01	City Life						04:41
	02	Nude						00:22
	03	Drafted						04:20
	04	Docks						03:50
	05	Beached						03:34
	06	Landscapes						02:39
	07	Changing Places						04:11
	08	Pomp & Circumstance						02:05
	09	Please Come Home						01:12
	10	Reflections						02:39
	11	Captured						03:12
	12	The Homecoming						02:49
	13	Lies						04:59
	14	The Birthday Cake						00:30
	15	Nude's Return						03:42

Nude
1981

City Life
Nude
Drafted
Docks
Beached
Landscapes
Changing Places
Pomp & Circumstance
Please Come Home
Reflections
Captured
The Homecoming
Lies
The Last Farewell:
The Birthday Cake
Nude's Return


Andrew Latimer: Guitars, Vocals, Flute, Koto & various Keyboards
Andy Ward: Drums & Percussion
Colin Bass: Bass & Vocals
Mel Collins: Flute, Piccolo & Saxophones
Duncan Mackay: Keyboards
Jan Schelhaas: Piano on The Last Farewell
Chris Green: Cello
Gasper Lawal: All Percussions on Changing places
Herbie Flowers: Tuba


Camel re-forming with several new musicians, delivering an excellent progressive rock album with great sound and some intense instrumental sections. Although it is the most 'concept album' since 1975's The Snow Goose, Nude doesn't sound like the early band's progressive efforts; the sound equipment and instruments are different (as well as Bardens' typical organ playing missing), but in it's own way, Nude gained high praise among fans and serves as a fine bridge toward Camel's 80's and 90's releases.
Unlike some LP releases, the CD feature the story behind the concept of Nude. Some LP releases have fold jackets, some have the story and lyrics on an inner sleeve.

The album tells the allegedly true story of a Japanese soldier who was marooned on an island during World War II, and stayed there for 29 years, oblivious to the outside world.
Susan Hoover provided the concept for the album, and some songs lyrics. She explains that the inspiration came from a book called "Heroic Failures". It turned out that the story told in the album was very close to the real facts. Rumour has it that that soldier wasn't able to live in the crowded, post-war Japan, and now owns a farm in South America.
Contrary to all the album since The Snow Goose, the material was written and played before small audiences prior to being recorded. Camel toured Holland under the incognito 'Desert Song', rewrote a few songs and then recorded the album at Abby Road's No. 3 studio.
Nude - Explained - Based on Shingo Doi's letter to the Camel Mailing List, this article explains the story behind the album Nude.
Herbie Flowers was a member of Sky at that time - read more about it in The Single Factor trivia.
The track Docks, cowritten by Latimer and Kit Watkins is in some way a rendition of Kit Watkin's Mount St. Helens track, from his first solo album, Labyrinth. Part of the middle section of the track was absent in the Watkins solo.


Passport PB 6008, Decca SKL 5323, Released in January 1981.
Passport PBC 6008
London 810 880-2 Decca 692
Total Playing Time: 44:54




Decca (810 880-2)
UK 1981

Andrew Latimer, guitar, vocals, flute, koto, keyboards;
Andy Ward, drums, percussion;
Colin Bass, bass, vocals;
Mel Collins, flute, saxophone;
Duncan Mackay, keyboards;
with Jan Schelhaas, piano; Chris Green, cello; Gasper Green, percussion; Herbie Flowers, tuba

All lyrics by Susan Hoover
except "Please Come Home" (Andrew Latimer)
Concept devised and written by Susan Hoover

Joe McGlinchey:
The 1980-1 years were strange in that many progressive bands experienced a brief resuscitation of "progness" after dipping their toes into more accessible albums, before disappearing wholesale into the pop machine. Yes made Drama after Tormato, and Genesis released Duke after And Then There Were Three. In the case of Camel, they released Nude, often described as a "return to form" following the enjoyable but overtly compromised I Can See Your House from Here.
This would be the last album for drummer Andy Ward, leaving Andrew Latimer the only remaining original member of the band. In truth, Nude always strikes me more as a concept album of pop music, laced with challenging instrumentals that are, at least in terms of technique, still not quite as identifiably 'prog' as sections of I Can See Your House from Here (e.g. the middles of "Wait" and "Hymn from Her"). "City Life" and "Drafted," two of the album's finest tracks, both sound literally like David Gilmour fronting Supertramp. "Docks," ostensibly a holdover track written mainly by a departed Kit Watkins, is perhaps one of the proggier exceptions, sounding like Steve Hackett's early solo work. Other instrumentals, like "Changing Places," work fine on their own, but don't quite fit in with the context of the rest of the album for me. Though in many ways I find it the most idiosyncratic entry in Camel's discography, Nude is generally a strong album, and belongs in every Camel fan's CD library. In fact, it would be the last decent album they would make for a good decade.

Eric Porter:
In a possible attempt to regain former glory, Andy Latimer returned to the key to Camel's early success: the concept album. With The Snow Goose, Camel achieved their most critically and commercially acclaimed album. After a number of personnel changes, Latimer steered the band back to the ways of old. The story of Nude is based around a single character that goes off to war, gets separated from his unit during battle on an island, and ultimately is left for dead. Twenty-nine years later, he is discovered and returns a hero, but cannot adapt to the monotony of his new life and disappears last seen sailing out of the harbor in hopes of returning to the island.
Nude contains a few vocal based tracks (unlike the all instrumental Snow Goose), and synthesizers replace the more organic keyboard sounds of Bardens. Latimer has the ability to capture moods with his music, and as you follow through the story it is evident with multiple musical contrasts. Opening with a poppy vocal number, "City Life", the band quickly gets into instrumental territory. "Docks" is actually a song written by keyboardist Kit Watkins (Happy the Man) originally titled "Mount St. Helens", and Latimer attaches his own music to the second half. This one contains some slide guitar accompanying an interesting keyboard arrangement. The music tells the story by capturing various emotions of the character starting with "Drafted" reflecting the fear and sadness one might feel after receiving their notice.
The music tenses and swirls as the troops are being dropped onto the island ("Beached"). A very beautiful and melodic section takes over, seeming to reflect the peace and quiet after the battle ends in the jungle. Atmospheric and at times bordering on a new-agey feel, the flutes and koto (I believe) play over synths and pianos, creating a calm, relaxing ambience. A tribal percussive section maintains the peaceful feel running through the middle of the story, relating to the character's adaptation to life on the deserted jungle island. The instumental themes are short and very melodic.
My favorite of the instrumentals is the intense "Captured", featuring the sax of Mel Collins. There are a few themes that are repeated, giving a cohesive feel. The biggest disappointment is the lack of Latimer's lead guitar playing, though he shines on "Lies" and "City Life". At times bordering on new age, this is still the best Camel offering of the 80's, and it would be a long time before the band would return to form in the 90's.




Camel - Nude

Released: 1981/1999
Label: Decca / Polygram
Cat. No.: 810-880-2
Total Time: 44:52


Reviewed by: Stephanie Sollow, February 2003
When I learned that Camel would be performing at NEARfest 2003 - their first east coast performance in 28 years -- I was ecstatic, as I've always liked Camel from the time I first heard their music. Since I try to "prepare" for each festival by becoming familiar with each band's music (or re-familiar, as in this case), I re-started my Camel journey at the point it first began for me - with 1981's Nude. As with Anglagard,'s Hybris, I don't recall what led me to this particular release, but I do have vague memories of article listing recommended prog titles. Nonetheless, this beautifully rendered album entered my collection and has been one of my favourite Camel albums.

Nude is a concept album, set in 1942 (the height of World War II) and concerns a young Japanese soldier, Nude, who is sent off to war. Almost immediately he becomes stranded alone on an island. The storyline is based, it says, on real incident. Along similar lines, many of you might recall the movie Castaway, as the story is similar one, though the setting is different. I don't ascribe any other commonality between the two, but like Tom Hanks character, Nude has to survive on his own for many years. In Nude's case, it's 29 years. When he is returned to civilization, it becomes much more than he can handle and he sails off for the island he made a home. Of course, this theme isn't unique to either of these references - the movie or this album.

What Nude is also is an allegory on many levels. Someone who doesn't feel comfortable in his own skin - that is the person inside is not the person seen on the outside - is suddenly given the freedom to be himself, and as a result, perhaps, finds himself. Thus, he is now nude, having shed this concealing exterior. There is a sense of anonymity living in a city - if you think of the hustle and bustle of New York, Tokyo, or any big city, most people tend to ignore you, and you them. And, even you do have to step out of your inner world as you're walking down Fifth Avenue, you put on a particular "face" or "suit" to respond (Okay, if you're being mugged, maybe not, but for other types of interruptions:).

Anyway, about the album itself. Most of the Nude is instrumental, telling its story in mostly peaceful, lyrical movements. There are four vocal tracks beginning with the opening piece "City Life." This is piece is easy going with a soft focus - a lot like how Alan Parson's produces his own projects. And, in fact, this gauzy feel is like the protective shell Nude wears in his daily routine (see the suit on the cover?). This same kind of feel is carried throughout most of the album. That doesn't mean we have overly airy and wispy passages, but they are airy and open. They breathe, grounded by the solid drumming from Andy Ward and throbbing bass from Colin Bass. "City Life" also features some brassy and warm sax from Mel Collins.

"Docks" is a dark and throbbing piece that features keening slide guitar effects from Latimer. This piece is a bit Floyd-esque - another band that came to reflect upon WWII, though in a different fashion. Towards the end, it becomes a bit wistful - the sense that the ship Nude is aboard is pulling away from the dock and heading for open waters. This leads into the energetic, rockier, adventurous "Beached."

"Landscapes" is very Asian in feel, and as the title suggests, provides us with images of an idyllic locale - it is a clear and sunny day on the island, the sea is calm, and the air is still. A stately, reverent flute plays softly, while keyboards provide an atmospheric bed. "Changing Places" features an throbbing, African-esque drum rhythm while a flute or piccolo tootles cheerily. Nude is settling into a routine and the repetitive rhythm helps to underscore this. He's making order of his chaos, along his path to finding himself. "Pomp And Circumstance" eschews "pomp" in that this is not a strident theme, but rather is more peacefully symphonic in structure, more akin to electronic music.

Nude takes a jazzier angle with "Lies" which is highlighted by some wonderfully warm and sweet guitar work from Latimer, not to overlook the quite nice bit of Hammond. Okay, yes, my favourite aspects to Nude are Latimer's guitar work - he is of that less is more, emotion over technique kind of player (something he sort of says in his recently published Progression interview). "The Homecoming" is a marching tune lead by bright and cheery piccolo; it as what you might expect would be played for a "ticker tape" parade. After living in isolation for 29 years, Nude finds himself thrust not just in the company of others, but hundreds of others and surely flash bulbs blinding him, reporter's microphones thrust in his face - though these particular details aren't included in the narrative (though they are alluded to). "Nude's Return" beautifully summarizes the themes heard throughout the album, including militarist percussion which echoes Nude's first foray.

How this album is viewed by long time Camel fans - those who came on board with the first album, for example - I don't know, but I have found it to be a wonderful album. Maybe more on the pop side than prog, given the comparatively simple lines, but in that it has an elegant grace, and an epic sweep befitting its story. It's not a Camel album to be overlooked, that's for sure. Maybe I'm too close to the album now, having been listening to it a lot over the past 10 years or so since I bought it, but I can't find anything wrong with it.

Rating: 5/5

More about Nude:

Track Listing: City Life (5:02) / Nude (0:22) / Drafted (4:18) / Docks (3:50) / Beached (3:32) / Landscapes (2:36) / Changing Places (4:10) / Pomp And Circumstance (2:03) / Please Come Home (1:12) / Reflections (2:45) / Captured (3:13) / The Homecoming (2:40) / Lies (4:57) / The Last Farewell: The Birthday Cake (4:05) / The Last Farewell: Nude's Return (3:41)

Musicians:
Andrew Latimer - guitars, vocals, flute, koto and various keyboards
Andy Ward - drums and percussion
Colin Bass - bass and vocals
Mel Collins - flute, piccolo, and saxes
Duncan Mackay - keyboards
Jan Schelhaas - piano (14, 15)
Chris Green - cello
Gasper Lawai - all percussion (7)
Herbie Flowers - tuba

Contact:

Website: www.camelproductions.com
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Discography

Camel (1973/2002*)
Mirage (1974/2002*)
The Snow Goose (1975/2002*)
Moonmadness (1976/2002*)
Rain Dances (1977)
A Live Record (1978/2002*)
Breathless(1978)
I Can See Your House From Here (1979)
Nude (1981)
Chameleon - The Best Of Camel (1981)
The Single Factor (1982)
Stationary Traveller (1984)
Pressure Points - Live (1984)
Compact Compilition (1986)
Landscapes (1991, compilation)
Dust And Dreams (1991)
Echoes (1993, compilation)
On The Road '72 (1993)
On The Road '82 (1994)
Never Let Go (1994, live)
Harbour Of Tears

Rajaz (1999)
Coming Of Age (1999)
The Paris Collection (2001)
A Nod And A Wink (2002)