Newsgroup: it.arti.musica.rock.progressive
Titolo: [triste notizia] I Camel smettono di fare tournèe

[direttamente dai Camel, CP vuol dire Camel Productions]
In our last eBeast, Tour 2003 was officially announced with the
confirmation of NEARfest in Trenton, NJ, on 29th June.  Other performance
dates are gradually beginning to take shape but nothing is yet confirmed.
We apologise to everyone who wants to know more dates so they can book
their holidays but CP can't say what isn't known.  In the past, USA dates
have been near impossible.  Although some offers were put forth, the fees
did not meet expenses and the performances never materialized. CP feels
fairly confident that there will be at least one California date but no
date/s -- not even tentative bookings -- are scheduled as of this
newsletter.   This may change in a few weeks.  It may never change.  The
market is just too unpredictable.   CP was reminded of this
unpredictability when Camel's booking agent, Paul Boswell, told CP he felt
sure the UK's Canterbury Festival would be a perfect venue for Camel.  Paul
was stunned when the promoter declined to book the band, stating 'Camel's
music is too similar'.  Everyone at CP was struck speechless by this
statement although it is not uncommon in the uphill battle of touring.  As
of this date, it appears Japan will not host any Camel performances due to
the crippling recession they are enduring.
Booking a tour is never an easy process for any independent band, most
especially when the band members are scattered around the globe.  Unlike 30
years ago, they can't just grab their gear, hop in a van and drive to any
venue that has a stage.   Aah, the 'good' ol' days.  The financial burden
of touring is something CP has mentioned numerous times in the past and
with the global economy such as it is, this problem has changed only in the
sense of having grown larger in expense and smaller in performance
opportunities.  As a result, Camel have made the decision they have
long-since tried to avoid:  Tour 2003 will be Camel's final tour.
Andrew Latimer assures us that Camel will continue to record music.  But
the all-consuming effort and expense of putting a tour together will soon
be a thing of the past. "I'll miss touring, no doubt about that.  But we
haven't broken enough new ground to ease the pressures and obstacles
involved."  he explained to Paris Ford.  "I'm going to concentrate on
projects in the studio".
This news is not entirely unexpected.  CP thought 1997 would be the last
tour but stayed the course for another 2 tours.  Everyone was optimistic
that the success of those tours would bring greater opportunities for the
next tour.  That optimism has since morphed into harsh reality.  The bright
side is that the tour will be a true celebration of an incredible recording
and performing history.  Andrew Latimer never reveals set lists in advance
but he assures us it will be a worthy tribute to the wealth of material
Camel have recorded over the years.
Highly Collectable's Merchant shop was hit by internet fraud last Xmas.
Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as it might have been.  However, in an
attempt to protect both CP and the cardholder, we now ask for the 'CVV'
number on your card.  This is the 'Card Verification Value' and it is a
security code.  It is located on the back of your card next to your
signature.   The next time you order, you will find a special box for this
number on our Shop page in the payment details section.  Some cards will
have the entire card number on the back with some extra numbers.  If that
is the case, please just enter the last 5 numbers in that string.  CP feels
this is a minor inconvenience that can have a major impact on the
prevention of internet fraud.
As always, we will announce performance dates the very moment they are
confirmed.  We ask your understanding and your patience.  We don't want to
raise any hopes only to be dashed, most especially on this Farewell Tour.

 [direttamente dai Camel, CP vuol dire Camel Productions]
Mi hai preceduto ancora di pochi minuti. Dev'essere un vizio. Stavo per
postarla io...