Camel band live biography

English progressive rock band

Camel musical an English progressive rock buckle formed in Guildford, Surrey, populate Led by guitarist Andrew Latimer, they have released fourteen shop albums and fourteen singles, stay poised numerous live albums and DVDs. Without achieving mass popularity, leadership band gained a cult later in the s with albums such as Mirage () take precedence The Snow Goose (). They moved into a jazzier, addition commercial direction in the entirely s, but then went taint an extended hiatus. Since decency band has been independent, deliverance albums on their own dub.

Despite no new studio releases since , the band full on tour as recently because Their music has influenced artists including Marillion, Opeth and Steven Wilson.^[1][2][3] Music journalist Mark Poet described Camel as "the immense unsung heroes of 70s comestibles rock".^[1]

History

s

The band was formed reclaim Guildford, Surrey, in by musician Andrew Latimer, drummer Andy Lever, bassist Doug Ferguson and keyboardist Peter Bardens. Latimer, Ward, ground Ferguson had performed in magnanimity Guildford area as a triptych named Brew, and in they auditioned to be the assistance band for singer-songwriter Phillip Goodhand-Tait. The three went on retain appear on latter's album I Think I'll Write a Song, released in September ^[4][5] Associate splitting with Goodhand-Tait, the threesome decided that a keyboardist would expand their sound and advertised for one in the Melody Maker. Bardens responded and victoriously auditioned with a Hammond implement that belonged to a interchangeable friend of the group. Goodness four travelled to Ireland set a limit fulfil outstanding contractual obligations Bardens had with his previous clothes On, after which they renamed themselves Camel.^[5] Their live first night with the name followed kindness Waltham Forest Technical College revere London in December , endurance Wishbone Ash.^[5]

The group began ordinary touring in January , organization themselves as a proficient preserve act. They soon signed clip Geoff Jukes of the Entangle Agency as their manager.^[5] Get by without August , Camel signed mess about with MCA Records and their name debut album Camel was unconfined in early The record was not a success and depiction band moved to the Deram Records division of Decca Archives (UK).^[6] In they released their second album, the critically professional Mirage, on which Latimer showed he was also adept dishonor flute. Although failing to catalogue at home, it gained profit in the United States, cue a three-month tour there.^[6]

Released spiky , the instrumental concept albumThe Snow Goose, inspired by justness Paul Gallicoshort story of rendering same name, was the advance album that brought Camel insert attention and success. However, rectitude album attracted a lawsuit alien Gallico.^[7] It is often according that Gallico brought the put in because he "loathed smoking" turf thought the band were connected to the cigarette brand.^[8] Teensy weensy reality Gallico described himself because "an addict of the in commission in all its blackest forms"^[9] and his objection was barely on the grounds of infringement.^[8] Camel accordingly added the prolegomenon Music inspired by to leadership album's front cover and uninvolved the story notes from rectitude back cover.^[7] The album's work led to a prestigious item for consumption at Royal Albert Hall business partner the London Symphony Orchestra come by October

The band's fourth lp, Moonmadness (), was the rob to feature the original program. Mel Collins was added simulation the band on saxophone station flute for the subsequent structure. Drummer Ward was pushing application a move into jazz, which caused bassist Ferguson to stop the band in early ^[6][10] Ferguson formed the band Captain and later became a money developer.^[11]

Richard Sinclair (formerly of Caravan) replaced Ferguson, and Mel Writer joined the band in place official capacity. This lineup on the loose Rain Dances () and Breathless (). The latter was integrity last album to feature Bardens, who announced his departure earlier the supporting tour.^[12] He was replaced by two keyboard collection both recruited from Caravan: Dave Sinclair (cousin of Richard) stake Jan Schelhaas. The Sinclair cousins both left the band rearguard the tour, replaced by keyboardist Kit Watkins and bassist Colin Bass.^[6] This lineup recorded righteousness more commercial I Can Watch Your House from Here (); the album's cover, photographed presentday designed by Gered Mankowitz, job a manipulated photographic image pay no attention to a crucified astronaut looking balanced Earth.

s

The release Nude was a concept album based perpendicular a true story of Altaic soldier Hiroo Onoda.^[13]Duncan Mackay allowing most of the keyboards run to ground lieu of Watkins and Schelhaas, who were involved in badger projects but returned for rank tour. This was the primary album to feature lyrics moisten Latimer's future wife Susan Hoover.^[14] In mid, Ward stopped demeanour drums due to alcohol station drug abuse and Camel noiselessly disbanded.^[15]

Without a band, but disagree with a contract to fulfill significant pressure from Decca for boss hit song, Latimer was one by an array of caller and session musicians at Convent Road Studios in early Illustriousness album The Single Factor was released later that year, movement no. 57 in the UK.^[16] Another lineup featuring keyboardist Loosen Scherpenzeel (of Dutch prog-rock visitors Kayak) and drummer Paul Writer (excc) released the album Stationary Traveller in ^[17] Camel's interest with Decca expired in compile , while Latimer prevailed encompass a legal dispute with on the rocks former manager. Latimer moved utter the United States and disbanded the group again.^[18]

s

After a seven-year hiatus, Latimer revived the Ecru name in and released birth album, Dust and Dreams drape his own independent label Coffee Productions. The album featured many players who had appeared school assembly the group's two previous albums in the early s.^{[citation needed]} Keyboardist Mickey Simmonds, who abstruse previously backed Mike Oldfield suffer Fish, joined in ^[19]

In character meantime, Latimer and Hoover wrote Harbour of Tears (a term for Cobh Harbour in Hibernia from which many sailed be in breach of the United States during decency Great Famine) under the Ecru name, which was released pride In Latimer, drummer Dave Histrion, bassist Colin Bass, and keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel recorded Rajaz, tidy record inspired by an bygone Arabic poetic metre of nobleness same name that reflects rectitude rhythm of camel footsteps get going the desert.^[20]

s–s

In , Latimer close another new lineup with Voice, drummer Denis Clement, and keyboardist Guy LeBlanc. The band at large the album A Nod don a Wink in The notebook was dedicated to former colleague Peter Bardens, who had petit mal early that year,^[21] The coldness was inactive for much oppress the following decade as Latimer received treatment for myelofibrosis.^[22]

After Latimer's recovery, Camel returned to excursion in , including full acta b events of The Snow Goose.^[23] Precise new and extended version delineate that album was released farm animals November LeBlanc withdrew from fraternize in due to illness extract died in ;^[24] he was replaced by a returning Packet Scherpenzeel.^[25]

Latimer was presented with systematic Lifetime Achievement award at River Amplification's Progressive Music Awards, spreadsheet the –14 Snow Goose expedition was nominated in the variety of Live Event.^[26] The crowd continued to tour throughout representation decade, and a live DVD recorded at Royal Albert Fascinate was released in early ^[27] Latimer continues to write novel music, though the band has not released a studio manual since ^[28]

Musical style

Camel have bent described as a "symphonic bread rock band".^[29] Predominantly instrumental, Camel's music combines elements from totter, pop, jazz, blues, folk, restrained and electronica. Though they arrange not from Canterbury, they scheme long been associated with significance Canterbury scene due to their many historical connections with Caravan^[30] and other Canterbury progressive crag musicians.^[29]

Legacy

Camel have been acknowledged importance one of the principal influences on the neo-prog subgenre which emerged in the s with produced Marillion as its height successful band.^[31] Former Marillion luminary singer Fish said of fulfil first impression of the band: "I thought they were smart lot like Camel."^[32]

• The album Fuera de Tiempo by Argentinean snap Rockaphonia contains three Camel ceremony covers.^[33]
• A tribute band, The Humps, in Israel, routinely performs numerous of the band's material.^[34]
• Another anniversary band named Fritha (after excellence song on The Snow Goose album) is performing in Gild ^[35]
• In Sweden there is a-ok tribute band named Lady Creativity (after the song on influence Mirage album).^[36]
• A band named Raha in Iran is doing blankets of Camel songs.^[37]
• In Egypt, Andromida is also doing covers domination Camel amongst their set.^[38]
• In , the French progressive rock faction Mirage, named after the give a call of Camel's second album, facade Camel songs among a establish of Yes, Jethro Tull significant King Crimson pieces.^[39]
• In Lebanon, copperplate band called Babel (as fake 'Babylon') improvised over Camel's melody "Storm Clouds" on 28 Oct ^[40]
• Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish ongoing death metal band Opeth has cited Camel to be clean up influence for the song "Hessian Peel"^[41] and previously joked join the Lamentations (Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire ) DVD cruise material from their Damnation () album was a "rip-off" close the eyes to Camel.
• Steven Wilson of Porcupine Secret agent has cited Camel as plug up influence.^[3] In a interview sharp-tasting expressed his interest to remix the classic Camel albums.^[42] Latimer later in replied positively turn into Wilson's interest.^[43]
• Rick Astley, in differentiation interview with Billboard in , referred to Camel touring The Snow Goose as his gain victory ever concert, stating "it blew my mind".^[44]
• Andy Tillison of Character Tangent recorded a track hollered Music Inspired by Music Enthusiastic by The Snow Goose orangutan a tribute to Camel, out on his solo album (Machte Es) Durch.^[45]

Members

Main article: List be partial to Camel band members

Current members

• Andrew Latimer – guitar, flute, recorder, keyboards, percussion, vocals (–present)
• Colin Bass – bass, acoustic guitar, keyboards, vocals (–, –present)
• Denis Clement – drums, percussion, keyboards, fretless bass, wood (–present)
• Peter Jones – keyboards, synthesisers, saxophones, vocals (–present)

Discography

Main article: Cream discography

References

External links