Search - Camel :: Echoes: Retrospective (1972-1992)

Musical peaks of Andy Latimer

05/08/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is true that alot of progressive music bands over-indulged themselves in their own abilities, therefore isolating the listener and eventually forcing them to turn off. Not so with Camel though. They consistently show their gritty determination in one blistering track after another. The most exceptional songs have to be "Lies" and "Echoes". Try listening to the live version of Lies on the album Pressure Points and witness the only true song performed which justifies a band ever releasing a live album. It is pure perfection. Ask anyone who the best guitar player is and you'll get either Eric Clapton or Jim Hendrix as your answers. Please, make no doubts that Andrew Latimer is better. Not because of speed or how many chords/notes he knows, but the way he plays. Again, perfection. A friend of mine has guitar lessons from the person who taught Joe Satriani. He recalls, "...Latimers guitar influence within Camel is exceptional. I taught Joe the chords in Echoes. He played me the lead break in Airborne. We loved the music that much..." It is a shame that Camels albums will never ever reach a top 40 place in the charts nowadays, but...when the Smurfs can reach number 1, can we expect that from an imature dance/acid happy album buying public? The same goes for albums by groups such as Horslips or Steve Hackett. Geniuses in their own right but neglected for the sake of being seen as uncool. Listen to this retrospective album and wallow in the clarity of every track. And believe me, some tof the other best Camel tracks are not on this. If Camel be the food of music.......... then play on. Case rested."

GREAT stuff!

Tracy Deaton | Douglas, Wyo. | 09/18/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Camel is another 1 of those overlooked-but-brilliant British art-rock bands of the early 70's. Gorgeous keyboard & guitar sounds, beautiful, melodic songs -- & they knew how 2 crank up the volume when required!
This 2-CD set gathers many of their best works. 5-star-worthy tracks include: "Never Let Go," "Lady Fantasy," "Rhayader," "Rhayader Goes to Town," "Unevensong," "Breathless," "Echoes," "Drafted," "Sasquatch," "Mother Road" & "West Berlin." There R many 4-star-worthy tracks, & longtime fans will B happy 2 hear large sections of the band's albums MIRAGE, MOONMADNESS, THE SNOW GOOSE and RAIN DANCES in this pristine digital 4mat.
However, there is a BIG emphasis here on the band's earlier, rockier, more progressive sounds, & less emphasis on some of the gorgeous moods they could create. I'm bummed by some of the stuff they left OFF this set: "Spirit of the Water," "Rain Dances," "Flight of the Snow Goose," "Down on the Farm," "Summer Lightning," "Eye of the Storm," "Who We Are," "City Life," "Please Come Home," "Manic," "A Heart's Desire/End Peace," & more. Non-fans & hardcore old-time fans may not miss these, but I think these tracks R better than some of the more obviously commercial tracks included on the 2nd disc ("Your Love is Stranger Than Mine," "You Are the One," "Lies," etc).
Everything sounds GREAT, of course -- but this is 1 band worthy of Xploring IN DEPTH -- I haven't heard an album by Camel so far that wasn't worth buying....
Big Camel fans should also check out the work of Caravan & Happy the Man...."

From a New Camel Fan

R. Langdon | Four Oaks, NC USA | 12/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Being new to the Camel "pack", I probably cannot speak to whether this compilation represents the best choices of tracks from their entire catalog; however, for me, it was a very good introduction and gave a good cross-section of Camel works from 1973 to 1991 ... I have since gone back to purchase The Snow Goose and Moonmadness, but I still really enjoy listening to this 2 CD retrospective. I think that this is a fine starting point to discover Camel and help you decide which period best suits your listening preferences. Then you can go back and get additional titles as you see (hear) fit ...Camel is probably one of the best of the 70s progressive bands although one of the least known and appreciated in the US ...Discover them for yourself ..."