A LIVE RECORD

I had some reservations about this record when it first came out. Most of the tracks on disc one, if not all of them, were recorded during their Rain Dances period and this album was their first without original bassist Doug Ferguson and the start of their downfall. And I didn´t know if the inclusion of such jazz musicians like Mel Collins and Richard Sinclair would do to the older material. In the end my fears would prove to be silly, but that´s the way I felt at the time, and those times were not the best for prog as anyone here knows very well.

Anyway, I was glad I´ve waited all this time to buy this album, because not only the sound is much improved from the first CD edition, but there are also seven bonus tracks that were recorded around the same time but not included on the original double LP. The result is simply astonishing!

CD1: the Rain Dances tour. Better then I thought at the time, even if one of my favorite Camel tracks - Never Let Go - is not up to the original studio version (still good version here, though). But I can´t deny that Camel was still in top form then and the record shows Camel at the same time powerful and subtle on stage. Some sax insertions in the old songs worked well. And the chemistry between Andrew Latimer, Peter Bardens and Andy Ward is just amazing! Songs like Lunar Sea. Chord Changes, Frist Light and the 14 minute Lady Fantasy are performed with with a rare mix of awesome technique, fine melodies, terrific arrangements, passion and conviction. With the addition of the bonus ttracks it´s a 76 minute CD that shows why Camel was/is so beloved among prog fans.

CD2: this the real gem! Performed earlier by the original line up, with the help of the London Symphony Orchestra, it is even better than the classic studio version! Great performance of all involved of this instrumental suite on an inspired night. Emotional, beautiful, poignant. The Snow Goose ia a prog masterpiece and the orchestra is used only in a subtle manner, which is very good. This presentation is a 5 star affair enhanced in the new remastered version with the inclusion of two bonus tracks: White Rider and Another Night, both a worth addition to the original track list (as those on disc one). In other words, perfect.

Conclusion: a must have for any prog fan! A fantastic live album in a decade full of great live albums. The very well done remastering and the inclusion of the excellent extra tracks make this album the definitve live Camel CD to have. Rating: disc one 4,5 stars. Disc two: 5 stars. Essential. Highly recommneded!