A Nod and a Wink [IMPORT]

Camel

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 27, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Camel Productions
• ASIN: B00006F7XJ
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,693 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
2002 release on the veteran prog band's own Camel Productions label.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Camel's Best Independent Album, August 14, 2002

By	Michael S. Wellman (Okemos, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is Camel's best studio album since they went independent in 1991. While this album contains some classic Camel sound, there are also some pleasant surprises. As always, there is a lot of great guitar playing by Andy Latimer. In addition, Andy plays more flute than usual on this album. In places, the flute playing is reminiscent of Ian Anderson. The album also features Guy LeBlanc's fine keyboards. Five of the seven songs are more than 7 minutes long, with the title track clocking in at more than 11 minutes. This album is not as melancholy as Camel's other recent albums. In particular, "Fox Hill" is very upbeat. If you like melodic symphonic rock, you will like this album.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ship of the Desert Romps Home With a Winner!, August 20, 2002

By	Mr N J Hobbs (UK) - See all my reviews

So, after months of waiting and anticipation, I eagerly opened the Jiffy bag that had winged its way from sunny California. When the Camel web site had announced that the new album would be available, personally signed by Andrew Latimer, as a pre-order, I did not hesitate and duly waited for the goods. Imagine my frustration when I saw the CD in local record shops three days BEFORE my pre-order arrived - the suspense was agony! But patience is rewarded, they say, and boy is that true in this case.

The opening (title) track starts with the sound of an old steam locomotive as childhood memories are evoked and the listener is pulled into dreamland. In typical Camel style, the song passes through many changes of mood and builds in power. Andy Latimer's awesome guitar playing is superbly supported by Guy LeBlanc's tasteful keyboards, Denis Clement's powerful drumming and Colin Bass's solid bass work. In fact the musicianship on this release proves this is one of the best Camel line-ups for years (can't wait for the live shows next year). A real bonus is that Andy has featured the flute more here than on any album since `Snowgoose' and the songs are all the better for it. Once again, it's a collection that is rewarded with further listening and it wasn't until about fourth time through that I fully absorbed all of the subtleties within. That said, the first song blew me away first time through.

`A Nod' is sprinkled throughout with moods, imagery, and sympathetic sound effects, and the production is top notch, benefiting from crystal-clear high-definition CD encoding and some wonderful vocal close-micing techniques.

Proving that Camel don't take themselves too seriously is the delightfully humorous `Fox Hill' with some great Gabrielesque character voices playing the parts of a fox and its pursuing horse & rider. It draws comparison with Nursery Crime-era Genesis but is completely original and has you grinning from ear to ear. Other highlights are `A Boys Life' and the rousing instrumental `Squigley Fair'.

The album closes with the highly emotive `For Today'. Evocative of Camel' s own `Ice' from `I Can See Your House From Here', it showcases Andy's fluid bluesy guitar lines and ably demonstrates why he's right up there on the podium (at the top, in my book) with the likes of Dave Gilmour. Read the sleeve notes and you will understand the special significance of this song and why (if you're a fan of the depth and emotion of Camel's music) it produces yet another `hairs on the back of the neck' moment.

It's easy to let the clichés fly but Latimer and co have produced an album that is majestic, powerful, emotive, humorous, whimsical, and in a class of its own within today's bland musical climate. It is only through their refusal to follow the corporate path and to retain total artistic independence that they have been able to produce something of this quality and in a style that is their's alone. A Nod and a Wink is undoubtedly one of their finest.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a word... Masterpiece!, September 1, 2002

By	"open-eared-one" (California) - See all my reviews

I have heard the best CAMEL album of all time and it is not "Mirage," "The Snow Goose" or "Moonmadness." It wasn't recorded in the Seventies. But in its own sly way, it recalls some of the best elements of progressive rock's heyday, while steadfastly maintaining a contemporary sound. With "A Nod And A Wink," Camel's founder and perennial guiding light, Andy Latimer, has crafted what must be regarded as his masterwork.

As one would expect, there are copious tasteful and melodic guitar solos. Some, such as the supple lead on "Boy's Life" are so beautiful as to elicit tears. Others are so mean and nasty, jabbing and lancing that they are like body blows. But the studious prog fan will pick out paeans to a time past, to "the bands that ruled the world." Genesis is clearly recalled in "Fox Hill." Pink Floyd and Camel of the Kit Watkins era are quoted in the closing anthem "For Today." You will hear hints of Supertramp, some Alan Parsons Project, Moody Blues and Jethro Tull. And for the longtime Camel fan, there are many touches of vintage Latimer/Bardens style arrangements.

This album is a trip. Sound effects tell us we're going for a train ride through the English countryside. But the lyrics conjure up images of sleeping and dreaming, familiar territory for prog concept albums. Whatever the vehicle, Latimer, lyricist Susan Hoover and the Y2K Camel band comprised of keyboardist Guy LeBlanc (of Nathan Mahl), Denis Clement on drums, and veteran bassist Colin Bass weave a thoroughly captivating spell over the listener. Prepare to be entranced for nearly an hour while soaring, swooping, diving melodies and stop-on-a-dime time changes, floating flute, jaw-dropping guitar and always thoughtful, sometimes playful lyrics all conspire to take you back to another time. The album is a trip. It is a beautiful, awe-inspiring trip. I guarantee you will never forget your first listen.