Mike Oldfield – Incantations / Virgin Audio CD 1978 Stereo / CDVDT 101

UPC 5012981010126

Incantations is the fourth studio album by English musician, songwriter, and producer Mike Oldfield, released on 1 December 1978 by Virgin Records. Following the release of his previous album Ommadawn (1975), Oldfield moved into a new home in Bisley, Gloucestershire, where he set up a new recording studio. He started on a follow-up in 1977 which took form as a double album with one, side-long track on each side of the LP record. Oldfield wished to use real incantations in the music, but ended up using folklore as a loose running theme, such as Dianna the Huntress. Though primarily instrumental, lyrical sections are adapted from works by poets Henry Longfellow and Ben Jonson. Oldfield completed the self-awareness seminar Exegesis while recording Incantations.

Incantations peaked at No. 14 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Oldfield's first album not to reach the UK top-five. It was supported by Oldfield's first concert tour as a solo artist, the Tour of Europe 1979, which featured all four parts of Incantations performed on stage with a band, orchestra, and choir. The album was reissued in 2000 and 2011; the latter release features a digital remaster with a new stereo mix and additional content, including Oldfield's 1979 disco-influenced non-album single "Guilty" and footage from his 1979 live album, Exposed.