CAMEL

Camel - Mirage (1974)

Rather a Miracle!

This was one of my first vinyl records. At the time I had never realised it was considered a progressive masterpiece, my only point of reference was Iron Maiden. I came to like record because it has a lot of elements Iron Maiden didn't have as well as elements Iron Maiden did have. It had epics, hard rockin' parts and great musicianship. But this record also had these amazing compositions, these strange time signatures and inventive melodies. The speed of the record was also quite amazing for me at the time, for I didn't know about any progressive music from the seventies! Did they make such great music such a long time ago?

Nowadays I consider this to be a zenith of Camel's career. This is Camel most technical record and their fastest. The convincing Freefall with great rhythmic findings in the opening section and the drowsy vocals of Latimer and the solo's in the middle-section are all just great, except for the vocals, but they became part of the concept. Supertwister (an ode to the Dutch Supersister) is of course a song that couldn't be ruined, I'm a Dutchman myself. Mainly the flute on the strange time signature give a very interesting effect. Nimrodel and The Procession are both very warm progressive compositions with an 100% score. Such perfection! The Last part of the LOTR inspired epic The White Rider is a bit repetitive but has some nice psychedelic soloing of Latimer. On side two Earthrise is another magical achievement. While the opening section isn't that good in my opinion, from the point of the gentle melody of guitar and keys everything is blown into supremacy. I'm in love with this very melody! It's so lovely! The variation in the end is also a great detail. The up-tempo heavy middle section is very impressive and ends greatly with the gentle melody of the beginning. The Lady Fantasy epic is well known to most of us. It's many parts work very well and the ending section with the vocals of Latimer are sentimental.

Conclusion. Just get this, essential progressive listening for shure! This is truly a timeless document to proof the power of seventies prog. Five stars!

Camel release this live album in a period when they were a little bit in decline, the mid '80 were no longer the golden years of prog, so they manage only to survive in the shadow of hard/heavy machine who just get biger and biger in that period. After some mediocre albums like Single factor or Stationary Traveller, when they departure more and more from that symphonic greatness of the '70's albums, they wanted to release a second live album after the excellent A Live Record. Well to tell the truth only some pieces are worth mentioning here, the whole album sounds very unintristing and capture only the moments of last 2-3 albums.Anyway some good examples of Camel's best efforts from this period are: Sasquatch, a great instrumental one that shows Camel still rocks and very good, West Berlin and the couple of tracks from the famous Snow goose, the rest are ok but very pale and without any vein of the Camel's best efforts. Still a pleasent album as whole, I've listen to this live album in my car, because at home I didn't have the patience to spin it at once . 2.5 rounded to 3, because Camel remains one of the best bands ever in prog field, and they know how to pleases every fan, even with lesser and most unintristing pieces. Not recommended, not one of the best lives from '80's but capture Came's '80's popish period very well.

The snow goose from 1975 is a step in other directin after the masterpiece Mirage, now the album is almost entirely instrumental, with ocasionaly some vocal parts, but holds some very fine and beautiful moments in Camel career. Some say that this is their best album, some say that this is their weakest one from the famous trilogy who includes Mirage and Moonmadness , some say something in the middle, well to me is close to an essential listning. I have this album for years in my collection and I've listinin more then 10 times, now is time for a proper review. To me is a great album , less intristing then the predecesor - Mirage who I rated 5 stars, The snow goose is an important album in progressive rock music, both for the musical value and for sheer briliancy of the concept. Thake the name from a book, this album take the listner to a perfect journey in symphonic prog music. Alternating from mellow moments, to some more up tempo, smooth and very elegant, Camel never stop to amaze listners with this album. The combinations of acustic guitar with electric one make this album truly enjoyble, some orchestral moments are infiltrated in the songs and the resul is excellent. The music is very melodic only vary rarely get some amazing bursting moments like Rhayader Goes To Town - the best pieces from the whole bunch, amazing progressive tune who will pleases the listners without doubt. So, a great album to me, not a mastepiece for sure, even less enjoyble then Moonmadness, Brethless and of course the fabulous Mirage, The snow goos holds some of the best moments Camel ever done. Recommended or not is you to decide, but some spins worth, both for historical importance but aswell for the great and grandeur of the music delivered. 4 stars for me.

Well here you find a very interesting video retrospective witnessing a couple of famous concerts regarding the old line-up by Camel...featuring Andrew Latimer, Doug Ferguson, the unforgettable Peter Bardens and Andy Ward, without forgetting Richard Sinclair and Mel Collins. If you regard of the old BBC sessions concerning their performance at London's Hammersmith Odeon or their concert at the Hippodrome- dated 1977- you can listen to the Hammond organ excursions and other melodic lines at the minimoog too, performed by P. Bardens...but of course it's the perfect support to the pshichedelic and spacey guitar by Andy (inside "White rider" for instance, but also in their various instrumental numbers). That's the reason why a clever keyboardplayer coupled with the magic touch by Mr Latimer (talking about his guitar solo in "Lunar sea" or in the famous flute solo within "Rhayder", just to mention a few jewels!!...),seem to be the best features to contribute to the perfect music "alliance". They were able to create an intelligent sound of classic prog! Of course I prefer the modern gigs, like that one and unforgettable within the "Coming of Age" Live Tour concert, but never mind cause the present DVD is a must-have for the collectors of the best derivative and melodic prog band in the vein of the classic Genesis line-up and the symphonic period concerning the band Pink Floyd- as well. Moreover I like to make a special mention regarding the harmonic and rhytmical machine created by Andy Ward and Doug Ferguson together and... well you don't need to add anything else, so choose this classic number, even though I suggest you to buy also their last modern live gigs!!

It is debut, but after how many years of playing. I say after much years. So, the word describing this album would probably be mellow. Because that's what this music is about. Sometimes it sounds like jamming party, sometimes like prog done in exactly this way I like. Oh, I can take all songs maybe except first, Slow Yourself Down, which simply isn't something that fits me here, while Never Let Go outcomes as the best here. Not that I don't like singing ,but it's so rare here that . Final two tracks also pleased me, even the overall rating would be just

4(+) for its instrumental skills, nice little music which offers a lot.

This instrumental album holds a fine place in any classic-prog lover's collection for its lush compositions and iconic feel, but doesn't have enough gusto to go the distance when the listener's mood isn't right.

"Snow Goose" features fine compositions and playing throughout, with the interplay between instruments and the transitions between movements standing out as the highlights for me. There aren't really any "songs", since the ablum flows together so well. Really, this is an album-length work spread out over several tracks. Its approachable and melodic tone takes the listener on simplistic journey through the realms of classic-prog. There are a few rousing upbeat moments, but overall "Snow Goose" takes its time to meander through delicate melodies. It has a definite '70's vibe to it, which is cool; it is uniquely optomistic feeling album, and makes for excellent, relaxing background music.

There isn't much here which will make the listener's ears perk-up, or challenge their sensabilities. The instrumentalists are all proficient, but lack energy. "Snow Goose" has a very luke-warm feeling which won't make an impression on some. I lean towards heavier music myself, but still enjoy this album's light symphonic feel, and appreciate it as an elegant snap-shot of '70's prog. Hardly comparable to the giants of the day though.

The Snow Goose is Camel's release from 1975. The album is completelt instrumental, which I don't think is a bad thing, as I don't think Camel has very good lead vocals. The album is very atmospheric. By this I mean that it's full of soft interludes and returning themes. Also I should mention that this is a concept album, and the whole album is one big journey.

The music on the album varies from short pieces that are meant to create some mood, like "Sanctuary", "Friendship" and "Preperation" to longer, more comlex songs like "Rhayader Goes To Town", "The Snow Goose" and "Dunkirk". Camel did really well on both sorts of tracks. The shorter ones really give the album a fitting mood, while the longer ones, that often resemble important moments in the story, could easily impress one because of their complicated composition, brilliant musicianship and emotional moments.

Atmosphere is incredibly important to the album, and is what makes this album unique. If one doesn't like the atmoshere of the album, he'll probably won't like the entire thing. The album has many themes that sound very much like other themes on the album. Also songs like "Preperation", "Dunkirk" and "Epitaph" have clear feeling of being far from only seperate songs. This is because of a mysterious theme, appearing in "Preperation" and "Epitaph" kind of surrounding the epic "Dunkirk".

One could dislike this album because of its focus on atmosphere over constantly moving and over-exciting music, but I like it. People liking a blend of symphonic music with a lot of soothing atmosphere and mood might really enjoy this album, so I really recommend it to those people. The Snow Goose is definitely worth four stars, as it's a fantastic album though not a masterpiece.

Camel´s latest release is quite a varied album, very laid back and tranquil, with influences ranging from pure irish folk to symphonic rock. It´s not the kind of album that will grab you at first listen, that´s for certain. But A Nod And A Wink grows on you with each hearing, when you find more and more details and nuances every time. The influences of bands like Genesis and Pink Floyd are also more noticeable.

It may not be Camel´s best album, but it surely shows a versatile songwriter and guitarrist in top form. Andrew latimer´s voice is also quite fitting for this kind of music and he is backed by the usual very competent players like he always did. I liked the way keyboardist Guy LeBlanc uses the Hammond organ more often. Latimer solos are as emotional and beautiful as ever, and his flute playing is more proeminet here than on most Camel´s releases. Very intricated and subtle arrangements complete the picture. My fave tunes on this album are the title track, Fox Hill and the excellent l Squigley Fair (nice blend of folk and symphonic, with some awesome flute).

If you´re a Camel fan go for it! If you´re not, give it a chance. it may be the band´s swan song due to Latimer´s health problems, but it is a beautiful one! To be listen several times with great pleasure. Four stars.

For some reason I played this CD this weekend because I really wanted to play seventies music. And the package of this double CD made me pay attention to grab from my CD shelf, and also because Camel is a definitely a seventies band with one critical member who never left the band: Andy Latimer. It's similar with King Crimson who has always had Robert Fripp as main member. So I spun it and I was amazed with the music, coming from selection of the band's twenty years career from 1972 to 1992, especially with some masterpiece tracks (Lady Fantasy, Rhayader, etc). The beauty of Camel music is basically in its blend of various kinds of music from popo, rock, jazz, classical and symphonic. And each individual album of Camel is basically different from one to another even though Latimer always involved.

AS far as this compilation concern, I recommend you to have this boxed set whether you are newbie or old fans. For newbies, this is an excellent selection of the band's excellent tracks so that it may satisfy you even though it does not represent the whole story of the band. For an old fan this compilation tracks the band's journey in 20 years span of career. The fans must recognize very well with legendary tracks like 'Lady Fantasy' which has everything that requires a band being called as prog band because it has nice changes of style over the span of the song duration.

Great tracks here including "Lady Fantasy" that moves dynamically from one segment to another, coupled with a inventive Hammond organ work. 'Rhayader' and 'Rhayader Goes To Town' are also very nice song followed with 'Lunar Sea". You may find also 'The Sleeper' that has an exploration into jazzy music. 'Hymn to Her' is another legendary track in symphonic style. For those of you who like mellow style, 'Ice' as an excellent one to enjoy.

The CD package come with thick double CD jewel case that is my favorite. The booklet and sleeve note clearly defines the compilation CD and I really enjoy reading the booklet. Recommended!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Soothing Ethnic Guitar Clinic

Camel's Rajaz is an album I put on more often than many in my growing prog collection. However, the part of me fed by this album is very different than the part that enjoys Yes or Frank Zappa or even the classic Camel albums. This is an almost ambient piece of chillout music featuring some of the tastiest guitar ever recorded. The closest approximation I can think to this mood is Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms." This is NOT a Camel record in the mold of their 70's prog works, it is its own entity.

Superficially, this sounds like an Andy Latimer solo record. While the guitars are singular, up front, and beautiful, many of the other instruments are strictly supportive. In fact, many sound as if the guitarist himself had programmed base tracks for his solo instrument in a home studio. Many of the drum beats, especially, are almost electronically stiff, and I suspect Latimer's credits in percussion are actually programming. Certain tracks (notably the great lead track "Three Wishes") employ obviously live drumming, and have a much more energetic feel as a result. Similarly, contrasting the balance found in early Camel, here the keyboards clearly take a back seat to the guitar.

Even in the beginning, Camel was a pretty mellow rock and roll act, but this album is more like a Mike Oldfield outing for much of the listening experience. Latimer does, however, have many subtle tricks up his sleeve to keep the interest going and keeping this album from becoming a snooze fest. This includes middle eastern tonalities, which find their way into many of the tracks. Some times this is quite obvious and sometimes subtle, but they allow a broader note choice that keeps at least this ear attentive. The vocals break up the long instrumental sections nicely, and Latimer's skills have improved somewhat over the years. Similarly, subtle prog elements including meter changes, keyboard soloing, and non- standard chord progressions all find their way into the album in small doses. Rather than defining the music, however, the prog gives what could have been another guitar solo album a much needed boost in musicality.

The lead guitar is clearly what deserves the most attention. Latimer's touch on the fretboard is among the best in rock. He's often compared to Gilmour, but other than touch and subtlety being their signature charateristics, the two players have fairly distinct voices. Latimer's palette is a fair bit wider, his tone a little more uniform, his technique flawless. Though he uses almost no flash, Latimer's playing hints at a more complex dexterity that simply isn't appropriate for this collection of music. Any guitarist looking for a lesson in expression, musical choice, and articulation would find a great resource in this album.

I recommend this album to guitar players, fans of ambient flavored rock, and anyone who needs a musically skilled piece of chillout music. I would rate it at 3+ stars but not enough to reach the classification of "excellent prog."