Comments on: Gig review: CAMEL – RNCM, Manchester, 21 October 2013

By: jacklondon

jacklondon — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 13:31:50 +0000

I was at the Salisbury gig. It was flawless. One could argue about setlist choices, but with that vast repertoire youll never satisfy everybody. :-)
Big surprise was to hear new sections on bits in “Snow Goose”. I wasnt really expecting full orchestra again, however still, it was rather disappointing not to hear at least an oboe and clarinet, and get just keyboards instead. Whats more, one could clearly hear a definite difference between that warm sound of wind/wood instruments compared to artificial, almost “moany” keyboard sounds.
And another lowline: drumming.
I agree the guy kept rhythm well, didn’t mess up demanding bar changes etc. but – apart from that – the Camel drumming AD2013 is just a very flat shadow of that of Andy’s, as if the guy was playing it “safe”. And it is not just down to different drumming style – we are talking about absence of all those little clever, sweet bits that Mr Ward infused Camel songs with. The Snow Goose title track in particular suffered from the above-mentioned drumming.
Anyway…
Other than that though, new Camel gig is very much worth going to!

By: Cameleer 3

Cameleer 3 — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 10:08:17 +0000

I agree re Denis. I met him during the 2003 tour and he’s a really modest, friendly chap, as are all the band members. Denis also plays bass. I saw Camel at The Barbican where the place erupted as Andy entered the stage. I honestly believe he is the greatest living guitarist. The Barbican concert was filmed so hopefully, if the quality is acceptable, then there could be a DVD out next year.

I love the 2013 version of The Snowgoose. Probably in the top 3 Prog albums ever made although I think Dust and Dreams and Harbour of Tears are up there, too. Talking of which, I wonder if The Hour Candle was one of Andy’s finest Camel moments?

The Barbican Theatre threatened the band with a heavy fine if they played past 10.30pm so we didn’t get to hear Mystic Queen (which I first heard back in 1972 at Liverpool University when they supported BJHarvest) or Wait.

Incidentally, I was amazed at how young some of the fans were at the London gig and I spoke to people from Cairo who played in a Camel tribute band, Romania and Brazil. I know that a young man from Iran had flown over without a ticket but managed to get one from the band earlier in the day.

By: MikeT2

MikeT2 — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 20:21:37 +0000

Plenty of positives there, an excellent review – thanks.
I also managed to get to the first gig of the tour in Harrogate, and was fairly choked with emotion, as were the band, with the standing ovation they got on taking to the stage after ten years.

Great to see Andy looking so fit after everything he’s been through and he showed he’s still at least as capable as ever and that tone he achieves… can any one match that without effects?

You mention 1997 as being the last UK tour, but we got to see them twice after that. October 2000 – ‘Rajaz’ and October 2003 ‘Nod and a Wink’

Agree completely about Denis Clement, one of the highlights for me.

By: McYorkie

McYorkie — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:12:18 +0000

Great review of a brilliant gig – but why only ONE sentence about Denis Clement???
His drumming was amazing – MESMERISING – one of the best drummers I have ever seen, and ‘even’ his bass playing was fantastic – melodic instead of just a bass rhythm accompaniment. He was a joy to watch, and Andy obviously holds him in very high regard.

Each musician was a star in their own right – I went to the gig to accompany my other half – a Camel Fanatic, and I left there a Camel Convert.

An unforgettable night – thank you xxx