COMING OF AGE

For my 200th review for our esteemed progressive site, I decided to dedicate this opinion to an amazing musician, who I never had a chance to see live (one of my 5 wishes rubbing the lamp!) and with him recovering from a major operation, probably never will. Hence, the selection of Camel's Coming of Age� live DVD, a masterful visual testament of Andy Latimer's contribution to modern progressive music and a thoroughly rousing testament to his well deserved legendary status. While the recordings over the last 3 and a half decades have withstood time and word, it must be said that seeing his artistry is even more compelling when witnessed in a concert setting as Latimer expresses so much with so little, each note seemingly wrapped in a shawl of emotion , literally sparkling at the seams. This is what live prog should look like, no elaborate props, no shining lasers and no special FX, just four dedicated virtuoso musicians luxuriating in the expression of their craft, transmitting profound feelings through their instruments, fingers, hands and lungs. No ego, no attitude, just powerful passion and gut wrenching delivery. Long time friend and captivating musician Colin Bass has been a Camel member since the mid-70s and his contributions are awe inspiring throughout. Keyboardist Foss Patterson has always been around, floating from Camel to Fish (likes animals, I guess) whenever either needs a touring maestro, his reputation greatly enhanced in watching and admiring his grimacing synth solo work, a sight to behold! Dave Squeaky Stewart is another member of the Camel to Fish convention, supplying dynamic drum work that remains faithful to the Andy Ward tradition while displaying a supple bravura.

Finally, the sympathetic Andy Latimer shines like few guitarists can, his entire body trembling from the incredible intensity of his melodies, the deepest emotions etched on his grimacing face. There are few musicians who are as overtly expressive as Carlos Santana or as breathtakingly gorgeous as David Gilmour, but Latimer offers up an incredible combination of both these masters, dispensing one searing melody after another with utter honesty. Obviously, Camel fans will need little encouragement to wallow in bliss (the fan interviews in the middle are priceless, especially that middle aged female babe who proudly confesses to many sultry trysts while listening to Camel, hmmmm) as the 2 hour long affair is divided in epochal stages chronologically moving from the early days of Mirage, Snow Goose, Moonmadness and Nude, with added renditions of Drafted, Sasquatch and the truly magnificent "Ice"� (at the end of which his entire being shudders VISIBLY, as if in orgasmic release), to a post-interlude selection of pieces from Dust & Dreams and Harbour of Tears. I have shown parts of this DVD to the ignorant masses and the reactions have been revealing, mainly comments like "hey, this is way more cool than Pink Floyd"," these old guys can sure play with feeling"� and "that old fart sure can play a mean guitar". These rather infantile remarks from non-fans provide the prog world more than enough illumination to rekindle our deepest affection for one of the genres truly fantastic personas, as well as one of the true gentle souls that has graced our lives for so long.

Not only is this ship of the desert worthy of such lofty praise but this timeless DVD should be coveted by those who like me, have never seen them live, as well as worshipped by those lucky enough to have. My already sky-scraping opinion has taken a quantum forward leap in admiration. Let's all wish Andy a speedy recovery.

5 palm trees.