Incantations

Incantations is the title of the fourth studio album by British musician, composer and recording artist Mike Oldfield. released on 24 November 1978, it was Oldfield's last album for a few years to feature long 'suite' type mostly instrumental compositions for each side of the record, in this case a double album. With successive albums he would move on to writing and recording shorter pieces, many also featuring guest vocal parts.

Oldfield also also presented himself with a new more modern 'look' on the front sleeve of the album, with shorter hair and a sports jacket and shirt. This 'transformation' was in part due to his experience with exegesis during the making of the Incantations.

The highly anticipated album was met with critical acclaim, although became his first not to reach the top 5 in the UK album charts, where a very different musical landscape was taking shape from when Oldfield had released his debut Tubular Bells in 1973 and the successive albums Hergest Ridge and Ommadawn.

The album was also Oldfield's first to be promoted via a nationwide tour, featuring a rock band, orchestra and choir on stage in order to perform the complex piece of music that is Incantations live.

Tracklisting
Virgin 2xLP VDT 101, one track per side

Virgin 1xMC TCVDT 101. two tracks per side
 * 1) Incantations (Part One)
 * 2) Incantations (Part Two)
 * 3) Incantations (Part Three)
 * 4) Incantations (Part Four)
 * Reissues
 * first CD issue, 1985, features shorter edit of Part Three.


 * 2011 Remastered CD/DVD expanded edition features bonus tracks, surround mixes and visual content

Singles
Oldfield demonstrated even more of a commercial approach to popular music by writing and recording Guilty, a 'disco' style instrumental piece, based on parts of ''Incantations. ''Released as a 7" and 12" single in April 1979 it reached no.22 in the UK. The 7" B-side featured an "Excerpt from Incantations".