Camel - Mirage

a question
What is this album about? There is a way that make it easier to me to understand the lyrics?

proggosmento wrote: a question What is this album about? There is a way that make it easier to me to understand the lyrics?

I've never thought that it's an album about something in particular. It's five wonderful songs that compliment each other very well. Most (great) albums a a little like that. When listening I'm just enjoying the pleasant ride, it's differnt moods, passages and beautiful melodies. There's no concept, nothing too deep going on imo. But it is very warm and...human. A favorite of mine that I will always return to. Like a and old friend.

richardh wrote: 'Elevator Prog' but I like it.

I don't know what elevators you've been in, but if Camel's Mirage is played there, cool... 🤦‍♂️

Camel for me are one of the best prog bands to come out of the 1970's. They made super melodic music, they were superb players (Barden's keys were on a match to any band at the time) and I ( as a pro drummer for 30 yrs) rate Andy Ward as one of the finest prog drummers for his chops, style, fills etc. Just listen to what he did on the first albums. You can't fault any of it. Andy Latimer is a guitarist/ singer, maybe his vocals aren't the best, but his guitar work is superb. They went through a few bass players, Doug Ward and Richard Sinclair are solid.
Just listen to "Slow Yourself Down" off the first album and tell me that is not mind-blowing.

Slow Yourself Down has a vibe a bit like The Doors

Saperlipopette! wrote: ... I couldn't tell you what music I've heard in elevators*, but it sure wasn't Camel or Dave Brubeck. I would have loved hearing any of the two in that context so much, it would have made my day. ...

Hi, Several pieces by Dave Brubeck are in various places. For example, my old dentist had loose stuff from some stream that had what we could call "easy listening" or "light jazz" and you got many of Brubeck's pieces, done differently, specially with a small orchestra.

Camel I have not heard in that respect, but Snow Goose will be there soon enough ... put your money on it!

LOL. Many many years ago, when Halesowen Shopping Precinct was first built, they used to have piped music. I was amazed one day to hear some stuff by Bo Hansson off "Magician's Hat" ('The Sun, 90 or Parallel' IIRC.)

Moonmadness is my favorite Camel album...but Mirage is a very close second. I make no apologies for my love of Camel and Andy Latimer.

TheLionOfPrague wrote: Killer album. Lady Fantasy is one of the top 20 prog songs ever.

I agree. It might be my favorite Camel song too. For some reason I always thought of it as a sort of poor man's starship trooper but I'm not sure how fair that is and I do think it stands on it's own.

I would actually be curious as to what your other 19 are (you can send me a pm if you want).




Edited by AFlowerKingCrimson - May 10 2025 at 20:20

Dellinger wrote: ... I guess if Camel's Mirage was playing in an elevator I got in, I would go up and I would go down. The same if Close to the Edge was being played.

Hi,

It's getting close to it, trust me ... with so much stuff selling to commercial interests and many musicians selling their stuff ... it won't be long and Roxy Music will be there, Pink Floyd, Genesis and many others ... the money is too good to be silly enough not to take it, but it really tells you that in these times and century, the chances of a real artist coming along? Minimal to say the least ... because there is too much around it we don't realize or even have any ideas of. It's a matter of time, and JT will be there, Yes will be there, and Metallica will be there ... what else is new? And it's not easy to realize that many of those folks did not really go for the art of it all ... but the money they could get was a problem since they wanted to make sure they kept a life style that showed them as "stars", instead of being like you and I. ... and here comes the song ... and you and I ... !!!