Camel

Camel

Rock group

Goose Flies Camel Over the Hump

Selected discography

Sources

Discussing the use of lights and films during his band’s performances, Camel guitarist and vocalist Andrew Latimer told Melody Maker in 1976, “This is the first time we’ve used films, and I don’t want us to get into it too much…. We’re not a very bopping band, so it’s nice for the audience to have something to watch.”

The British progressive rock group Camel formed in 1972 with the blues-rock trio Brew, consisting of Latimer, bassist Doug Ferguson, and drummer Andy Ward. After backing singer Philip Goodhand-Tait on an album, the trio was joined by organist and vocalist Peter Bardens and began rehearsing original material. Camel’s sound featured extensive interplay between Latimer’s guitar and Bardens’s keyboards, underpinned by Ward’s swinging percussion. Vocals were not the band’s main focus. During the recording of Camel’s debut album, the producer suggested that the group find a better singer. After auditioning 30 unsuitable vocalists, the search was abandoned and the recording sessions continued.

The band became a fixture on the English college circuit. In a 1973 interview with Melody Maker, Peter Bardens related the importance of these venues to Camel, “I think the college circuit plays a very important part in any new band’s future. They are one of those rare places where small bands get the chance to play, and what’s more, they are always good payers.” One early concert appearance that provided Camel with underground credibility was on October 8, 1973 at the Greasy Truckers’ Party at Dingwall’s Dance Hall in London. A live cut from that show, “God of Light Revisited Parts 1, 2, and 3” formed one side of a rare double album commemorating the event, which also featured contributions by progressive contemporaries Gong and Henry Cow.

As a result of constant touring, the band’s second album Mirage sold much better than its self-titled debut. Bardens told Melody Maker, “We started the band from scratch. We had no money and no equipment. In three years we’ve done four tours of Britain, and we’re the sort of band that creeps up on you.”

Goose Flies Camel Over the Hump

Camel’s first taste of success came with its 1975 album The Snow Goose, an all-instrumental work based on Paul Gallico’s children’s book. The album reached both British and American charts. Latimer commented to Melody Maker about the writing of the album: “When we’d written the piece we were really pleased, then again, it wasn’t until we’d finished the album that we realized what we’d got.” Andy Ward continued, “Snow Goose has opened up a reaction in the audience and the press that we’d been waiting for for a long time.” The band was voted Melody Maker’s Brightest Hope in that magazine’s 1975 poll, and performed at The Royal Albert Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Moonmadness, released in 1976, featured several songs inspired by the personalities of the band members, including “Chord Change” for Bardens, “Air Born” for Latimer, “Another Night” for Ferguson, and “Lunar Sea” for Ward. Toward the end of the recording sessions for that album, bassist Doug Ferguson left to form the group Head Waiter. His replacement, Richard Sinclair, was the bassist and vocalist for veteran progressive groups Caravan and Hatfield and the North. On Rain Dances, Sinclair became the distinctive vocalist Camel had lacked. A Melody Maker contributor wrote, “[Sinclair’s] vocals were a rare treat, totally unaffected by the Americanisation most rock singers turned to without question, and delivered with at one and pitch that would delight a choir master.”

In 1978 Peter Bardens left Camel, replaced by two more ex-Caravan members, Richard’s cousin David Sinclair and Jan Schelhaas, causing Camel to earn the nickname “Caramel” by the music press. The band also added former King Crimson sax and flute player Mel Collins. Before recording sessions could be held, however, Richard and David Sinclair departed.

For the Record…

Members include Peter Bardens (member c. 1971-79), organ, keyboards, vocals; Colin Bass (joined c. 1979), bass, vocals; Paul Burgess (joined c. 1984), drums; Mel Collins (member c. 1978-79), sax, flute; Doug Ferguson (member c. 1971-76), bass; Andrew Latimer, guitar, vocals; Jan Schelhaas (member c. 1978-79), keyboards; Ton Scherpenzeel (joined c. 1984), keyboards; David Sinclair (member c. 1978-79), organ, piano; Richard Sinclair (born June 6, 1948, Canterbury, Kent, England; member c. 1977-79), bass, vocals; Andy Ward (born September 28, 1952, London, England; member c. 1971-81), drums, percussion.

Formed c. 1971, in London, England; backed Philip Goodhand-Tait on album and tour, 1971; released debut album Camel on MCA, 1973; appeared at Greasy Truckers’ Party, 1973; played at Royal Albert Hall with London Symphony Orchestra, 1975; formed Camel Productions, 1991.

Addresses: Record company; —Camel Productions, P. O. Box 4786, Mountain View, CA 94040.

Camel found itself deserted by the British music press during the early eighties, as press attention shifted to punk rock. Despite sellout tours of Europe, the group’s records no longer sold well. Andrew Latimer told Melody Maker in 1980, “Sometimes it’s frustrating if you do something you think is a work of art and it gets totally ignored.” Another major setback occurred when Andy Ward left the band due to the pressures of touring and a distaste for the music industry in general, leaving Latimer as the last original member of Camel.

Latimer was pressured by the record company to record more pop-oriented material on 1982’s The Single Factor which featured members of The Alan Parsons Project. Peter Bardens makes a guest appearance on the track “Sasquatch” along with founding Genesis guitarist Anthony Philips. Following the release of Stationary Travellerin 1984, inspired by the social and physical division of Berlin, Camel took a seven-year hiatus.

Andrew Latimer relocated to California during the early nineties, and formed Camel Productions to release new and archival Camel material. Camel’s nineties output includes Dust and Dreams, inspired by John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Harbour of Tears was inspired by Latimer’s search for his family’s roots following his father’s death. In 1997 Camel completed a world tour, performing to sell-out crowds in nine countries. Latimer and Camel Productions also produce and distribute an annual newsletter which keeps Camel in the public eye.

In addition to a prolific solo career, Bardens enjoyed a brief stint down memory lane with Ward for a nostalgically titled group Mirage, performing a few select dates in 1994. Since leaving Camel in the early eighties, Ward has been involved with several other projects, including progressive rockers Marillion, Richard Sinclair’s Caravan of Dreams, and his current band, English psychedelic rockers, The Bevis Frond.

Throughout its 25-year existence, Camel has scaled the heights of fame as well as the depths of mainstream media derision, acquiring a dedicated following along the way. Through Andrew Latimer’s company, Camel Productions, Camel remains alive and well.

Selected discography

Albums

(With Philip Goodhand-Tait), I Think I’ll Write a Song, Vertigo, 1972.

Camel, MCA, 1973, reissued Camel Productions, 1992.

“God of Light Revisited Parts 1, 2, and 3” from Greasy Truckers’ Party, Greasy Truckers, 1973.

Mirage, Janus, 1974, reissued Deram, 1994.

The Snow Goose, Janus, 1975, reissued Deram, 1994.

Moonmadness, Janus, 1976, reissued London, 1992.

Rain Dances, Janus, 1977, reissued Deram, 1992.

Breathless, Arista, 1978, reissued One Way, 1994.

A Live Record, London, 1978.

I Can See Your House from Here, Arista, 1979, reissued One Way, 1994.

Nude, Passport, 1981, reissued London, 1995.

The Single Factor, Passport, 1982.

Stationary Traveler, Decca, 1984.

Compact Compilation (rec. 1973-1975), Rhino, 1985.

Pressure Points - Live in Concert, Decca, 1985.

Dust and Dreams, Camel Productions, 1991.

Never Let Go, Camel Productions, 1993.

On the Road 1972, Camel Productions, 1993.

Echoes, The Retrospective (rec. 1973-1991), Polygram, 1993.

On the Road 1982, Camel Productions, 1994.

Harbour of Tears, Camel Productions, 1996.

On the Road 1981, Camel Productions, 1997.

Related projects

(With Richard Sinclair, David Sinclair, Jan Schelhaas), Caravan, Canterbury Tales: The Best of Caravan 1969-1975, Polygram, 1994.

David Sinclair, Moon over Man (recorded 1978), Voiceprint, 1994.

(With Andy Ward and Richard Sinclair), Todd Dillingham, The Wilde Canterbury Dream, Voiceprint, 1994.

(With Andy Ward and Richard Sinclair), Caravan of Dreams, HTD, 1994.

(With Andy Ward), Adrian Shaw, Tea for the Hydra, Woronzow, 1994.

(With Andy Ward), The Bevis Frond, Sprawl, Woronzow, 1994.

(With Andy Ward), The Bevis Frond, Superseeder, Woronzow, 1995.

(With Andy Ward), Richard Sinclair, R.S.V.P., Sinclair Songs, 1996.

(With Andy Ward), Mary Lou Lord, Martian Saints (EP), Kill Rock Stars, 1997.

(With Andy Ward), The Deviants, “Memphis Psychosis” and The Bevis Frond, “Red Hair” from Ptolemaic Terrascope Terrastock Special Edition CD, Flydaddy, 1997.

Peter Bardens solo projects

The Answer, Verve, 1970.

Write My Name in Dust, Verve, 1971.

Heart to Heart, Arista, 1979.

Seen One Earth, Capitol, 1987.

Speed of Light, Capitol, 1988.

Watercolours, Miramar, 1991.

Further Than You Know, Miramar, 1993.

(With Mirage), Double Live, Voiceprint, 1994.

Big Sky, HTD, 1995.

Sources

Books

Joynson, Vernon, Tapestry of Delights: The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic, and Progressive Eras 1963-1976, Borderline Productions, 1995.

Periodicals

Melody Maker, February 3, 1973; July 6, 1974; November 23, 1974; July 12, 1975; September 13, 1975; October 25, 1975; April 10, 1976; September 24, 1977; November 12, 1977; January 19, 1980.

Online

www.tau.ac.il/~ofirz/camel/welcome.htm

www.alpes-net.fr/~bigbang/calyx.html

www.terrascope.org

—Jim Powers