Camel/Early Years 1973-1974

This live collection compiles the precious live recordings from the early 70s of Camel, a representative British lyric progressive band with a long career, all in the best quality sound available. The first half of disc 1 contains the BBC John Peel session on February 19th, just after the release of their debut album “Camel” in 1973, in master quality and soundboard recordings. Although it only contains three songs from the first album, “Arubaluba”, “Curiosity” and “Six Ate”, it is a valuable recording as the oldest soundboard live recording, and is still psychedelic, bluesy, and organ rock with a rich Latin taste. The second half of the album contains a live performance at the Blue Cafe in Italy on May 1st of the same year, recorded from a good audience master for the time. This only contains four songs, but it is worth checking out the fact that they already performed “Lady Fantasy” from their second album released the following year, and it is one of the earliest live versions of a famous song. The following disc:2 contains the soundboard recording of their appearance at the London Rock Festival on June 15, 1974, recorded on the radio. After the release of their second album, “Mirage,” they also performed “The White Rider,” a standard live song from that album. The lyrical and melancholic aspects of the band, using flutes and mettrons, are also present, and this is a wonderful early performance that subtly blends jazz/fusion touches with British blues tastes. And disc:3 contains a complete recording of a live performance at the Marquee Club on June 20, five days later, on a different date from the official recording, from a good audience master. The first two album numbers are well-balanced, and this was the period when they established their style of fantasy rock, spinning graceful and melancholic melodies while the guitar and keyboard compete with each other. This early live performance, where beautiful melancholic melodies are played with technical tension, is a must-listen item for fans. DISC 1 : 1. Arubaluba/2. Curiosity/3. Six Ate [Live At The BBC, John Peel Session, London, UK February 19th 1973 :Soundboard Recordings] 4. Introduction/5. Lady Fantasy/6. Mystic Queen/7. Arubaluba/8. The Traveler [Live At Blue Cafe, Cassato, Italy May 1st 1973 :Audience Recordings] DISC 2 : 1. Introduction/2. The White Rider/3. Ligging At Louie’s/4. Lady Fantasy/5. Arubaluba [Live At Rock Festival, London, UK June 15th 1974 :Soundboard Recordings] DISC 3 : 1. Earthise/2. The White Rider/3. Six Ate/4. Supertwister/5. Mystic Queen/6. Liggin’ At Louie’s/7. Homage To The God Of Light/8. Lady Fantasy [Live At Marquee Club, London, UK June 20th 1974 :Audience Recordings] Andrew Latimer : guitars, flute, vocals / Peter Bardens organ, piano, celeste, mini Moog, Mellotron, vocals / Andy Ward drums, vibes, percussions / Doug Ferguson bass