I don't know of any musicians who are or were able to recycle a leitmotiv as cleverly as Mikey did. He reluctantly had to admit that he made a unique and amazingly well built piece of music with "Tubular Bells" and he later used the same melody in different adaptations in various songs. The summum of this (to me) is "Secrets/Far Above The Clouds" (highly recommended) from his 1998 "Tubular Bells III" album. The introduction of the titular bells in the aformentioned song(s) has since been the most amazing moment in my 50 year-plus of listening to music. Grandiose. Brings me to tears every time. The sheer joy of being able and allowed to listen to it. That alone warrants the reason for being alive. And "In Dulci Jubilo"? Terrific adaptation of an old folk song in a way and instrumentation that is unique to Mike Oldfield. And the emphasis in 'Jubilo' is on the 'u'. JEW-bill-oh. Cheerio lad.

Great reaction! I love this song.... it actually dates from the early 1300's and was written by a mystic name Heinrich Seuse, German monk, who claims to have heard angels singing it to him. Merry Christmas!

When I was a kid, this was used by the BBC in between the Christmas TV shows almost every year for nearly a decade. To this day.. it isn't 'really' Christmas to ME, until I hear it played somewhere... on the radio, in a store, etc.. (Playing it from my own Oldfield collection doesn't count) This year, a few nights ago, at a work Christmas night out, it played quietly in the restaurant and I noticeable perked up.

For me, it's not Christmas until I've heard this on the radio. It brings back memories of a great Christmas when I was a student (I'l say no more). I love the way Mike builds up the layers of recorders with harmonies until he crashes in with the sustained giutar.

Absolutely adore Oldfield's music... and this song never fails to bring a shot of joy into my life. Thanks for this, Justin and all the best for the Holiday Season!

There's a cool split-screen video of Mike playing all the instruments. A simple, well executed arrangement that fills you with the holiday feels.

Les Pennng (on the many recorders!) introduced Mike to various traditional tunes when they played together at Penrhos Court, not far from Kington and Hergest Ridge. In Dulci Jubilo' was the first of these, and Mike subsequently found out it was a favourite carol of his mother. He recorded it - with her present at The Beacon - shortly before she died, and it made it onto the B-side of his early single Don Alfonso: as In Dulci Jubilo (For Maureen). You may have seen that flash by when you reacted to Hergest Ridge the album, as it featured on the 2010 re-release. He decided it could be improved and, with Les's help and Virgin's keen eye on carving out something from the Christmas-themed record market, it made steady progress in a sea of Greg Lake, Laurel and Hardy and Queen! It sold most after featuring on the New Year's Day edition of Top Of The Pops, and has been in the public consciousness of Britain ever since. A quick illustration of this was when a compilation album appeared in 1985, it was curated by Virgin's European staff who felt no compunction to include it or Portsmouth at the expense of more recognisable tracks there. The UK's track listing was suitaby amended!

Mike Oldfield is very much a tradition court musician in that he absorbed so many traditional and folk tunes and adapted them to common tastes. He spent most of his teen years touring around rural england, and the arrangement has that morris dance feel. His guitar sound might be a double speed guitar, the take recorded and played at 1/2 speed, then sped back up to the original tempo.

Just JP, you’re probably aware that Oldfield released “Boxed” in 1976 a box set which has 4 albums, the first three being quadrophonic versions of his first albums (Tubular Bells, Hergest Ridge, and Ommadawn), and the fourth disc “Collaborations”. In Dulci Jubilo was on the “Collaborations” disc. Also on “Collaborations” is “First Excursions” which you must listen to. Oldfield plays feedback guitar with David Bedford on keyboards. “First Excursions” is phenomenal. In my opinion, the best guitar sound he ever created. And if you like “First Excursions “, then check out “Instructions for Angels” by David Bedford with Mike Oldfield on guitar. And there’s one more : The Mathematician’s Air Display from Pekka (Pohjola)’s album of the same name that features another outstanding Oldfield guitar solo. These are all easily found on RU-vid.

This song has a wonderful happy sound to it. I've always liked it, it's very joyful and celebratory. And yes Mike's guitar playing is brilliant; those bends that he does are so precise, so well placed. A traditional song given a beautiful interpretation by Mr. Oldfield. Thanks Justin!

This man is a genius he deserves more coverage..he is a modern day motzart

A joyous festive ditty. You should always let it play right to the end to hear the final ching of the tambourine.

I love it. Not bad for 14th century German carol.

A welcome blast from the past 👍

When I was a kid, we had recorder lessons in school. Most of us didn't get beyond Frere Jacques, but the talented ones (and show-offs) managed to play this song. Check out Portsmouth, a similar song of his.

*grin* Glad you managed to find the time to fit this little ditty in. Back in the 70's Oldfield had a reputation of being sullen, introverted and far too serious. This and other similar sounding little instrumental singles went someway to try and deflect some of that criticism (Oldfield has a typical English sense of humour: surreal, dry and off beat). Half way through recording Incantations he took part in a bizarre pyscho-therapy session in which he literally "re-birthed" himself! Whatever it was it changed him dramatically and there was no holding him back. He subsequently loved getting interviewed, he offered himself up for various self deprecating scenarios on television and childrens game shows and he started touring with a band and orchestra! (some of the live recordings of his early classic works get radical re-workings which generated some truly epic and memorable performances (My favourite being the Knebworth concert from 1980)). Incantations bridges his early full scale folk rock symphonies to his lighter supposedly more accessible albums. The very next thing he did after Incantations was a disco (!) inspired single called "Guilty" ! If you decide to continue with Oldfield after Incantations you MUST do Guilty which marks the turning point in his career up to that point. Good luck with Incantations!

That's why I think you're the best reactor on YT. Not only are your musical choices in line with my tastes but when you treat a song, you will go the extra mile to know more about the song and even dig up original versions and what not. Nice. And Merry Christmas (I'm from the Germanic tradition region of France where the 26th is considered the second Christmas holiday, so I can still wih you a merry Christmas).

Justin you are a riot. Thanks for the laughs. Couple of things. 1. I never tire of hearing Oldfield. He is an amazing guitarist. 2. Glad you listened to the traditional version. Heard it many times...plus the lyrical message is on target...Jesus was born today. Yep he came on a rescue mission. 3. You said you are in Central Florida...well I'm down here in South Florida. Moved here in 1992. What can I say...Traffic is horrible...but at least it's not like minus 5 degrees. 😋🌴

These are very nice songs, haven't heard before, but good songs to play along and improvise on my keyboard.

Like you I think Mike's guitar tone is gorgeous. Now apart from David Bedford's Star's End album Mike also contributes a fantastic solo on Instructions For Angels. You really must try it, you'll find it on RU-vid and it will blow your mind Justin...

Both this and "Portsmouth" from his Christmas EP are wonderful. The guitar part here is insane!

Beautiful song - the genius of Mike Oldfield.

Love Mike's music

Thank you for the original, I have never heard that. Beautiful.

New pastures for you,same Oldfield for me! Always a mood changer,have a great day,GO DOLPHINS!!!!

When you get around to Incantations I do hope you enjoy it. It's my absolute favourite of Mike 's albums. The finale to Part 4 is legendary (with his sister on vocals). He used to do lots of one-offs on the B sides of singles. Check out Afghan if you can find it. Originally the B-side of Tricks Of The Light. You'll like it. Happy Christmas & New Year to you.

Hi Justin, thanks for more Mike Oldfield, I'm glad you chose to listen to this track, I always here it this time of year, as you say Mike's guitar is a wonderful thing, and I love his meandering solo here. You should check out the video for this track too as it shows Mike playing all the instruments in split screen. I am looking forward to Incantations.

Loved the video and great choice for the season. I first listened to his version of In Dulce Jubilo on a music cassette of the album, The Complete Mike Oldfield.

Thanks for this Christmas treat JP! Love this and like so much of Mike's music it only gets better and better with familiarity. I've been hearing this every Christmas for getting on 40 years and it still sounds so great. The fact that it's in tribute to his mother adds so much emotional weight to it as well. Looking forward to your review of Incantations!!

If you like Mike Oldfield’s guitar playing you need to listen to First Excursion!

In dulci jubilo Nun singet und seid froh Denn unser Herzen Wonne liegt im praesepio Und scheinet wie die Sonne Matris in gremio Alpha est et O, Alpha est et O

I was always partial to Mike Oldfield's Guilty (long version)

Loved your reaction. Your warm friendly personality really shines through on this video. Glad you enjoyed Mike's rendition of this tune. Won't be long until we hear this during the festive season. Good to hear the classical version too. I've not heard that before. All the best!

M.O. "First Excursion". Gong's song "Downwind" has that same similar guitar sound as Mike Oldfield guest guitars on it.

My favourite Christmas song,such an uplifting tune & brings tears to my eyes,thank you for reacting….next,Greg Lake-I believe in Father Christmas

As for Oldfield's guitar sound: he is using a treble booster before feeding the fuzz. A similar trick (with quite similar results) was used by Brian May of Queen. And both of them have been using that guitar sound for the orchestral-like arrangements.

I never knew this was a Christmas song. I first heard the version at the end of Hergest Ridge, which sounded different from this version (but it might just have been because I was listening to the 2010 remix). Either way it's a great song.

Charming and sweet songs. There almost a cheerful innocence with Oldfield version. Listening to these songs, I almost wonder if you would enjoy listening to the Chieftains. Something like "Boil the Breakfast Early". A fun review and much appreciated as I look at the stacks of dirty dishes that I didn't deal with last night. Thanks.

This music needs a lot of volume to really appreciate it

So simple yet so joyous.Nice you chose my old alumni’s version to compare with ;-)

In sweet rejoicing / Good Christian Men Rejoice (not sure why Christian women can't rejoice ? :-) ). I think this became a hit of sorts for MO. The 'U' is like oo in moon : dool-chee (or is that dool-see ?) . Or we learn in high-school with Horace, via Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est". Anyway: BEFORE you get to "Incantations", p.l.e.a.s.e - - - Oldfield did 5 - 10 shorter pieces in between "Ommadawn" and "Incantations" / "Exposed" - which is "Incantations" live, sorta. "In Dulci Jubilo" is one of these, - they were released on the 'Collaborations' disc from the quad-mixed 'Boxed' 4-LP 'box set' which I actually got to play on a quad system way back when . . . Especially moving are 'First Excursion' with the late David Bedford on piano, and "The Rio Grande" with a children's choir and some nice subtle guitar work. "Incantations" features some early 'world' music sections in "Diana" and the sections with the incomparable Maddy Prior (from 'Steeleye Span') singing' two chapters of Longfellow's "Hiawatha" ( back to that high school reading list - now if there is only a song for Longfellow's 'Evangeline' we'll have covered all of sophomore English).

I loooooooove Mike Oldfield's folk tunes ("To France" is a great folk song by him, has an 80s vibe and it has words, beautifully sung by Maggie Reilly)

The title is pronounced "in DOOL-chee JOO-bee-loh," so you were pretty close. Thanks for playing a bit of "Good Christian Men Rejoice" to compare! I haven't heard it in a year or so, but it's one of my favorite obscure Christmas songs/hymns that my church plays annually.

I forgot about this one, and it's in my collection! I'm looking forward to your encounter with Incantations. It's another total beauty.

Before the hair cut and the shave

What's this? You knew today is my birthday so you listened to a Christmas song by my favorite musician??? Wow, how nice of you, JP! lol No but great pick. It's a classic! Also the way you pronounced it the second time was right. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Les Penning es quien tocó las flautas en ésta pieza . Les Penning played all the recorder flutes in this

Ahh Here's another one I know you're gonna love. The one I heard before I even knew who Mike Oldfield was.

Such a happy song. The album Incantations is also a happy one. I already knew Mike Oldfield from tubular bells album when this came out and I loved this song immediately.

A fun rendition of this christmas hymn. Oldfield can sometimes be cheesy (especially increasingly after the Incantations-album), but if it is this kind of cheesy, I'm all in ;-)

Oh dear, my dad always sings (slightly) lewd lyrics about my mum to this (and other songs). Oldfield released several similar sounding singles (say that quickly) including Portsmouth and Blue Peter. Thanks for another seasonal offering.

I really like the Celtic sound in this.

You should really listen to Mike Oldfield's Jungle Gardenia! One of his most emotional songs. Also, if you're listening to his singles, you should listen to his William Tell Overture and Wonderful Land covers!

So glad you decided to listen to a version of the original too. Best music reactor by far!

AMAROK IS AWESOME! CRISES is great too especially the side long title track.

Oh, and Mike Oldfield is a genius!

I love choral music, especially a cappella, and The Cambridge (CAME-bridge) Singers are one of the best ensembles in the world. I pronounce the song title, een DOOL-chay YOU-bee-low, based on my choral experiences.

The very talented Les penning on recorder

Strange to relate, but Mike Oldfield's guitar seemingly of choice, the Gibson SG, is also the guitar used by Angus Young of AC/DC. Of course, Angus' rig rundown of Marshall amps and varying pick-ups will be different to that of Oldfield, but Mike's sound is largely dictated by the vibrato he applies. Most guitarists use vibrato latitudinally, along the fret-board, but Mike likes the orchestral vibrato, vertically, effectively bending the note on the string to produce a sort of glisando trilling effect.

In Dulci Jubilo also appeared on an album released in 1976 called Collaborations (as part of Boxed, which was a set featuring souped-up versions of the first three albums). I'd pick that ahead of Incantations, which tends to labour the point in places - although part 3 is Mike at his scintillating best.

After Ommadawn Mike Released Singles like this one, On Horseback, Portsmouth. Then Had a break, of which during this he overcame his problems with being the quiet and being very socially awkward. So He felt more Free to do music, started working with more people, and started to play live, do tv interviews and do whatever he wanted without the record company telling what he needed to do so that’s how he ended up doing Incantations. Your next Mike Oldfield album Has To be Incantations next. It’s a big transition from Ommadawn. With 4 sides and 4 long pieces. Very classical and progressive album. Brilliant album, it’s very long and repetitive. Parts 3/4 are really good. But Part 1/2 are a bit classical and a little different but overall really good stuff. Do this album next before you skip to what Mike Does later on in his career cause he changed his musical style a bit.

Do Portsmouth next!

Thank you for playing an arrangement with the choir, which I haven't heard before, a slightly slower version, but interesting enough. Well not only did you get Mike playing on guitar, but he played all the instruments you heard, a true musical prodigy, as all instruments were self taught. So give Mike a studio and a load of instruments and he is happy as Larry. A bit difficult for himif he goes on tour as he has to find musicians to play all of them.

One of the few Oldfield numbers that turned into seasonal elevator music .. Quite literally !

Can't wait for you to do his best single 'Don Alfonso'.

Try also Mike oldfields version of Silent Night. Wonderful guitar playing .

btw.Michael played all of the Instrumens him self!

You should review some of his singles like Moonlight Shaddow and Man in the rain and 5 miles out etc :)

Me again can you play all thee Taurus tracks back to back

As always, I like your response. Please check out David and David with "Welcome to the Boomtown". Also a musical and lyrical diamond from the 1980s. Totally underrated at the time.

Love your Reactions, especially the Rush tunes. But you should check out Mike Oldfield’s “Five Miles Out” and “Moonlight Shadow”.. two of my faves👍🏻

Justin, this Mike Oldfield reaction remind me of something; I’m extremely excited to tell you about this because I know that you like listening to all kinds of types of music and are a very open minded person. There’s this 2012 album produced by the same guy who produced Tubular Bells, and almost nobody knows about it. It’s called Auracalls by a guy named Boaz Modman. I’m not even sure if the guy is still living. He won a contest and the prize was to get an album produced by Tom Newman. But basically, it’s music influenced by his own culture and he does subharmonic singing. It’s extremely groovy, percussion driven, and I am shocked that not more people know about it. This is the first song from the album. It’s also on Spotify. It’s pretty short. I understand if you don’t react to it on the channel but I would love for you to listen to it because I think you would really like it. I would love it if this record got popular, but either way, I just really like the music and I try to share with people who are music enthusiast. Keep it up man! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gYiuxU-tJZU.html

Just a little comment as you previously said you had no snow in Florida. In my area we used to have snow every year when I arrived 21 years ago. And year after year it was less. Since 5 tears no day with snow more then falling and melting immediately. Climate change is obvious here !!

If I remember my correspondence course in Latin it's pronounced [In Dul-que You-be-low].

Maybe one day you will play moonlight shadow

If you like this you may also like "Portsmouth" by Mike O.

Mike gets his unique sound by picking with his fingers. He hs extremely long fingernails on his picking hand. He uses them as a guitar pick.

Another trad song he gave the treatment to was Portsmouth. Think it's based on an old sea chanty. Has a folk feel to it. There's a good video of four ladies dancing around, if you want a treat for the eyes while you're listening!

At school, my Latin master would pronounce this in the classical (not modern ecclesiastical) way as - (capitals are stressed). In Dull key YOU bill oh.

See below it was a church song thank you marboo72.....has a very Celtic feel could almost dance a jig...almost

Part of his tone comes from playing without a pick, using his finger nails.

I grew up in the frozen North, and believe me, snow is highly overrated by those that don't know any better. It's a cold wet mess that gets disgustingly filthy, and doesn't go away. It clogs traffic and keeps you from going about your business. The only advantage is school snow days! And those suck if you are the parent, not the kids.

I love this song although it makes me sad, my father was a Mike Oldfield fan, unfortunately he’s in a home now a shadow of his former self, I still enjoy listening to Mike Oldfield’s music even though it seems like I’m punishing myself somehow

I recommend you listen to Crises, as well. A great album ! You're the only person I've seen doing reactions to Oldfields work. Good on you.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

"Good Christian men, rejoice! With heart and soul and voice!" Merry Christmas. "Incantations" next? Best news today :)

Here is a video where Mike Oldfield demonstrates his guitar technique: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ddVBGVI_hgA.html

I am all about Tubular Bells, and sadly, that's about all from Mr. Oldfield that I seriously dig. I like him as a person, and have watched his interviews on RU-vid. He goes against set musical expectations and norms (à la Robert Fripp...). But unlike Fripperoni, I can't align my ears with his output- except to say Tubular Bells.... And that one was a monster for him to contend with in every way. His sudden rocket ride to popularity was something he seriously, seriously struggled with. Apparently a kind, sensitive soul, he is. And not fraught without problems, like the most of the rest of us. Cool guy in his own right. I feel like I am missing something, and wish I could really groove on his output, other than TB.... It's like Jethro Tull for me. After Thick As a Brick ? They kinda lost me (with the exception of Minstrel In the Gallery & their phenom of a drummer- Barrie Barlow....) I know it's good stuff, but never enough to warrant repeated listens .... Ah, well- my loss.😎

Music for pixies and priests, dancing in orchards, waving ribbons of lace and getting off their faces on the finest Stilton.

Punkadiddle is better. Tbh I'd listen to the mesmerising 'Incantations' then not bother with his work after that. It all felt a bit artificial and computerised after his first 4 albums.

I think the original's by JS Bach, and i'm sure he must've spun in his grave when this came out. Can't take it seriously, never could. It's so twee, sugary, I go into a diabetic coma every time I hear it. But only after I've stopped laughing, literally. As a serious, SERIOUS, guitar head, on it's release I hated it. The tone, that prissy, trilly solo, aarrrrr. Then i saw the funny side, and let it go. Now i just 50/50 laugh and cringe when it's on. The originals great btw.