:: Review ::
The August release of Camel's "A Nod and a Wink" marks a major milestone for the
band and a great many of their fans. Camel is celebrating thirty years of musical
excellence in 2002, and with this new offering Andrew Latimer and company have added
another fine album to their substantial library. Thirty years spent in any one
pursuit is a long time, but in the music business with it's pressures, burdens and
inevitable complications, this is a virtual era. Even more amazing than the
longevity is that the essential magic that is Camel has survived the time and the
changes with an undiminished style, and having produced numerous albums without a
clunker in the lot! In recent years, Camel has had complete control over their
music and has been able to pursue themes and projects as they choose. The resulting
works (such as Harbor of Tears and Dust and Dreams) have been well received and the
band is as popular now as anytime that I can remember. I hope (and pray) that
we can look forward to many more years from them.
Having been around for thirty years, most of our readers know that strictly
speaking no review is necessary. Camel has a new album out. Go and get it-nuf
said. We know that we can't loose. It does occur to me though that after all of
this time there are probably a lot of young Prog fans who really haven't been
exposed to Camel's music. For them, here is a chance to pick up on a band that in
the music school is Prog 101. You can start listening anywhere, but "Nod" is a
great place to start.
Nod is a bit of a departure from Camel's releases of the last few years. The
album moves away from the one theme format and features a number of tunes that are
mostly lite-hearted and upbeat. Overall, this work reminds me of the I Can See Your
House From Here release for it's musical diversity and cleverness. The album starts
off with an 11-minute title cut with a nice "timeclock" like meter about dreams and
the magic they might bring. The second half of the tune features a wonderful
rolling signature Camel instrumental. Track two, "Simple Pleasure" a story I think
of an old flame, has an ever so slight t Latin flavor to it which is unusual for the
band, but is carried off very well. I found the tune "Fox Hill" to be a really fun
song. It's a slightly campy song about a fox hunt (the fox survives), done in a
jaunty manner and sung with what I think is a slight "Cockney?" accent. The track
"A Boy's Life" once again features a beautiful Camel instrumental section so common
to all Camel albums.
My favorite track is the last track simply titled "For Today." A song dedicated
to the spirit of human courage shown by a victim of the 911 tragedy who rather then
jumping to his death, chose to dive. On almost every Camel album there can be found
at least one song that I feel "needed" to be written. Camel has always had a way of
turning out material that feels to me as if it has always somehow been there. Even
though I have never heard the tune before, it seems an old friend at first listen.
These tracks range from moody to haunting or even majestic. They always strike an
internal chord with me. It is what I love best about the band and I think that
these special songs are essential to Andrew Latimer as they often appear as the last
tracks on the album leaving us with a feeling that lasts after the listening is
over. For Today features a nice piano introduction and then a lyric section that
quite solemnly intones us to "Never give a day away. It won't return the same
again" launching next into one of Latimer's classic, haunting blues inspired lead
guitar sections. I can hear in this a subtle reminder of the music from the 70's
release "Moon Madness." I cannot get enough of these songs. "For Today" alone makes
the album worth the purchase and elevates the whole CD to a Camel must have. In my
humble opinion as an impartial observer of course!
As a whole, the production and musical artistry is typically excellent as one
would expect from any top notch Prog band and which is certainly the norm for
Camel. Fans of great musicianship will always find a Camel album to be a safe
haven. As always, the percussion, bass playing (Colin Bass is one of the best in
the business) and keyboards are all stand out and easy to focus on. The incidental
instruments such as the flute adding softness to the pieces. "A Nod and a Wink" is
a fine album, rich in the Camel traditions and as I said, a must have for the old
fans and a great intro for any new ones. In general, just buy it-nuf said.
With thirty years behind them, Camel has had more than it's share of successes.
But with the passage of time there are also things that we see come to pass that are
not quite as pleasant. Recently founding keyboard player Peter Bardens passed away
having lost his struggle with cancer. In time, all things must by their nature pass
away but it is always particularly sad when someone whose work you admire, and who
has brought beauty into your world, passes away. The Prog4you folks would like to
pass along our deepest sympathies to the Barden family and to the Camel family.
Rating: I give this album..........9 keyboards (I'd give it more but I always
have hope for the future!)
Reviewer: Steven J. Mynaugh
Review Date - 8 November 2002
:: Credits ::
Producer: Andrew Latimer
Executive Producer: Susan Hoover
Visit the artist website:
http://www.camelproductions.com/
You can purchase this CD from
http://www.camelproductions.com/
Email:
camel@camelproductons.com
::
Discography 1972-2002 ::
Camel - Released in February 1973
Mirage -
Released in March 1st 1974
The Snow Goose -
Released in April 1975
Moonmadness -
Released in April 1976
Rain Dances -
Released in September 1977
Breathless -
Released in September 22nd, 1978
I Can See Your House From Here -
Released in mid-October 1979
Nude -
Released in January 1981
The Single Factor -
Released on May 6th 1982
Stationary Traveler -
Released in March 1984
Dust and Dreams -
1991
Harbour of Tears -
Released on January 15th, 1996
Coming of Age (live and DVD) -
1997
Rajaz -
Released on October 7th, 1999
A Nod and a Wink -
Released on July 19th, 2002
:: SPECIAL NOTE ::
As stated in the CD sleeve, the song For Today is dedicated to the courageous spirit
of the High Diver on September 11th, 2001. The "High Diver" is a reference to person
who chose to accept his fate, and dived to his death. The graceful, almost athletic
pose of his body,
(http://www.navexpress.com/911/2.htm)
inspired Susan Hoover to refer to him as a High Diver.
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