It took awhile for this DVD to show up in my mailbox, but I'm sure glad it did. I had the second release (Footage II), and was disappointed that one of the songs gave credit to Kit Watkins, but Kit did not show up on the film. Finally I had visual proof that Kit did indeed perform the material from the "Nude" album on stage.
I had listened to the second DVD once, with mild interest, but once I had "Footage I" in my DVD player, I couldn't stop watching/listening. The opening is amusing, with a real reference to desert camels, but once the band starts playing, I was engulfed in the smooth, yet significant dialog that the lead guitar was engaged in with the keyboards, bass and drums. I wasn't a true Camel fan, but now I'm hooked and will probably buy some of their early recordings.
Not all the footage is of the same quality. Some are better than others; the sound all being acceptable. There is even a tape from an amateur video that captures the excitement of the live event. Many years of Camel touring is recorded here (and overlaps the same time periods as Footage II), and truly attests to the fact that Camel was indeed a great voice in the progressive history of live music.
Over the last dozen or so years, Camel has graciously been mining and releasing every available and presentable bit of footage of the band performing live and on video. The "Footage I" and "Footage II" DVD's provide a great overview of these releases, along with important performances not found elsewhere. There are several complete live performances of the band now available with my favorite being the stellar "MoonDances" DVD. "Moondances" contains two shows - one supporting "Moonmadness" in 1976 with all original band members, and the second being the "Raindances" show a short year and a half later in 1977 with new bass player Richard Sinclair and winds wizard Mel Collins. The "MoonDances" DVD is a must have for any casual or dedicated fan, but it only tells part of the historical story. Five tracks from the "Raindances" show are also included here on "Footage I". Several other tracks are also released elsewhere including "Captured" from "Pressure Points", and the 1997 footage of the band covering two additional tracks from "Snow Goose" also included on "Coming of Age".
That leaves the rarest bits on "Footage I" to include an early performance of portions of "The Snow Goose" from 1975 filmed at the BBC studios. This performance is carefully documented, including visiting string quartet, and worth the price of the DVD. The earliest footage - "Never Let Go" - is also a nice document, and there are two tracks from the finale of the "Dust and Dreams" show in 1992, which while amateur video, show the band in vibrant form live, and still kicking! Finally the documentary style footage from 2003 of the three surviving band members jamming in a home studio is very nice.
These are all rare documents of this important band, and a great overview of their work over 3 decades. If you know of Camel, you will want these. If you are a fan of progressive rock, classic rock, or progressive jazz, start with "Moondances" and you will want to follow up that purchase with "Footage I" and "Footage II" among others. Complete track listing:
Intro (segment of Aristillus from Moonmadness studio recording)
Never Let Go 1973 ("live" performance over studio track)
Snow Goose Excerpts 1975 (live at BBC studios with string quartet)
First Light, Metronome, Unevensong, Lunar Sea, Rain Dances 1977 (live on the Rain Dances tour - also found on Moondances)
City Life 1981 (video clip, unfortunately including credits from it's presentation on OGWT!)
Captured 1984 (live at the Hammersmith - also on Pressure Points)
Hopeless Anger, Whispers in the Rain 1992 (amateur video from Dust & Dreams tour)
Preparation, Dunkirk 1997 (live from the "Harbour of Tears" tour - also found on the "Coming of Age" DVD)
"Left Luggage" 2003 showing 3 surviving original band members in studio
Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact Us