The live Version to this song features extra sax solos by Mel Collins in between Andrew Laitmers Guitar Solos. The album MoonMadness is Brilliant and so is Mirage. But Lunar Sea on its own is the best song on the album
Huge Camel fan here. Own everything Camel. There’s always a risk in playing the last song off of a masterpiece like Moonmadness. I would recommend playing the first song of an album. My rule usually is if the opener doesn’t excite me chances are neither will the rest. In the case of Mirage,Freefall was the first Camel song I heard and it knocked me out. It’s a hard progrock gem that tells you this band is serious about sounding great. That Minimoog by Peter Bardens is my favorite solo and a main reason I bought a Minimoog Voyager in 2013.
This band is quickly becoming one of my favorite band after being introduced to them by your channel and further discussions in the chat. This song was cool but didn't blow me away like some of their other tunes. The synth stuff was ok but, when the guitar solo kicks in, I was more interested. The more I listen to this band the more I like the work of the guitarist, I think is name is Andrew Latimer. Dude is amazing.
@@mikeloomis687 Freefall was great loved the guitar and song. For me I love when the guitar soars and has a good melody, like Stationary Traveler. The more I listen to AL the more he reminds me of David Gilmour. Both are very creative with melody and playing with feeling. Mirage was my next album I was going to start listening too, I finished the album Rajaz, which is also fantastic.
This is one of several great songs on this album. Great pick, aforementioned viewers!! Andy Ward is one the great drummers to come down the proverbial pike.
Thank you (again) for playing one of my favourite bands. Latimer is a very underrated guitarplayer. Unfortunately .... saw them live only once, but that was a great evening.
Absolutely Brilliant One of My favourites of Camel Instrumentals. Should actually do a Camel Full Album maybe soon Maybe Mirage or MoonMadness both are brilliant. Also If you do do Mirage It leads up To the Instrumental Album The Snow Goose and then Precedes to MoonMadness With the sound effects and Probably their Best Song. By the way you have already done one song off Mirage Which is Lady Fantasy
I find it funny/strange that so many YT viewers think their favourite band/artist is "under rated". (see below) I've seen Hendrix, Led Zep, Zappa and Yes being (ahem) " under-rated"! P.S. I love this album - it's never been under rated by anyone! Yeah, Moonmadness = Lunar Sea = Lunacy.
Love Camel and Moonmadness is a great one. As you can hear the song and the band really come alive on this one with Andy Latimers guitar. Camel is really great at writing beautiful melodies, atmospheric, nobody sounds quite like Camel. But you are correct that each record is best heard as a whole. For me their best is The Snow Goose but similar to this, no one track is going to knock your socks off, you need to hear the whole record to appreciate the mood they have conjured up. Honestly that is probably one of the reasons Camel never attained the notoriety they deserved because you had to have faith that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, but it is so true of Camel. I think attention spans have only gotten shorter, not good for Camel. If you are ever in the mood for a journey, put on the headphones, and play The Snow Goose from beginning to end, I promise you will not be sorry. By the way, Moonmadness, Raindances, and the whole catalog are similar in that way. Thanks for hearing me out JP
Sorry to disagree -- it's great on its own. "Lunar Sea" is generally considered an iconic prog rock classic. It's always a highlight of Camel's live shows and there's a reason it's been in their setlists since 1976. I heard it for the first time on a prog radio show in the late 1980s and fell in love with it immediately. It's a great slice of prog fusion, though I'm guessing Bardens' Minimoog solo might sound a bit dated to younger listeners.
One of my favorites from Camel is "Rhayader Alone" from the Snow Goose album. It's pretty short, but beautiful and evocative. Thank you for this and thank you for the time and effort you put into all the videos you make.
You covered my first favorite album foxtrot, now you’re on my second favorite album Moonmadness! You just have to hear Song Within a Song, it is my favorite song of all time hands down.
New sub. Musician and huge prog fan here. Digging your videos, and great to hear a different take on so many of these songs i love. Keep doing what you do! P.S. Here's a suggestion... Have you tackled any Styx yet? Renegade or Castle Walls would be a good start :)
This channel needs more Camel! I highly recommend the song "Coming of Age" (live version available on Camel's channel). A very mature Camel instrumental.
Have to add my vote to suggestions about reacting to a whole album. The Snow Goose is sometimes dismissed as mediocre entry-level prog, but I'd say it is the Camel album you should listen to from beginning to end.
True prog/fusion...:)...I wished they used lyrics more though...A lot of prog groups neglect that aspect...Groups like ELP, YES, Genesis et al. made their bones by using complex lyrical phrasing and profound philosophies...it adds so much to the music. Nice React!
Your feeling about this song being a finishing of an idea is correct. The album starts with "Aristillus", a song that is a preparation not only for the next (the great "A Song Within a Song"), but for the rest of the record as a whole. Maybe "Another Night" from the same album can be more likeable at first; Lunar Sea is a little more conected with the other songs. Peter Bardens is the "glue" with all members, as you may notice that a lot of sections need him to change times and tones in order to give sense to the different patterns developed throghout the album (it's kinda the same as Kerry Minnear in Gentle Giant and John Tout in Renaissance). Probably all Camel albums (at least their 'golden' era 1973-79) have this conection between the main ideas of each composition.
When I was a student I shared home with some other guys and one of them owned some Camel records. And it was at that time that made my opinion on Camel that never changed though I listened to some of their music from time to time. A lot of good ideas, a wonderful clean sound and some great melodies. But in some way it is too clean for me. I need some dissonant tones from time to time to have a contrast and enjoy the nice parts more if a piece is longer than usual. So it sounds clinically clean to me and that makes this song too long and lowers my interest. The other thing about their music is that they sometimes do not find a transition that I find satisfying. "The Musical Box" by Genesis came to my mind. It is a little bit longer and is an example how to go from one point to another where every single note has a good reason to be where it is. Legend says that Shakespeare liked sumo, too. There must have been a reason for this: "Caesar (aside to ANTONY) Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men and such as sleep a-nights. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous." So you are in good company, Justin san.
My first encounter with Camel was Rain Dances, which I very much liked. Then I got this album and Snow Goose, and I was hooked. Saw them in Copenhagen in 1980 ( I think?), there was some weed involved so... It was Tivoli's Concert Hall and the place was only half full. We pretty much chose where to sit ourselves. They didn't have a warm up band, so they were playing Face Value over their PA system, not very loud, but nice you know. Then they came onstage and the audience applauded them from their seats, nobody was standing or anything frivolous... "This is weird!" I thought. Then they played Lunar Sea, and as it ended you could hear a pin drop! Then everyone applauded again, no whistling, no cheering... strangest concert ever!!
Lunar sea was my introduction to Camel way back at the Griffith Observatory in L.A i took my seat and then the lights dimmed to darkness and it seemed that the roof opened and we could see the stars and this music started to the choreographed laser show and i was hooked for life to Camel's music.
Killer track, a quintessentially ‘prog rock’ instrumental, somewhere between Genesis and Pink Floyd. Andy Latimer’s guitar solo here is in my Top 5 favorites-perfectly crafted, makes you feel like you’re on a roller coaster...
Good one, Justin! This was played a lot in my house from about 84 or so I (I tend to play Mirage and The Snow Goose slightly more often these days, but I'll have another listen! I have them on vinyl but I ripped them to mp3 for casual listening. Just as well I did, as, after a recent storm, a chunk of plaster fell from the ceiling and smashed my turntable!
After battling illness (cancer I believe) Andy Lattimore and Camel are back with new material , and touring again! Just listened to you and have to say Good luck.- Peace-ferretfret
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso and Yezda Urfa are on your list for the future, right? Should also give Egg and Nektar some listens. Nektar is extremely underrated.
@@JustJP Think I mentioned Yezda Urfa in the comments of a Gentle Giant review. They only had 2 albums, both brilliant, but I'd lean towards starting at the beginning of Sacred Baboon and continuing if the first song intrigues you. Nektar would be best represented, probably, by the title track of "A Tab in the Ocean", though they have many great shorter tracks. Tremendously underrated. Egg may be a bit less approachable but their take on Bach's Fugue in D Minor is excellent. So many great hidden prog gems from back in the day out there.
I've heard bits and pieces of Camel over the years but never paid them too much attention. Knowing this track is the last track on an album and reading other comments I think I need to hear it in context as it intrigues me.
This song is OK but Camel shone for me most on their last 4 albums. The songs 'For Today' and 'Lawrence' are just pure reflective bliss. The triple solo on Lawrence is so moving.
I heard this song when I was in college on the LSU radio station and had to go find the album right away. "The Snow Goose" also became a go-to listening track when I need to chill. If you like Camel, check out Happy the Man. Their album "Crafty Hands" was another go-to recording for me when we did all-nighters in the architecture lab.
Peter Bardens (RIP), on keyboards; Andy Ward on drums; Doug Ferguson, on bass guitar; Andy Latimer on guitar... great and criminally underrated prog band... You can discover many things from them... absolutely amazing
Awesome video dude, I saw Camel at the Royal Albert Hall a few years back and they were great. If you ever fancy doing a Fierce And The Dead reacts video we'd be happy to share it across our social channels. Anyway, top work :) I've shared this in our Facebook group :)
Excellent Camel choice. You are correct - This song is the logical conclusion to the rest of the album. Your comments are always great, and not just because we like the same music. I have a couple of requests. Three actually. Metamorphosis by Curved Air. It was written by 18 year old Eddie Jobson who later went on to play with Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa and of course UK. He only was with Curved Air for one album, but this is his masterpiece, IMO. Also if I may be so bold, 2 songs by The Strawbs - Autumn and Where is This Dream of Your Youth. The latter featuring Rick Wakeman before he joined Yes.
I'm 64 years old JP. I was heavily into prog rock and rock music in general back in the 1970's.. I think your assessment in general is good and very fair given that you heard it one time only. Also you are 100 years younger than me and you are listening with a young man's ears.. One thing I'd pick you up on... The guitar solo at approx 5.16... Is incredible.. No mention from you. Andy Latimer was an amazing guitarist, sadly no longer with us. However, you were fair in your assessment.. Peace brother 🙏
Some of the synth sounds have dated, but compared to your earlier listen to Lady Fantasy, the maturity of the band has gone up by leaps and bounds. I still think you should give the entire Snow Goose album a spin (or failing that, either the combo of Rhayader/Rhayader Goes To Town or Preparation/Dunkirk). Fiery guitarwork by Andy Latimer on this one. I love Hackett slightly more, but when it comes to lyrical playing they are about evenly matched I think.
I am a huge sports fan Justin. I am a former high school basketball referee. Love most team sports. American Football and baseball are my favorites. College football (Ohio State) is my passion. I was a 35 year season ticket holder there. I really liked the fusion vibe of this. I can hear some future fusion jazz players hearing this and saying, yeah man. I can do that!.
Smooth! For some reason, even though I've liked Camel's album Mirage for a few years I've never bothered to check out their other music. I do feel like I mostly enjoy listening to them in the background, but I really do enjoy them. I'll definitely listen to this one. I wish there were more of these kinds of guitar-keyboard duos. I don't follow any sports. I can really enjoy watching a football game or something with people who are excited about it, provided I do just once in a great while haha. Oh man, now you've GOT to listen to Khan's album Space Shanty! Steve Hillage and Dave Stewart: BEST guitar-keyboard duo evar (imho). So sad they only did one album. They have a lot of Camel's jazzy smoothness, but even smoother and spacey. Exceptionally tasteful bass too. Classy, really. I'm fairly confident that even if Manny is selective about prog, this is one he would love. Stranded or Driving to Amsterdam would be my starting song recommendations (just not tracks 3 and 6). I know you get a million requests though.
Camel are at their best when they're playing very chill. They're like a more pastoral Pink Floyd minus the angst. I recommended Song Within a Song from the same album. There's a video of them playing a medley of Snow Goose tunes that is superb as well.
When I lived in the Shinjuku prefecture of Tokyo there was a junior sumo wrestling school. Always interesting to see the rotund young lads getting on the subway. I'm sure the training is very grueling. I love Moonmadness. My favorite Camel album.
The Snow Goose was the very first album I ever bought. I didn't get Moonmadness for many years later but I do love this album. However I Can See Your House From Here is my favourite Camel album and I played the very poppy Remote Romance to death in the early eighties.
This was the first song I ever heard by Camel and what a beginning to my Camel fan career! I love camel but not everything is great to be honest. Lunar Sea is a great album front to back and I would recommend you hearing the rest of it when you get the chance. One of my absolute favourites by Camel is “Ice” from their “I can see your house from here” album. It’s another instrumental. I find it a melancholy tune but gorgeous. Andy Latimer is an amazing guitarist but sadly underrated.
Camel... nice. I started with their live album which really has the highlights of the early albums, Including all of The Snow Goose. Later I did get Moonmadness and Snow Goose as well as the rest of their catalogue. From their later albums I seem to play Rajaz most of all. Can't recommend one song of it, they're all great!
Thanks JP! Really nice analysis. Yes...reviewing the last song on an album may not give you context is some cases. This being one. Some of the other comments mention other songs on this great album such as "Song Within a Song" which is great! Some comments mention the dated synth etc. which is legit but don't ignore and should just revel in the expertise musicianship. A few below mentioned "Freefall" off the Mirage album. Please play this one next in the future. This one is more rock than prog (Lunar Sea) but does a nice job of blending both. Latimer kills it on this one! Guaranteed a Viewers Choice.
It sounds like a group of guys putting together a random jam for a sound check. It didn't capture me. Maybe in context of the entire album it would be better.
Jaybird listen to Camel's "Stationary Traveler" fantastic instrumental, the guitar solo is killer. Also check out the song "Rajaz", thus far my favorite songs of theirs.
Hi JP ; I am very sorry and embarassed to come here so late for that song I have recommended Thank you very much for that number ; great review . I was Lucky to see Camel in concert playing that song in concert in Lille ( north of France ) at the time of the newest album " I Can See You House From Here " ; and thanks to my elder brother who made me discover Camel at the time of " The SnowGoose " . I actually listen more to " Harbour of Tears " and " Rajaz "
Sumo is indeed great. I've seen very little of it, but the little that I saw was amazing. I'm personally big into Formula One. The cars, rivalries and overall nerdyness are very appealing to me.
I prefer the version on A Live Record mainly because i prefer Richard Sinclair’s bass part. I find the bass irritating on the ‘uptempo’ section on this 🤔
From their last album with the original line - up. The band started to move towards jazzier direction so bassist Doug Ferguson decided to leave. About the sea and water theme...Please react to Santana - Aquamarine (or Aqua Marine). None of the effects present but nice feel in it. :)
Despite the dated sounding keyboards this is a good song that holds up over repeated listens. Maybe a little too relaxing. Is that a jet taking off at the end...do you live close to the airport?
I enjoyed this, but I completely agree with your assessment. Los Endos was the very first thing I thought of as well. But unlike that piece, this lacks the same sort of concise construction. Lunar Sea is more of a mood piece, stretched out a little bit too much. But I like the sounds, and in places, Camel even play their instruments slightly better than Genesis did. And it's also a very well produced album.
Justin, you should listen to the alive versionof the song, on September 22nd, 1977, here on You Tube: in my opinion, it's even better, with Mel Collins on the saxophone and Richard Sinclair on bass. Great salutations from Italy!
Good musicianship from everyone and an interesting prog groove here, but it sounds like it was conceived mostly from bits put together rather than what I would consider cohesive songwriting, even from an instrumental perspective. Maybe these themes are interspersed throughout the album and this song brings them together? Camel are on my listening list as they have a lot of music I don’t know. The Snow Goose is more melodic and generally more my preference than this.
Great song by Camel. Justin can you please react to the Genesis Album Selling England by the Pound, based on your previous Genesis reactions you will enjoy it as will your listeners..
I watch a LOT of different sports, but I've never really been interested in sumo. I did watch some of the last major tournament, when they had a huge upset winner - gotta love a great underdog story.
Which sounds like a really stupid concept to me, given that it's not the personalities of the fucking band members that their audience cares about, but their music. And seeing how many lineup changes the band has had, the original idea for Moonmadness means fuck-all today. It's just some pretty music about some assholes with big egos now...
What tf are talking about? Camel is literally the least egotistical band I can think of. The purpose is for each member to have a chance in the spotlight on a song. Can’t imagine being so butthurt over a loose concept like that.
Let me start by saying I liked the bass, Guitar, and drumming in this song. However, in my opinion the “spacey”keys sound lessens my enjoyment a little bit. I have the same problem with Caravan’s Winter Wine. About halfway through, imho, the cheesy keyboard sound brings the song from a 5 to a 4.5. ELP has the same effect on me, so much so that I very rarely listen to them anymore.
It's great that you are reacting/discovering these great prog pieces BUT - you are also doing yourself a disservice. These songs however great they are by themselves they are much better when heard in context with the album they're on and in that exact order. And then - they need a few listens to also be FULLY appreciated. That was the intent when the song was made and it holds true. In order to understand and LOVE these songs you need to know the mood and meaning and atmosphere of both the song before and the song after ( unless it's the last one, of course ) - I'm writing this before I hear your comments but you should listen to the whole album.
This song is OK but Camel shone for me most on their last 4 albums. The songs 'For Today' and 'Lawrence' are just pure reflective bliss. The triple solo on Lawrence is so moving.
Camel has to be one of the most underrated bands of all time.
The live Version to this song features extra sax solos by Mel Collins in between Andrew Laitmers Guitar Solos.
The album MoonMadness is Brilliant and so is Mirage. But Lunar Sea on its own is the best song on the album
Camel is one of my "go to" bands when I'm in need of some easy listening, especially this album and The Snow Goose. Good review as always JP.
Ty Crax!
Huge Camel fan here. Own everything Camel. There’s always a risk in playing the last song off of a masterpiece like Moonmadness. I would recommend playing the first song of an album. My rule usually is if the opener doesn’t excite me chances are neither will the rest. In the case of Mirage,Freefall was the first Camel song I heard and it knocked me out. It’s a hard progrock gem that tells you this band is serious about sounding great. That Minimoog by Peter Bardens is my favorite solo and a main reason I bought a Minimoog Voyager in 2013.
This band is quickly becoming one of my favorite band after being introduced to them by your channel and further discussions in the chat. This song was cool but didn't blow me away like some of their other tunes. The synth stuff was ok but, when the guitar solo kicks in, I was more interested. The more I listen to this band the more I like the work of the guitarist, I think is name is Andrew Latimer. Dude is amazing.
The guitar is REALLY good
DR if you like Andrew's guitar listen to "Freefall" off their Mirage album. Let me know what you think!
@@mikeloomis687 Freefall was great loved the guitar and song. For me I love when the guitar soars and has a good melody, like Stationary Traveler. The more I listen to AL the more he reminds me of David Gilmour. Both are very creative with melody and playing with feeling. Mirage was my next album I was going to start listening too, I finished the album Rajaz, which is also fantastic.
@@JeromeDukes Great! Who does Stationary Traveler? I 'll give it a listen.
@@mikeloomis687 Camel's Stationary Traveler. The guitar solo is killer.
This is one of several great songs on this album. Great pick, aforementioned viewers!! Andy Ward is one the great drummers to come down the proverbial pike.
Thank you (again) for playing one of my favourite bands. Latimer is a very underrated guitarplayer. Unfortunately .... saw them live only once, but that was a great evening.
Anytime! Ty for watching
Absolutely Brilliant One of My favourites of Camel Instrumentals. Should actually do a Camel Full Album maybe soon Maybe Mirage or MoonMadness both are brilliant. Also If you do do Mirage It leads up To the Instrumental Album The Snow Goose and then Precedes to MoonMadness With the sound effects and Probably their Best Song.
By the way you have already done one song off Mirage Which is Lady Fantasy
Ty Cadan!
I find it funny/strange that so many YT viewers think their favourite band/artist is "under rated". (see below) I've seen Hendrix, Led Zep, Zappa and Yes being (ahem) " under-rated"! P.S. I love this album - it's never been under rated by anyone! Yeah, Moonmadness = Lunar Sea = Lunacy.
under rated is definitely over stated.
One like? This comment is definitely under rated. Has any band ever been “correctly rated”?
Love Camel and Moonmadness is a great one. As you can hear the song and the band really come alive on this one with Andy Latimers guitar. Camel is really great at writing beautiful melodies, atmospheric, nobody sounds quite like Camel. But you are correct that each record is best heard as a whole. For me their best is The Snow Goose but similar to this, no one track is going to knock your socks off, you need to hear the whole record to appreciate the mood they have conjured up. Honestly that is probably one of the reasons Camel never attained the notoriety they deserved because you had to have faith that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, but it is so true of Camel. I think attention spans have only gotten shorter, not good for Camel. If you are ever in the mood for a journey, put on the headphones, and play The Snow Goose from beginning to end, I promise you will not be sorry. By the way, Moonmadness, Raindances, and the whole catalog are similar in that way. Thanks for hearing me out JP
Ty Greg! I hear ya, the sum of the album would be greater than its parts (though the parts aren't bad at all!)
Sorry to disagree -- it's great on its own. "Lunar Sea" is generally considered an iconic prog rock classic. It's always a highlight of Camel's live shows and there's a reason it's been in their setlists since 1976. I heard it for the first time on a prog radio show in the late 1980s and fell in love with it immediately. It's a great slice of prog fusion, though I'm guessing Bardens' Minimoog solo might sound a bit dated to younger listeners.
For the record there is no such thing as a bad Camel album.
One of my favorites from Camel is "Rhayader Alone" from the Snow Goose album. It's pretty short, but beautiful and evocative. Thank you for this and thank you for the time and effort you put into all the videos you make.
Chord Change is the best song on this album.
Tony Etchells All songs are great on this one, that is why it is a classic.
Yes, insane guitar bits on that one.
You covered my first favorite album foxtrot, now you’re on my second favorite album Moonmadness! You just have to hear Song Within a Song, it is my favorite song of all time hands down.
Thanks Doug! I'll keep it in mind
New sub. Musician and huge prog fan here. Digging your videos, and great to hear a different take on so many of these songs i love. Keep doing what you do! P.S. Here's a suggestion... Have you tackled any Styx yet? Renegade or Castle Walls would be a good start :)
Thanks for watching Evergrim🙃 I have in fact heard Renegade
Another 70's super group...niche following of devoted fans... rarely disappoint.
This channel needs more Camel! I highly recommend the song "Coming of Age" (live version available on Camel's channel). A very mature Camel instrumental.
Ty Ramon!🐪
Have to add my vote to suggestions about reacting to a whole album. The Snow Goose is sometimes dismissed as mediocre entry-level prog, but I'd say it is the Camel album you should listen to from beginning to end.
Agree with you!
True prog/fusion...:)...I wished they used lyrics more though...A lot of prog groups neglect that aspect...Groups like ELP, YES, Genesis et al. made their bones by using complex lyrical phrasing and profound philosophies...it adds so much to the music. Nice React!
Saw them live in '76 when I was 14 years old. Totally blown away, bought the album, and still listen to it 46 years later.
Your feeling about this song being a finishing of an idea is correct. The album starts with "Aristillus", a song that is a preparation not only for the next (the great "A Song Within a Song"), but for the rest of the record as a whole. Maybe "Another Night" from the same album can be more likeable at first; Lunar Sea is a little more conected with the other songs. Peter Bardens is the "glue" with all members, as you may notice that a lot of sections need him to change times and tones in order to give sense to the different patterns developed throghout the album (it's kinda the same as Kerry Minnear in Gentle Giant and John Tout in Renaissance). Probably all Camel albums (at least their 'golden' era 1973-79) have this conection between the main ideas of each composition.
I love this band, they've got a fascinating catalogue that covers decades.
This song is so trippy!
When I was a student I shared home with some other guys and one of them owned some Camel records. And it was at that time that made my opinion on Camel that never changed though I listened to some of their music from time to time. A lot of good ideas, a wonderful clean sound and some great melodies. But in some way it is too clean for me. I need some dissonant tones from time to time to have a contrast and enjoy the nice parts more if a piece is longer than usual. So it sounds clinically clean to me and that makes this song too long and lowers my interest. The other thing about their music is that they sometimes do not find a transition that I find satisfying. "The Musical Box" by Genesis came to my mind. It is a little bit longer and is an example how to go from one point to another where every single note has a good reason to be where it is.
Legend says that Shakespeare liked sumo, too. There must have been a reason for this:
"Caesar (aside to ANTONY)
Let me have men about me that are fat,
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep a-nights.
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look.
He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous."
So you are in good company, Justin san.
"summer lighting" from "breathless" album has the best guitar solo of all time. Andrew Latimer is a guitar god.
No way. This one is the best ever.
Camel's a band I really need to catch up on. I've liked everything you've reacted to by them so far.
They're quite good!
My first encounter with Camel was Rain Dances, which I very much liked. Then I got this album and Snow Goose, and I was hooked. Saw them in Copenhagen in 1980 ( I think?), there was some weed involved so... It was Tivoli's Concert Hall and the place was only half full. We pretty much chose where to sit ourselves. They didn't have a warm up band, so they were playing Face Value over their PA system, not very loud, but nice you know. Then they came onstage and the audience applauded them from their seats, nobody was standing or anything frivolous... "This is weird!" I thought. Then they played Lunar Sea, and as it ended you could hear a pin drop! Then everyone applauded again, no whistling, no cheering... strangest concert ever!!
Lunar sea was my introduction to Camel way back at the Griffith Observatory in L.A
i took my seat and then the lights dimmed to darkness and it seemed that the roof opened and we could see the stars and this music started to the choreographed laser show and i was hooked for life to Camel's music.
Killer track, a quintessentially ‘prog rock’ instrumental, somewhere between Genesis and Pink Floyd. Andy Latimer’s guitar solo here is in my Top 5 favorites-perfectly crafted, makes you feel like you’re on a roller coaster...
Good one, Justin! This was played a lot in my house from about 84 or so I (I tend to play Mirage and The Snow Goose slightly more often these days, but I'll have another listen! I have them on vinyl but I ripped them to mp3 for casual listening. Just as well I did, as, after a recent storm, a chunk of plaster fell from the ceiling and smashed my turntable!
After battling illness (cancer I believe) Andy Lattimore and Camel are back with new material , and touring again! Just listened to you and have to say Good luck.- Peace-ferretfret
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso and Yezda Urfa are on your list for the future, right? Should also give Egg and Nektar some listens. Nektar is extremely underrated.
Banco is on my list, havent heard of the other one
@@JustJP Think I mentioned Yezda Urfa in the comments of a Gentle Giant review. They only had 2 albums, both brilliant, but I'd lean towards starting at the beginning of Sacred Baboon and continuing if the first song intrigues you. Nektar would be best represented, probably, by the title track of "A Tab in the Ocean", though they have many great shorter tracks. Tremendously underrated. Egg may be a bit less approachable but their take on Bach's Fugue in D Minor is excellent. So many great hidden prog gems from back in the day out there.
I've heard bits and pieces of Camel over the years but never paid them too much attention. Knowing this track is the last track on an album and reading other comments I think I need to hear it in context as it intrigues me.
This song is OK but Camel shone for me most on their last 4 albums.
The songs 'For Today' and 'Lawrence' are just pure reflective bliss. The triple solo on Lawrence is so moving.
Glad you found Camel JP particularly their earlier stuff. Moon Madness was a good example and also The Snow Goose. Enjoy.
I wish i could listen to this again for the first time !! As with all my favourite Albums .
Don't forget "Chord Change", the best song of this album. I also strongly recommend Rhayader and Snow Goose from the album Snow Goose.
I heard this song when I was in college on the LSU radio station and had to go find the album right away. "The Snow Goose" also became a go-to listening track when I need to chill. If you like Camel, check out Happy the Man. Their album "Crafty Hands" was another go-to recording for me when we did all-nighters in the architecture lab.
Peter Bardens (RIP), on keyboards; Andy Ward on drums; Doug Ferguson, on bass guitar; Andy Latimer on guitar... great and criminally underrated prog band... You can discover many things from them... absolutely amazing
Awesome video dude, I saw Camel at the Royal Albert Hall a few years back and they were great. If you ever fancy doing a Fierce And The Dead reacts video we'd be happy to share it across our social channels. Anyway, top work :) I've shared this in our Facebook group :)
Ty ty
rajaz is my favorite album, but this one is great too!
Excellent Camel choice. You are correct - This song is the logical conclusion to the rest of the album. Your comments are always great, and not just because we like the same music. I have a couple of requests. Three actually. Metamorphosis by Curved Air. It was written by 18 year old Eddie Jobson who later went on to play with Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa and of course UK. He only was with Curved Air for one album, but this is his masterpiece, IMO. Also if I may be so bold, 2 songs by The Strawbs - Autumn and Where is This Dream of Your Youth. The latter featuring Rick Wakeman before he joined Yes.
I'll have some Curved Air on the way
I'm 64 years old JP. I was heavily into prog rock and rock music in general back in the 1970's..
I think your assessment in general is good and very fair given that you heard it one time only. Also you are 100 years younger than me and you are listening with a young man's ears.. One thing I'd pick you up on... The guitar solo at approx 5.16...
Is incredible.. No mention from you.
Andy Latimer was an amazing guitarist, sadly no longer with us.
However, you were fair in your assessment..
Peace brother 🙏
When did Andy passed away? I havent heard anything about it?
Some of the synth sounds have dated, but compared to your earlier listen to Lady Fantasy, the maturity of the band has gone up by leaps and bounds. I still think you should give the entire Snow Goose album a spin (or failing that, either the combo of Rhayader/Rhayader Goes To Town or Preparation/Dunkirk).
Fiery guitarwork by Andy Latimer on this one. I love Hackett slightly more, but when it comes to lyrical playing they are about evenly matched I think.
I am a huge sports fan Justin. I am a former high school basketball referee. Love most team sports. American Football and baseball are my favorites. College football (Ohio State) is my passion. I was a 35 year season ticket holder there.
I really liked the fusion vibe of this. I can hear some future fusion jazz players hearing this and saying, yeah man. I can do that!.
Smooth! For some reason, even though I've liked Camel's album Mirage for a few years I've never bothered to check out their other music. I do feel like I mostly enjoy listening to them in the background, but I really do enjoy them. I'll definitely listen to this one. I wish there were more of these kinds of guitar-keyboard duos.
I don't follow any sports. I can really enjoy watching a football game or something with people who are excited about it, provided I do just once in a great while haha.
Oh man, now you've GOT to listen to Khan's album Space Shanty! Steve Hillage and Dave Stewart: BEST guitar-keyboard duo evar (imho). So sad they only did one album. They have a lot of Camel's jazzy smoothness, but even smoother and spacey. Exceptionally tasteful bass too. Classy, really. I'm fairly confident that even if Manny is selective about prog, this is one he would love. Stranded or Driving to Amsterdam would be my starting song recommendations (just not tracks 3 and 6). I know you get a million requests though.
Thanks Nick! A million requests but I see (most) of em ;)
Camel are at their best when they're playing very chill. They're like a more pastoral Pink Floyd minus the angst. I recommended Song Within a Song from the same album. There's a video of them playing a medley of Snow Goose tunes that is superb as well.
When I lived in the Shinjuku prefecture of Tokyo there was a junior sumo wrestling school. Always interesting to see the rotund young lads getting on the subway. I'm sure the training is very grueling.
I love Moonmadness. My favorite Camel album.
The Snow Goose was the very first album I ever bought. I didn't get Moonmadness for many years later but I do love this album. However I Can See Your House From Here is my favourite Camel album and I played the very poppy Remote Romance to death in the early eighties.
This was the first song I ever heard by Camel and what a beginning to my Camel fan career! I love camel but not everything is great to be honest. Lunar Sea is a great album front to back and I would recommend you hearing the rest of it when you get the chance. One of my absolute favourites by Camel is “Ice” from their “I can see your house from here” album. It’s another instrumental. I find it a melancholy tune but gorgeous. Andy Latimer is an amazing guitarist but sadly underrated.
Camel... nice. I started with their live album which really has the highlights of the early albums, Including all of The Snow Goose. Later I did get Moonmadness and Snow Goose as well as the rest of their catalogue. From their later albums I seem to play Rajaz most of all. Can't recommend one song of it, they're all great!
For me, this is the best guitar solo I've ever heard. Better than Comfortably Numb or Firth of Fifth.
Thanks JP! Really nice analysis. Yes...reviewing the last song on an album may not give you context is some cases. This being one. Some of the other comments mention other songs on this great album such as "Song Within a Song" which is great! Some comments mention the dated synth etc. which is legit but don't ignore and should just revel in the expertise musicianship. A few below mentioned "Freefall" off the Mirage album. Please play this one next in the future. This one is more rock than prog (Lunar Sea) but does a nice job of blending both. Latimer kills it on this one! Guaranteed a Viewers Choice.
Thanks Michael!
This song was great. I think i've indeed found a new band to listen to.
my suggestion is: Allan Holdsworth - Hard Hat Area!
I didn't care for the synth sounds in the first half but the last half was jammin.
I very much like "Ice" from the album "I can see your house from here"...
That's a great song
Their first two albums are the best in my opinion. Just listen from start to end. You did "lady fantasy" when to continue?
It sounds like a group of guys putting together a random jam for a sound check. It didn't capture me. Maybe in context of the entire album it would be better.
Jaybird listen to Camel's "Stationary Traveler" fantastic instrumental, the guitar solo is killer. Also check out the song "Rajaz", thus far my favorite songs of theirs.
Hi JP ; I am very sorry and embarassed to come here so late for that song I have recommended
Thank you very much for that number ; great review .
I was Lucky to see Camel in concert playing that song in concert in Lille ( north of France ) at the time of the newest album " I Can See You House From Here " ; and thanks to my elder brother who made me discover Camel at the time of " The SnowGoose " .
I actually listen more to " Harbour of Tears " and " Rajaz "
Never late my friend! Thank you
Sumo is indeed great. I've seen very little of it, but the little that I saw was amazing. I'm personally big into Formula One. The cars, rivalries and overall nerdyness are very appealing to me.
Moonmadness..... what to say? Masterpiece
I prefer the version on A Live Record mainly because i prefer Richard Sinclair’s bass part. I find the bass irritating on the ‘uptempo’ section on this 🤔
From their last album with the original line - up. The band started to move towards jazzier direction so bassist Doug Ferguson decided to leave.
About the sea and water theme...Please react to Santana - Aquamarine (or Aqua Marine). None of the effects present but nice feel in it. :)
Every song on Moon Madness is a gem
RIP Peter Bardens great keyboardist
Despite the dated sounding keyboards this is a good song that holds up over repeated listens. Maybe a little too relaxing. Is that a jet taking off at the end...do you live close to the airport?
Who cares if something sounds dated if it sounds good?
I enjoyed this, but I completely agree with your assessment. Los Endos was the very first thing I thought of as well. But unlike that piece, this lacks the same
sort of concise construction. Lunar Sea is more of a mood piece, stretched out a little bit too much. But I like the sounds, and in places, Camel even play
their instruments slightly better than Genesis did. And it's also a very well produced album.
Please, react to the incredible argentinian progresive band: "Crucis"
Hey! Thanks for the suggestion. This is indeed really good!
And now that you have heard the whole album what do you think?
Ice is their best instrumental...
Rhayader/Rhayader Goes To Town
It’s the sauce.
Ive havent heard that band name in decades, so you may as well do some pink dots, another obscure band
You must try Ice by Camel
Thanks Martin, I've actually heard it (its great!)
Camel ! Awesome
Camel ..i have most of their lp s rain dances .nude i cann see you house ....stationery traveler etc.etc.
I recommend you listen to Camel's "Mirage" album ;)
Justin, you should listen to the alive versionof the song, on September 22nd, 1977, here on You Tube: in my opinion, it's even better, with Mel Collins on the saxophone and Richard Sinclair on bass. Great salutations from Italy!
Good musicianship from everyone and an interesting prog groove here, but it sounds like it was conceived mostly from bits put together rather than what I would consider cohesive songwriting, even from an instrumental perspective. Maybe these themes are interspersed throughout the album and this song brings them together? Camel are on my listening list as they have a lot of music I don’t know. The Snow Goose is more melodic and generally more my preference than this.
I'm a fan of women's volleyball and women's college softball
Great song by Camel. Justin can you please react to the Genesis Album Selling England by the Pound, based on your previous Genesis reactions you will enjoy it as will your listeners..
I'm sure I'll get to that one eventually 🙃
Yeah more prog rock!
I watch a LOT of different sports, but I've never really been interested in sumo. I did watch some of the last major tournament, when they had a huge upset winner - gotta love a great underdog story.
Yeah, that was a good match!
I love Camel, but in my opinion Lady Fantasy is a far better tune.
"Moonmadness has a loose concept with one track based on the personality of each band member." from Wikipedia
Which sounds like a really stupid concept to me, given that it's not the personalities of the fucking band members that their audience cares about, but their music.
And seeing how many lineup changes the band has had, the original idea for Moonmadness means fuck-all today. It's just some pretty music about some assholes with big egos now...
What tf are talking about? Camel is literally the least egotistical band I can think of. The purpose is for each member to have a chance in the spotlight on a song. Can’t imagine being so butthurt over a loose concept like that.
@@dougmcauliffe2253 Ooh, stop fucking me, Doug. I was responding to what the OP said, fuck-arse.
Apart from this music, I like Motocross as far as sports go. I play darts that I can still do at 63🤣
Ohh yeah, motocross is really cool; only been to a live event once many years ago, but it was a great show
Let me start by saying I liked the bass, Guitar, and drumming in this song. However, in my opinion the “spacey”keys sound lessens my enjoyment a little bit.
I have the same problem with Caravan’s Winter Wine. About halfway through, imho, the cheesy keyboard sound brings the song from a 5 to a 4.5. ELP has the same effect on me, so much so that I very rarely listen to them anymore.
Totally makes sense; they either work or they dont. Not much of a middle ground
Do you think poker is a sport
Sure why not!
It's great that you are reacting/discovering these great prog pieces BUT - you are also doing yourself a disservice. These songs however great they are by themselves they are much better when heard in context with the album they're on and in that exact order. And then - they need a few listens to also be FULLY appreciated. That was the intent when the song was made and it holds true. In order to understand and LOVE these songs you need to know the mood and meaning and atmosphere of both the song before and the song after ( unless it's the last one, of course ) - I'm writing this before I hear your comments but you should listen to the whole album.
This song is OK but Camel shone for me most on their last 4 albums.
The songs 'For Today' and 'Lawrence' are just pure reflective bliss. The triple solo on Lawrence is so moving.