Camel Album: “Mirage”

I am not a music critic, nor would I want to be. What do they know anyway? But, I do have an opinion and for those interested in buying this disc: Camel is a criminally underrated band, considered average by most "critics". IMO they created Prog-Jazz- Rock. I am hard-pressed to find another guitarist with a more beautiful tone created by Andrew Latimer. All of these musicians are flawless on this disc. An absolute gorgeous listen, you will want more. Can't think of anything negative to say. If your reading this go ahead and click "BUY". By the way, I think "Mirage" is just a bit better than the more heralded "SnowGoose." There you have it, my critique. Peace.

Funny thing about Camel. I started looking into them at a friend's suggestion at the end of last summer. Then one day I was listening to a medley from THE SNOW GOOSE on YouTube and my mum walks up behind me and says, "Who is that?" I tell her it's Camel. "Oh my God, I haven't heard them in ages!" Turns out Camel were one of her favourite bands back in the 70s. She had four of their LPs on vinyl: MIRAGE, THE SNOW GOOSE, BREATHLESS, and RAIN DANCES - the very four I had decided I needed to get myself, coincidentally enough. Since she had never gotten around to upgrading her Camel albums to CD, I had never heard any of it before, but I ended up discovering it on my own anyway.

And I'm glad I did too. MIRAGE was the first disc I sought out, and I know of very few albums that conjure a more distinct, cohesive atmosphere than the dream-like mist that pervades this one. A bracing "Freefall" opens the set, a song whose multiple time and dynamic changes place the album squarely in the prog camp right from the get-go. Next comes the soporific instrumental "Supertwister", a showcase for Andy Latimer's flute playing, which acts as a delicate counterpart to the "dirtier" stylings of, say, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson. Most of MIRAGE is instrumental really - the lyrics are few and far between, and delivered in a sleepy croon that only contributes to the hazy soundscape suggested by the cover artwork.

Side I of the original vinyl concludes with what may be my favourite single entry (not counting THE SNOW GOOSE) in the Camel canon, the Tolkien-inspired "White Rider" suite. A musical impression of Gandalf the Grey's triumphant rebirth as Gandalf the White, the tune incorporates ambient keyboard passages, martial rhythms, galloping instrumentals, and ethereal woodwinds to evoke a true vision of Middle-earth. Seldom have I heard a better piece of progressive rock.

Side II features another instrumental, "Earthrise", that continues in the mold established by Side I and gives the musicians a chance to strut their stuff - Andy Latimer's immediately recognizable guitar licks (shades of Dave Gilmour) and Pete Bardens' elegant keyboards especially stand out. And last but not least comes the other candidate for my single favourite Camel song, the twelve-minute "Lady Fantasy" suite. Opening with a suitably bombastic blast of keyboards and drum fills, "Lady Fantasy" calls to mind the Doors in its organ-tinged verses and progresses through three movements and a good half-dozen major themes, alternating some of the softest, dreamiest moments on the album with some of the loudest and most intense. Another masterpiece.

Camel were never very popular, which is a damn shame, because they deserve a much wider audience than just progheads. If you'd like to delve into their uniquely dreamy brand of musical magic, MIRAGE would be a great place to start.

That 3 star guy has no idea what he's talking about. Camel is a criminally underrated band! If you measure a band based on their popularity in the U.S. then go away!! Labels?? Call them prog, rock, whatever, these guys are too sophisticated for most people (in a Jethro tull sort of way, but less 'English'). That said, I can't believe how great Mirage is (as well as their debut, Camel). Freefall is incredible and sounds like it could be by a current UK band. Supertwister blows me out of the water. There is not a bad song on here. Lady Fantasy is a gorgeous epic as is Nimrodel. The live bonus stuff is amazing as well ie) Arubaluba. Camel is a musicians band, I prefer them to Yes and Genesis, way less pretentious, more tasteful and better songs by a million miles!! Buy Mirage and check out the debut it's even better!!!!

This is a wonderful album by a band that has found and refined their sound. After listening to the first two tracks alone one can tell that these guys have played live together a great deal. The intricate twists and turns are absolutely Sweet. Nimrodel and Lady fantasy are two of my favorite progressive rock songs (and I heard them for the first time yesterday). One listen and you will immediatly want to purchase Moonmadness, Snow Goose, and A Live Record.

When I found out Camel's albums were still around, I became very excited. I bought one of the first pressings of the albums, and fell in love with this album. It came at a time when escapist music was needed, since the Vietnam War was still being fought, and solid music was the ideal. I recently ordered the CD, and when I received it in the mail, I couldn't wait to hear it. I placed it in the stereo, relaxed, and took a trip back to the 70's, early 70's, when I needed a release that groups like Camel provided. Although Snow Goose is probably their best known work, I still favor this one, because it was the first Camel album I had heard.

Nimrodel/The Procession/The White Rider will appeal to most if not all Tolkien fans. I still like to close my eyes and visualize Gandalf riding on the white horse Shadowfax. The entire new release with previously unreleased music is definitely a needed addition to anyone's collection, who enjoys music that will give you a glimpse of the cosmos.

I highly recommend this album.