THE SNOW GOOSE

What can I say? Very good album. When I heard it first time I thought that its not so good, back then I would have gave it just 3 stars. Then I listened it few time and would have gave it 4 stars. Now that I listen it for fourth time (first time with proper headphones) I will give it 5 stars. This happends a lot with progressive music... The Snow Goose can be considered as light prog, which is not too usual for me, but still I love this. Nature has big meaning in this album, and Camel has managed to capture the mood very well.

I don't like all the songs but my favorites are The Great Marsh, Rhayader (all time classic), Sancturay, Fritha, The Snow Goose, Friendship (amazing song again), Fritha Alone (Piano solo at the best! Nearly makes me cry, nearly) La Princess Perdue (So beautiful). I didn't like so much of the battle section (songs 11-13, they were good, but not great unlike the entire cd) I cant wait to hear this with London Symphony Orchestra, soon ill get the live album.

The main reason why I wrote the review (amongs that I can give it 5 stars) is that i can tell more of the backround story. Many people have been asking it, since its not too easy to find out.

The Original story is from a novel by Paul Gallico named "A Snow Goose" (Camel had to add the "Music inspired by" to the album cover).

Here's the story in a nutshell :

1. The Greath Marsh : Just before dawn till sunrise.

2. Rhayader : Rhayader is a man, a loner who lives in an old lighthouse on the Essex marshes, caring for the wild birds. Healing and taking care of birds who have got hurt.

3. Rhayader Goes to Town The townsfolk react coldly towards Rhayader because of his odd appearance. But their fear and prejudice is mixed with curiosity for he has a noble bearing.

4. Sanctuary The Snow Goose swept off course by a sea storm just reaches the Essex coast. Fritha finds her exhausted and wounded on the beach and gently cradles her. She has heard that nearby lives a man who is a great healer of birds, so she heads towards Rhayaders old lighthouse.

5. Fritha When she meets Rhayader for first time she too is fleftened, but her concern for the Snow Goose overcomes her fear.

6. The Snow Goose

7. Friendship While the Snow Goose gradually gains strength, tended to by Rhayader and visited by Fritha, a strong bond of friendship grows between the three of them.

8. Migration

9. Rhayader Alone With the departure of the Snow Goose, Fritha no longer visits the lighthouse and Rhayader is once more alone with the melancholy sounds of the marshes. Rhayader soon finds himself again on alone and sad.

10. The Flight of the Snow Goose One day high above the horizon appears the familiar shape of the great white bird. Rhayader in his joy sends for Fritha.

11. Preperation Rhayader gets ready to sail, together with the small Armada of other boats to help in the desperate rescue operation at Dunkirk.

12. Dunkirk As Rhayader departs, leaving Fritha behind he cannot prevent the Snow Goose following him out across the channel and left into the heart of battle.

13. Epitaph Rhayader ferries many stranded soldiers to safety until at last he is hit, and the Snow Goose is seen circling low over the spot where Rhayaders little boat has gone down.

14. Fritha Alone Fritha is alone and cannot find Rhayader. She has a bad feeling, but yet does not know fate of Rhayader.

15. La Princesse Perdue Fritha realizing somehow that Rhayader will not return and is still looking out to sea when she see's the Snow Goose. She is filled with a sweet sadness as she follows her princess home in as if to land only to fly away, out of sight lost forever beyond sight.

16. The Great Marsh

So if you were interrested of the story do consider of buying the book. I heard that it's short so it might be good reading while listening the cd, since you could follow the same timeline both with cd and book.

Amazing, beautiful music, build around beautiful yet sad story.