01	Slow Yourself Down						04:47
	02	Mystic Queen						05:37
	03	Six Ate						06:02
	04	Separation						03:56
	05	Never Let Go						06:23
	06	Curiosity						05:53
	07	Arubaluba						06:27
	08	Never Let Go						03:40
	09	Homage To The God Of Light						19:01

Remastered version 2002

Camel - Camel
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Release Date: 1973
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Track Listing
1) Slow Your Self Down
2) Mystic Queen
3) Six Ate
4) Separation
5) Never Let Go
6) Curiosity
7) Arubaluba
Bonus Tracks
8) Never Let Go-Single version
9) Homage To The God Of Light (Live)

Member: Thekouderwunz - 05/26/03

Andrew Latimer-Guitar and Vocals (Tracks 1 & 4)
Peter Bardens-Organ, Mellotron, Piano, VC3 Synthesizer and Vocals (Tracks 5 & 8)
Doug Ferguson-Bass and Vocals (Tracks 2 & 6)
Andy Ward-Drums and Percussion

The mythical and great British group known simply as Camel, had been forming a name for themselves, but never truly finding a mass audience like Yes or Jethro Tull, but the band produced a number of classic recordings that would rank with the best the genre had to offer.

The first album, Camel is a nice effort showcasing the talents of leader guitarist/flautist/vocalist, Andrew Latimer (who throughout time would prove to be as great a soloist as David Gilmour and Martin Barre, and show more flexibility on flute than contemporaries, Ian Anderson and Peter Gabriel), keyboardist whiz Peter Bardens and the dexterous percussion work of drummer Andy Ward. Often considered the weakest link in the band, bassist Doug Ferguson provides elegant and classy bottom feeding pulses for the band's long, blues/jazz improvised composition.

Camel released in February of 1973, is an excellent album that happened to come out at the wrong time, as for all of the major bands had already, or were on the verge of releasing some their most legendary work (Pink Floyd with Darkside Of The Moon, Genesis with Selling England By The Pound, Yes with Tales From Topographic Oceans amongst others) so there simply was no way that Camel's eponymous debut could hold a candle to the creative onslaught of their peers. But don't let my words fool you into thinking this is not an album worth delving into.

Most of the songs on Camel had long since left the band's live repertoire, but one song would survive well into the new millennium, the original single edit, "Never Let Go".

Finally remastered and with the approval of lone original member, Andrew Latimer, each song on Camel, now has state of the art sound, that had once made the songs sound murky. Also as an added bonus, along with the single version of "Never Let Go", an absolutely, phenomenal live version of Peter Bardens' "Homage To The God Of Light", proves how great Camel's improvisational skills were. Other highlights on Camel, instrumentals "Six Ate" and "Arubaluba", the mystical "Mystic Queen" and the impressive album opener, "Slow Yourself Down".

It would take the band two albums (Camel and Mirage) to shake the sound that the band had forged here, but most fans of Camel often consider this Camel at their most raw.

While during their heyday, Camel might not have had the following as that the heavyweights of the genre did, but time would prove otherwise that asides for Genesis, Pink Floyd and arguably Yes, no other group from that era would be more influential on the 80's British prog scene than Camel, especially during the band's earlier incarnation.

Charles

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Member: Constable Napweed 6/6/03

Camel (sigh) were never big league players but were non the less as important and influential. Legend has it that ex Marillion singer "Fish" on first hearing Steve Rothery shouted "F**K he sounds like the guitarist from Camel...", so the Fishy one was well aware. This first offering is raw and powerful with a smattering of delicate moments to interest the keen ear.

In fact early Camel shared a lot of same musical ideas as Focus. Peter Bardens in particular was very "Van Leer-ish". Copy and paste "Six Ate" onto Moving waves and you will see what I mean. Andy Latimer contributes some great lead guitar work that again echoes Focus in some of Jan Akkerman's more reflective moments.

Not to say the man couldn't rock out, because he could certainly do that. If only they had written an insane track like "Hocus Pocus" Camel would have been as huge as their peers. However it's never too late to discover great music, and believe me, on this debut album you will find great music.






Rarities and Oddities
Would it be possible for Camel to release a compilation album featuring old, rare or 'lost' material, archived tapes of tasty bits of music from the good ol' years?

Well, let's check what we've got to so far:

Ligging at Louis'
A live recording of this Peter Bardens piece is available on A Live Record. It's a cute piece which reflects the Mirage-era type of Camel's music. Could there be a studio recording?

Lord of Light
This Peter Bardens piece surfaced on an official Camel release only in 1992, in the On the Road, 1972. Before that, another live rendition was available on the rare Greasy Truckers. Camel played it during their 1972 gigs along with Lady Fantasy and White Rider which later surfaced only in the 1974 release of Mirage. Is it possible that Camel also recorded the piece in the studio, but decided not to release it, as it was previously released on Bardens' solo release, The Answer? If no studio recording exist, how about re-releasing the Greasy Truckers version?

Another Night
An alternative recording of the song is available on a 7" single. The recording varies in the mix and in some parts played totally differently. Apparently, this track is available on the new 25th Anniversary compilation.

Lunar Sea
A live recording is available as the B-side of the Another Night single. This live recording isn't available anywhere else. Apparently, this track is available on the new 25th Anniversary compilation.

Rainbow's End
According to the Breathless CD liner notes, a different version of the track appears on a special 7" promotional release that proceeded the I Can See... album. Apparently, this track is available on the new 25th Anniversary compilation.

Nobody Knows
This is, in fact, not a Camel track at all.
The song is a Neil Larsen track called 'Jungle Fever'. Camel used it at the end of a set during the '79/80 tour because they liked this song. It was only a jam on someone else's material. At the time no one could remember the song title, so when they announced the song as: "Nobody knows the title".


River Man
This little piece is remembered fondly by Susan Hoover. Latimer said in an interview that it was based on Herman Hesse's Siddhartha, and that it was attempted to be a hit single. Siddhartha is a book about a lost young soul who ventures out to find himself, only to find he was right where he lost himself to begin with. (submitted by Jeff Gebhardt).

Pressure Points
A extended mix of this song is available on a 12" single. The live rendition of the whole thing is played in the Pressure Points live album.

In the Arms of Waltzing Frauleins
Written by Latimer and Hoover, this cabaret sung waltz is featured on the Pressure Points live video, but does not appear on any audio release. The track is also played on tour before the band goes on stage.

The entire second half of Dust and Dreams
Latimer has written the entire second half of Dust and Dreams during the 'lost' Camel years. What happened to the original version? Was it ever recorded by the musicians? Is there a basic sketch sequence available?
This is all I have gathered so far... And it sums up to more than 45 minutes of Interesting material, although not necessarily of the quality that glues up to an album...

Are Camel Productions considering such release? Considering - maybe, but it's definitly isn't going to be easy... It will probably require licensing from labels such as PolyGram and MCA as well as permits from the other people involved. Most of the material will have to be dug up from the archives and remastered. Camel Productions seem very keen on the quality of recordings they produce and release, and they may decline to release material which doesn't fit their standards.

We are only left to wait and wonder, and perhaps even write a letter and say what we think about it...