A COMPACT COMPILATION

Camel won its law battle with Gama records in 1985. Geoff Jukes, their former manager, would finally accept the futility of his lawsuit and offer settlement. After lawyer's fees, court costs and general expenses were paid, Camel received "...just enough money to buy dinner for one (in a Bistro)". But it was a moral victory of momentous proportions and the end of a long haul for the band. So, we get a second Camel's compilation during the same year. This one covers their early period only.

From their second release, "Freefall" was already on their previous compilation ("The Collection"), but the "Lady Fantasy" suite is of course a good choice.

This compilation is a "Snow Goose" one (six numbers) which is fine but it is already the second compil in a row to do so (this time, only studio work). Two good songs from "Moonmadness" with "Song Within A Song" and the spacey "Lunar Sea".

To close this compil, three tracks from "Rain Dances" of which two good instrumental pieces : "First Light" and "Rain Dances".

This work could have been a perfect twin for "The Collection" but it should have avoided the duplication of "Freefall" and three ones from "The Snow Goose" (OK, there were mixed studio and live versions, but still).

Three stars for the tracklist, but one for the strategy.