From: jeffmelt@resumix.portal.com (Jeff Melton)
Subject: ->SPOILER : Camel 20th Anniversary 1st tour date review <-SPOILER
Organization: Resumix Inc
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 92 16:58:15 GMT

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SPOILER								SPOILER
SPOILER		Please ignore the following post if you don't	SPOILER
SPOILER		wish to be informed about the live performance 	SPOILER
SPOILER		of the first date from the Camel 20th 		SPOILER
SPOILER		Anniversary tour !!!				SPOILER
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Well, suffice it to say: CAMEL is alive and well and on the start of
an outstanding 20th year anniversary tour as witnessed Wednesday night
at the first official date in San Rafael, CA.? Yes, you got the locale
right: New Georges in San Rafael, Marin County !! The group lineup for this
tour was/is as follows:

Personnel: Andy Latimer: guitars, vocals, keyboards, flute, recorder
	   Colin Bass: bass, vocal, keyboards 
	   Paul Burgess: drums	
           Mickey Simmonds: keyboards (newest memeber: ex-Fish)

Attendance was approximately 100 appreciative people which were spread out pretty
evenly at this small club. My view of the show was from a make shift
third row from the front stage. The stage itself was pretty cramped
for the four musicians, but they did seem to make the best of it
(despite Andy bumping his Gibson ES guitar a few times which was mounted on 
a stand stage right). Colin Bass was pretty much the oreo icing between 
the Mickey Simmonds (left stage ) keyboard setup and Latimer's keyboard setup.
Fortunately, the stage setup didn't impact the performance in any way 
as far as I could notice!


The Set List was as follows:

First Set:
1. Never Let Go 

This was with a small twist from the usual arrangement: Andy
came out with an acoustic ovation twelve string and started
the first part of song with a solo guitar and vocal. The remainder of
the group was added after a few well sung verses. Excellent
opener!

2. Mirage?!?:

This as song I have never known well; I was surprised about it's
inclusion, but the group waded through it pretty good. It was starting
to dawn on me about this time that the new keyboardist was playing all
the keyboard parts almost too well. Without implying that Mickey Simmonds reminded
me of a Peter Bardens clone: I would say that he captured the essence of
all the sounds and arrangements which were predominant in all the original
parts. Not too flashy.

3. The Snow Goose excerpts Rhadayer/etc.

Here's where the group started to kick it in gear! Pretty much the same
arrangements/sections performed which were on the last live album. 
Lots of empassioned playing on probably the most familiar Camel
music. The crowd responded with the first of several standing ovations.

4. Spirit on the Water

Andy introduced this tune as a piece by Pete which he always liked.
Very pretty piece w/Andy on recorder, Mickey on piano and Colin
on lead vocal. Beautiful! Probably the most surprising choice for
inclusion in the set.

5. Unevensong

As you can probably tell by now the set list is advancing sequentially
through the Camel catalogue! Very good interplay on this one. Vocals
up front: (Andy and Colin together).

6. Echoes

I've always liked this song. One of the Camel prototype tunes which
excells with upfront guitar playing. Another crowd pleaser.

7. Ice

My favorite Camel song! Up until now I had never heard this in a live
setting. WHOA! Talk about intense! For my money: worth the price of the
ticket alone! Andy was truly exercising some demons on this one!
Mickey's supporting counterpoint piano (particularly on the intro) was possibly
better than on the original recording. Andy was doing his best BB King
facial contortions as well!

8. Nude excerpt starting with City Life... segue etc.

The band was truly in gear after the last track. The pacing of the show was
building up quite well by now. Andy was on additional keyboard and the band
rolled through a major chunk of side one. Again very good. I could detect
no technical problems or the casual bum note. Flawless dare I say?

Approx: 30 minute intermission...?

I got a chance to chat with the tour manager to ask about any live recordings
for this tour. He said they were recording all the shows (hopefully meaning
that they would be available for purchase after the tour finishes). Lots of
Camel merchandise was also available:

$1.00 : tour programme: black glossy cover: group pictures mostly
T-Shirts: one 20th Anniversary tour (white) : another Dust and Dreams (black)
CD sales: 1st album, Live on the Road '72 (offical boot), Dust and Dreams
$10.00 : Dust and Dreams poster.

Second Set:
9. Dust and Dreams : In totality from start to finish!

This was not too much of a surprise since the album had never had an 
offical tour specifically organized for performance before. I must
say that the album is much better live than on disk. Camel is
invariable known for this attribute: sounds ok in the studio; 
superb in a live setting. I was amazed how much was actually
recreatable by just 4 people! All the subtleties of the pieces were
displayed complete with taped environmental noises (dusk, wind etc.).
Quite a pretty album really: Lots of peaks and valleys. 
Andy, Colin and Mickey tripled up on keyboards quite a few times 
during the second set. Outstanding moments were :
End of the Line and the finale instrumental tracks
Quite a lot of rehearsal must have taken place to pull this
off!

Encore #1: Sasquatch.

Andy may have big feet, but this song was quite a fun,
nimble workout for everyone involved.

Encore #2: Lady Fantasy

Andy introduced another favorite as winning the 'Granny' award 
which got a few laughs.  All I can say is the perfect icing on the cake.

Final Comments:
 1. Group Chemistry: There was lots of excellent eye coordination,
    shoulder movements, etc. which characterize a group and not
    a guitarist with a few pickup musicians to play his latest
    material. This was a real group whom didn't display any
    cobwebs, dust, idle dreaming or any lack of commitment to 
    get the lead out! 

 2. If you have always liked Camel: DON'T MISS THIS TOUR!!!
    A little bit of everything (except Stationary Traveller)
    to please everyone: older and newer material fans alike.

 3. Saturday night: Date # 2 at the San Jose Cabaret
    Sunday  night : Date # 3 at the San Jose Cabaret

    These are the only American dates on the tour!
    At least that's what my shirt says!


Thanks again to Ranjit and Brad for sharing the ride up from the
south bay and also their company for a very enjoyable evening.

Jeff Melton