A LIVE RECORD

After reading about this live effort by Camel and how good it was. I finally went out and picked it up. I must say I was a bit nervous because I don't usually like live albums, they are either too improvised (leading to too many mistakes) or identical to the album recording (with audience noise in the background) pointless. But here we have a well balance album of the familiar with a bit of improv and some jazzier versions of the classics.

I knew most of what Latimer was going to play wouldn't let me down (he never does) but I was worried about Bardens. I had heard some other live Camel music where he gets a little carried away with the electronic knobs of his synths but fortunately on this album his playing is tasteful for the most part. Ward is brilliant on drums and Ferguson is pretty solid on bass. Sinclair and Collins give us a good example of what's to come from Camel in a more jazzier mode.

Now let's talk about The Snow Goose. I kept hearing that this version is even better than the original. (pretty strong words) Well, I must admit it's true. Some people have complained that the original was too soft, too safe, but here we have a version with a lot of punch and an edge that's not a part of the original. As for the orchestration, the symphony doesn't take over here, they simply suppliment to the band which is what it should do.

There is a good selection of music from the beginning of their career up until 1977's Raindances and this would certainly make a great starter CD for anyone interested to hear what all the hype is about.

THE BAD NEWS: Unfortunately, if one is to listen to this CD and suddenly decide to collect all the following works by Camel, they'd be quite shocked. This CD captures Camel at their peak and they weren't able to (in my opinion) recapture this sound again until the 90's.

One last point, I was actually disapointed with the version of Lady Fantasy here. If this was the first time that I had heard it I would think it was great but being a fav of mine, I was kinda hoping for something more.....uh, I can't put it to words. I've only listened to it once so far so who knows, maybe I'll find something in it to bring my opinion up after future listenings.

4.5 out of 5