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Camel are one of those second division pro bans who had a popular period from mid-70s to 80s but never got a big hit album in America and #15 was their highest in the UK, with Moonmadness.
Although they were a Canterbury band, they had a broader appeal than most. I first heard them on the first side of the second Greasy Truckers album and I loved the side-long God Of Light Revisited which came in at over 19-minutes.
After that I taped A Live Record, which I recommend as an introduction to the band. What always stood out to me was Andy Latimer’s melodious, lyrical guitar lines. It’s one of those albums which everyone I knew, had a copy or a tape of, so I’m surprised now to learn it didn’t chart here, though it did make #34 in Germany.
Rain Dances however, made #20 and it’s largely instrumental, was quintessential Camel. I couldn’t afford it and Russell was slow buying it, so I couldn’t tape it. So I bought the Highways Of The Sun single, which was lifted from it.
Prior to that I taped The Snow Goose which is a minor classic.
The Melody Maker magazine declared Camel to be Britain's "Brightest Hope", leading to an appearance on BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test on 21 June 1975, (where the band performed with a woodwind section a medley of "Snow Goose" themes) and Radio One In Concert programme (22 April 1975). To promote the album Decca decided to release an edited version of "Flight of the Snow Goose/Rhayader" as a single in May. It remained a favourite with fans for years. It made #22 in Uk and even #162 in America.
My favourite studio album, however, is Mirage with the 12-minute Lady Fantasy suite and the 9-minute White Rider. It’s a poetic record where everything is well balanced and is led by that gorgeous lead guitar. It didn’t chart in the UK, though it got a lot of critical acclaim and it made#149 in the USA. It’s widely regarded as an essential prog album, as many consider it their best album.
I saw them on the tour to promote the album called I Can See Your House From Here in 1980. It’s a much under-valued record. In truth, they never made a bad record. If you’ve never explored the band, I suggest starting with Mirage and A Live Record. They will give you a flavour of the band.
