IN FROM THE COLD

I ordered this brand new Camel live concert DVD directly from the band (camelproductions.com) and was amazed when my copy arrived that it had been signed by Andy Latimer at no extra cost! And not enough with that, they had thrown in a free sticker as well. (Last time I ordered from Camel Productions, they gave me a free sticker and a post card!) It is not the cheapest nor the fastest service on the planet, but they sure care about their fans.

Seeing this concert film (recorded in London in October 2013), one is strongly reminded of how incredible it is that Andy has recovered from the illness that almost took his life. I think that few people expected to ever see him on a stage again. But here he is and he's looking well again, and playing well. The other mainstay is Colin Bass who has been playing with the band since 1979. Guy LeBlanc (keyboards) and Denis Clement (drums) have been with them since 2000. For this tour they were joined also by a second keyboard player in Jason Hart.

The set list consists of the Snow Goose album performed in its entirety, plus a second set of other songs. Camel are certainly no strangers to performing full albums live as they have done so on numerous occasions (Snow Goose in the 1970's, Dust And Dreams and Harbour Of Tears in the 90's). I must admit that the Snow Goose album is actually my least favourite Camel album from their classic era. The version performed here includes the "revisions" that were featured on the re-recorded studio version released last year (to warm people up for this tour). (Personally, I prefer the re-recorded 2013 version over the original 1975 album.) The performance here is very good.

Since the first set is obviously entirely instrumental, the second set focuses on vocal numbers. The second set features a further nine songs, one each taken from the self-titled debut, Mirage, Moonmadness, Rain Dances, and Breathless, and two each from Harbour Of Tears and A Nod And A Wink. All of these songs are excellent, but most of them have been played live before and already featured on other recent live albums and videos. For Today was included on the band's previous live DVD The Opening Farewell released in 2010; The Hour Candle and Watching The Bobbins were included on the 1998 live concert DVD and album Coming Of Age; the classic Never Let Go was included on the 1993 live album of the same name (in the arrangement appearing here); Echoes and Lady Fantasy were included both on the latter live album and on The Opening Farewell. Don't get me wrong, I love all of these songs, but it would have been more interesting to hear more songs that they don't play often or at least songs that wasn't included on their most recent live releases. The rarest--and therefore most interesting--songs they play here are Song Within A Song, Tell Me, and Fox Hill. The latter two are sung very well by Colin Bass.

But even though I would like to have seen some more rarities, old and new, in the set list, the performance featured on In From The Cold is a thoroughly enjoyable experience all the way and does not disappoint. Personally I think that Coming Of Age is Camel's best live DVD, but this one is an excellent addition to any Camel fan's collection (together with The Opening Farewell). Now I'm only waiting for an archival live release from the Rajaz tour!

I saw a gig of this tour in Groningen and I must say it was one of the best rockconcerts I ever saw, right up with Magma and Iron Maiden (in 2004). I've been playing the electric guitar for 12 years now, but that evening forced me to rethink what a guitar actually is. The band received a warmest of welcomes by the Dutch crowd and every note played was just perfect.

Watching this dvd I must admit I was at first a bit dissapointed. Andy Latimer is bit sick and has troubles with his vocals, moreover his playing on the first set is way less accurate then what I witnessed live. But arrangements for a dvd recording can't easily be changed I guess. The mixing of 'The last Farewell' had given the band a heavier feel with more bass and drums, this dvd sound milder - more like the 'Coming of Age' dvd.

Having said that, the dvd is still very good! The first set is an integral version of The Snow Goose with some minor rearrangements, the second set is a walk through the extensive carrere of the band. Tracks like 'Song within a Song', 'Echoes' (a brilliant track that got lost on the otherwise mediocre Breathless album), 'Watching the Bobbins' (this track sounded sooo good live!) and 'Lady Fantasy' are great to hear. The photography fits the music, easy going and focussed on the musicians that take the lead.

Conclusion. A great dvd for fans of the band, but like 'The Opening Farewell' is doesn't come without its defects.To be honest, I think theis recent reincarnation of the band still deserves its definite live footage. Still, what band of the classic prog era can produce anything better? I though so.Three and a halve stars for this one. I will most certainly go and see them again if possible.