Customer Reviews

Compact Compilation

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being a big fan of progressive/fusion type music, I decided to give Camel a listen after reading many positive reviews on several of their albums. Not being able to decide on any one of their releases to "get me started" with the band, I decided on this compilation after finding a copy through Amazon (it appeared to have the best tracks from their 4 most known albums). Well, right from the first track I was "floored" with what I was hearing----great musicians, nice interplay, cool sounding "prog" passages and odd meters......then I heard something less than appealing on this very same track.....some of the most hideous vocals these ears have stumbled across! I know that I have just set myself up for getting many "not helpful" votes from purists of this band, but from my understanding, this is somewhat of an "open forum" here at Amazon. I will say that whoever is singing on just a few of the songs (thank goodness) here on this compilation is not a terrible singer....just very dull and monotone.....enough so that it immediately took the wind out of my sails on a purchase that up until the vocals, I was getting the "warm and fuzzies" on. This is definitely progressive music of high caliber that I would certainly turn some of my friends onto.....if it weren't for these small vocal passages.....they literally made me cringe, and would be quite embarassing playing for other people. Now, in my defense, you will notice that I still gave this release 4 stars.....the music is worth at least that alone. Songs such as "dunkirk", "Lunar Sea", and most of the material from "Snowgoose" ranks right up there with the "big hitters" of progressive music....though they fall short of greats such as "Firth of Fifth", "Heart of the Sunrise" and "Thick as a Brick" just to name a few. I will continue to listen to this compilation and may even explore some more of the bands material....more than likely "The Snowgoose", which I understand contains ALL instrumentals-----maybe just the ticket I'm looking for! In conclusion I would recommend this "tasty" band to someone looking for "different" music....just be prepared for said vocal parts....after all it was made in the 70s when there was certainly weird and wacky sounds abound. Jeff

I PULLED OUT MY CAMEL VINYL COPY OF OASIS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND WAS SIMPLYBLOWN AWAY BY THOSE EXCELLENT BRITISH MUSICIANS.THEY ARE IN THE SAME LINES AS PINK FLOYD OR ATOMIC ROOSTER.THE KEYBOARD PLAYING IS STELLAR BY PETE BARDENS.OH AND THE GUITAR PLAYING BY ANDREW LATIMER IS TWO CUTS ABOVE GREAT.WOW!! I PLAYED IT FOR A FRIEND AND HE WAS TAKEN ABACK BY THE MUSICIANSHIP ON THIS ALBUM.I FOR ONE CONCUR.IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD WHEN YOU HEAR LADY FANTASY AS IT IS A RARE SONG WITHIN A SONG .I ONLY WISH I COULD FIND IT ON C.D.I WOULD SNAP IT UP NO DOUBT.A CHERISHED PIECE OF ART INDEED.

I bought this CD because I wanted to familiarize myself with Camel's music and I really got my money's worth. Excellent CD from start to finish. "Lady Fantasy" and "Rhayander" really stand out. Most of the CD is instrumental, but when there are vocal parts they're done well. If you're looking to get into Camel this is a great place to start. I just wish the band had a better name! It's hard to take a band called Camel seriously, but they deserve more credit and attention than they've received.

I bought this compilation several years ago. I though, oh this is marginally interesting, but rather bland and flat... Turned me off of Camel for many years. But thanks to a good friend who was quite convinced that Camel was awesome, I was introduced to the remastered version of The Snow Goose. Light years different! So much color and depth are LOST on this compilation.

So you want to know more about Camel??? Start with a remaster of one of their classics. This compilation is a very POOR introduction.

In terms of the selections of songs you find on this CD, it does a fine job of covering Camel's best albums (IMO). It will give you a taste of their spin on progressive rock, which is light, dreamy, jazzy, and (especially on Snow Goose) at times so whimsical as to be a delight for children.

This particular CD came out very early in the life of CD as a media (1985), and they did little more than digitize the masters, probably with 12-bit sampling. That leaves the music muffled and without dynamic range, so it sounds a bit dead.

Happily, the original albums were remastered and greatly improved by it. They are much brighter and have the appropriate dynamic range and color. I was inspired to find them after listening to this CD, which has sat on my shelf a number of years since I heard it last, and I'm glad I did.

Since you can get the remastered CDs used at very reasonable prices, I suggest you introduce yourself to Camel by getting either Snow Goose or Moonmadness, or both. Different albums to be sure, but in the prime of this band lineup. I also got Rain Dances, but didn't bother with the remastered Mirage (which didn't grab me when it was new either). [Caveat: my subjective taste, no intent to offend those who love Mirage or other albums.]

The downside of getting this compilation is that you might miss out on many other fine songs which, though they may not be the very best that is found here, are worth hearing, especially as a part of the sequence of the original concept albums, and you won't be hearing the dynamic of the music as it was on vinyl or as it is now in remastered CD form.

I don't disagree with the comments made by other reviewers (dated sound; corny vocals), yet I still like this music a lot.

I bought this for the intrumentals. I listen to it for the instrumentals. I'd put it in the category of "gentle prog"... or prog lite. Very listenable. However...
The vocals (both the singing and vocal phrasing) are painfully corny. I can imagine Barney and those little kids singing along. I'd bet you'll agree with me if you're taste runs along early Genesis, Gentle Giant, Yes, Crimson, etc.
But, it was a good purchase. From this comp you can pick out what albums you might like. Snow Goose is good. Check that one out.

I have many of the Camel releases, and this is a great introduction to this band. Probably the complaints of the other reviewers have to do with the fact that the cd only pulls songs from 4 of their releases and they have alot of good stuff. This release is probably 90% instrumental. I would have to concur the sequencing isn't ideal. The first 2 cuts are from Mirage (a great album) but are much harder rocking than the rest of the stuff. Once you hit the Snow Goose era stuff it's a nice smooth ride. Camel are especially strong in terms of creating great melodies. But what is equally impressive is the interplay of the musicians. Just when the keyboards or guitar are presenting a really strong melody, each member of the rest of the band is playing an interesting part that just adds to, rather than detracting from, the main theme. The interplay of the band members is exceptional.

This can be a very therapeutic and uplifting listen. One which will take you through many moods. Seems it would be good for a long road trip. I also really love Rajaz off from the cd of the same name. Also, there are some incredible tunes on Dust and Dreams.

I can understand that some reviewers might say that this compilation doesn't really do justice to the band. The reason for that is that they painted from such a wide musical palette that it would be very hard to create a representative compilation.

If I had never heard of Camel and wanted to check them out, I would buy this in a heart beat.

Camel are a British Art Rock/Progressive Rock band who emerged in the early 70's. Music wise they are a mix of Electronica, Funk, Jazz & Rock. This compilation takes bits only from 4 of their 70's albums. In total they put out 7 studio albums between 73-79. The 20 minutes Snow Goose sessions dominate most of this CD between tracks 3 to 8 which can be quite a drag (hence 3 stars) because they are no lyrics, it's all instrumental. Don't get me wrong Camel are great musicians. They are a few lyrics (which are good) on the other selected songs. People here have been moaning about the singing, there is nothing wrong with it, it's typical English, simlair to Pink Floyd's Roger Waters. My overall fave is the Lady Fantasy suite it sweeps you away. If you are not bothered getting an individual album or delve into a 2 CD set maybe this will be a great purchase & for a mid 80's release the sound is great.

IT'S AMAZING WHAT GROUPS GAIN POPULAR ATTENTION AND OTHERS GET LOST IN OBSCURITY. THIS IS ONE OF THEM. THIS IS SOME PHENOMINAL PROG. ROCK. THE AUDACITY BEHIND THESE SONGS. COMPLETELY ETHEREAL WITHOUT ANY HOKINESS. TIME STOOD STILL FOR AN HOUR OF SONIC TRANS DIMENSIONALITY. THE SONG "DUNKIRK" IS THE ONE. TAKE A RIDE ON THE CAMEL.

If you're in to Pink Floyd's instrumentals and Yes's jam sessions then this album is for you and it's probably a three or three and a half star album for you, but most of this is just noodling around and really doesn't get going. "Lady Fantasy" is a a powerful epic and is worth owning. The Snow Goose selections are nothing but 20+ minutes of rather dull instrumentals. "Song Within a Song," "First Light" and "Rain Dances" are all pleasant enough, but you won't be humming any of these songs when it's over. Once every couple years is often enough to hear those four songs. I'd say go out a nd get some Tangerine Dream albums before you plunk down money for this.