Camel (Excellent 70's prog rock)

Karl Hungus

So, there's a fair few prog rock threads going (Who's going to start an ELP thread?), which is excellent, as I'm quite a prog fan, but one of my favourite bands of the genre is Camel. You can check out some songs here, if you're unfamiliar.

Anyway, great band, and I think it was mentioned in another thread how The Snow Goose was one of the best instrumental albums of all time, and I'd certainly agree with that.

Fozzy

The Snow Goose is amazing, I love that album. The only other stuff I've heard by Camel is off their Live Album where they performed The Snow Goose in full and some songs off other albums, but the other stuff didn't really interest me as much

Karl Hungus

That's odd Fozzy. I love their other stuff aswell, and I think Andy Latimer has a great voice. You should check out the album Mirage, and maybe Moonmadness. Really exceptional stuff.

Alanthroneus

ah man .... these rock..... cheers for the recommendation

Karl Hungus

Not a bother.

They really are very good, and quite overlooked. Quite a hidden gem as it were. Would you believe I picked up some of their albums in Japan? The Japanese seem to love their prog rock, because I picked up a load of Camel, Yes, ELP and Comus albums when I was there.

Alanthroneus

can i pick em up in the likes of HMV and that or will i have to go to the smaller shops around dublin?

Karl Hungus

I did get 2 of their albums in HMV in Dublin a couple of years back pretty cheap, so it's worth a look, but it was some time ago I'm afraid. What I'd recommend is going to www.play.com where they have quite a few Camel albums in the 3 for £15 section, which probably works out less than €25.

Alanthroneus

Cheers man...* goes in search of Credit card*

Fozzy

I listened to a bit of Mirage earlier and I liked what I heard. Lady Fantasy especially, very good song

Karl Hungus

Fozzy wrote:

I listened to a bit of Mirage earlier and I liked what I heard. Lady Fantasy especially, very good song

Ah yeah, it's an absolutely standout track, but I cannot fault the album on the whole. Glad you liked it though, I was suprised when you said the Snow Goose was the only album that interested you.

John

A band I keep meaning to get into. Recommend me an album and I'll pick it up next weekend.

Karl Hungus

Definetly get The Snow Goose, John, and if you've got money spare, Mirage. Those were the first 2 camel albums I bought, and I was hooked since.

John

Cool. Tower always seem to have a healthy stock of their albums so hopefully I'll remember to pick them up when I'm next passing.

Sonnenblumen

John - you'll get ripped off buying Camel at Tower, why not buy online and get 3 for probably € 10.00?

Fozzy

Karl Hungus wrote:

Ah yeah, it's an absolutely standout track, but I cannot fault the album on the whole. Glad you liked it though, I was suprised when you said the Snow Goose was the only album that interested you.

Must have been something to do with the live versions. I'll probably love them now when I find that live album!

John

Sonnenblumen wrote:

John - you'll get ripped off buying Camel at Tower, why not buy online and get 3 for probably € 10.00?

Good point. I do like walking into a shop and browsing though.

Hector Gilbert

I actually quite like their 1981 album Nude. It's quite glossy and 80s sounding, which I could imagine putting many people off it, but really quite a nifty concept album. Mostly instrumental (stylistically somewhere in between the 70s Camel style and something more touched by Eno) and with three great ballads at the album's key points

Karl Hungus

Hector Gilbert wrote:

I actually quite like their 1981 album Nude. It's quite glossy and 80s sounding, which I could imagine putting many people off it, but really quite a nifty concept album. Mostly instrumental (stylistically somewhere in between the 70s Camel style and something more touched by Eno) and with three great ballads at the album's key points

Hmm, don't have that album myself. I should probably check it out.

spiritcrusher

I have Nude on Vinyl, must dig it out and give it another try.

fortuneg

Fozzy wrote:

Must have been something to do with the live versions. I'll probably love them now when I find that live album!

I still have to check out that live album you recomended, must do it soon!

Anyway, i would also consider Mirage, Snow Goose & Moonmadness their best.
I always found it very entertaining making up stories to put to Snow Goose, meant to read the book ages ago but never did:)
Lunar Sea from Moonmadness is one of my favourite instrumental tracks ever!

Civilian_Target

I'm not big into my genres, but Camel always reminds me a bit of Uriah Heep. Although what categorisation Uriah Heep fall into is beyond me!

Karl Hungus

Yeah, Uriah Heep would probably fall into the same category as Camel.

damonjewel

As 70's prog goes I always thought Camel a bit lightweight to their contemparies. I'd rather gong, yes, early genesis, or floyd. But saying that a not bad entry point for people who want to get into Prog.

Karl Hungus

Little bump here, but I think Camel are an awesome band, and could do with a bit more exposure.

Somnus

Listening to the first song Lady Fantasy now and wow!

Pretty good stuff! Had heard them mentioned but never any songs. Thanks for the link Karl.
Probably pick up a couple of their ablums soon or over Christmas

Karl Hungus

Glad you enjoyed them, Dr.Poca. Did you know Mikael from Opeth cites them as a huge influence?

Somnus

I did,thats another reason I wanted to have a listen to them

So would Mirage and Snow Goose be the albums to get first?

Karl Hungus

Dr.Poca wrote: »

So would Mirage and Snow Goose be the albums to get first?

Can't see why not!

big b

Great band, always much under-estimated.

Moonmadness won't disappoint you either, if you see a copy looking for a home.

Karl Hungus

Under-estimated, or under-appreciated?

Moonmadness is indeed a fantastic album, essential stuff. Might be blasphemy to some, but I probably prefer Camel to some of the bigger Prog bands like Yes or ELP even.