•
Rating:
We are in the year of grace 1975, and the last vestiges of progressive music are about to be swept away. Camel is a group not highly regarded and little known.
The English quartet, with two decent albums under their belt, releases their third work, an ageless jewel of progressive music and beyond. A concept written entirely in just two weeks (!!) in a sort of retreat in a Devon cottage.
The vocal parts, always sparse in Camel's albums, almost completely vanish here without the listener perceiving their absence, captivated by the soothing notes of Andy Latimer's guitar and Bardens' poignant piano. The music is in the group's full style, rich in extremely emotional passages (Rhayader, Fritha Alone, La Princesse Perdue), straightforward and lively (Friendship, The Flight Of The Snow Goose), mysterious and distressing (Preparation, Dunkirk).
The album is inspired by the eponymous story by writer Paul Gallico. Set during the famous Dunkirk retreat of 1940, it tells of the events and friendship between the solitary and deformed Essex lighthouse keeper and an injured snow goose who helplessly and astonished witness the defeat of the Anglo-French troops.
Impressionistic music distributed in sixteen "frescoes" linked by an indissoluble yet imperceptible thread.
The melodic lines are clear, pure, almost celestial, creating a unique atmosphere inherent to this wonderful album. It is extremely "visual" music, full of poetry, complex in structure yet disarmingly simple in melody (only the greatest can achieve this).
In short, let yourself be lulled and transported by every single note, free your mind, put aside all prejudice and listen to it in one breath, perhaps while reading Gallico's story... you will be completely amazed at what Camel managed to achieve: the music adapts to the story almost perfectly, aided discreetly and optimally by orchestral instruments such as bassoon, clarinet, oboe, and flute.
The masterpiece of progressive? Well, for me, undoubtedly... if asked which CD to take to the proverbial deserted island, I wouldn't think twice and would choose this "musical picture/place."
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
03 Rhayader Goes to Town (05:20)
The townsfolk react coldly towards Rhayader because of his odd appearance. But their fear is mixed with curiosity for he has a noble bearing.
04 Sanctuary (01:05)
The Snow Goose swept off course by a sea storm just reaches the Essex coast. Fritha finds her exhausted and wounded on the beach and gently cradles her, for she has heard that nearby lives a man who is a great healer of birds.
05 Fritha (01:19)
When she meets Rhayader she too is fleftened, but her concern for the Snow Goose overcomes her fear.
07 Friendship (01:43)
While the Snow Goose gradually gains strength, tended to by Rhayader and visited by Fritha, a strong bond of affection grows between the three of them.
11 Preparation (03:53)
Rhayader gets ready to sail, together with the small Armada of other boats to help in the desperate rescue operation at Dunkirk.
12 Dunkirk (05:25)
As Rhayader departs, leaving Fritha behind he cannot prevent the Snow Goose following him out across the channel and left into the heart of battle.
13 Epitaph (02:07)
Rhayader ferries many stranded soldiers to safety until at last he is hit, and the Snow Goose is seen circling low over the spot where the little boat has gone down.
15 La Princesse Perdue (04:45)
Fritha realizing somehow that Rhayader will not return and is still looking out to sea when she spies the Snow Goose. She is filled with a sweet sadness as she follows her princess home in as if to land only to fly away, out of sight lost forever.
Loading comments slowly
