ICHIGO ICHIE - LIVE IN JAPAN 2016

I was suprised when I learnt a few weeks ago that an new Camel DVD, recorded last year in Japan, was imminent. I have a lot of live Camel in my collection and, having enjoyed the band in concert in Birmingham a couple of years ago, decided to place an advance order through the band's website.

My copy duly arrived (signed by Andy Latimer) a couple of days ago. I thought it would be good - it is in fact tremendous! Given how ill Latimer was a few years ago his work here is all the more remarkable. His skills and those of the rest of the band are undiminished.

An appealing setlist with decent visuals and excellent LPCM sound (CD quality, when many music DVDs are actually mp3) make this two hours of music I will be sitting though many times.

Another pleasant surprise to me was to see Peter Jones (of Tiger Moth tales) give a very convincing performance on keyboards/vocals.

I would only very rarely give a concert DVD five stars, but, on this occasion I feel it is deserved. A triumph on every level and a great start to the prog year.