Mike Oldfield - Incantations
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Free Music Notes for Incantations
Free Music Review: A trip to another dimension
Hit: 5 Stars
while on his first three albums ("ommadawn","hergest ridge","Tubular bells") Mike was practising his folk-rock-progressive style, here he creates a real Rock symphony.77 minutes ("ommadawn" was lasting 36 minutes...) of a huge and bombastic rock-opera based on a poems of Ben Johnson and Longfellow (english 18 century poets) and his own experiences (in the time Mike had gone though Exegis therapy because of his psychical problems).
Whole album sounds much different than anything he had made through the next years of his career.Guitar that was so charactereistic in his earlier records is hidden here on second plan.Massive choir,orchestral arrangments,synths and opera sounds are dominating in "part 1" and "part 2".they all give album a bit Film music or classical music taste.
During last 8 minutes of "part 2" Maddie Pryor (from Steelaye span band) is singing the "Hawaiatha" poem with the background of Jabula african drums band and etheric vibraphone part (Pierre morlen from Gong,he will collaborate with Mike in the later years too).This part is hypnotising listeners because of monotoic Vocal intonations and very spiritual atmosphere...
but i save all the honours for "part 3" and "part 4" which are in my opinion one of Mike's finest instrumental works in in his whole Career.
"Part 3" starts with a cheerfull Fanfare medieval motive...but suddenly starts the maginficent long Guitar solo section...African tribal Drums are again on background along with gentle Bass riff and synths...the raw and moving Gitar solo is one of hte moments that can brought tears into your eyes because of a imposible beauty that lies underneath it.later staright to the end "part 3" goes into the nice seventies rocker with nice drums and guitars...
"part 4" is much more experimental - etheric and mysterious Vibraphone part dominates here...i have to mention also the another tribal drums section with a rhythmical Bass guitar riff and charming Guitar solo...the ending is a All time Oldfield Classic - Maddie Pryor singing "ode to diana" along with a bit christmas-like melody.guitar solo is wonderfull.....
This is definitly a magical album...takes you to a different world of ancient tribes and distant planets...it is one of the most impressive and timeless instrumental albums ever...77 minutes of pure pleasure.definitive must have for all rock fans!
Free Music Review: If You Know Oldfield, Then Add This to Your Collection; If Your Are Just Exploring a New Sound, Then Definitely Try It
Hit: 5 Stars
If you're reading this, I will assume that you fall into one of two listener categories: either you already are familiar with Mike Oldfield's music and are wondering (if you don't already own it) whether this album is worth buying or, you simply are looking to expand your musical listening options by trying somethng different. For those familiar with Mike Oldfield, I will state up front that this review is not directed at you: you already have your opinions as to which Mike Oldfield albums are best, and those among you who have submitted reviews have very clearly articulated why you like or dislike this particular album.
That being said, I offer the following: If you enjoy "experimental" instrumental music that I would compare to Jean Michel Jarre, Tangerine Dream (earlier years), Vangelis, Jean Luc Ponty and perhaps some of the music generated by the ambient music group Aphex Twin, then I think you would truly want to add this album to your collection. I listen to music at least 10 hours/day at my office, and consider Incantations to be among the most enjoyable and listenable music among the 1000+ CD's I own.
Because of my overall love of music, I admit that I do not care about artist "integrity"; whether this album measures up to Mike Oldfield's prior output; or whether the music is as technically or intellectually challenging/ground breaking as some of his earlier works. In my opinion, Mike Oldfield's music is brilliant. For me to go on a limb and write a review, however, the bottom line is whether the music can be enjoyed and appreciated each time you hear it. Incantations is such an album: the sound quality is superior; the instrumentation is mind-blowing; and the overall excellence of the music compelled me to seek out and buy more of Mike Oldfield's music. I believe that if you already have a taste for this type of music, Incantations is a "must have" album (Ommadawn, Tubular Bells I and II and Songs of Distant Earth are among Oldfield's other albums to consider). The sound is captivating, and the fact that the album provides over 1 hour of music (uncommon for Oldfield)is a welcome bonus.
Free Music Review: Like the transition from sea to shore.
Hit: 5 Stars
There is a mystical quality to Incantations, yet it is not dark and moody, but bright and lively. This long set shows an Oldfield in transition. We hear the rainy-day rythmic ambience of the early albums (Tubular Bells, Ommadawn, Hergest Ridge) but we also get the choppy grooves of his later albums (which of course grow into his mature style). Oldfield relies more on other musicians than his earler works, yet it is clear he has not yet developed a working band. Oldfield is ever present of course, playing guitars, basses, harps, keys, and various other stringed and electronic instruments. Flutes are heavily used, especially in the first part. His brother Terry is featured. Also to keep it in the family, sister Sally is on board. For me, though, the real treat is Maddy Prior. A long time fan of hers and Steeleye Span, I can never get enough of her voice. Classicists might appreciate (or maybe not!) her vocals on the musical rendition of Longfellow's 'Hiawatha' presented here. This is certainly one of Oldfield's most ambitious works, especially when considering it was originally released in '78 and took up two records. One sentence in the liner notes makes me wish that labels would revise them to fit the new format. To mention Side 4 on a single CD is an anachronism. The cover is a bit bland, but it represents the album well. The older music is fluid but inexhorable just like the ocean. The newer music is solid yet malleable like the beach. Young Mike (who was only about 23 or 24 when he did this) stands wistfully facing inland. Is he losing something to gain something? Although I think his next couple of releases were a bit rough, his music did grow. Oldfield, like so many performers, was looking into the future of music when he made this album. So yes, there is a transition. Where exactly that transition lies is up to anyone's interpretation, but it is definitely somewhere in here. Fortunatley for us, Oldfield never completely abandoned his earlier style. Incantations is kind of odd and stands on its own in many ways, but it is pure Oldfield through and through.Free Music Review: An Epic Soundtrack to Realms of Fantasy and Magic
Hit: 5 Stars
Originally released in December of 1978 "Incantations" saw a rejuvenated Mike Oldfield emerge after three years of relative silence, no longer the sombre, shy, and introverted young musician. He was ready to head into the punk wars, with his greatest weapon shining bright; his music. The romantic windswept cover saw a clean cut, short haired Oldfield brimming with new found confidence and musical ideas. Some could argue that the controversial therapy treatments he went through in the preceding years drove the creative spark of genius from his music. And even hardened Oldfield fans would concede that his music is markedly different post therapy.
This is not to say that "Incantations" is totally different to his first three recordings. But this time Mike expands the canvas somewhat and presents a double album comprising four suites of interconnected music. This would actually be his last long instrumental album for 12 years, which was a great shame because on this record he shows that the promise of "Tubular Bells" had been completely fulfilled.
This is a beautifully textured album, one which conjures up magical fantasy worlds, of epic struggles between the forces of light and dark. Ultimately with Oldfield's new found confidence the forces of light prevail, on a generally up beat album. This marks the album out from the darkness and chaos of previous records. This is a positive album, evocative, strange and undeniably British.
Mike also extends his instrumental range with greater use of wind and string instruments to give this album a subtle touch of ethnicity. Synthetic instrumentation and the use of drums hint at the more commercial spectrum his work was to take with "Platinum" and "QE2". Amid its shifting sound-scapes in which the planets soar past, Oldfield created a fantasy epic, one which seems as comfortable in Middle Earth, as it is on our Earth.
Free Music Review: A Journey
Hit: 5 Stars
This is difficult.When a piece of music is so dear to you, it is very difficult to write an objective review.
Music like Mike's, I feel, is always a journey. It all relates back to those 70's concept albums that many people ,now, find inaccessible. Yes this is a long, mainly instrumental, album but captures every element of Mike's genius. Dynamic, classical, ambient, melancholy. It is part of a class of music that was allowed to be produced in the 70's. Some may call it self indulgent meanderings. Is not music, by nature, a selfish thing?
On the "Essential Mike Oldfield" video (1979) he explains that the majority of the work is based on one chord, used mainly as an ascending series of notes. I was astounded when I realised this. I could hear this throughout the piece and it made it much more enjoyable to listen to. (The pop version of this is "Guilty!")
People call Mike a musical magpie or whatever and compare this piece to Phillip Glass' works or any other minimalists. I believe Mike creates a very unique and innocent style of music. Ultimately this is a very melodic piece and yes it does involve repetition but this proves to be hypnotic not boring (there's a fine line for some people here). The use of arppegios in cycles, undulating bass riffs, sparkling synth lines, muted, staccato strings underpinning the main theme, like a never ending circle.
A journey that never ends. Life.
Anyway, the closing part of side one is one of the greatest pieces of music written by Mr. Oldfield. If you like the elements (passing of the seasons, a roaring sea, autumn etc.) and you are a sensitive soul (hippy) then lose yourself in Incantations and you will return feeling human again!