MOONMADNESS

A college friend introduced this album to me a year after it came out - that was 25 years ago. I was just getting into many of the 'mainstream' prog bands of the mid-1970s (Genesis, ELP, Kansas, Yes) and then I got a listen to Camel, 'Moonmadness.' I agree with another reviewer: Camel has put out several albums, but none I have listened to have equaled the excellent quality of this one album. I first bought it as a vinyl record, in which tracks 1-4 were on side A and tracks 5-7 were side B. Now I own the CD and the digitally remastered quality makes it even more of a joy to listen to. While I enjoy Bardens' keyboard work on 'Aristillus' and 'Spirit of the Water,' it is really the songs on vinyl side B (tracks 5-7) that make me want to listen to this album again and again. 'Another Night' almost belongs in the category of classic prog, with characteristic instrumental style and time-signature changes. 'Air Born' is a great balladic number which has the similar prog quality of 'And You and I' by Yes. 'Lunar Sea,' which must have inspired the album's title, is a quintessential prog instrumental offering that really showcases Latimer's fine guitar chops. I do not own any other Camel records, but this one I will hold on to 4evr!