Camel - [1978] - A Live Record [MPC@insane]

A-Class live album. A bit late, if we think about it. Camel developed by now three masterpiece albums and a debut that wasn’t at all far from a monument of music. Guess 1876 would have been a good moment to release the pressure of a live performance recorded than rendered to the general audience. Cause there is a pressure, even if symbolic, to accumulate great material and to keep to point on studio albums. A live album in classic period (or even outside an option of classic) is a great detensioning moment. So this one includes also a piece from Rain Dances, which after all isn’t such a bad album (just surely out of the context of greatness). By this the perspective expands in little measures, remaining a representation of the classic, marvelous, genius, everlasting part of Camel. Being more reticent to anything else against the first four albums, this comes as the greatest of all live acts, simply by its repertoire, but also (as to prove more than context words) by a performance of the repertoire that is as dazzling as the original. There would be one more future album called Camel On The Road 72, still A Live Record is the major, most prominent reference you will get from them. Not having this most probably means skipping over an essential way of seeing and experience Camel, in their best form. A clear, to the subject, definition that makes the album’s absence incommensurable. Double-powered, A Live Record is a place for pleasant scapes, surprising moments and amazing reflection.







First part is a casual interpretation of Camel gems or most grand pieces (or most acknowledge and liked compositions). By casual I mean a regard and a transposition of what the original look holds. Camel aren’t much of a focus on new, on different or an improvised on stage, to be honest, and most certainly this is, as context, is nothing else than ”Camel-live”. But to such valences and a comprehended style, it is a welcomed attitude. But just to assure things, they aren’t stiff in their musical stand either. So we get Never Let Go as an acclaimed piece from the debut, a double-reflection on the Moonmadness album with the two compositions that characterize it most, the Lady Fantasy boom that can never miss out of performance approach (this one can go just as well under the acknowledged section – or the “shalgers”, in rough call – but I always tend to regard it as a grand Camel piece move). One from Rain Dances that speaks out only in the context of that power. And a special intermezzo moment (right before the final burst) that gives a surprise look to the scheme. Not included in the main frame before, it most certainly looks as an improv moment. Smashing… Disc 1 therefore is a great thing, maybe just four stars overall, yet something memorable if you are in the tone with the style and the maneuver (and, at this, comes naturally the rhetorical question: how can you not be?).







Second part is a complete surprise and a most magnificent gesture from the Camel which go on interpreting integrally The Snow Goose, their greatest achievement. This pleased me to the intensity of something mind-blowing. And to this I award the live album five stars. For it is a turn of epic size; a sheer insane thing (good terms, naturally), an absolute delight... A great effort, a greater result, a divine experience. For two things describe, complement and justify the euphoria. Integral interpretation of a concept or of an album isn’t that common. To Camel it is totally unique (referring to live releases). They done Rhayader many times, but nothing compares to Snow Goose-live. Adds an incredible charisma and a rewarding feeling. Touches the sense of masterful possibilities. Besides that is the reasonable omnipresent factor of live, that can give extra pulse. And masterpiece by itself + unique kind gesture + an impulse of on stage reaction is simply a break or rules, of principles, or reality. It seems all euphoric or shallow vanity, but I stand by the amazing perception that The Show Goose-Live is something you shouldn’t miss for anything in the world.







Pretty much that’s all I can say. I’ve succinctly explained a force that cannot go unneglectable or unworthy. This, along with the four top-notch albums of the Golden Era Camel, should be an item of collection and a purpose of experience and of pleasure. The only one that reaches the valences of five stars, besides the master-“trilogy”. Helped by the content, still… Do enjoy this amazing concert.