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Posts tagged Colin Bass
Colin Bass – Live Vol 2 : Acoustic Songs (1999) (@256)
04 Mar 2008
(Review from polskiejajko.bbe.pl)
Camel bassist/vocalist Colin Bass, accompanied by three local musicians recorded a live unplugged/acoustic album in Poland in 1999. It consists 15 tracks including many Camel songs.
Being an acoustic one- the album sounds natural, alive. Titles chosen to this album are known to the fans from the previous concert set and supplement that edition. These 71 minutes is really a lot! The recording of the concert- compositions in an acoustic way sound quite different than in an “electric” one but they are filled with amazingly closed-circle atmosphere going together with the musicians.
A must for the late Camel fan.
Line-up:
- Colin Bass / vocals, acoustic guitar
- Zsbyszek Florek / piano, keyboards
- Maciek Meller / acoustic guitar
- Jacek Zasada / flute, percussion
Track List:
01. Shameless Love
02. Hard Times
03. Refugee / War
04. City Life
05. Drafted
06. As Far As I Can See
07. Goodbye To Albion
08. Denpasar Moon
09. Reap What You Sow
10. Fingertips
11. The Water Is Wide
12. The River & The Sea
13. Sailing Home
14. Poznan Pie
15. The Parting Glass
Links in comments.
Camel – Paris Collection (Live 2001) (@256)
03 Mar 2008
Thanks to silveraintr.
(Review from snim.no, progarchives.com)
Camel thawed out for a Y2K tour of California and Europe, represented here with a recording of the October 30th show in Paris at The Bataclan. The sleeve notes refer to it as “the band’s most fun-filled performance”.
As for “The Paris Collection” itself, it may be of interest to fans because it features a new keyboardist, Guy LeBlanc, and a new drummer, Denis Clement. As a single-CD selection, it doesn’t really hold a candle to the double sets like “Coming of Age” or “Never Let Go”.
The album takes some liberties with the original arrangements, which may distract listeners who have grown accustomed to hearing immaculate versions of the classics: “Ice”, “Chord Change”, “Lady Fantasy”. Because Clement joined Camel less than two weeks before the first show, his drumming style is different than what we are used to in Camel. LeBlanc for his part sticks closer to the original sounds. Of interest, Andrew Latimer lost his voice prior to this show, so the warbly vocals this time come courtesy of Colin Bass and Guy LeBlanc.
“Paris Collection” isn’t a bad live album but it’s a disappointment after hearing the double-live sets that marked the 90s. Though released after the Rajaz album, it’s far from a full presentation of Rajaz, we’re treated only to the instrumental “Sahara”.
Line-up:
- Andy Latimer / guitar
- Colin Bass / bass, vocals
- Guy Leblanc / keyboards, vocals
- Denis Clement / drums
Track List:
01. Ice (8:47)
02. Chord Change (8:52)
03. Fingertips (6:40)
04. Slow Yourself Down (4:30)
05. Sahara (6:51)
06. Mother Road (6:07)
07. Little Rivers and Little Rose (1:55)
08. Hopeless Anger (5:43)
09. Lady Fantasy (16:04)
10. Slow Yourself Down (Bonus) (5:34)
Link in comments.
Camel – A Nod and A Wink (2002) (@320)
14 Jun 2007
(Review from progreviews.com, prog4you.com)
The artwork, almost like an illustration in a children’s book, strongly evokes the wistful and reflective mood of the album. In the cover, a boy is walking along, gazing upwards against a heavenly figure in a twilight landscape with archetypally drawn figures such as a horse, crescent moon, and flying figures that look half-way in-between birds and bats. The figure in the sky appears to be sleeping, or perhaps dreaming that he is the boy walking along. The background silhouette at first glance looks like a row of houses with the chimney of one blowing smoke into the air, but in actually it is a moving train blowing musical notes. Interestingly, on the back insert of the CD, this scenario is reversed: it is a man walking along, with a boy’s countenance in the sky either sleeping or dreaming.
It is these symbols, of progression, of memory, and of illusions and parallels, that underlie the album’s music and lyrics. Opening with the sounds of a train beginning to move, the title track is the album’s showpiece. The tick-tock melodies and lyrics, somewhat reminiscent of a gentler version of The Strawbs’ “Ghosts,” are a parent singing a lullaby to their child, encouraging their dreamworld journey in slumber. The lyrics also work on another, more emotional level, also suggesting a departed loved one communicating to a living relative (i.e., as could be another interpretation of the album cover). The introspective “A Boy’s Life” is another highlight of the disc, with the train sounds a recurring theme. The brief lyrical introduction at first suggests a tiff between couples (“I try to see through your eyes…are we so unalike?”) but further reveals itself to be Latimer addressing his adolescent self. From here, the song builds into a sad-sweet vista of slide guitar and mellotron-like keys, culminating into a majestic passage of ecstasy and liberated spirit that sounds — yes it sounds crazy, but it’s true — about as close to what Popol Vuh circa their Einsjäger and Letzte Tage – Letzte Nächte years might have sounded like in 2002.
“Fox Hill”, attempts some comic relief while clearly continuing the album’s theme of childhood innocence. Unfortunately, it is a bit too close for comfort to Gabriel-era Genesis, complete with wobbily “Slipperman” organ riffs and purposefully twee British accent that is nonetheless laid on a bit too thick for me to enjoy. Still, the musical segments that the song winds through are quite good. “Squigely Fair,” a largely instrumental with a brief dash of similarly exaggerated Brit carnival barking, is more pleasing.
Cordoning itself off from prog rock territory, “Simple Pleasures” goes for a laid back, respectable Dire Straits sound. “For Today”, an elegy to September 11th, follows a similar mode, and though moving with glacial pacing, features some heartfelt, definably Latimerian guitar at the end. The album ends suitably with the train chugging off into the distance.
Camel’s “A Nod and a Wink” marks a major milestone for the band and a great many of their fans. Camel is celebrating thirty years of musical excellence, adding another fine album to their substantial library. Even more amazing than the longevity is that the essential magic that is Camel has survived the time and the changes with an undiminished style, and having produced numerous albums without a clinker in the lot.
Line-up:
- Andrew Latimer / guitars, flute, keyboards, vocals
- Guy LeBlanc / keyboards, backing vocals
- Colin Bass / bass, backing vocals
- Terry Carleton / drums (tracks 2,6), percussion and backing vocals (track 7)
- Denis Clement / drums
- Susan Hoover / lyrics
- JR Johnston / backing vocals (track 7)
Track List:
01. A Nod and a Wink (11:16)
02. Simple Pleasures (5:31)
03. A Boy’s Life (7:20)
04. Fox Hill (9:09)
05. The Miller’s Tale (3:34)
06. Squigley Fair (8:02)
07. For Today (10:40)
Links in comments.
Camel – Rajaz (1999) (@256)
13 Jun 2007
(Review from progarchives.com)
“The music of poets once carried caravans across great deserts. Sung to a simple metre of the animal’s footsteps, it transfixed weary travellers on their sole objective journey’s end. This poetry is called ‘rajaz’. It is the rhythm of the camel.”
And this is exactly the way you feel while listening to this album; like you are riding on the back of a camel in a caravan from one point in the deserted Saudi-Arabian desert to another, far far away.
Andrew Latimer plays most instruments on this album and they all have an “Arabian touch” to them, just as Ton Scherpenzeel’s keyboards. It really makes you feel like being on an Arabian journey on the back of a camel yourself. Camel singing about the rhythm of the camel. Makes sense doesn’t it?
Most of the tracks are also quite lenghty for which I cannot complain about. The whole album is pure magic, melody, tranquility and emotion. I just love this album since the very first time I spun it. It is just great.
Line-up:
- Andy Latimer / guitars, vocals, flute, keyboards, percussion
- Colin Bass / bass
- Ton Scherpenzeel / keyboards
- Dave Stewart / drums, percussion
- Barry Phillips / cello
Track List:
01. Three Wishes (6:58)
02. Lost And Found (5:38)
03. The Final Encore (8:07)
04. Rajaz (8:15)
05. Shout (5:15)
06. Straight To My Heart (6:23)
07. Sahara (6:44)
08. Lawrence (10:46)
Links in comments.
Camel – Coming of Age (Live 1997) (@256)
11 Jun 2007
Recorded on March 13th, 1997 at The Billboard Live club in Hollywood, this double album captures a whole evening of Camel’s Harbour of Tears tour.
As usual with any Camel tour of a concept album; the album is played as a whole, among many Camel classics.
Line-up:
- Andrew Latimer/ guitar, vocals
- Colin Bass / bass vocals
- Foss Patterson / keyboards
- Dave Stewart / drums
with
- Mae McKenna / vocal on “Irish Air”
Track List:
CD1
01. Lunar Sea (8:57)
02. Hymn to Her (6:34)
03. Rhayader (2:53)
04. Rhayader goes to Town (5:03)
05. Preparation (3:19)
06. Dunkirk (5:05)
07. Drafted (4:28)
08. Docks (3:54)
09. Beached (4:00)
10. Spirit of the Water (3:09)
11. Ice (9:40)
12. Sasquatch (4:18)
CD2
01. Milk n’Honey (3:23)
02. Mother Road (4:29)
03. Needles (2:30)
04. Rose of Sharen (5:09)
05. Irish Air (0:57)
06. Irish Air Reprise (2:27)
07. Harbours of tears (3:16)
08. Cobh (0:52)
09. Send Home the States (4:04)
10. Under the Moon (1:46)
11. Watching the Bobbins (7:38)
12. Eyes of Irelands (3:13)
13. Running From Paradise (5:39)
14. End of the Day (2:44)
15. Coming of Age (7:38)
16. The Hour Candle (7:20)
Links in comments.
Camel – Harbour Of Tears (1996) (@320)
11 Jun 2007
(Review from progarchives.com)
“How can mere mortals make such beautiful music?” is the question I ask myself every time I listen to “Harbour of Tears”. It is a most exquisite concept album that tells the story of an Irish family who emigrates to the U.S. in order to start over – its musical themes are so convincing they manage to convey a nostalgia for places we’ve never even been to. ‘Harbour of Tears” is also very moody, even more so than “Dust & Dreams”, but that’s what makes it most poignant and exactly the way I like my Camel: with full-bodied arrangements and stunningly beautiful melodies.
Although the lyrics set the stage, it is the music that mesmerizes. It starts ever so delicately, with a simple a capella female singing an Irish air, something reminiscent of the eerie soundtrack of the movie ‘Titanic’ (and I don’t mean the Céline Dion tune). Next, the oboe picks up the theme and then Latimer’s guitar, the keyboards and the rest of the band step in, giving the album its first full Camel flavour. The third track, which develops the theme further still, introduces Latimer on vocals. Then comes this incredible short track entitled “Cobh”, one of those divine pieces that unmistakenly bring on the legendary lump in the throat, so familiar to Camel lovers. From here on, the album picks up the pace and gets better and better with every track. Among the best are the bluesy rocker “Watching the Bobbins”, the whirly/flighty “Running from Paradise”, the joyful “Coming of Age”, the whole thing culminating in “The Hour Candle” which features one of Latimer’s most heart-wrenghing blues guitar solos ever. The album ends with the sound of waves splashing on a lonely shore, leaving the listener with a strong, lingering feeling of homesickness
Line-up:
- Andrew Latimer / guitars, flutes, keyboards, penny whistles, vocals
- Colin Bass / bass guitar, vocals
- Mickey Simmonds / keyboards
- David Patton / bass, vocals
- Mae Mckenna / capella vocal
- John Xepoleas / drums
- Neil Panton / oboe, soprano saxophone, harmonium
- John Burton / French horn
- Barry Phillips / cello
- Karen Bentley / violin
- Anita Stoneham / violin
Track List:
01. Irish Air (0:57)
02. Irish Air (instrumental Reprise) (1:57)
03. Harbour Of Tears (3:13)
04. Cobh (0:51)
05. Send Home The Slates (4:23)
06. Under The Moon (1:16)
07. Watching The Bobbins (7:14)
08. Generations (1:02)
09. Eyes Of Ireland (3:09)
10. Running From Paradise (5:21)
11. End Of The Day (2:29)
12. Coming Of Age (7:22)
13. The Hour Candle (A Song For My Father (23:00)
Links in comments.
Camel – Never Let Go (Live 1992) (@256)
10 Jun 2007
(Review from allmusic.com)
Progressive rock bands like Camel have to be creative in their touring schedules, often traveling to Europe in order to find a substantial concentration of fans in a single place. So it was that Camel arrived with their 20th anniversary tour at Enschede, Holland. After their 10th anniversary tour, few would have predicted a 20th, but the release of Dust and Dreams in 1991 suggested the band had found another creative wind. Never Let Go confirms the point that Camel has plenty of life left in it. Spread out across two discs, this live show features two distinct sets.
The first is a remarkable retelling of their earlier travels, recounting highlights from each of their releases up to Nude, in chronological order no less. It starts out deceptively simple, with Andrew Latimer strumming a slow version of “Never Let Go”, which soon explodes into a spot-on rendition. With keyboardist Mickey Simmonds (ex-Mike Oldfield/Fish) joining a returning Colin Bass and Paul Burgess, the new quartet does a marvelous job of capturing Camel in its various guises: from the instrumentals “Ice” and “Earthrise” to familiar songs like “Spirit of the Water” (sung by Bass) and “City Life”.
The second set is devoted to a pristine presentation of their recent opus, the concept album Dust and Dreams, in its entirety. As a bonus, Camel closes with the instrumental “Sasquatch” (one of the bright spots from The Single Factor) and a beloved mirage from the past, “Lady Fantasy”. Latimer’s voice has grown a little thinner over the years (and it was pretty thin to begin with), but his guitar work gets sharper with age.
Line-up:
- Andrew Latimer / guitars, flutes, keyboards, vocals
- Colin Bass / bass, keyboards, vocals
- Paul Burgess / drums
- Mickey Simmonds / keyboards
Track List:
CD1 :
01. Never Let Go
02. Earthrise
03. Rhayader
04. Rhayader Goes To Town
05. Spirit of the Water
06. Unevensong
07. Echoes
08. Ice
09. City Life
10. Drafted
CD2 :
01. Dust Bowl
02. Go West
03. Dusted Out
04. Mother Road
05. Needles
06. Rose Of Sharon
07. Milk n’ Honey
08. End Of The Line
09. Storm Clouds
10. Cotton Camp
11. Broken Banks
12. Sheet Rain
13. Whispers
14. Little Rivers And Little Rose
15. Hopeless Anger
16. Whispers In The Rain
17. Sasquatch
18. Lady Fantasy
Links in comments.
Camel – Dust and Dreams (1991) (@256)
09 Jun 2007
(Review from progarchives.com)
During a six year hiatus, Latimer was fighting with lawyers to get some due royalties and to evacuate the problems with their former manager.
Changes in their record company (Decca) made it clear that Camel had to try and put an end to their contract. Both amically agreed to do so on April tenth, 1985. Latimer, who had already started a new project (which will become “Dust & Dreams”) was free to sign with another label. He got contacts with EG but after six months of useless talks Latimer put an end to the negotiations when he was asked why Peter Frampton had left the band.
Latimer decided to sell his London house and he settled to the US in 1988. At this time, he decided to re-write the second half of “Dust and Dreams”. He used the money from the sales of his house to build a small studio where “Dust and Dreams” was recorded and produced. After an improductive attempt with Virgin, Latimer used the money which was left to setup his own production firm : Camel Productions. With sales that took off, the company organized a world tour and got the license to release old Camel works to CD. Their first album reaching the bins at the same time as “Dust and Dreams” on a CD format.
The largely instrumental “Dust and Dreams” marked the revival of Camel. Latimer with Bass, Burgess, Scherpenzeel and seven guests recorded a musical evocation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel The Grapes of Wrath.
It starts with the prying wind theme “The Dust Bowl” that turns into a vocal manifesto of the family’s unrelenting hope “Go West”. Then we have a short symphonic masterpiece “Dusted Out” whose dramatic performance shows the drama of the Okies being kicked out of their homes. “Mother Road” brings another important message namely that you and the road you are traveling along are the one thing. The next instrumental piece is “Needles”, the city on the Joads’ way to the milk ‘n’ honey land, a quite nice transition to a beautiful and heartfelt song “Rose Of Sharon” which is even more sentimental in pitch than the book itself. The last vocal number is called “End Of The Line” which touches the problem of loneliness and helplessness among the trackers whose desperation increases steadily to the point of unutterable anger masterly expressed by the one of the final tracks “Hopeless Anger” in which Latimer`s guitar solo tears your heart apart. And at last the Joads are free to decide which way to go and what they left behind belongs to the past now, and the heavy rain drops bring relief and hope for a change.
“Dust and Dreams” is a great concept album from Camel, with nice melodies and good compositions. Celestial and emotional moments : we are brought back to the early Camel. What a nice comeback!
Line-up:
- Andrew Latimer / guitars, flute, vocals, keyboards
- Colin Bass / bass
- Ton Scherpenzeel / keyboards
- Don Harriss / keyboards
- Paul Burgess / drums
- Christopher Bock / drums
- Neil Panton / oboe
- Kim Venaas / timpani, harmonica
- John Burton / french horn
- David Paton / vocals
- Mae McKenna / vocals
Track List:
01. Dust Bowl (1:54)
02. Go West (3:42)
03. Dusted Out (1:35)
04. Mother Road (4:15)
05. Needles (2:34)
06. Rose of Sharon (4:48)
07. Milk n’ Honey (3:30)
08. End Of The Line (6:52)
09. Storm Clouds (2:06)
10. Cotton Camp (2:55)
11. Broken Banks (0:34)
12. Sheet Rain (2:14)
13. Whispers (0:52)
14. Little Rivers And Little Rose (1:56)
15. Hopeless Anger (4:57)
16. Whispers in the Rain (2:54)
Link in comments.
Camel – Pressure Points : Live in Concert (1984) (@256)
08 Jun 2007
(Review from progarchives.com, progreviews.com, wikipedia)
“Pressure Points : Live in Concert” was recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon on May 11th, 1984; weeks after the release of “Stationary Traveller”.
There’s a soaring, yet subtle gentleness about much of the concert, dotted with moments of energy, led by Andy Latimer’s guitar and/or Tom Scherpenzeel’s keyboards. It’s slick and inoffensive in almost every possible way. It’s a reflection of the “Stationary Traveller” era. As bonuses, we get guest solos from Mel Collins on “Fingertips” and Peter Bardens on the “Rhayader Goes to Town”.
After the release of the live Pressure Points in late 1984, Camel disappeared without trace as far as the public was concerned. Finishing the contract with Decca, Latimer was unable to interest other British record companies and eventually moved to California when the lawsuit ended (successfully for him).
Line-up:
- Andy Latimer / guitar, flute, vocal
- Colin Bass / bass, vocal
- Ton Scherpenzeel / lead keyboards
- Christopher Rainbow / vocal, keyboards
- Richie Close / keyboards
- Paul Burgess / drums, percussion
with:
- Mel Collins / sax
- Pete Bardens / organ
Track List:
01. Pressure Points (7:17)
02. Drafted (3:51)
03. Captured (3:02)
04. Lies (5:16)
05. Sasquatch (4:09)
06. West Berlin (5:19)
07. Fingertips (4:48)
08. Wait (4:28)
09. Rhayader (2:29)
10. Rhayader Goes To Town (6:05)
Link in comments.
Camel – On the Road 1981 (@320)
03 Jun 2007
Thanks to Silveraintr for this one.
(Review from amazon.com)
This concert was recorded for the BBC originally and was broadcast on Radio 1 in April 2nd, 1981. Camel at the time of the ‘Nude’ tour had two keyboard players, Kit Watkins and Jan Schelhaas. Their jazz riffs, particularly in ‘Song Within A Song’ and the unforgettable ‘Lunar Sea’, are quite noticable. The track ‘Never Let Go’ seems to appear on virtually every Camel Live album and the rest of the CD comprises of an abridged version of the studio album ‘Nude’ performed live. Heavier than it’s studio counterpart this version shows the versatility of the band. Latimer’s guitar screams it’s way through ‘Docks’,'Beached’ and ‘Captured’ accompanied by Andy Wards drumsticks hitting the skins with energy. Yet classical musicianship comes to the fore in ‘Landscapes’ and ‘Reflections’. The ethnic beat of ‘Changing Places’ is that little bit more energetic than it’s studio counterpart and the flute solos remain haunting to this day. A whole range of styles in one concert.
Line-up:
- Andrew Latimer / lead guitar, flute, vocals
- Colin Bass / bass guitar, vocals
- Andy Ward / drums
- Kit Watkins / keyboards, flute
- Jan Schelhaas / keyboards
Track List:
01. Never Let Go
02. Song Within A Song
03. Lunar Sea
04. City Life
05. Nude
06. Drafted
07. Docks
08. Beached
09. Landscapes
10. Changing Places
11. Reflections
12. Captured
13. The Last Farewell
Links in comments.
Camel – I Can See Your House From Here (1979) (@192)
03 Jun 2007
(Review from progarchives.com)
The first challenge here is to get past the questionable taste of the sleeve, which was intended to show that the band does in fact have a sense of humour. The title for the album was originally to be ‘Endangered species’, but despite Andy Latimer’s protestations he was overruled by the rest of the band, and both the name and the sleeve were changed.
With Peter Bardens having left the band before completion of the ‘Breathless’ album, Andy Latimer had become the de-facto leader, keyboard duties being shared by Jan Schelhaas and Kit Watkins.
In terms of the contents, what we have here is actually a very enjoyable album. While many of the tracks find the band continuing to explore more commercial territories, the closing track is cited by many as the best Camel track of all. ‘Ice’ is a 10 minute guitar instrumental recorded live in the studio, with Phil Collins guesting on percussion. Apparently Latimer played what he felt was a bum note at the beginning of his solo and wanted to re-record the track, but those present pursued him to leave it be. When you think about it, there really are far too few long, well developed lead guitar solos like this around. For those familiar with Camel’s later ‘Nod and a wink’ album, ‘Ice’ resembles the final track ‘For today’.
Looking at the rest of the album, ‘Wait’ is rather weak for the opening track on a Camel album, devoid of the usual striking guitar and/or synth melody we have come to expect. It has a passing resemblance to some of the songs Russ Ballard wrote during his time with Argent.
‘Who we are’ is the other feature track. It starts as a jazz fusion piece along the lines of the Average White Band’s ‘Cut the cake’, with a distinctive theme which is developed and improvised upon. Later the introduction of vocals signals a complete change in the track, as it becomes a highly appealing ballad with building orchestration and some atmospheric flute. While the two distinct parts of the track do not sit particularly well together, the track as a whole is classic Camel.
There are a few pop based songs on the album, some of which work better than others. ‘Remote romance’ is an awful song which serves only to show that Camel, or perhaps their record label, were becoming increasingly desperate to find a hit single. The track is 80′s electronica in the mould of Devo, M, or Soft Cell. Even the lyrics are amusing because they’re so bad! ‘Your love is stranger than mine’ is as bad lyrically, but is more acceptable musically. It has a decent sax solo (by Mel Collins who appears as a guest on the album) and a bouncy, inoffensive feel.
The instrumental ‘Eye of the storm’ is interesting in that it also appeared on Happy the Man’s album ‘Better late’, as keyboard player Kit Watkins had been a member of that band before joining Camel. It is thus a very rare example of Camel doing what is technically a cover version. ‘Hymn to her’ manages to perpetuate the corny title syndrome the band manage to include on virtually every album, but the track itself has echoes of the ‘Moonmadness’ era, with some good guitar work, and a pleasant melody.
In all, something of an underrated album in the Camel catalogue, with some symphonic prog, a little fusion, and some melodic pop. The album does have its flaws, but the track ‘Ice’ renders the album essential for anyone who enjoys the music of this great band.
Line-up:
- Andrew Latimer / guitars, vocals, flute, autoharp
- Andy Ward / drums
- Colin Bass / bass, vocals
- Jan Schelhaas / keyboards
- Kit Watkins / keyboards
with:
- Mel Collins / sax
- Phil Collins / percussion
- Rupert Hine / vocals
Track List:
01. Wait (4:50)
02. Your Love Is Stranger Than Mine (3:14)
03. Eye Of The Storm (3:42)
04. Who We Are (7:26)
05. Survival (1:04)
06. Hymn Ho Her (5:23)
07. Neon Magic (4:39)
08. Remote Romance (4:01)
09. Ice (10:10)
Link in comments.
Camel – Nude (1981) (@256)
24 Apr 2007
(Review from vintageprog.com)
A new decade and yet a new keyboard-player in Camel, this time named Duncan Mackay. And just when you thought that Camel had joined the other major progressive rock bands of the 70′s in a hopeless search for a commercial and pop-oriented style, they returned with their best, most symphonic and progressive work since “Moonmadness”. And they did it at a time when absolutely nobody had expected it. “Nude” was even a concept-album, and told the true story of a stranded Japanese soldier who stayed in the jungle for 29 years without knowing that the war had ended. “Drafted” is stuffed with great melodies and guitar-themes of the classic Camel-kind, and proved beyond any doubt that the band was back at their best. Then you’re in for a series of lengthy and complex instrumental-passages (about 70% of the album is instrumental) that perfectly captures the drama and atmosphere of the story. “The Snow Goose” is the only other Camel-album that can rival “Nude” when it comes to sweeping, symphonic and atmospheric soundscapes. There’s lots of flute on the quiet parts, and there are even some ethnic rhythms on “Changing Places” to illustrate the jungle. “Reflection” is Latimer at his most magic, and will again make you think of the most beautiful and relaxed parts from “The Snow Goose”. “Lies” is a strong vocal-track that somewhat resembles Pink Floyd, and Mackay delivered an organ-solo to prove that he understood what keyboards a progressive rock band should use, even in the 80′s.
Line-up:
- Andrew Latimer / guitar, vocals, flute, koto, keyboards
- Andy Ward / drums, percussion
- Colin Bass / bass, vocals
- Mel Collins / flute, saxophone
- Duncan Mackay / keyboards
with
- Jan Schelhaas / piano
- Chris Green / cello
- Gasper Green / percussion
- Herbie Flowers / tuba
Track List:
01. City Life (4:41)
02. Nude (0:23)
03. Drafted (4:13)
04. Docks (3:50)
05. Beached (3:32)
06. Landscapes (2:39)
07. Changing Places (4:10)
08. Pomp & Circumstance (2:05)
09. Please Come Home (1:13)
10. Reflections (2:39)
11. Captured (3:12)
12. The Homecoming (2:48)
13. Lies (4:58)
The Last Farewell:
14. The Birthday Cake (0:30)
15. Nude’s Return (3:41)
Link in comments.