CAMEL 73 - 75 GODS OF LIGHT

4.5 stars. I'm a little shocked not only at how good this live album is, but how much it doesn't sound like CAMEL at times. It features the classic lineup and live performances from 1973- 1975. Apparently this was a double live bootleg from Italy so the band decided to re-master it and make it a legit release. I have to agree with ZowieZiggy when he asks why did it take so long to release this ? The guys really let loose here with some aggressive playing.Then there's the Psychedelic passages and spacey synths.This is stuff i've never heard CAMEL do before.This is so cool !

"God Of Light Revisited" opens in a spacy / psychedelic manner with sounds that echo and come and go. It kicks in after a minute with lots of percussion reminding me of SANTANA. Organ comes to the fore 3 minutes in. Some nice heavy guitar before 7 minutes.The organ is back before 9 1/2 minutes. Intense section before 13 minutes then it calms down to a spacey atmosphere before kicking back in to end it. Man they really jam on this 16 minute opener. "White Rider" has a laid back spacey intro before marching style drums come in before a minute. It's building then the song I know kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes. Nice. Vocals before 2 1/2 minutes.The tempo picks up with organ a minute later. It settles after 5 minutes with vocals. Spacey synths and guitar before 7 minutes. It's heavier before 8 1/2 minutes.

"Lady Fantasy" sounds like the original except for the spacey synths. It kicks in before a minute and vocals follow. Love the organ, vocals and mood on this one. Guitar to the fore 4 minutes in. It settles down before 5 1/2 minutes.This sounds so good. Vocals a re back 7 minutes in. It kicks back in and organ follows. "Arubaluba" opens with the drums and organ standing out. Guitar before a minute. It picks up quickly.The guitar is fantstic as Latimer solos endlessly. "Exerpts From The Snow Goose" is the over 27 minute closer recorded live at the BBC. This song is a trip i'll tell you that. The spacey section 9 1/2 minutes in and the spacey organ 12 1/2 minutes in and the gorgeous section that follows. Latimer plays some relaxed guitar from 23 minutes to after 25 minutes then it turns spacey to the end.

Just when I thought I had heard all I needed to hear from this band. This really is essential for fans to see the band in a little different light. So close to being 5 stars.