Camel

Camel is the first studio album by English progressive rock band Camel. It was released in 1973. The bonus track "Homage to the God of Light" was originally released in Peter Bardens's solo album The Answer in 1970. By August 1972, Camel were signed to MCA Records. They quickly entered the studio to record their first self-titled album, Camel. A collection of individual songs, chiefly from Andrew Latimer and Peter Bardens, the album was greeted with muted success and MCA did not take an option for a second album. By then, the group had acquired the management team of Geoff Jukes and Max Hole of Gemini Artists (later to become GAMA Records) and had moved to Decca Records, where they would remain for the next 10 years.

Abandoning the lovely soundscapes of Snow Goose, Camel delved into layered guitar and synthesizers similar to those of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here on the impressive Moonmadness. Part of the reason behind the shift in musical direction was the label's insistence that Camel venture into more commercial territory after the experimental Snow Goose, and it is true that the music on Moonmadness is more akin to traditional English progressive rock, even though it does occasionally dip into jazz-fusion territory with syncopated rhythms and shimmering keyboards. Furthermore, the songs are a little more concise and accessible than those of its predecessor.

Unlike many bands whose careers had begun in the 1970s, Camel continued to enjoy much success in the 1980s, producing fine studio albums such as Stationary Traveller. Although destined to be Camel's final studio album for Decca Records, it was a fine effort. The subsequent tour to promote the album was equally memorable and was captured by Decca at Hammersmith Odeon on 11th May 1984 and released as the album Pressure Points later that year. The concert saw Camel joined by former member Peter Bardens for certain songs during the set, including a rousing version of Lady Fantasy, not featured on the original album. Long unavailable on CD, this newly re-mastered Esoteric Recordings reissue has been expanded to a 2CD set to include songs not featured on the original album.

Camel, who made his debut from MCA Records in 1973, transferred to Decham's subsidiary Derum in 1974 and released the second album "Mirage". With the support of the record company, he will actively promote tours mainly in the UK with the purpose of promotion. Among them, the live performance at the Marquee Club in London on June 20, the same year, will be recorded for radio broadcasting. After the broadcast, it will be in storage. Furthermore, in order to advance to the United States, the first US performance will be held four times on the east coast side in November of the same year. Among them, Camel performed a studio live at the Electric Lady Studio in New York for radio broadcasting in the United States, but this will also be stored as it is not used for anything other than broadcasting. This time, the original master of these two performances was discovered, and this a valuable archive finally released as a live album.

Strap yourself in for another dire journey with Camel. This time it's the Irish immigration to America, a fitting travel companion for Dust and Dreams or Nude. The Celtic overtones are largely dispensed with by the second track, and what emerges is a finely conceived concept album filled with rich, saturated arrangements and guitar leads that cut through the surrounding music like a beacon. More so than Dust and Dreams, Harbour of Tears feels like it was intended for the stage…

New remastered CD release for Camel's classic 1978 studio album with bonus track & deluxe booklet with photos & liner notes. After recording a string of successful albums with Camel, Breathless would be the last studio album to feature Peter Bardens and heralded more line-up changes for the band. Former Caravan and Hatfield & The North member Richard Sinclair had already been in Camel for some months and was soon joined by his cousin Dave Sinclair in a new Camel line-up. Breathless features traditional Camel music along with the Canterbury influences associated with Richard Sinclair, making for a unique album. This Esoteric Recordings reissue has been re-mastered from the original master tapes and includes the single version of Rainbows End as a bonus track.