A LIVE RECORD

From the first funky notes of "Never Let Go" to the closing movements of the reprised "The Great Marsh", this live recording is a revelation. This reviewer had previously considered Camel a bore, thinking most of their work to be merely extended rock songs rather than truly progressive in any real meaning of the word. Even the obvious flaws of Camel - the wavering, sometimes overpronounced singing style, the retro organ that for better or worse transports the listener back to Blackpool Pier, the cod funk featuring the "wrong" style of saxophony and the tendency for soloists to resort to blues (and that's just the first song) - seem somehow more integral to the music, more positive. And then it hits you - this is A Live Record by A Live Band.

If you like spacy rock songs that are given time to breathe and allow each band member to showcase themselves, then pick up this release before any of Camel's studio offerings. Definetly get this before you get "The Snow Goose" as the entire suite is represented here on the second disc.