DUST AND DREAMS

I almost forgot to write my views about this very good album by Camel. Well, I consider this is a very good one considering the smooth musical flow from start to end of the album with great guitar playing of Lattimer backed with excellent work of Kayak's Tom Scherpenzeel. As most of you have known very well that this is a concept album where the storyline is correctly backed up by the music nicely.

When I look into deep of this album I can see the melody part is nice even though not excellent. It suffices to tell the whole storyline as the music flows from one song to another. The transition from the atmospheric opening of Dust Bowl (1:54) to Go West (3:42) happens naturally as far as melody concern. As it is required by the story this opening parts really go quite slow with typical Camel's melody.

In terms of harmonies ie. how each instrument contributes in creating sounds and notes - this album is quite good as the join forces of guitar by Lattimer and keyboards by Scherpenzeel sounds really nice. Yes, there is Collin Bass involved here in this album but I do not see his dominant contribution. It's not his fault as the composition does not require dynamic bass playing. Simply said, the harmonies are more created through guitar, keyboards and vocals. Look at how Dusted Out (1:35) and Mother Road (4:15) go in terms of harmonies - you will find keyboards dominated sound combined with Floydian guitar solo. Yeah, I do enjoy it.

On complexity of the arrangement i.e. the degree in which the instrument (including vocal) being played by the musicians and how they generate a piece of music stream or segment of the music - I could say that this album has little complexities. It sounds everything flows in good predetermined order with practically no acrobatic segments. Well, I consider it as typical Camel music - quite simple in arrangements. There is basically little change of style i.e. how the style changes in a song which includes tempo changes and/ or heavy or soft musical sounds as most tracks are played in good structure and order - it flows natural, no abrupt changes. Therefore, with little complexities and minimum style change, the structural integrity is no longer a great challenge.

Overall, this album is very enjoyable especially if you listen to it in the evening when everyone is asleep and you play it loud with the light put off - Wow! It's a great experience! Enjoy the music peacefully - it flows naturally into your listening pleasure regardless you know the storyline or not - it doesn't matter at all! Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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