Camel Fans Album Reviews

CAMEL FANS ~ Album Reviews

Album fast access links to Studio Albums Reviews:

Camel	Mirage	The Snow Goose	Moonmadness	Rain Dances	Breathless	I Can See Your House from Here
Nude	A Single Factor	Stationary Traveller	Dust and Dreams	Harbour of Tears	Rajaz	A Nod and a Wink

Album fast access links to Live Album Reviews:

A Live Album	Pressure Points	On the Road 1972	Never Let Go	On the Road 1982
On the Road 1981	Coming of Age	Gods of Light	The Paris Collection

ALBUM Click any album cover to return to top	FANS - STUDIO ALBUM REVIEWS
1973 CAMEL	So long ago to get a real impresion about the first time I listen Camel, it was hard time for me, but true no so hard when I listen this cassete, curiosly buying on a tobacco shop in Sevilla (Spain). - Review by - Pedro Gracia - Spain ___________________________________________ This is a very credible debut album from Camel that still rates amongst my all time favourites. Some really classic tracks (including the timeless "Never Let Go") with the great instrumental Arubaluba strking out with great impact. An album that once heard is never forgotten. - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai ___________________________________________ My opinion here is probably due to the fact that this is one of my very last Camel cd's to buy. I have all the collection of camels cd's and I enjoy them all. I generally don't skip tracks etc. This cd is good, but something is missing, maybe it's the recording or had I got this before, in the early 70's or 80's, I would agree with the other reviews. There are some great tracks on this cd, like Mystic Queen, Seperation, Six Ate, Curiosity. I do play this cd quite a bit and of the time is excellent, as you can tell by the music. To me, this lacks some of the other releases that Camel are famous for. This cd does not move me in the same way as the other cd's Camel have made. I would certainly recommend this cd and this does suite my musical tastes, sounding very progressive. - Review by David Pagden - Canada !! Write your own review of this album !!
1974 MIRAGE	I discovered Camel through ‘Mirage’ in 1974. Hitherto, Pink Floyd and Deep Purple had been my favourite bands and I found ‘Mirage’ fitted well between these two band’s styles. David Hitchcock’s production is a quantum leap forward from the debut album and exudes clarity, freshness and energy throughout. The jazz influences that would become more apparent on later albums are here, but make no mistake, this is very much Camel’s ‘Hard Rock’ album, with the only pause for breath being the beautiful flute laden ‘Supertwister’. For the rest, Latimer and Bardens stretch out on lengthy solos and tight interplay, whilst Ward’s sizzling drumming and Ferguson’s solid bass provide a well rehearsed backbone. - Review by Peter Beasley - London ___________________________________________ I've made comments on my reviews about how the style of Camel has changed and matured. Mirage follows the same style as Snowgoose, probably because this was before Snowgoose. To me 5 cd's have the same similarities, Mirage, Snowgoose, Nude, Moonmadness and Raindances. This will also conclude the original line up of Bardens, Ferguson, Latimer and Ward. Mirage will not disappoint you, if you have any of the above cd's mentioned. My favourite track would be Lady Fantasy, followed by earthwise with strong performances from Bardens and Ferguson. Lots of drum roll on Nimrodel and Earthwise, and good keyboards as well. I am not too keen on the vocals on this cd, but the music makes up for that. Andrew Latimer plays well on the flute on Supertwister, closing with the opening of a can of beer. This is one of the classics of Camel, a great cd and a must to have in the collection. - Review by David Pagden - Canada ___________________________________________ Another great Camel album and a very worthy follow-up to their debut album. Highly recommended. - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai ___________________________________________ For many fans the first album they heard from their favorite band stays the "all time favorite". In my case it is, you could have guessed it, Mirage. I am the proud owner of all Camel cd's. Maybe Mirage isn't their best album (technically spoken "The Snow goose" and the last 3 albums are superiour) but Lady Fantasy gives me "that feeling", a special feeling that I'm happy to exist and touches me in the heart. So, "best album" is a matter of taste, but this is my taste: 5 camels to Mirage! In june I'm goïng to a Camel concert (the farewell tour), hope they play "Lady Fantasy" ;-) - Review by Jacco Logtenberg - Holland. !! Write your ownreview of this album !!
1975 THE SNOW GOOSE	This to me is the best classic cd's that Camel have produced with their original line up of Peter Bardens, Andrew Latimer, Doug Ferguson and Andy Ward. It was also my very first camel Album or cd back in 1975, when I first heard them on the Old Grey Whistle Test, in England. This cd is so original and Camelish, excuse the pun!. The whole cd is Instrumental which I like, this is a well produced cd of the time and from my point of view put Camel on the map to success. It is the same as saying Mike Oldfield's - Tubular Bells or Pink Floyd's- Dark Side of the Moon. I very much like Raindances, Moonmadness, Mirage, Nude and so on, but this by far succeeds in all aspects of their music. I am now going to include there modern cd's as I also find these to be excellent. + - Review by David Pagden - Canada ___________________________________________ An absolute classic Camel album and one for which they are probably best known. This album contains something for everyone and still stands up well today as it did way back then when it was originally released. Tracks from this album still feature in todays live Camel shows and this album really epitomises all the musical strengths that make Camel great. A must for all collectors! + - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai !! Write your own reviews of this album !!
1976 MOONMADNESS	Do you remember the first time you heard 'Moonmadness', and it's first track, 'Aristillus'? I am sure that you do - I know that I do, as a 20 something, having come to Camel via other albums, I retraced their musical steps and came upon this album one summer day in 1985. Last year of college, going out into the world, and the high notes of the first track suddenly burst onto the summer breeze. It was a relevation, fresh, light and urgent, with a hint of what was to come. To follow it up with the haunting, melocholic 'Song Within A Song' was brilliant - my compliments to whoever created the running order. So many of Camel's songs have other hints, other worlds, in them, that many can be reveiwed from different perspective. For me, the second track was the revealing of a Camel musical element; a requirement for the basis of their music. Subtle notes, clashing percussion, and haunting, ethereal voices, when the synthsisers come in and join with the drums, the song reaches new heights, new meanings. And then, from nowhere, something takes off, a jet, a bird, a rocket, something changes once more and we are on a rollercoaster ride once more. This continues with 'Chord Change', a mix of layers beautifully crafted into a tour de force. Like a live session, you can hear their enjoyment, as the music pauses to let you catch your breath, and then jumps off and runs away again. Can you keep up - does the voice bring you ever onwards? For me, I am out of breath by the end of the music - which is just as well as 'Spirit Of The Water' glides into view, like some soft lullabye, its flutes heralding another, softer, more focussed direction. It laps over you, like water on a beach. soft and warm and enveloping. A great piece of music to float away on - a cloud of softness, lulling you to sleep. And then, just as I slipped away into sleep on that sunny day all those years ago, 'Another Night' came crashing down, like demons out of the mist. Like a battle on the run, the wall of sound hits you like a rake in the grass, unexpected and sharp, but with wistful nuances that draws you in. Again, the drums make this song for me, light but deft, crafted into the music like grain into wood. The organ notes sustain you throughout as you wait for each new skirmish in your mind, urgent music moving you ever forwards, making you wish to be there, wherever they are right now. Once again, the rollercoaster pauses a moment with 'Air born', a lovely, moody synthesiser-led tone poem that tells its own story, gliding through your spirit and making your head shake with the beat. This is not music, this is food for the soul. Surprises -like the guitar out of synthesiser, into flute, then onto new levels of sound; left me smiling and whispering 'Yes!' as I lay back and let the sun play upon my face through the windows on that hot day. If I close my eyes, I can almost hear the sounds of my father moving about downstairs... And then; the classic. What some would call their definitive sound - 'Lunar Sea'. From the moments of boiling lava popping away on the moon, the lunar landings, pictures of a small craft spinning slowly down to the lunar surface cascading across your mind, you close your eyes and feel yourself falling towards the surface yourself. The elements of the group combine to synthesis a whole, a glass like perfection to the music; each part of the group almost unnoticed, but required to make up the whole. The dark synthesiser notes, guiding you into a landing on the moon while the drums keep you twisting slowly in orbit - will you, can you; survive this fall onto another world? A crowd favourite live, a favourite of mine in many variations, from the alas departed Pete Bardens' own rendition on his cd's, to seeing it live at concerts across the south east, nothing can compare for sheer absorbtion in the music to that day so many years ago when I closed my eyes and fell onto the moon. - Review by Alan R C Mitchell - UK Rajaz comment - Nice long review Alan, yes a very descriptive Moonmadness short story. ___________________________________________ Please indulge me! This is my all-time favourite Camel album!! For me, this album encapsulates a confidence of musical prowess...the guys were certainly "cookin' on gas" when these tracks were cut! Again some concert regulars from this albums track listing (including the Camel greats : Lunar Sea, Song Within a Song, Spirit of the Water). No adjectives are sufficient to describe how outstanding this album is...so...buy it, listen to it and then let your ears and brain tell you!! ++ - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai ___________________________________________ I like this cd very much, like all of the Camel collection a lot of tracks appear here which are excellent. This is one of those cd's that appears. in the favourite collection and to me Camel have a lot of favourite cd's. My favourite track is Chord Change and Lunar Sea, a brilliant cd. + - Review by David Pagden - Canada ___________________________________________ This album gets credit for starting my interest in Camel. I had never heard Camel before but had read on the All Music Review site that Camel was a '70s progressive rock band that was similar to Pink Floyd. The description was not accurate but my interest was enouph so that when I saw this disk for sale I bought it. I'm glad I picked Moonmadness because it is my favorite Camel album and probably their most "progressive" in sound. I can't add anything to the previous reviews, but to recommend this as a good starting point for progressive rock fans to discover Camel. - Review by Nick Pulliam - Chelmsford Massachusetts, USA !! Write your own review of this album !!
1977 RAIN DANCES	This is an amazing album, although very clean and almost commercial sounding, it captures all aspects of camel and their music style. It was the first album I heard of theirs but still remains my favourite, probably the only one I know all the words to and therefore can intemperate the meaning. I would recommend this album to anybody who has not yet heard it or appreciates good music for that matter. Thanx for this opportunity. C. - Review by Clive Lavender - UK Rajaz comment - Not that Clive's music taste has been influenced in any way by his dad. ___________________________________________ A much more commercial, jazzy album with some fine saxophone playing from Mel Collins. Not my "cup of tea" but a pleasant change nevertheless. Ideal for those hot summers when you are sitting in the garden on a sunny Sunday afternoon with a bottle of wine...somehow then this album takes on a completely different perspective... - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai Rajaz comment - I thought the theme of this Album was music for a rainy day not a sunny afternoon and I still think it worth more than three Camels. ___________________________________________ Raindances is an excellent cd. So much variety and still typically Camel. This cd has very strong electronic keyboards with Pete Bardens. My personal tastes are very prog/jazzy style, plenty of instruments are played here, including the saxophone. This is a very good example of how a variety of different styles can blend together to form strong melodies, a good beginning to a good cd. Tell me, is a very slow track, probably not my favourite on this cd, but still enjoyable. Highways of the sun, another enjoyable track, enjoy listenening to this in the car . Uneveningsong is one of those typical classic live concert tracks which goes very well with the crowd. My favourite track has to be One of these days I'll get an early night. This track is very jazzy and full of saxophone playing with Andrew Latimer coming in, on one of his guitar solo's. Raindances is another strong Bardens track, good melody , excellent electronic keyboards. Overall one of the best classic cd's, full of different musical styles and strong jazzier themes compared to others cd's in the collection, which fits my musical taste. I rate this below Snow goose, purily because Snow goose which got me started into Camel was very original at the time - Review by David Pagden - Canada Rajaz comment - Nice to see that somebody else considers Rain Dances to be a great album, I was getting worried I might be on my own, apart from my son that is. ___________________________________________ This is a strong album with some great songs and an undeniable pervasive mood - Melancholy. The instrumentals are all good, my absolute favorite and vote for best song on this allbum is "Skylines" This song has a Jeff Beck-Jan Hammer jazziness that is still very much a camel song. Unevensong and First Light are well done jazzy instrumentals that contribute to the mood. I also like Metrognome for the gloomy subject and great Richard Sinclair vocals, ditto for "Tell Me". Highways To The Sun is poppy fun that has a fantastic Bardens solo within. The only song that leaves me unimpressed is Elke. Its not a bad song, but not too engaging either. - Review by Nick Pulliam - Chelmsford Massachusetts, USA !! Write your own review of this album !!
1978 BREATHLESS	Breathless is not just good Camel, its Great! This album gets slagged by many for what I consider unfair reasons: too poppy and disco infected. First, you get Richard Sinclair singing most of the songs. Sinclair is the best vocalist Camel ever had and his work on this album (and Raindances) is outstanding. Second, the guitar and keyboard work on Echoes and Summer Lightning are some of Camel's best moments. Finally, The light hearted songs like "You Make Me Smile" and the Caravanesque "Down On The Farm" are fun and work well in the album's context. I think the only weakness on the album is the instrumental "Sleeper" it seems to drag on too long and goes nowhere. And lets not forget that this album contains one of the top 5 camel songs of all time IMHO, Echoes! So don't listen to the nay sayers and prog-snobs, stop what you are doing now and get a copy of Breathless. + - Review by Nick Pulliam - Chelmsford Massachusetts, USA. Rajaz comment - Best review we have had for Breathless a complete contrast to Shane's review. ___________________________________________ As much as it pains me to say this as a life-long dedicated Camel fan...Breathless as an album is quite frankly...AWFUL. Two possible redeeming features are the title track "Breathless" and (at a push) Rainbows End (probably for the messages within it for Andrew Latimer and Peter Bardens). You won't lose much sleep if you miss this one. - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai Rajaz comment - Didn't think it was quite that bad Shane there are some very good tracks here although a little commercial. ___________________________________________ I find this very similar to Single Factor, very enyoyable and different to the other Camel cd's, very much influenced by the band Caravan, due to Mel Collins and Richard Sinclair. There is lots to like on this cd and I still rate this as a very strong cd by Camel. Camel is a band that once your in, it's hard to let go. Not the usual strong Camel melodies, but still typically Camel. I can certainly assure you, the music is very good and worth a listen, some may dissagree, but Camel are a band that have never done a bad cd, there music is excellenet. - Review by David Pagden - Canada Rajaz comment - David, I am not convinced this album deserves the same Camel rating as Moonmadness and Mirage. Even though I consider it's worth more than Shane's rating of one Camel. I have now adjusted your ratings as requested. ___________________________________________ my favorite song is "summer lightning"! this song it's for me a veritable hymn for my love for ever "nelly". thank you for your very good page ! sorry for my english by (No Camel Rating Given) - Review by Remy Koch - France !! Write your own review of this album !!
1979 I CAN SEE YOUR HOUSE FROM HERE	This is a special album . Is the first one I listened and the voice of Andy Latimer was so attractive to my ears in that time!!, I still remember the sensations! and day by day until nowadays I simply adore him !!!. No more words... - Review by Mimi Sánchez - Mexico ___________________________________________ I have recently "rediscovered" this album and have actually enjoyed it very much. I particulary like the humour within this album. Of course the Camel "anthem" Ice was bourne on this album and is without doubt my favourite Camel track ever. The haunting guitar riffs still send shivers down my spine everytime I hear it. If you've forgotten this album, I suggest you pull it out of the cupboard, dust it off and give it another good airing...you'll be pleasantly surprised by what you hear! - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai Rajaz comment - Certainly agree on your favorite track ever, I will never tier from listening to it ..........not so sure about the neighbours though. ___________________________________________ This cd is another good release to have in the collection. One track, I am not keen on, is Wait, this is probably one track in the Camel collection that I do not care for. To me, this track lacks substance. Eye of the Storm, was a little of a surprise, specially written by Kit Watkins, It sounded very much like it was taken from a Mirage or Nude cd, excellent track though and definitely Camel. Others includes Hymn to Her, which is Colin Bass's greatest contributions to Camel as a vocalist. Andrew Latimer should allow him to sing on more oncoming tracks in the future. His vocals are very good here. Neon Magic and Remote Romance do have the Camel feel to these tracks, Remote Romance is the best of the two, with has very much an electronic feel to it and very enjoyable, simple lyrics and very catchy keyboard melodies. Well what can I say, Ice, this is my favourite or one of my favourite tracks Camel have produced. This track is so moving and can be emotional, depending on your circumstance at the time. If I was able to play only one track as a musician and play it very well, it would be this one. There is a lot of tracks that Andrew plays excellent on and I very much enjoy, specially on the Rajaz cd , but this track is very much worth the purchase of, ' I can See Your House from Here'. - Review by David Pagden - Canada Rajaz comment - Fully agree with your comments on Ice. !! Write your own review of this album !!
1981 NUDE	I have never really been able to develop much love for this one...and I have tried honestly!! I must say though, I enjoyed this album more when I saw it live rather than listening to it on disc. For me, this doesn't quite hang together and I don't find the strength of the music particularly riveting. You may think differently though... - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai Rajaz comment - At least we agree on some things Shane, apart from Camel are the greatest band ever ___________________________________________ Nude is a very good cd and shows the diversity of this great band. Nude, has very much more of the classical themes not heard on others in the Camel's collection, also there is a hint from the Mirage cd in this. The style is very similar to SnowGoose, not the music but how this is composed. There is plenty of variety and melody on this cd and flows together well from beginning to end. Certain tracks can be slow- like Landscapes - very slow mellow track followed by a rhythmic drum beat on changing places with good flute work. This then follows pomp and circumstances which sounds similar to the Mirage cd, with the opening of the can of beer. Please come home, sounds very much like Caravan, also a mellow track. The music starts to bounce back to life towards the remaining tracks, with a march drumrole on Homecoming. Lies, The Birthday Cake and Nudes return. Nudes return has hints from Van der Graaf Generator at the beginning, but then filters to the regular drumrole heard through out the cd The classics tracks on this cd are Nude, Drafted, Docks and Beached, which I enjoy immensly and well known on their live cd's and tours. I like this cd a lot, due to the variety of musical styles played here, making for a very interesting cd. This is not my favourite of the camel collection, but one that I enjoy playing once and a while. - Review by David Pagden - Canada !! Write your own review of this album !!
1982 THE SINGLE FACTOR	Not too much here for the hardened Camel fan, and really not much of interest if you happen to be into prog rock. Whilst the album does have its moments, there doesn't seem to be any clear direction for the music to head in. I would have liked the guys to have developed the themes explored in 'Selva' and 'End Peace', which I feel were almost ambient classics. Perhaps some of the time spent with Eno on Rain Dances was a really positive influence! Unfortunately you have to draw the conclusion that the guys were only in the studio to produce a commercial album, but with the result that it sounds like talented musicians marking time. I guess a rating of two out of five is about right. - Review by Graham Shore ___________________________________________ This may not be Camel's strongest of cd's but it is different and I like it. It is crossed between Alan Parsons and Caravan, six tracks stand out on this cd, the number one being Sasquatch. Others are noticeably Heroes, Selva, Manic, Heart's Desire and End Piece. One track sounds like Neil Diamond " Today Goodbye', a good track but not really Camel. I find this cd very relaxing and soothing, the only downfall of this cd is the recording, it appears at times very flat, compared to the other Camel cd's. If this cd ever gets re-released, I'm sure more people will like Single Factor. I find this cd lacks the bass of Colin Bass, but it does have the great classical guitarist, ex Genesis of Anthony Phillips. There are a lot of bands, who I like. When you buy the next cd, it's not quite what you expected. Camel have never done this for me. I like all the Camel music and Andrew Latimer has written some great tracks. This cd is not Moonmadness, Snow Goose, Raindances, Mirage or Nude. The tracks on this cd are very good but not to the normal Camel ear, a good cd, but different. - Review by David Pagden - Canada ___________________________________________ I think Andrew Latimer may have been struggling a bit here. Nonetheless, the album carries that great track "Saquatch" which I have always thoroughly enjoyed and could listen to time and time again. If you need uplifting experience..."Heroes" never fails. - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai !! Write your own review of this album !!
1984 STATIONARY TRAVELLER	I must say that Stationary Traveller is absolutely one of my most favorite records of all time and this does not only refer to Camel but to the whole music history:) All songs here are wonderful, perhaps except for West Berlin which is not really exciting but certainly not bad. My favorite song "Stationary Traveller" is so beautiful and Andy's magic guitar sounds just fills my heart and soul and it almost makes me cry. Wow - some might think I go little bit too far but this is really what I feel. This song is just great and I also like its live performing on Pressure Point DVD. Other songs like Refugee and Cloak and Dagger Man are superb and has a great pace and rhythm. Vopos and its first seconds of dark keybords sounds is just great. Anyway, whatever I can say I will never be able to evaluate this record well enough. It is just great. I dont actually know why some people alwasy compare or say something like "If you like Alan Parsons Project you will like this album" This is pure Camel and it is no use to compare it to other bands. Listening to this album is a sheer delight! - Review by Leszek Wikariak - Poland Rajaz comment - Leszek tells me he is 30 year old, a teacher of English at a secondary school and one of his dreams is to see Camel live but is afraid it's late. I just wonder if Andy may just make his dream come true - you never know!!! ___________________________________________ To me this cd has a similar theme like Dust and Dreams and Harbour of Tears. The music is very German, like Harbour of Tears is Irish. I bought this LP in Germany after Snow Goose back in 1985. I would certainly say that this has a similar sound towards Alan Parsons Project, probably because of Chris Rainbow on vocals and David Paton on Bass. At this time I did not know who Alan Parsons Project were, but since hearing Alan Parsons Project and collecting a number of their cd's, I would rate them closer to Camel without getting into Andrew Latimer's heavy guitar solo's. Getting back to Stationary Traveller, the obvious Alan Parsons similarity would be Cloak and Dagger Man. Due to Snow Goose, which is one of my favourite classic cd's, Stationary Traveller comes second, as this was my second Camel cd, and has certain memories of the past, so this review is slightly biased. My favourite track would be Stationary Traveller, Pressure Points, After words, Long Goodbye and Missing. It is a shame Colin Bass missed out on this great cd, as there was a great gap of 8 years since the release of Dust and Dreams. This Cd does not have the same similarities as Snow Goose, Moonmadness, Nude or Mirage but it is definitely Camel. If you like Alan Parsons Project with the added guitar work of Andrew Latimer, you'll like this cd. - Review by David Pagden - Canada ___________________________________________ This album make me feel remember good times, perhaps my first love, always stay on my mind. - Review by - Pedro Gracia - Spain ___________________________________________ A couple of good tracks but overall this album was a bit of a disappointment. A sad farewell before the welcome return some years later! - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai !! Write your own reviews of this album !!
1992 DUST AND DREAMS	I welcomed Camels musical return via "Dust and Dreams" with hot antcipation...and was not disappointed!! This is a terrific album. Good story and musically very very strong. Although different from the earlier works, this album exudes a musical confidence not seen in Camels latter releases before this one and you can't help but be drawn into this work. A stunning return and well worth a listen now and always! - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai ___________________________________________ I am not going to say too much and agree with the other reviews on this great cd and a must to all Camel fans that don't own it. Harbour of Tears follows the same theme of Dust and Dreams. To me the very long wait after Stationary Traveller, the music has matured to what has been some of the best I've heard from Camel and this includes the other releases after this cd. 'Just go out and buy it"!, you won't regret it. - Review by David Pagden - Canada Rajaz comment - Yes this was certainly a great come back for Camel after such a long break. !! Write your own review of this album !!
1996 HARBOUR OF TEARS	I am quite hooked listening and watching the DVD, Coming of Age, as the second half of this DVD concerns the Harbour of Tears cd. I've owned the DVD and Harbour of Tears for nearly 2 months now. I am quite pleased that this is a fairly new purchase for me as I find this very refreshing. Like all of the modern Camel Cd's you find yourself enjoying this after several plays. Four tracks really stand out; Send Home the Slates, Watching the Bobbins, Running from Paradise and The Hour Candle. The Hour Candle, to me is one of Andy's best bluesy guitar solo's which shows a lot of feeling. Andy Latimer's vocals are excellent on this Cd and he brings a good Irish feel to this Cd. Instrumentally this cd is very good. After listening to Camels music you cannot say they are boring or dull, as each cd is different. I rate this third on my list of Camels favourite Cd's, there is not a lot to dislike on this cd and with all my Camel collection it's hard to pick a favourite. If you buy this Cd or bought it, the DVD, Coming of Age is highly recommended. - Review by David Pagden - Canada ___________________________________________ A strong follow-up to "Dust and Dream" with several impressive tracks ("Send Home the Slates", "Watching the Bobbins", "Running from Paradise" and "The Hour Candle" to name but a few). Some outstanding guitar work from Andrew Latimer really carries this album along and sustains it throughout the whole piece. - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai !! Write your own review of this album !!
1999 RAJAZ	I cannot explain it, Rajaz in my opinion is my favourite Camel cd followed by Nod and Wink. There is not one track I do not like on this cd, following the theme of the great deserts. To me one track does let this cd down is "Shout!" a good track, but does not quite fit on this cd. Andrew Latimer plays some very good guitar solo's especially Straight to my Heart, which is quite bluesy. I find this cd very powerful and well produced following a theme which Andrew intended and it works!. I'm generally finding the last three cd's, Harbour and Tears, Rajaz and Nod and wink, once first played you like the music, but their's nothing oustanding. The more times you play these cd's you actually find how good they really are and appreciate how Andrew Latimer and Colin Bass and the they rest of their line up have kept camel alive. In fact these cd's are excellent and constantly played. ++ - Review by David Pagden - Canada ___________________________________________ I found this album a little weak and felt that it ran out of steam a bit. Not much strength throughout this album and it certainly doesn't rank as one of the best in my view...sorry Allan! - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai Rajaz comment - That's fine Shane we all have our own opinion but although I took my site name from this album it is not my favorite. Rain Dances remains at the pinnacle for me which I see your not that keen on either....... Oh well. ___________________________________________ I sincerely believe that the privilege of listening to Camel's music is like a gift from God. But when I listened to Rajaz, I was greatly disappointed that Camel didn't devote more of the album to Andrew's melodic virtuoso guitar-playing. To my knowledge, every single Camel album that was released before Rajaz has contained at least one song that becomes a haunting melody after you listen to it a couple times (a song you can't forget, a song you like to hear over and over again, a song that haunts you, a song that can pull your heartstrings and catapult you into another world). That's what I miss when I listen to Rajaz. I think the best segment on the album is Andrew's guitar-playing at the end of "Lawrence," but it was too short for my listening enjoyment. After almost 30 years of being a Camel fanatic, I guess I've come to expect or hope for the unbeatable pleasure of listening to a new instrumental masterpiece performed by Andrew Latimer and his guitar. - Review by Donna Packard - Arizona ___________________________________________ I personally think it is the best album I have ever heard. It is the best guitar and the emotion is overwelming. OLDHIPPY. - Review by Robert D Tomson - (but no Camel rating) Rajaz comment - Short but sweet, how about adding your Camel rating Robert. !! Write your own reviews of this album !!
2002 A NOD AND A WINK	I have read many of the reviews on these (dare one say it?) hallowed pages, and feel that somehow, many reviewers are, to me; missing the point. This album, bought the day it came out, and taken home with quiet reverence (I did not even try to play it whilst in the car as I wanted that pure Camel listening experience, me, a soft seat, and the music), the cover and cd looked at and read prior to the cd player spinning up. And then, the anticipation grows, the intake of breath, 'Track 1' displays on the readout of my cd player, and a train and the outside world comes into my living room. And for a while, that nomenclature living room was true - for all types of life, and death, passed through my walls for those minutes of that first, blissful, listen. As you can tell, I was not disappointed. From the first few childlike bars, to the last, majestic chords of 'For Today' this album took me back to 'Breathless' and 'Raindances' and the like. It has overtones of 'Aristillus', nuances of 'The Snow Goose', but is not merely a synthesis of what has gone before. To me, the title is part of the key, whilst Mr Latimer is paying some small homage to the past (a nod and a wink to what has gone before) there are new strains, new chords, new ideas bubbling around in the mix. To a person who has loved the music of Camel since 'Mirage' -what a blast of fresh music that was to my young ears!- this was pure Camel, able to lull you, make you smile, bring you to tears, make you feel. It connects with you in a way that few of the recent albums have. Although all have been technically wonderful, and musically interesting; I have felt a bit removed, as if somehow the writer was viewing the world of his music from behind glass. The latest album connected me back to them, and to see them Live at The Stables was a treat beyond measure. Thank You, Mr Latimer, God(s) bless Mr Bardens, and long live the Dromedary. - Review by Alan R C Mitchell - UK Rajaz comment - A very inspired review from Alan perhaps some of us, including me, will now look at this album with an alternative view. ___________________________________________ My first exposure to Camel came with the Mirage album. That was back when I was but 15 years old....I can still get the same shudder and sense of excitement upon hearing that wonderful opening to Freefall. Now, some 30 years later, and having not really followed the progression of this band, I am very pleased indeed to have re-discovered Camel in A Nod and a Wink. This is Camel....and is a wonderful insight into the person that is Andy Latimer. There have been comments in other reviews about the comparison to this band or that, and to one degree or another, I can agree with this (no one has yet mentioned the similarity that can also be drawn to Steve Hacket), however, this is the Camel I came to love and the music is great. The opening review talked about how one might wonder what is going on with this album....what with the train, the whistling, the fox and all the rest.....but after a few listens, it's really quite clear. The first words sung on this album are "Goodnight, tired little eyes", and upon listening to Fox Hill, I thought of playing this song for my little niece, as I am sure that this is the thought behind the song....and perhaps the album as well. The train runs through the songs as the songs run through the dreams of the "tired little eyes". What a wonderful and intimate glimpse into the man that is Andy Latimer. A great album indeed! - Review by Robert - Canada ___________________________________________ I seem to have forgot how good Camel really are. After seeing the band play their last concert in Sheffield.(which I heard about by sheer chance). Which was indecently an experience I will hold dear for a long time. Anyhow,from that, I thought I'd better update my Camel collection. I bought a NOD AND A WINK. I don't think I have enjoyed listening to a record as much since I first heard "Larks Tongues In Aspic" Oh back in the early 70s.You know that fantastic childhood experience when you hear some thing special(do you remember that) Definitely no post purchase cognitive dissonance here. The problem I now have, is I cannot stop playing the thing.I have been totally sucked into the, dare I say almost spiritual/happy atmosphere that is felt.(sounds a bit hippy that eh!) sorry I have read some of the other critical reviews on this site and ,well all I can say is listen to it some more. It is a genuine classic record of momentous proportions. Andy thanks very much,but I think I will have to soak myself in some Fripp or Meola just to get your bloody songs out of my head. Well done and please tour again your not too old..you look it but your not. Do Harrogate next time it's better than that grotty dump in Sheffield - Review by Martin Cressey - UK ___________________________________________ Just got this Cd from the UK, my first impressions were not bad, but nothing really striking. This is the third time I've heard this Cd and it's certainly growing on me. I would certainly rate this cd close to Dust and Dreams and Harbour of Tears. I find this cd very messy in places, where he has introduced material close to his other cd's like Rajaz and Dust and Dreams. I wish Andrew Latimer had not included this material, as this would defineately be an excellent cd.. I quite like Fox Hill, as this has quite a Genesis feel and a fun song, like Stackridge and Caravan. A similar song appears on Camels single factor, about animals. Nod and a Wink is a great cd and I love camel, but this cd could of been 5/5 instantly, if only Andrew would not of included little parts from Rajaz and Dust and Dreams. 75% the music is first class, really oringinal. The other 25%, is from their other cds. As 'For Today", a great piece. At the moment I cannot comment, but I would say this is a very good track. - Review by David Pagden - Canada ___________________________________________ A strange Genesis (A Trick of the Tail) and Pink Floyd feel to a couple of tracks on this album. I'd agree with the previous reviewer...nothing striking on this album but it does grow on you if you persist with it. Perhaps my expectations of this album prior to it's release were unrealistically and unfairly high - based on the pre-launch positioning from Camel Productions, but they were certainly not met with this album and I was left a bit empty and wanting much much more which wasn't forthcoming. This album lacks "meat" and "punch" to feature well against Camel's previous releases. - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai ___________________________________________ I have recently bought A Nod And a Wink and must say that after a few initial plays it remains a disappointment. I do however agree with one of your previous reviewers that the weight of eager anticipation was probably greater for this album than any previous Camel release due to it's much heralded 30th anniversary build-up. I found most of the early tracks a little dull and plodding although punctuated, as always, by Andy Latimers excellent guitar work. Then of course there is Fox Hill ! Am I the only Camel fan out here who hates this track ? Is it Dick Van Dyke on vocals ?. Like many fans out there who have contributed to your excellent site, I loved Rajaz and it was a journey of rediscovery into Camels' music so maybe I was unfairly expecting something similar, but the whole ' Merrie Englande ' thing on ANAAW sat rather uncomfortably with me and I think is best left to Jethro Tull or Steelye Span. Of course just when you think all is lost Camel always pull a rabbit out of the hat. ' For Today ' must rank alongside some of the bands best works. Andy Latimers guitar is at it's haunting best . It is one of the most searingly emotional songs I have heard for a long time and I can't wait to experience a live performance on the ' Farewell' tour. I first saw Camel in 76 on the Snowgoose tour at Sheffield City Hall and have just ordered tickets for the Sheffield date on the ' Farewell' tour so my my journey in the Camel tracks is about to come full circle. How appropriate that despite my disappointment in the rest of ANAAW, the final track has stirred these aging emotions in the same way that the first live rendition of Snow Goose stirred teenage emotions all those years ago. - Review by Nev Clarke - UK Rajaz comment - After playing this album several times now I do tend to agree with many of your sentiments. Its a pity the bonus track "After All These Years" was not included on the original release as I do consider this an excellent track and only second to "For Today". !! Write your own review of this album !!

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ALBUM Click any album cover to return to top	FANS - LIVE ALBUM REVIEWS
A LIVE RECORD 1978	O.K., now I know why Mick Jagger screamed in the middle of "Miss You" (Whao!) on the album "Some Girls"(1978). It was because the Rolling Stones had hired Mel Collins to play the sax solo, the same Mel Collins who had played with King Crimson on such albums as "Lizard", "Lark's Tongues in Aspic", "Red", and "USA" only a few years before. Mick had every reason to be happy. He was screaming to give one of the finest woodwind players in all of Europe some room to play an all too short solo. No doubt Mick and the boys had probably heard Camel's "A Live Record". I still laugh when I hear "Miss You", but mostly because I find Mick to be quite an amusing guy. I remember the look on a friend of mine's face when I first played Camel's "A Live Record" for him. As soon as Richard Sinclair's impressive singing voice entered on "Never Let Go", his eyes lit up. Then, when Mel delivered an incredibly polished sax solo that just could not be live, his jaw dropped. He looked at me as if to say "Uh oh, these musicians can PLAY. I'd better pay attention here because Greek boy's gonna quiz me. By the way, who IS this?" By the time Pete Bardens got to his rapturous, levitating Hammond solo, it was clear that Camel could play better live than on any of their previous albums. So this was Camel... On these incredible live recordings Andy Ward floats over the snare drum with enthusiastic gusto, plays the high-hat with all the sickness that goes with the love of one's art. This guy IS a drumming epi-phenomenon."England's finest!" as guitarist Steve Adams once described him. Percussive madness. Andy Latimer takes us, as always, on tasteful melodic journeys that have become the signature of Camel's sound; accessible guitar that is sometimes aggressive, sometimes pastoral, sometimes jazzy. Witness the beautiful smooth jazz guitar solo on "Skylines". Sadly, this colourful jazzy direction that Latimer was taking in 77-78 was "put to sleep" after the pastel -like, floating, atmospheric guitar solos of "The Sleeper" and "Echoes", and then recently revived in Camel's newer material. And completing this jazziness on "A Live Record" is the flawless fretless basswork of Richard Sinclair. Fretless bass madness. Sickness. Indeed, this is still the best live Camel album thus far, and I believe the best place to start if you have not heard Camel before. (But I also believe that the current line up of Camel with Guy LeBlanc and Denis Clement will probably make a live album soon that is at least as good, with better sound quality). The live performance of "The Snow Goose" (performed at the Royal Albert Hall-1975) with the London Symphony Orchestra is worth the price of this newly re-mastered CD, a bargain at any price. A piece of art-rock history, with a nice Camelesque jam on "Migration", good arrangements without overdubs, and a rare spoken intro by Pete Bardens. The new CD also features about 40 minutes of previously unreleased material, much of which features the vocal talents (and fretless bass expertise) of Richard Sinclair, and of course, better sound quality. Five bactrian camels would not be enough to rate this timeless classic. However, 3 mustaphas offering a harem of Russian and Celtic slave girls and as much gold as Baron Munchausen's strong man can carry would not be an unreasonable amount to pay for this sonic treasure. - Review by - Christopher Dakiades - USA ___________________________________________ In my opinion, this is the live performances that you say..." OK...i got the studio albuns, let´s see if they can do it live...! But, i think that´s what it´s mos fantastic in Camel music, because if you know the studio albuns, go to a concert or even listen to a live albun from they, you just go stonished, and a Live Record, it´s an albun that gives you that kinf of feeling, at least it give it to me. They recorded it in several different places, the last albun were rain dances, so the band got Richard Sinclair on the most of the tracks, and the saxophonist Mel Collins added the boys in the band. If you listen quite carefuly and with a little Camel knowledge to the first albuns, will the unbeatable timber of Latimer´s guitar, and the unbelievable sound of the sinthetizers from Peter Bardens. The Andy´s work on the drums it´s imaculate, it seems that he plays with a metronome, like a clock that never lates, in certain songs, you start listening you don´t realize at first that it´s a live albun. The second albun is the intire live performance from snow goose, in company of the London Symphony Orchestra, at the Royal Albert Hall. The magnitude of the concert leads you to thoughts, where you wonder " i can´t believe that a human been can conceive such a wonderful music", then when you listen to it live, you just can´t believe. Noone ever added an orchestra in a rock band that fited do well, it´s specially magical in certain themes when the band interacts with the orchestra, such as in Fritha, and Snow Goose theme, and it´s also notable how it doesn´t loose the colour of the music by playing it live. In the first albun, my favorite personal track is Lady Fantasy, i just cant´s put it aside. In the second albun, i like very much Rhayader goes to town. There´s na remastered version that have nice pieces, such as first light, metronome, unevensong, rain dances and chord change. In the second albun, there´s White Rider (awesome performance) and another night. Well, this is definilly my live favorite camel live albun, and i am such na Camel enthusiast that it makes very suspicious and with a certainly unusual point of view from the most fantastic progressive rock band of all times. God bless Camel songs. - Review by - Alan Acquaviva Carrano - Brazil ___________________________________________ Quite simply, this is the best of the best of Camel live. No Camel fan should be without this album! ++ - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai Rajaz comment - An obvious favorite live album of all Camel fans and many thanks to Christopher and Alan for their very comprehensive reviews. Sorry almost forgot Shane and his one liner, (only joking Shane - cheers mate) ___________________________________________ Not going to say too much and agree with all the above comments. These guys play very well on this live cd, with an additional track not heard on other cd's is' Ligging at Louis', another great track. definitely worth the buy. - Review by David Pagden - Canada !! Write your own review of this album !!
PRESSURE POINTS 1984	The tracks here are pretty good and considering The Pressure Points video includes most of the Stationary Traveller cd, this does not. This cd was my very first live recording and been in my collection for 18 years now. There were two tracks on this cd that I never had, one being Sasquatch and Wait. Sasquatch being one of my favourite tracks, apart from Ice. So this, for that reason makes this cd interesting, which at the time never owned single factor which this great track is on. If you own a number of Camel cd's this cd will probably not be that important, but obviously, if the price is right and looking to add to your collection, it's worth the buy. For someone new to Camel, looking for variety and the price warrants the purchase price its worth it, but I would not go out of my way to buy this as other live recordings are definitely more interesting with more tracks included. However, this cd does include Pete Bardens as guest since his departure and does very well on Rhayader. I do miss the classic Pete Bardens organ, which is not that obvious in other live modern recording of these classic tracks. The musician line up is pretty good to; including: Ton Scherpenzeel, Chris Rainbow, Colin Bass, Mel Collins, Paul Burgess, Richie Close and of course Andrew Latimer. - Review by David Pagden - Canada Rajaz comment - Did you know that this concert will soon be available on DVD direct from Camel Productions. !! Write your own review for this album or video !!
ON THE ROAD 1972 Released 1992	Don't be fooled by the minimalist cover and date of the show. This is a quality recording of the band on their very first tour together. This is actually my wife's favorite Camel album (she has only heard 4 or 5, to be fair). I like the energy and vibe of this album and suspect that the version of "God Of Light Revisted" on this album is the tightest and best version released to date. Not an essentiall release, but you will not regret buying it, and again the fidelity and overall quality is quite good. + - Review by Nick Pulliam - Chelmsford Massachusetts, USA Rajaz comment - Once again the first, long awaited, fans review for this live album - well done Nick !! Write your own review for this album !!
NEVER LET GO 1993	These are the best Live Version from Andy in the songs Never let go and Unevensong he has ever played!The Feeling and Sounds of these Playing are absolutly Great!! Review by Michael Drehmel - Best Regards from Berlin (PMS-Musik Shop) ___________________________________________ This is an excellent live album from Camel. Some outstanding musicianship throughout - most notably Mickey Simmonds who is just awesome! This performance contains a new version of "Never Let Go" which really takes you by surprise and steals your breath away. I really enjoyed this album as it also really effectively blends the old with the new. Miss this at your peril! - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai !! Write your own review for this album !!
ON THE ROAD 1982 Released 1994	This 10th Anniversary show was recorded by a Dutch radio station but unfortunately the original tape was lost. Luckily, a Camel sound engineer taped the performance through his mixing desk. The sound reproduction isn't great however and the whole thing is a little "light" at the low end. However, its does capture the spirit of this particular line-up beautifully! There is an undoubted humourous feel to this release along with some terrific musicianship. Along with Andy's stunning guitar riffs, there are strong vocals from Chris Rainbow and David Paton, powerful (yet versatile) drumming from Stuart Tosh and (not surprisingly) outstanding keyboards from the awesome Kit Watkins! Well worth a listen...I'm confident you'll be pleasantly surprised! ++ - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai Rajaz comment - Thanks Shane for filling in the final gap, all albums now reviewed by at least one fan. But is a 3++ not a 4 or could it be a 4--. I know two minuses equals a plus so it could even be a 4+. Now I'm just getting a bit silly. !! Write your own review for this album !!
ON THE ROAD 1981 Released 1997	I purchased this album because I could not get my hands on a copy of Nude at the time. I am glad I did. The version of Lunar Sea on this album is by far the best I have heard. The keyboard dueling is outstanding and must not be missed by Camel fans. Song within A Song and Never Let Go are also great renditions. Sound quality? No worries, the sound is easily on par with their staged live albums. The whole Nude suite is fantastic and seems livelier than the studio version. My only gripe is the exclusion of Lies, a key song to the story and a good song to boot. My solution is to copy the live version off of Pressure Points and burn a new copy of On The Road with Lies tucked in after Captured where it belongs. I give it 4 camels, 1 docked for the exclusion of Lies. - Review by Nick Pulliam - Chelmsford Massachusetts, USA. Rajaz comment - First, long awaited, fans review for this very good live album - well done Nick !! Write your own review this album !!
COMING OF AGE 1998	I first bought the CD. Like read above in Alan's ANAAW review I was EACH TIME dreaming, listening to it in my favourite conditions : me, a soft seat, and the music.... When I bought the DVD I suddenly realized how it's important to SEE the music. Emotion is perceptible in every track. Spirit of the water is a very beautiful song which confirms that Colin's voice is - according to me ! - more appropriate to that kind of music. That could be perfect but - and it's the same interrogation abour "never let go" live album : why does Andy not finish his first set off with "Ice"??? Sasquatch wakes me up, brings me back to reality and I cannot appreciate it as it would deserve, if played a few songs before. I think that, as it is usually said that the silence following Mozart's music is Mozart's too, the silence following Ice is Latimer's too. Ice is from far the best Camel's production, the most EMOTIONAL. Even in other rock dinausaurus productions (Genesis, Pink Floyd, Yes and so on...) I'm almost sure that it's impossible to ear such a magic (the great gig in the sky? Yes, but so different!!!). Try Ice in "intimate" life.... and it will melt! Once this said, the second part is brilliant too, and the simplicity in most of the lyrics is one more excellent point for a french guy as I : "Good buy, I miss you though I don't show it..." I really saw the ship living the harbour long before I saw the images in the DVD! Well, the words are missing to express how I feel each time I'm listening to that album. Please forgive my poor English, but I just dared to add my own review on this album not as a french fan, but simply as a fan. I think we all speak the same tongue when we are IN Camel's music, don't we? - Review by Stephane Martinique - French West Indies ___________________________________________ I am quite hooked listening and watching the DVD, Coming of Age, as the second half of this DVD concerns the Harbour of Tears cd. I've owned the DVD and Harbour of Tears for nearly 2 months now. I am quite pleased that this is a fairly new purchase for me as I find this very refreshing. Like all of the modern Camel Cd's you find yourself enjoying this after several plays. Four tracks really stand out; Send Home the Slates, Watching the Bobbins, Running from Paradise and The Hour Candle. The Hour Candle, to me is one of Andy's best bluesy guitar solo's which shows a lot of feeling. Andy Latimer's vocals are excellent on this Cd and he brings a good Irish feel to this Cd. Instrumentally this cd is very good. After listening to Camels music you cannot say they are boring or dull, as each cd is different. I rate this third on my list of Camels favourite Cd's, there is not a lot to dislike on this cd and with all my Camel collection it's hard to pick a favourite. If you buy this Cd or bought it, the DVD, Coming of Age is highly recommended. - Review by David Pagden - Canada ___________________________________________ I like this live album for it's simplicity. There are no frills with this one...just good strong music played extremely well. This album is supported by the ability of being able to watch this gig on either video or DVD which certainly adds to the enjoyment. - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai !! Write your own review of this album or DVD !!
GODS OF LIGHT 2000	Gods of light is a very different piece of music indeed and sounds very progressive of the time. Not very Camel, but very enjoyable. This title track sounds as though the band were jamming somewhere. Pete Bardens organ stands out quite a bit and Andrew Latimer's guitar solo's are different to his usual solo's we have loved over the years. In fact the whole band plays exceptionally well and once you get into the rhythm of this track it's quite catchy. Some may find this track to go on a little, but once you here all those little noises, makes quite interesting listening. This is not an unpleasant track and may take a while to adjust to this music, I find it different and quite enjoyable. If you do not like the first track, we have the usual favourites of White Rider, Lady fantasy, Arubaluba and Snow Goose. The recording can be a little rough but worth the buy. Do not expect too much out of this cd but to any Camel fan it is worth the buy. - Review by David Pagden - Canada !! Write your own review of this album !!
THE PARIS COLLECTION 2001	Everything about this album is superb. The keyboard solo on "Ice" is as stunning as the original studio version by Kit Watkins. Fluid, bubbly and yet solid. The guitar on this track has all the passionate yearning and extraordinary tonal colour that has made Latimer the quintessential artist as well as musician. Never mind the occasional slip here and there. This is beautiful music, with all the depth and fullness of a finely painted work. What defines a classic more than anything else, I believe, is its ability to supercede the time period from which it is born and transcend it. Latimer is actually showing us how important it is to FEEL the melody, regardless of our point of reference. He takes us beyond the technical dynamics of Allan Holdsworth or the raw, primal power of David Gilmour to an even loftier place where harmony just IS. This is my favourite version of "Ice", even with the sour note at the end. For me, Camel becomes more human here than I could have ever imagined. "Chord Change" is THE version that every Camel fan must have in their collection! The beautiful Hammond solo is immediately uplifting, expansive and atmospheric, all at once. I am reminded, when I hear this piece, of how music has the power to spontaneously elevate our moods and influence, through association, the development of poetic imagery, even when we perhaps believe our moods to be in an unchanging state. I listen to this track and it takes me away to a carnival with Camel as the headlining act! Denis Clement tastefully and artfully juggles his drumsticks impeccably through this piece. I have always loved Colin's vocals on any Camel song, preferring to hear Colin sing lead with Andrew's outstanding backing vocals as support ( ex. "Drafted"- live!). "Fingertips" is the best version I have heard to date, the acoustics only giving it more life, more sentimentality, more resonant colour. Colin's voice is the perfect complement. It is no wonder that the audience begins clapping loudly and rhythmically after this piece (although this could simply have been how the music was mixed). Colin responds with "Whoa!" and then lovingly growls at the audience. Compare the audience's reaction here to the audience's reaction after "Spirit of the Water" on "Never Let Go". Is it me or do we all love to hear Colin sing? "Slow Yourself Down" is also the best version I have heard. However, it leaves me craving to hear the high energy of the jamming, electric original in a live setting. "Sahara" could easily have been from "Mirage" or "Moonmadness", an instant Camel classic in itself, epitomizing what Camel IS in the world of art-rock , an enduring ship on an uncharted desert of changing time signatures, music tempered like steel by passing, formless sands of dust and dreams, melodic ideas substantive, sounds that strangely move us, offering us a tour of the terrain. The storm has its eye, the sleeper awakens to summer lightning at first light, does a rain dance before the mystic queen. The moon in her eye, she does not fail to take my breath away. Her love is stranger than mine, but it won't really matter at all. .. who we are. Like ice, she listens to my hymn to her, a song within a song beneath the now forming storm clouds, my lady fantasy. Forgive my leaving now . By the time we find eachother, we can live, we can die. Out of the mist rising, all alone and all together, now air born... echoes for this stationary traveller. ...Thus is the imagery of Camel. As for "Sahara", I have never heard, on any Camel album, Andrew Latimer play guitar like THAT. Spellbinding. The pieces from "Dust and Dreams" are also memorable, but the version of "Lady Fantasy" will always be my favourite. Guy's vocals add a dimension that has been sorely missed in Camel's music since Richard Sinclair. His incredible Hammond organ solo is cliff-hanging, jaw dropping, ass-kicking. Colin's bass playing is completely stunning. Denis' drumming is Dennis Chambers, Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford and Andy Ward. Which one? All of them! I give this album five camels with two humps (5 bactrians?) - Review by Christopher Dakiades - USA ___________________________________________ I love this album... The live version of "Ice" is spellbounding (even with the little hiccup at the end!) and is by far and away my favourite version of this timeless Camel anthem. I also like the bonus studio track...an acoustic version of "Slow Yourself Down"...a real late night delight! "Hopeless Anger" is full of raw musical energy...BRILLIANT! I very much hope that the forthcoming Camel Farewell Tour of 2003 will live up to (or even exceed) the 2001 tour. The "Paris Collection" reinforces the fact that Camel really excel and rise beyond the musical height of expectation in a live environment... When the curtain finally draws to a close on this years 2003 tour, Camel will be sorely missed by live audiences around the world and it will sadly sound the end of rock history. "Never Let Go..." + - Review by Shane "Camel" Carlson - Dubai ___________________________________________ Despite some of the great tracks on this cd, I'm not too impressed with how this turned out. Colin Bass has great vocals and with the lack of Andrew latimer should of done well here. I'm afraid I prefer the old Pete Bardens organ as opposed to Guy LeBlanc on the older classic material. Guy, does exceptionally well on A Nod and a Wink though and sounds refreshing. Both Pete Bardens, Kit Watkins and Ton Scherpenzeel have kept the Camel material alive in the keyboard side plus others too. I'm afraid that I find too many mistakes in some of the tracks, but despite this, the music is good. I cannot hate this cd because of the great tracks and the lack of Andrews vocals here shows quite a bit. I do play this cd quite often, but nothing like The live Record, which is awsome. The best track for me would be Chord Change and the highlight is Slow Yourself Down the late night version which is the last track. This is slightly different to the original and has an accoustic feel to it, which sounds pretty good. - Review by David Pagden - Canada !! Write your own review of this album !!

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