Customer Reviews

Harbour of Tears

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been a Prog Rock fan for many years (Yes, Genesis, Nektar, Camel, Moody Blues, Kansas, etc.) and I am usually critical. I found this CD by accident when it first came out. At first listen it was nothing that I had expected but it was interesting. After about 4 listens I was really into about half of the tracks. After a week I wouldn't drop a single track. This CD is a real tour de force and all you have to do is listen to "Watching the Bobbins" and the guitar solo on "The Hour Candle" (a tribute to the passing of Andrew Latimer's father) to get an appreciation of how really great, yet virtually unappreciated, Camel really is. Their original record label was Deram which also had the Moody Blues. It seems that Camel may hae taken the "back seat" in its early promotion and support and got lost as an "also ran". If you really don't like this CD after 5 listens you probably have no soul.

I'm not the biggest Camel buff out there, but I've heard alot of good stuff come from these guys (Moonmadness, Raindances...) ..and what makes them good is the way all the instruments usually contribute to the song structure. Whether it be the keyboards or the drums locking you into a 5/4 time signature, or guitar solos that suck...you into the song, these keys know how to do it.

But Harbour takes a different approach--not a horrible approach--but different. The short instrumental pieces seem to be avenues for the guitarist alone, over synths that generally just float into the next track. And the vocals are more of a presence... not in a totally disagreeable way, but then Camel, like most bands, is better when they just shut up and play..

This isn't a bad album, but should definitely not be your first experience with Camel.

Another mostly instrumental concept album from Camel, the type of album Andy Latimer does best, and this is one of their very best. HARBOUR OF TEARS was a worthy follow-up to 1991's DUST & DREAMS, the first independently released Camel album after Andy Latimer moved to the USA and got Camel back on its feet. If you like classical-flavored, guitar-oriented English progressive rock mixed with Celtic themes and melodies, HARBOUR OF TEARS is for you.

Brief review...

This album has an Irish feel to it, not something I can remember encountering with Camel previously.

There is a short instrumental called "Under the Moon" which just leaves me speechless - it's got be one of the most amazing things I've heard in my life. The tone of the guitar is magnificent (add in some sweet reverb). Along the lines of Dave Gilmour, it's right on the edge of feedback and as I listen it's as if I can hear the colors changing in the notes. It's just so emotional. THIS is music.

Then there's a musical break of maybe 15 seconds half way into the song "Eyes of Ireland" that again just swells over the listener and has a similar effect. This is the stuff that makes Camel CD's worthwile in my mind.

While I definitely don't think this is their strongest album, it's still a pleasure to listen to for the most part. Even though a song like "Running from Paradise" stops it being a 5 star album for me, I would still highly recommend it.

It's really a shame that this album is not more well known, but Camel is probably used to such a situation over the course of their career. I have many favorite Camel albums (Snow Goose, MoonMadness, Breathless, etc.) but this one always stands out because it is so different and successful in it's intent. A true concept album, it revolves around an Irish immigrant's journey to the U.S.

Upon first listening, I dismissed it as fairly ordinary stuff. Only upon repeated listenings did it's magic unfold before my ears, and now it has become a permanent member of the Camel Hall of Fame.

I am also astounded that reviewers would rate the follow-up album "Rajaz" higher than Harbour of Tears. To me, Rajaz sounds uninspired and meandering with little soul or passion evident.

The best way to listen to this masterpiece is straight through and really feel the music, the places, the experiences that this person goes through - it's all there in the music - heartbreak, wonder, fear and finally, triumph. The arrangements are fantastic, the musicianship excellent, and as we would expect, the guitar playing superb and full of passion. I highly recommend this audio life journey, which just happens to be a CD!

I have been trying to locate a reasonably priced copy of this CD.....Everything available is overpriced......Once an item is out of print and supplies become scarce......The scalping vultures come out of the closet, readily producing copies at extraordinary markups....

Does anybody have information regarding a future release date for this selection???

I am a great fan of Camel and have only recently purchased 'Harbour of Tears'
It's different. I wasn't sure on first few plays whether it was up there with the rest but like other reviewers after about 5 plays I can't stop listening to it. It's simply awesome!

I got this album in England in 1998 when I was there on a temp assignment from my work. I had known Camel since high school (mid 70's) which would make it Camel's early days, so to speak. This album presents Camel's style in a form that highlights their maturity in creating prog rock so unique that can be identified as Camel's music anywhere. This album was my campanion during road trips I took on weekends when I refused to stay in my townhouse in England and took to the road to see the country. I love it!

I absolutely love Camel. This CD is so rich and full of exquisite riffs by Andrew Lattimer that it astounds me everytime I spin it.