Audio CD review:
Camel - A Compact Compilation

Camel - A Compact Compilation

Band: Camel Title: A Compact Compilation Rating: Release Date: 1990-10-25 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Firefall 2: Lady Fantasy: Encounter/Smiles for You/Lady Fantasy - Camel, Bardens, Pete 3: The Great Marsh 4: Rhayader 5: Rhayader Goes to Town 6: The Snow Goose 7: Flight of the Snow Goose 8: Dunkirk 9: Song Within a Song 10: Lunar Sea 11: First Light 12: Metrognome 13: Rain Dances

Initial reactions/ thoughts.... 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). 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. 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. Good intro, poor sound quality It will give you a taste of their spin on progressive rock, which is light, dreamy, jazzy, and (especially on Snow Goose) at times so whimsical as to be a delight for children. In terms of the selections of songs you find on this CD, it does a fine job of covering Camel's best albums (IMO). This particular CD came out very early in the life of CD as a media (1985), and they did little more than digitize the masters, probably with 12-bit sampling. That leaves the music muffled and without dynamic range, so it sounds a bit dead. Happily, the original albums were remastered and greatly improved by it. They are much brighter and have the appropriate dynamic range and color. I was inspired to find them after listening to this CD, which has sat on my shelf a number of years since I heard it last, and I'm glad I did. Since you can get the remastered CDs used at very reasonable prices, I suggest you introduce yourself to Camel by getting either Snow Goose or Moonmadness, or both. Different albums to be sure, but in the prime of this band lineup. I also got Rain Dances, but didn't bother with the remastered Mirage (which didn't grab me when it was new either). [Caveat: my subjective taste, no intent to offend those who love Mirage or other albums. ] The downside of getting this compilation is that you might miss out on many other fine songs which, though they may not be the very best that is found here, are worth hearing, especially as a part of the sequence of the original concept albums, and you won't be hearing the dynamic of the music as it was on vinyl or as it is now in remastered CD form. I don't disagree with the comments made by other reviewers (dated sound; corny vocals), yet I still like this music a lot. Interested in Camel? Do NOT start here I though, oh this is marginally interesting, but rather bland and flat. I bought this compilation several years ago. . . 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. A kinder, gentler prog I listen to it for the instrumentals. I bought this for the intrumentals. I'd put it in the category of "gentle prog". . . or prog lite. Very listenable. However. . . The vocals (both the singing and vocal phrasing) are painfully corny. I can imagine Barney and those little kids singing along. I'd bet you'll agree with me if you're taste runs along early Genesis, Gentle Giant, Yes, Crimson, etc. But, it was a good purchase. From this comp you can pick out what albums you might like. Snow Goose is good. Check that one out. Very Dated Music "Lady Fantasy" is a a powerful epic and is worth owning. If you're in to Pink Floyd's instrumentals and Yes's jam sessions then this album is for you and it's probably a three or three and a half star album for you, but most of this is just noodling around and really doesn't get going. The Snow Goose selections are nothing but 20+ minutes of rather dull instrumentals. "Song Within a Song," "First Light" and "Rain Dances" are all pleasant enough, but you won't be humming any of these songs when it's over. Once every couple years is often enough to hear those four songs. I'd say go out a nd get some Tangerine Dream albums before you plunk down money for this. You can see a complete list of all Camel discography, or go back to the Camel tabs