Camel

I've been looking for this one for a while. Exceptional debut album

Great listening for Camel fans.

Just for history

No gimmicks, no over extravagance, no pomp and no pretentiousness. There is something a bit more cool and chilled out to Camel than their contemporaries. In fact, it's safe to say that a lot of Camel's early work wouldn't be scoffed at in todays music world.Their debut really is something special. Ok, vocally, they were never that great, but musically, the fusion of jazz and swirling prog is smooth and accessible. Why were they never more popular???Slow Yourself Down, Mystic Queen, Never Let Go and the excellent Arubaluba are certainly the highlights here. The songs are still fresh after 30 odd years, and the remastered sound is good. I've only just recently discovered Camel, after being a Yes/Genesis/Pink Floyd fan for many years. However, I feel that this album, and the next four they recorded are as good as if not better than the masterworks of those other luminaries. In fact, I would probably take the debut and 'Mirage' over 'Close To The Edge', 'Dark Side Of The Moon' and 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' any day. Old fossils? Go dig 'em up!!!

Camel's debut album sounds at first like archetypal prog, but is so stylishly jazzy that at times it almost swings. 'Slow Yourself Down,' bolstered by Peter Bardens organ flourishes, exemplifies this. 'Mystic Queen' slows the pace, allowing the band some more dramatic touches, including some beautiful guitar work from Andy Latimer. 'Six Ate' skips airily along, while 'Separation' is more of a hard-driven track. It also features a more prominent vocal, an aspect Camel struggle with, though to little concern. The haunting 'Never Let Go' is the most instant track. I first heard this on 'A Live Record' and, perhaps because of that, prefer that version. 'Curiosity' drips in gradually under a ticking hi-hat and allows some inspired guitar and keyboard soloing. 'Arubaluba' benefits from a portentous, plodding combination of organ and guitar to introduce it, but breaks out into a thunderous rhythm. The bonuses include a 19-minute live version of an old Bardens composition, a bonus indeed, but the regular album tracks are the stars of the show.

Good delivery speed and happy with the condition. Camel followers will have their own view on this Album. If you don't know Camel, give them a try.

Great cd to add to my collection

I have a number of Camel albums, but had never heard this one until I bought it (at a very good price, bearing in mind the extra tracks!).I can't say that for me it is worth 5 stars, as everyone else seems to have given it, but nevertheless it represents a pretty strong debut album, although for me it has, at first listen, fewer memorable songs than some of the others. I also found Andy Latimer's usually exquisite guitar sound to be a bit "processed" on this album. His style and sound really developed a little later, and to me he has remained one of the outstanding "lyrical" guitar players, with roots in the blues, but the ability to play in a variety of styles whilst retaining the emotional quality of the music.Strange as it may seem, to me there is a definite hint of Santana to some of the tracks, particularly in the rhythm section.Good to have the extra tracks, and to hear the original version of Never Let Go, not only once, but twice, with both the album and single versions. The live track "Homage To The God Of Light"" is also nice, and reminds me of some of the work Peter Bardens did on his late 60s/early 70s solo albums.His Hammond organ sound is exactly as it should be, and the playing matches!A word also about the rhythm section, who are top class.All in all, for me, a very nice, but not essential album.

I love this Album and the groups music is as good as PF. Just as good is the pricing and delivery from this off shore company. OUTSTANDING! I will buy again and again.

Excelso

Gran disco. Alejado de lo que luego serán capaces de hacer pero muy interesante y con dos temazos increíbles que destacan sobre el resto. Gran álbum!!!

Disco fantastico!

Pas ce que j'aime le groupe Camel