Camel - The Live Recordings 1974 – 1977 (Remastered) (2023) FLAC

Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1971. Led by guitarist Andrew Latimer, they have released fourteen studio albums and fourteen singles, plus numerous live albums and DVDs. Without achieving mass popularity, the band gained a cult following in the 1970s with albums such as Mirage (1974) and The Snow Goose (1975). They moved into a jazzier, more commercial direction in the early 1980s, but then went on an extended hiatus. Since 1991 the band has been independent, releasing albums on their own label.

The band was formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1971 by guitarist Andrew Latimer, drummer Andy Ward, and bassist Doug Ferguson, and keyboardist Peter Bardens. Latimer, Ward, and Ferguson had performed in the Guildford area as a trio named Brew, and in 1971 they auditioned to be the backing band for singer-songwriter Phillip Goodhand-Tait. The three went on to appear on latter's album I Think I'll Write a Song, released in September 1971. After splitting with Goodhand-Tait, the trio decided that a keyboardist would expand their sound and advertised for one in the Melody Maker. Bardens responded and successfully auditioned with a Hammond organ that belonged to a mutual friend of the group. The four travelled to Ireland to fulfil outstanding contractual obligations Bardens had with his previous outfit On, after which they renamed themselves Camel. Their live debut with the name followed at Waltham Forest Technical College in London in December 1971, supporting Wishbone Ash.

The group began regular touring in January 1972, establishing themselves as a proficient live act. They soon signed with Geoff Jukes of the Buffalo Agency as their manager. By August 1972, Camel signed with MCA Records and their eponymous debut album Camel was released in early 1973. The record was not a success and the band moved to the Deram Records division of Decca Records (UK). In 1974 they released their second album, the critically acclaimed Mirage, on which Latimer showed he was also adept on flute. Although failing to chart at home, it gained success in the United States, prompting a three-month tour there.

Released in 1975, the instrumental concept album The Snow Goose, inspired by the Paul Gallico short story of the same name, was the breakthrough album that brought Camel wider attention and success. However, the album attracted a lawsuit from Gallico. It is often reported that Gallico brought the suit because he "loathed smoking" and thought the band were related to the cigarette brand. In reality Gallico described himself as "an addict of the vice in all its blackest forms" and his objection was simply on the grounds of copyright infringement. Camel accordingly added the prefix Music inspired by… to the album's front cover and removed the story notes from the back cover. The album's success led to a prestigious appearance at Royal Albert Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra in October 1975.

The band's fourth album, Moonmadness (1976), was the last to feature the original lineup. Mel Collins was added to the band on saxophone and flute for the subsequent tour. Drummer Ward was pushing for a move into jazz, which caused bassist Ferguson to quit the band in early 1977. Ferguson formed the band Headwaiter and later became a property developer.

Richard Sinclair (formerly of Caravan) replaced Ferguson, and Mel Collins joined the band in an official capacity. This lineup released Rain Dances (1977) and Breathless (1978). The latter was the last album to feature Bardens, who announced his departure before the supporting tour. He was replaced by two keyboard players both recruited from Caravan: Dave Sinclair (cousin of Richard) and Jan Schelhaas. The Sinclair cousins both left the band after the tour, replaced by keyboardist Kit Watkins and bassist Colin Bass. This lineup recorded the more commercial I Can See Your House from Here (1979); the album's cover, photographed and designed by Gered Mankowitz, is a manipulated photographic image of a crucified astronaut looking at Earth.

Tracklist
1. Introduction (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (0:48)
2. Earthrise (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (7:58)
3. Nimrodel / The Procession / The White Rider (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (10:06)
4. Six Ate (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (6:18)
5. Supertwister (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (3:17)
6. Mystic Queen (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (6:00)
7. Arubaluba (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (7:33)
8. Ligging At Louis' (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (6:37)
9. Rhayader Goes To Town (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (5:20)
10. Sanctuary (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (1:16)
11. The Snow Goose (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (3:20)
12. Freefall (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (6:27)
13. Lady Fantasy (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (15:26)
14. Homage To The God Of Light (Live At The Marquee Club, London, U.K / 30th October 1974 / Remastered 2023) (18:55)

CD2
1. Introduction By Peter Bardens (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (1:22)
2. The Great Marsh (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (1:44)
3. Rhayader (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (3:07)
4. Rhayader Goes To Town (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (5:11)
5. Sanctuary (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (1:10)
6. Fritha (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (1:22)
7. The Snow Goose (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (3:03)
8. Friendship (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (1:39)
9. Migration (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (3:52)
10. Rhayader Alone (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (1:48)
11. Flight Of The Snow Goose (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (3:02)
12. Preparation (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (4:10)
13. Dunkirk (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (5:29)
14. Epitaph (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (2:33)
15. Fritha Alone (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (1:23)
16. La Princesse Perdue (Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 2023) (4:45)
17. The Great Marsh (Reprise / Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 20 (2:47)
18. Lady Fantasy (Encore / Live At The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK / 17th October 1975 / Remastered And Remixed 202 (16:23)

CD3
1. Aristillus (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (1:33)
2. Song Within A Song (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (7:38)
3. The Great Marsh (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (1:54)
4. Rhayader (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (3:08)
5. Rhayader Goes To Town (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (5:52)
6. Air Born (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (5:07)
7. Chord Change (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (6:55)
8. The White Rider (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (9:10)
9. Lunar Sea (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (9:58)
10. Preparation (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (3:50)
11. Dunkirk (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (5:54)
12. Another Night (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (6:48)
13. Lady Fantasy (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 14th April 1976 / Remastered 2023) (16:28)

CD4
1. First Light (Live At Colston Hall, Bristol, UK / 2nd October 1977 / Remastered 2023) (5:28)
2. Metrognome (Live At Colston Hall, Bristol, UK / 2nd October 1977 / Remastered 2023) (5:01)
3. Unevensong (Live At Colston Hall, Bristol, UK / 2nd October 1977 / Remastered 2023) (5:36)
4. Skylines (Live At Leeds University UK / 3rd October 1977 / Remastered 2023) (5:45)
5. Lunar Sea (Live At Colston Hall, Bristol, UK / 2nd October 1977 / Remastered 2023) (9:01)
6. Rain Dances (Live At Colston Hall, Bristol, UK / 2nd October 1977 / Remastered 2023) (2:46)
7. Never Let Go (Live At Colston Hall, Bristol, UK / 2nd October 1977 / Remastered 2023) (7:32)

CD5
1. First Light (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (5:29)
2. Metrognome (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (4:50)
3. Unevensong (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (5:42)
4. Rhayader (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (2:58)
5. Rhayader Goes To Town (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (5:11)
6. Preparation (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (3:01)
7. Dunkirk (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (5:31)
8. Sanctuary (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (1:03)
9. The Snow Goose (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (4:18)
10. Tell Me (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (4:31)
11. Song Within A Song (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (7:15)
12. Skylines (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (5:56)
13. Highways To The Sun (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (5:18)
14. Lunar Sea (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (9:19)
15. Rain Dances (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (3:19)
16. One Of These Days I'll Get An Early Night (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (8:38)
17. Never Let Go (Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / September/October 1977 / Remixed 2023) (8:07)

CD6
1. Pressure Points (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (7:16)
2. Drafted (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (3:52)
3. Captured (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (3:02)
4. Lies (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (5:10)
5. Refugee (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (3:49)
6. Vopos (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (5:49)
7. Stationary Traveller (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (5:16)
8. West Berlin (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (5:20)
9. Fingertips (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (4:40)
10. Sasquatch (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (4:05)
11. Wait (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (4:21)
12. Cloak And Dagger Man (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (4:04)
13. Long Goodbyes (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (6:45)
14. Rhayader (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (2:28)
15. Rhayader Goes To Town (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (6:28)
16. Lady Fantasy (“Pressure Points” Live At Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK / 1984) (12:41)