Search - Camel :: Compact Compilation

Interested in Camel? Do NOT start here

Janice | Holland, MI United States | 08/06/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Initial reactions/ thoughts....

Jeffrey G. Stevenson | F.W.B.,FL | 09/30/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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"

Camel filters out bad vibes

Jeffrey G. Stevenson | 07/06/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."