THE PARIS COLLECTION

"The Paris Collection" is the ninth live album of Camel and that was released in 2001. This live album was taken by several recordings made of their live concert performed at the Bataclan-Club, in Paris, France, in 30 September 2000.

"The Paris Collection" belongs to a live tour that was at risk of not being released. Amongst other things, the band had some problems with the line up for this live tour. After all, they needed a new keyboardist and Guy LeBlanc was invited. After he arrived in San Francisco and discussed the conditions he joined Camel. When they thought that everything was right, their drummer Dave Stewart informed the band that he had accepted a position as manager of a drum shop and can't keep his commitment to that tour. Then it was suggested that the ex-Jethro Tull drummer, Clive Bunker was the right man to the job due to his playing style. Clive Bunker agreed to do Camel's tour but after some time he inform the band that he was unable to do the tour. So, Guy LeBlanc suggested and called the French Canadian drummer Denis Clement which was fortunately available. The mainly problem is that he was a completely unknown entity, but after he arrived at San Francisco and does the casting he soon proved that he was perfectly capable to do flawlessly the job.

By the other hand, Andrew Latimer had an extremely bad cold which turned to a bronchial infection and if that's not enough he latter chipped a bone in his knee cap and had to perform sitting down. Due to Latimer's infection he was unable to sing and Colin Bass and Guy LeBlanc takeover of all vocal duties. So, all this made of "The Paris Collection" a different Camel's album without the familiar Latimer's voice. But, as a whole, the band was able to do a very good job.

So, the line up on "The Paris Collection" is Andrew Latimer (guitar), Colin Bass (vocals, acoustic guitar and bass guitar), Guy LeBlanc (vocals and keyboards) and Denis Clement (drums and percussion).

"The Paris Collection" has ten tracks. The first track "Ice" was originally released on their seventh studio album "I Can See Your House From Here". The second track "Chord Change" was originally released on their fourth studio album "Moonmadness". The third track "Fingertips" was originally released on their tenth studio album "Stationary Traveller". The fourth track "Slow Yourself Down" was originally released on their debut eponymous studio album "Camel". The fifth track "Sahara" was originally released on their thirteenth studio album "Rajaz". The sixth track "Mother Road" was originally released on their eleventh studio album "Dust And Dreams". The seventh track "Little Rivers And Little Rose" was also originally released on "Dust And Dreams". The eighth track "Hopeless Anger" was also originally released on "Dust And Dreams". The ninth track "Lady Fantasy" was originally released on their second studio album "Mirage". The tenth track "Slow Yourself Down (Late Night Version)" is a bonus track, an acoustic studio version of the original track.

"The Paris Collection" is another release from the "Official Bootlegs" series of Camel, this time a recording that was made in October 2000, in Paris. About the live performance of the band and the choice of the repertoire of Camel to be included on this album, it was very good. First, there are a few older pieces to be heard. So, we have the majestic instrumental track "Ice" and the instrumental "Chord Change", both from the 70's, are determined entirely by Andrew Latimer's cutting electric guitar, which is much more effective here than on the studio versions. For "Fingertips" and "Slow Yourself Down" the album then switches to the acoustic guitar, which gives the two pieces a very different character than the original. After "Sahara" from the 1999 album "Rajaz", there are three songs from "Dust And Dreams" that merge into one another, followed by Camel's classic "Lady Fantasy". These pieces are again kept relatively close to the respective original versions, but appear much more dynamic here. Finally, and as a bonus track there's a very atmospheric version of "Slow Yourself Down" recorded by Andrew Latimer and Guy LeBlanc with only acoustic guitar and keyboards in the studio. So, there's enough variation of Camel's material for the release of another live album.

Conclusion: Camel is, in my humble opinion, one of the best progressive rock bands that ever existed, is one of my favourites and it's also the band of the 70's that give me more pleasure to listen too, nowadays. Relatively to "The Paris Collection" I must confess that I had some reservations about this album and it was one of the last two albums that I bought from them because some previous reviews. When I read about the so many problems before that live tour and that Andrew Latimer doesn't sing a note on the album, I was really a bit worried about what I would hear. However, and despite it isn't a masterpiece, I was pleasantly surprised with "The Paris Collection". So, let's see why. Collin Bass and Guy LeBlanc take good care of the vocal parts and it has also great musical moments too, especially the three songs from "Dust And Dreams", and of course, their legendary track, "Lady Fantasy". So, I have no problem in recommending this album to everyone who likes good symphonic progressive rock performed live. This is a wonderful set all around.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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