Search - Camel :: On the Road 1981

Good live version of the "Nude" album

woburnmusicfan | Woburn, MA United States | 04/09/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I recommend this album not so much as a powerful live document as because of the strong song selection on it. This includes live versions of 3/4 of the "Nude" album -- my favorite Camel album after "The Snow Goose" -- and the studio album is out of print. Only "Lies" and three short tracks are missing from "Nude" (if you can't live without a live version of "Lies", look for the 1984 "Pressure Points" album). I tried listening to the studio and live versions back to back, and only "City Life" and "Changing Places" have any more intensity than the originals. But all the best songs are here and played well: "Docks", "Beached", "Captured", and "The Last Farewell". "Changing Places" is a nice change-of-pace, with bassist Colin Bass assisting Andy Ward on drums, while guitarist Andrew Latimer and keyboardist Kit Watkins play a dual flute lead. Overall, the album has good sound, though the bottom end of Ward's drum kit tends to get lost in the mix. Along with the "Nude" material, there are three songs that previously appeared live on "A Live Record". "Never Let Go" (a highlight of "A Live Record") and "Song Within a Song" don't come off as well here, but I prefer this version of "Lunar Sea". If you already have the "Nude" album, you don't really need this CD, but I strongly recommend it to those who DON'T have the studio album, as this album includes some of Camel's best material.(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)"

What a great live album!

youngchool choe | San Francisco | 05/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I hesitated to buy this because I didn't like their 82's live. But this one is way better. I wish this had more tracks (whole show Andrew...). And I re-realized that Andy Ward has been one of my favorite Drummer. It was sad for us to see original members have left the band one by one but before that they recorded many great musics! It's no wonder Camel is sitting closest to the UK in my band list. I love this band. How many bands do you know who can make our heart clean?"

Outstanding Live Recording

woburnmusicfan | 06/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Prog live recordings seldom improve upon the studio material of which they cover. This is not true with this recording. In fact it is far superior to Nude, the studio album, which is the primary focus of this disc. Nude often sounded flat, failing to capture the magic and energy of earlier recordings. Some of that was perhaps due to yet another shift in personnel. The flat keyboard work of Duncan McKay from the studio disc is replaced by the crafty hands of Kit Watkins (Happy The Man) and the more than capable Jan Schelhaas (Caravan). They are a vast improvement. Andy Ward and Andy Latimer sound much more energized and inspired by the keyboard duo than they did on the studio version. The sound quality is also suprisingly good. Only Latimer's vocals could be improved upon but they are still of an acceptable standard. This disc is highly recommended...Simon"