THE SNOW GOOSE

This was the second Camel album I heard and, after the wonderful Moonmadness, I was prepared for disappointment. I was familiar with Paul Gallico's novella and the absolutely beautiful movie starring Richard Harris and Jenny Agutter which came out in 1971 and doubted that any band could do these works justice by a musical interpretation.

Camel had different ideas. Even more astonishingly, they did it instrumentally, omitting vocals and augmenting the band sound with strings and woodwind, giving the whole album a classical, timeless feel. The result is a series of short tracks, segued together, which portray characters (Rhayader, Fritha, The Snow Goose) and events (Dunkirk). Musicianship is exemplary, with some soaring guitar and keyboard work. The music is fairly soft, simple and melodic in keeping with the story; those reviewers who criticise this aspect are obviously completely ignorant of the context of the story and purpose of the album. The exception is Dunkirk, which is more raucous to relect the violence of the events portayed and the sad death of Rhayader. The album starts and finishes with the sound of geese and the noises of the Essex marshes, reflecting that men come and go but nature is cyclical and goes on forever when we have gone.

To conclude, this album is a masterpiece in a totally different way to Moonmadness. I marginally prefer the latter, but this easily makes my top 10 and is the most relaxing album I have heard - perfect for putting on late at night to prepare you for sleep. It can only get the highest rating.