Scooter Chronicles

Camel - “The Snow Goose”

Tracks:

1. The Great Marsh
2. Rhayader
3. Rhayader Goes to Town
4. Sanctuary
5. Fritha
6. The Snow Goose
7. Friendship
8. Migration
9. Rhayader Alone
10. Flight of the Snow Goose
11. Preparation
12. Dunkirk
13. Epitaph
14. Fritha Alone
15. La Princesse Perdue
16. The Great Marsh

Another progressive rock band that I was introduced to by the members of ProgressiveEars.Com. It took me some time to finally buy this, and is the only Camel album I own to date. But it was suggested at their best work.

(From left): Peter Bardens (keyboards), Doug Ferguson (bass), Andy Ward (drums), and Andrew Latimer (guitar, flute).

Latimer, Ferguson, and Ward were originally gigging as a trio called The Brew in the Guilford, Surrey area of England. Eventually they hooked up with Bardens and changed the band’s name to Camel. This album, the band’s third, released in 1975, is all instrumental. The music is inspired by the short story of the same name by American writer Paul Gallico. They felt that their song suite “White Rider” on the previous album inspired by “The Lord of the Rings” was a success, and decided to do a full album based on a piece of literature. Many suggestions came from all the members, but “The Snow Goose” was finally agreed upon. The line-up is often considered the “classic” line-up of the band, and went on to record one more album before various line-up changes took place over the years. Latimer is the only original member left in the band, and has been battling health problems, but the band is still officially considered together.

Many of the songs flow into each other creating song suites. The first thirteen songs break into three suites. First there is “The Great Marsh”, “Rhayader”, and “Rhayader Goes to Town”. Then “Sanctuary”, “Fritha”, “The Snow Goose”, “Friendship”, “Migration”, and “Rhayader Alone”. The last group is “Flight of the Snow Goose”, “Preparation”, “Dunkirk”, and “Epitaph”. “Fritha Alone”, “La Princesse Perdue” and “The Great Marsh” (the second version) are all done as separate songs.

The music is best classified as symphonic prog. There are many sections that have a rather dreamy or spacey appeal to them, but other times the band can really rock. Sometimes these changes in directions are within the same song. The overall effect, with the song suite style, is a symphony of sorts, though themes are not repeated until the end. It is all cohesive and tells a wonderful story, even if just musically.

I feel this highlights the members’ talents for arranging and writing. I am sure it is hard to put together a concept album no matter what. But with developing it, you can be light on story and let the music carries many sections. But by taking an already established story, and not including the lyrics, you have to make sure that each song represents part of the story. At least that’s the way I feel.

Regardless of it being based on a story, or just being an album of instrumental songs, this is a great piece of music. In all honesty, I have never read the story, and don’t have any plans on doing so. I just enjoy the music on this album.