INCANTATIONS

As with my other review of Can's "Tago Mago" I consider this another masterpiece in the world of prog-rock music. I don't think that there is a more, well conceived album than this one. The scope of it is just breathtaking. And the cast of musicians that helped him flesh the work out is extrodinary. First off; it being a double album makes for a long listening time. It can take several playthroughs to really apperciate the work. Of all the thematic constucts he's developed over the years; as in "Tubular Bells", "Hergest Ridge", "Ommadawn" and so on. This one is the most compelling! I loved the fact that he used H.W. Longfellow's poem "Hyawatha" as part of the music; that was a masterstroke of brillance. It really made the album for me. The first time I heard "Incantations" was back when it first came out in 1978. I had an original copy of it with the poster. It's sad that someone stole from me, but now I have it on CD. Which is great, because I don't have to turn it over at the end of every side. I always hated that because you lost some of the continuity that way; as it moved from one movement to the next. The distraction of having to turn it over. All four sides are fantastic, but side four is the real capper to the whole affair. His guitar work here; is again in my opinion some of his best work. Granted his guitar work on "Taurus 2" is out-of-sight, as the old saying goes; but here there's a certain quality that is missing in his other compositions; that is present here! Of all the guest artist that helped him out with this project; the real stand-out is Pierre Moerlen on drums and percussion. It really pulled the whole thing together for me. So, if you've never heard any of Mike Oldfield's work this is a good place to start, as any, because all of his compositions are excellent. And, if you have heard it before, but not for a long time; give it another listen. You may rediscover just how magnificent this album really is.