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The sole survivor of Camel, A. Latimer, after various hardships including economic ones, manages to settle in Mountain View, CA. Driven by new musical projects, he succeeds in founding a personal record label (Camel Productions) and producing the excellent Dust And Dreams in 1991. Only five years later, Harbour Of Tears is released, a complex and rather personal work.
After the death of his father in 1993, Latimer decided to undertake an exhausting and costly genealogical search. With the discovery of his Irish origins, he probably decided to develop this concept album. The story is set in 1845 and tells the vicissitudes of many families forced to leave their roots to find fortune in new continents. On the back of the CD package, there is a note that comprehensively explains the meaning of the album title. "Cobh Harbour is a beautiful deep-water port in County Cork, Ireland. It was the last sight of Ireland for hundreds upon thousands of fractured families who departed her shores for fates unknow. They called it the Harbours of Tears".
Besides Latimer, this album features ten other musicians. Colin.Bass (bass), M.Simmonds (keyboards), D.Paton (bass, vocals), M.Mckenna (a capella vocal), J.Xepoleas (drums), N.Panton (oboe, soprano sax, harmonium), J.Burton (french horn), B.Phillips (cello), K.Bentley, and A.Stoneham (violin). It starts with the delicate "Irish Air" featuring a beautiful ethereal voice of M.McKenna, with Andy's instrumental reprise. "Harbour Of Tears" sung by Andrew with an inevitable and melancholic guitar solo. "Send Home The Slates" is a song sung with a clean and elongated guitar solo. "Under The Moon", one of the pieces that always moves me particularly, despite being a simple guitar solo. "Watching The Bobbins", a partially rock song with a cadenced start and a long final solo. "Eye Of Ireland" is quite a catchy acoustic ballad. "Running From Paradise" is a joyous track with Latimer's flute prominently featured. With "Coming Of Age" Andy showcases his artistic skills. The piece begins with a quick, decisive insert of violins followed by a highly effective guitar solo. A fairly complex and articulated track. It concludes with "The Hour Candle (A song for my father)". It seemingly starts as a "lullaby", then bursts into a blazing blues-based guitar solo. The solo is characterized by a high saturation rate of the amplifier to create a notable melancholic impact. The piece ends by linking back to the start of the album, with the same voice of M.McKenna. I must also add that the track doesn't stop there but continues for another sixteen minutes with the sound of waves crashing against the shore. A beautiful track, undoubtedly a small gem.
Therefore, do not expect musical experimentation on this album, or compositions with intricate instrumental virtuosity. Expect an excellent album full of genuine emotions, with a "CameLatimer" (affectionately nicknamed this way by me) as always in great form. An unjustly forgotten album...
PS: "This album is dedicated to Pan who waited as long as she could..."
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
03 Harbour of Tears (03:12)
Latimer/Hoover
I am one of seven brothers.
Five of us must leave and start again.
In this land of Saints and Martyrs,
Tears of sadness hide within the rain.
So fare thee well, Remember me...
Sail from the Harbour of Tearss
I can hear my father calling
'Godspeed, my son,
wherever you may go'
He looked so small
down on the quayside.
A man I guess
I'll never really know. Goodbye, lad... I'll miss you,
though I don't show it.
I am a farmer of the land,
I'm not a man of words.
Forgive me my failing,
you never knew me.
Godspeed wherever you may go...
So fare thee well,
Remember me...
Sail from the Harbour of Tears
07 Watching the Bobbins (07:13)
Latimer/Hoover
Watching the bobbins,
go up and down.
Fine Irish linen
for a ladies gown.
One shirt a penny,
seven in a tag;
ten hours a day
and her heart begins to drag.
This never ending cycle goes on.
But she promised she would never stay...
for long.
Rocking the treadle,
ache in her soul.
She keeps the rhythm
and it takes a toll.
Threading the needle,
strains in her eyes.
Old withered fingers
steal her young girl's pride
She's saving every penny she earns,
because the passion for her freedom
still burns.
09 Eyes of Ireland (03:09)
Latimer/Hoover
Listen now boys,
my grandmother said -
I'll tell you a story and
then off to bed.
There once was a time,
we lived off the land.
Harvest would come,
and we all lent a hand
But winds blew our lives,
and scattered our seeds.
Changing the landscape,
from flowers to weeds.
See in the graveyard
the families gone.
The grandest of tombstones
carry them on...
When you sail from the Harbour,
It's your last eyes of Ireland.
We tended the fire,
and faeries appeased
the flame never died
until we had to leave.
And when we were gone,
the house tumbled down
and covered our footprints,
we'd left on the ground.
When you sail from the Harbour,
It's your last eyes of Ireland.
My eyes are now tired
and no longer see.
But visions of Ireland
linger in me.
So carry your past
in the rooms of your heart
and you'll never he empty
of love when you part
When you sail from the Harbour,
It's your last eyes of Ireland.
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By bluesboy94
This concept album diverges from the 'fantastical, abstract, and carefree' works typical of ’70s progressive; on this occasion, the drama is palpable.
For those who love the genre, listening to this album is highly recommended, as it is an intimate work that offers sincere emotions and addresses a forgotten daily drama.
