aaamusic | On 08, Jul 2011

The music of Mike Oldfield is some of the most spiritual, ethereal, reflective and sensual in rock. Oldfield himself created his own genre with his groundbreaking 1973 work, Tubular Bells, and has continued to craft highly individual works to this day which have built him a loyal international following. When Oldfield’s Virgin catalogue moved to Mercury in 2008, the label has worked closely with him to ensure the highest standard in revisiting his masterworks from the 70s and 80s.

 

The fourth instalment in his catalogue reissues, Incantations, is released on July 25^th. Incantations, originally released in November 1978 was Oldfield’s first and only studio double album. Comprising of four parts of the title track, it was a masterpiece of minimalism, with Oldfield again playing many of the instruments, with old friends including David Bedford conducting the choir and orchestra, Pierre Moerlen on drums and Mike’s sister Sally on vocals.

 

Remastered by Oldfield himself, the packages contain a variety of rare material; and again, as with Tubular Bells, Hergest Ridge and Ommadawn, contain a brand new 5.1 mix on DVD, as well as footage from Oldfield’s 1979 concert tour that supported the album. Both CD formats also include ‘Guilty’, Oldfield’s legendary 1979 single recorded in New York City at the height of the disco movement. Few expected the man who crafted 25 minute sides of symphonic rock to hit the dancefloor with such élan.

 

500 copies of the vinyl version of Incantations have been signed by Mike Oldfield and are available, as is the standard vinyl exclusively throughwww.mikeoldfieldofficial.com

 

With artwork overseen by Oldfield and extensive notes, Incantations is the marvellous next instalment of Mike Oldfield’s compelling catalogue.

 

 

MIKE OLDFIELD: “Incantations”

SINGLE CD EDITION

 

1.       Incantations Part One

2.       Incantations Part Two

3.       Incantations Part Three

4.       Incantations Part Four

 

Remastered 1978 stereo mix

 

5.       Guilty (7-inch single version)

 

Total time: 76:43

 

 

MIKE OLDFIELD: “Incantations”

DELUXE EDITION

CD One:

1.       Incantations Part One

2.       Incantations Part Two

3.       Incantations Part Three

4.       Incantations Part Four

 

Remastered 1978 stereo mix

 

5.       Guilty (7-inch single version)

 

Total time: 76:43

 

CD Two:

 

1.       Diana

2.       Northumbrian

3.       Piano Improvisation

4.       Hiawatha

5.       Canon for Two Vibraphones

 

Selections from “Incantations” – 2011 stereo mixes by Mike Oldfield

 

6.       William Tell Overture

 

A-side of single – Released February 1977

 

7.       Cuckoo Song

8.       Pipe Tune

 

A & B sides of single – Released November 1977

 

9.       Wrekorder Wrondo

 

Taken from the “Take 4” 12-inch EP – Released in December 1978

 

10.   Guilty

 

2011 stereo mix by Mike Oldfield

11.   Diana – Desiderata (previously unreleased)

 

2011 stereo mix by Mike Oldfield

 

Total time: 46:47

 

 

Disc Three – DVD

 

5.1 Surround Sound Mixes by Mike Oldfield:

 

1.       Diana

2.       Northumbrian

3.       Piano Improvisation

4.       Hiawatha

5.       Canon for Two Vibraphones

6.       Guilty

 

Visual content:

 

William Tell Overture

Promotional video 1977

 

Incantations Parts 1 & 2

Incantations Parts 3 & 4

 

Recorded live at Wembley Conference Centre 1979

 

Guilty

Promotional video 1979

 

MIKE OLDFIELD: “Incantations”

DOUBLE ALBUM VINYL EDITION

Side One

Incantations Part One

Side Two

Incantations Part Two

Side Three

Incantations Part Three

Side Four

Incantations Part Four