COMING OF AGE

Camel's Coming of Age DVD begins with a fly on the wall style mini documentary showing the band in rare form rehearsing for a show. They discuss various chord structures and movements to get that distinct Camel sound and they play full pieces effortlessly. It is a wonderful start to this fabulous DVD. The sound check follows which is basically the band preparing prior to a show on a stage with an empty auditorium. We see the roadies getting the gear ready and the band taking off on a couple of numbers. Then the actual show starts and they begin with classic Lunar Sea played to perfection and then Latimer announces that the band are going to do two sets, one will feature songs from the new albums and the first will be more familiar classic material. They begin with a few tracks from Snow Goose to rapturous applause and it's great when Rhayader is heard, familiar to any Camel addict. An essential rendition of a classic.

The harmonies are accomplished on the track Drafted which begins slowly and then builds to a captivating Latimer lead solo. The lighting in the concert is basic blues and melancholy shades with touches of red lights occasionally to bounce off. It is a fairly standard concert visually but the main drawcard is of course the music. The sound quality is well executed and ultimately the songs are all chosen carefully and make up a lengthy set list with some surprises along the way. A few of these tracks I had never heard before as they were from the recent albums but that was an endearing aspect of the concert. Most songs were quite moderate in tempo and featured soaring lead solos, Latimer being the main star, but the band members all blend beautifully together on every track. The flute is a nice touch especially on peaceful serene pieces such as Spirit of The Water. There are images of water rippling on this and it enhances the emotional resonance of the music.

The audience is quiet and captivated during each track but burst into applause and occasionally are rapturous after each song, ending with well deserved standing ovations. The music tends to draw you in due to the highly polished emotional soundscape that is created. There is a high degree of patience as the songs build gradually to crescendos. Latimer certainly has to be one of the greatest prog guitarists on the planet, he absolutely sparkles on this DVD. The cinematography never gets inj the way of the performers and is a rather concentrated focus on each of the members and there are no effects to get in the way. During Ice dry ice drifts across the stage at appropriate moments but there are no visual enhancements, apart from a large screen above the stage to show the band, but no pretty pictures as far as I could tell. Ice is a true highlight of the concert with a scorching lead solo as good as you will hear and gains a standing ovation. Latimer absolutely wrenches every note out of his singing axe and it is spine tingling to see him emotionally delve deep into the music as he plays. A plethora of fade ins are used and some overlaps of band members so that we can gain a full visual experience; it really is beautifully edited with love and reverence to the band. Audience members are only shown occasionally, but the main focus is on the stage.

Latimer wears a black Moonmadness T Shirt; Foss Patterson on keys has a black T and a wide sleeve royalistic leopard skin style robe looking majestic and as regal as Wakeman; Colin Bass on Bass is clad in black; and Dave Stewart the drummer wears simple black. They are genuine legends of prog and present a commanding performance on stage. They are all business when they launch into one track after another and there is often a huge jam session. Occasionally Latimer addresses the audience.

To break up the first set there are fan interviews, and to hear from the fans is always a treat, some travelled 1500 miles to see them. There are old fans, female fans as well as male, one in particular that is easy on the eye, and some middle aged fans as well spout their admiration; they really encompass the adult generation. When asked of what is the favourite album the fan's response is mainly Snow Goose, and Moonmadness, as one would expect.

The second set begins with a rocker, the delightful riffing Mother Road. The newer material features more vocals and less jamming but are no less captivating. I like listening to this new material as many I do not have in my collection. They are very catchy songs with infectious melodies and brilliant virtuoso musicianship. Harbour of Tears is the main album featured played from beginning to end, wonderful as I did not own the album, and Dust and Dreams gets some exposure too, along with other recent releases to the time of the concert. A nice surprise is to hear the Irish sounds of Mae McKenna on Irish Air, that features scintillating flute and smoke over a lonely moon is seen. The sheer beauty of this track is unsurpassed, and has the power to relax the senses, lulling you into a peaceful dream. The guitar is divine and those gorgeous vocals; and as Harbour of Tears begins we see footage of Latimer walking across Irish landscapes, with old boats ready at their moorings, and the farewelling throng of crowds, archival footage and very appropriately ethereal. The music is entrancing with sustained keyboard passages and guitar swells with blue lighting cascading down; it is a visual and aural feast. Overall this was a pleasant excursion into the revered territory of prog legends Camel and I would return to this experience often. A triumphant concert and one of the best examples of how to do it right. Style over substance, music over effects, band members over extraneous imagery.

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