TOTAL PRESSURE - LIVE IN CONCERT 1984

You can also name this DVD Pressure Points Plus because in fact it is an extended version (extra songs and an interview with Latimer from 1985) of the video Pressure Points, released in 1986 by Channel 5.

I was not very enthousiastic about that video featuring sloppy camera work at some moments like focussing on the second keyboard player while the first is playing a solo or focussing on the drummer while Latimer is doing great guitar work. But this DVD is another story due to the very interesting extra songs like strong renditions of Drafted, Captured and Lies (from the album Nude, the first time I witnessed a Camel concert) and the socalled 'Added Pressure' section that contains La Princesse Perdue, Unevensong, Never Let Go (I enjoyed the flashy synthesizer solo by fellow countryman Ton Scherpenzeel, ex-Kayak) and Hymn To Her that delivers the both very distinctive as sensitive Andy Latimer style guitarwork, including the 'clowning' because of his intense emotions while playing! Lies is one of my favorite Camel songs becase of the melancholic vocals and warm guitar runs, on this DVD you can enjoy a delicate version featuring a fluent synthesizer solo by Ton Scherpenzeel and another sensitive guitar solo by Andy Latimer. Remarkable is the spacey kebyoard intro by Scherpenzeel on the track Vopos, a bit polished track. During Stationary Traveller (fine play of words) we can witness Latimer on the panflute, a very melancholical sounding instrument, and building up a splendid guitar solo. The absolute highlight is my ultimate Camel composition Lady Fantasy: lots of dynamics, an exciting Hammond organ solo and Latimer plays very compelling guitar work, again including that typical 'clowning'!

To me this DVD sounds superior to the video version, I was carried away by Camel on stage during this Hammersmith Odeon concert in London(1984) featuring guest musicians Mel Collins and Peter Bardens, what a wonderful symphonic prog!