Customer Reviews

Mirage - England

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This 1974 followup to their eponymous debut is pretty darn good and shows the band developing themes introduced on the debut. Simply, they took the shorter pieces on the debut and expanded them by inserting a lengthy ostinato played on the bass guitar atop which (fantastic) guitar and Hammond organ solos were layered. These jam sessions are very exciting and both Andy Latimer and Pete simply rip. The harder edged "hard rock" sounds on the debut seem to have been pared back a tiny bit, although there is plenty of rocking energy on Mirage. The jazzier elements also become a little bit more pronounced on a few pieces.

This album features the "classic" Camel lineup of Andrew Latimer (electric and acoustic guitars, flute, and vocals); Pete Bardens (Hammond organ, electric piano, acoustic piano, mini-moog, mellotron, and vocals; Doug Ferguson (electric bass); and Andy Ward (drums and percussion). These guys are very good musicians and work well as an ensemble. Andy and Doug form an especially tight rhythm section and Andy Latimer is a fantastic guitar player. Although the vocals are not their strong suit, I do not mind them one bit and find that they work very well with the material.

The five tracks on Mirage include a few shorter instrumental pieces in the 3-6 minutes range and two longer tracks in the 9-13 minute range that feature their particular approach to prog, which fused some jazz and classical influences with rock. Of the longer pieces, I think Nimrodel works very well (love the mellotron playing), although I think that there is too much of an emphasis on riffs in Lady Fantasy, even though this is a pretty good track too. My favorite instrumental track is Earthrise, which I consider to be representative of the quintessential Camel sound.

This remastered package is very nice and features restored cover art along with loads of liner notes and band photos. The sound quality is excellent. Along with the original tracks are live versions of Supertwister, Mystic Queen and Arubaluba (both from the debut) which were taken from a concert held at the Marquee Club on 10/30/1974; and a previously unreleased version of Lady Fantasy (it's an original mix). The sound quality and performances of the live versions are excellent, while the original mix of Lady Fantasy does not seem too much different from the version included on the original album.

All in all this is a great, high energy album of prog rock from Camel and is recommended. The follow-up to Mirage would be their instrumental interpretation of the story The Snow Goose (1975), and would show them moving in an even softer direction. Many folks feel that the excellent Snow Goose is their finest album and I agree. Mirage and The Snow Goose are recommended along with Moonmadness (1976) which follows the format of Mirage, and the superb Rain Dances (1977), which features Richard Sinclair on bass and lead vocals.

Quite a leap for a Camel. The Santana influence has practically disappeared, replaced by a distinctively Canterburarian quality throughout (think early Caravan) but most particularly on the lengthy, multi-part 'Lady Fantasy' bit. Great guitar solos, Andy. The Supersister tribute is extremely nice and mellow. Great flute work, Andy. But even in 1974 a Tolkien tribute ('Nimrodel' etc) was verging on the corny; it sounds nice, anyway- -Mellotrons everywhere you look. The live tracks are cool, and yes - - the bonus version of 'Lady Fantasy' is different enough to be interesting and educational. Camel's lyrics were never much to write about, and again they're pretty cliched here ("I'm in a freefall/like a snowflake falling/down, down, down, down, down/oh yeah"; "Though he seems afar/like a distant star/his warmth he can convey"; "Oh, my Lady Fantasy/I. . . love you"). I don't think they were trying to be funny, even in an English manner. By the way, I don't know about your copy, but in mine the manufacturer seems to have blown the booklet completely. Quite a lot of text is missing, and what's there is duplicated, pics and all. Just thought I'd mention it.

I am not a music critic, nor would I want to be. What do they know anyway? But, I do have an opinion and for those interested in buying this disc: Camel is a criminally underrated band, considered average by most "critics". IMO they created Prog-Jazz- Rock. I am hard-pressed to find another guitarist with a more beautiful tone created by Andrew Latimer. All of these musicians are flawless on this disc. An absolute gorgeous listen, you will want more. Can't think of anything negative to say. If your reading this go ahead and click "BUY". By the way, I think "Mirage" is just a bit better than the more heralded "SnowGoose." There you have it, my critique. Peace.

That 3 star guy has no idea what he's talking about. Camel is a criminally underrated band! If you measure a band based on their popularity in the U.S. then go away!! Labels?? Call them prog, rock, whatever, these guys are too sophisticated for most people (in a Jethro tull sort of way, but less 'English'). That said, I can't believe how great Mirage is (as well as their debut, Camel). Freefall is incredible and sounds like it could be by a current UK band. Supertwister blows me out of the water. There is not a bad song on here. Lady Fantasy is a gorgeous epic as is Nimrodel. The live bonus stuff is amazing as well ie) Arubaluba. Camel is a musicians band, I prefer them to Yes and Genesis, way less pretentious, more tasteful and better songs by a million miles!! Buy Mirage and check out the debut it's even better!!!!

Funny thing about Camel. I started looking into them at a friend's suggestion at the end of last summer. Then one day I was listening to a medley from THE SNOW GOOSE on YouTube and my mum walks up behind me and says, "Who is that?" I tell her it's Camel. "Oh my God, I haven't heard them in ages!" Turns out Camel were one of her favourite bands back in the 70s. She had four of their LPs on vinyl: MIRAGE, THE SNOW GOOSE, BREATHLESS, and RAIN DANCES - the very four I had decided I needed to get myself, coincidentally enough. Since she had never gotten around to upgrading her Camel albums to CD, I had never heard any of it before, but I ended up discovering it on my own anyway.

And I'm glad I did too. MIRAGE was the first disc I sought out, and I know of very few albums that conjure a more distinct, cohesive atmosphere than the dream-like mist that pervades this one. A bracing "Freefall" opens the set, a song whose multiple time and dynamic changes place the album squarely in the prog camp right from the get-go. Next comes the soporific instrumental "Supertwister", a showcase for Andy Latimer's flute playing, which acts as a delicate counterpart to the "dirtier" stylings of, say, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson. Most of MIRAGE is instrumental really - the lyrics are few and far between, and delivered in a sleepy croon that only contributes to the hazy soundscape suggested by the cover artwork.

Side I of the original vinyl concludes with what may be my favourite entry in the Camel canon, the Tolkien-inspired "White Rider" suite. A musical impression of Gandalf the Grey's triumphant rebirth as Gandalf the White, the tune incorporates ambient keyboard passages, martial rhythms, galloping instrumentals, and ethereal woodwinds to evoke a true vision of Middle-earth. Seldom have I heard a better piece of progressive rock.

Side II features another instrumental, "Earthrise", that continues in the mold established by Side I and gives the musicians a chance to strut their stuff - Andy Bardens' immediately recognizable guitar licks (shades of Dave Gilmour) and Pete Bardens' elegant keyboards especially standout. And last but not least comes the other candidate for my single favourite Camel song, the twelve-minute "Lady Fantasy" suite. Opening with a suitably bombastic blast of keyboards and drum fills, "Lady Fantasy" calls to mind the Doors in its organ-tinged verses and progresses through three movements and a good half-dozen major themes, alternating some of the softest, dreamiest moments on the album with some of the loudest and most intense. Another masterpiece.

Camel were never very popular, which is a damn shame, because they deserve a much wider audience than just progheads. If you'd like to delve into their uniquely dreamy brand of musical magic, MIRAGE would be a great place to start.

I'm going to say something that many people might disagree with, but needs to be said. Even though Camel's Mirage album is a progressive rock album, you do NOT have to be a fan of prog-rock to fall in love with this album. I believe anyone who's a fan of jamming rock bands such as Eric Clapton or Crazy Horse would really enjoy the music on Mirage.

Camel are the masters of knowing how to write memorable songs. The jams are melodic, not to mention creative. They include keyboards, guitars, flutes, drums, bass, organs, and who knows what else. All this adds up to one fantastic listen. Over and over again I listen to this album and can't believe how good it not only sounds, but IS. The music is great. Every song is written so carefully to the point of being extremely melodic. It's incredible.

I wish Camel would tour the USA more. Some of us over here LOVE this band. Heck, even my dad who doesn't listen to rock music anymore said he LOVES what this band is doing. "freefall" is SO melodic, "lady fantasy" will remind you of dreams you had as a child. Those dreams will return and be as pleasant as ever when listening to this song. The rest of the album maintains that pleasant dream atmosphere and helps me conclude this album is truly worth owning. If something ever happened to my copy, I'd buy another one immediately.

When I found out Camel's albums were still around, I became very excited. I bought one of the first pressings of the albums, and fell in love with this album. It came at a time when escapist music was needed, since the Vietnam War was still being fought, and solid music was the ideal. I recently ordered the CD, and when I received it in the mail, I couldn't wait to hear it. I placed it in the stereo, relaxed, and took a trip back to the 70's, early 70's, when I needed a release that groups like Camel provided. Although Snow Goose is probably their best known work, I still favor this one, because it was the first Camel album I had heard.

Nimrodel/The Procession/The White Rider will appeal to most if not all Tolkien fans. I still like to close my eyes and visualize Gandalf riding on the white horse Shadowfax. The entire new release with previously unreleased music is definitely a needed addition to anyone's collection, who enjoys music that will give you a glimpse of the cosmos.

I highly recommend this album.

This is a wonderful album by a band that has found and refined their sound. After listening to the first two tracks alone one can tell that these guys have played live together a great deal. The intricate twists and turns are absolutely Sweet. Nimrodel and Lady fantasy are two of my favorite progressive rock songs (and I heard them for the first time yesterday). One listen and you will immediatly want to purchase Moonmadness, Snow Goose, and A Live Record.

Camel is one of my favorite groups and I have all of their albums. This one is my personal favorite and I can't recommend it highly enough. It is amazing how cool this album sounds when played really really loud!!!
"The Snow Goose" is my second favorite by them but you should know in advance that it is more New-Agey than most of their other material.
It's unfortunate that this band has never recieved any real recognition by the media bozos... They deserve so much better... But, everyone I know who has had the pleasure of their music has liked it!!!

The Camel collection slowly being remastered in England with bonus live and studio tracks on all. The remastering is fantastic and the bonus live tracks are a gem. If you like Camel you must have the remasters. Dont forget the band is still together and just released A NOD AND A WINK. Great stuff.