MIRAGE

When I first discovered the prog rock archives website, I clicked on the symphonic rock section and spotted an album cover art that looked like a familiar ciggy pack. I was intrigued that someone would use such an iconic but somewhat controversial symbol to put on their album. Alas I discovered a band called Camel. The page on the 'Mirage' album offered some mp3 samples and so I choose Lady Fantasy for starters. People, believe me when I tell you that I have never felt so instantly connected with a band so quick in my life. I liked every noe of what I was hearing, that early 70's synth, the somewhat Focus/Floyd inspired guitar sound, solid bass and drums, and that very odd sounding vocal.

I couldn't believe that at age 38 I had never come across this band. I quickly grabbed this album and fell in love with one track after another. Nimrodel and Earthrise have become fav's as well. Such quirky melodies interplaying between guitars and keys, one would think Bardens and Latimer were joined at the hip. Too bad they wouldn't see eye to eye in later years.

The one thing that impresses me most about Camel is the force called Andrew Latimer. What a musician and visionary. I've been a fan of Van Halen, Malmsteen, Vai and Satrianni as guitar players but I've never heard such an honest and soulful approach towards instrumentation as expressed by Latimer.

My advice, fans of Floyd, Focus and Yes should give Camel a go, I surely hold this band up with the greats despite a much smaller fan base.

4.5 out of 5

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