A Compact Compilation

Artist: Camel
Label: Rhino / Wea
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 081227590024
EAN: 0081227590024
ASIN: B000003498

Release Date: 1990-10-25

A Compact Compilation

Related Categories:

Britain

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock

| Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock

| Pop | Styles | Music

Rhino Records

| Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Freefall
Lady Fantasy: Encounter/Smiles For You/Lady Fantasy
The Great Marsh
Rhyander
Rhyander Goes To Town
The Snow Goose
Flight Of The Snow Goose
Dunkirk
Song Within A Song
Lunar Sea
First Light
Metrognome
Rain Dances

Customer Reviews:

Initial reactions/ thoughts...........2006-10-01

Being a big fan of progressive/fusion type music, I decided to give Camel a listen after reading many positive reviews on several of their albums. Not being able to decide on any one of their releases to "get me started" with the band, I decided on this compilation after finding a copy through Amazon (it appeared to have the best tracks from their 4 most known albums). Well, right from the first track I was "floored" with what I was hearing----great musicians, nice interplay, cool sounding "prog" passages and odd meters......then I heard something less than appealing on this very same track.....some of the most hideous vocals these ears have stumbled across! I know that I have just set myself up for getting many "not helpful" votes from purists of this band, but from my understanding, this is somewhat of an "open forum" here at Amazon. I will say that whoever is singing on just a few of the songs (thank goodness) here on this compilation is not a terrible singer....just very dull and monotone.....enough so that it immediately took the wind out of my sails on a purchase that up until the vocals, I was getting the "warm and fuzzies" on. This is definitely progressive music of high caliber that I would certainly turn some of my friends onto.....if it weren't for these small vocal passages.....they literally made me cringe, and would be quite embarassing playing for other people. Now, in my defense, you will notice that I still gave this release 4 stars.....the music is worth at least that alone. Songs such as "dunkirk", "Lunar Sea", and most of the material from "Snowgoose" ranks right up there with the "big hitters" of progressive music....though they fall short of greats such as "Firth of Fifth", "Heart of the Sunrise" and "Thick as a Brick" just to name a few. I will continue to listen to this compilation and may even explore some more of the bands material....more than likely "The Snowgoose", which I understand contains ALL instrumentals-----maybe just the ticket I'm looking for! In conclusion I would recommend this "tasty" band to someone looking for "different" music....just be prepared for said vocal parts....after all it was made in the 70s when there was certainly weird and wacky sounds abound. Jeff

Good intro, poor sound quality.......2005-05-04

In terms of the selections of songs you find on this CD, it does a fine job of covering Camel's best albums (IMO). It will give you a taste of their spin on progressive rock, which is light, dreamy, jazzy, and (especially on Snow Goose) at times so whimsical as to be a delight for children.

This particular CD came out very early in the life of CD as a media (1985), and they did little more than digitize the masters, probably with 12-bit sampling. That leaves the music muffled and without dynamic range, so it sounds a bit dead.

Happily, the original albums were remastered and greatly improved by it. They are much brighter and have the appropriate dynamic range and color. I was inspired to find them after listening to this CD, which has sat on my shelf a number of years since I heard it last, and I'm glad I did.

Since you can get the remastered CDs used at very reasonable prices, I suggest you introduce yourself to Camel by getting either Snow Goose or Moonmadness, or both. Different albums to be sure, but in the prime of this band lineup. I also got Rain Dances, but didn't bother with the remastered Mirage (which didn't grab me when it was new either). [Caveat: my subjective taste, no intent to offend those who love Mirage or other albums.]

The downside of getting this compilation is that you might miss out on many other fine songs which, though they may not be the very best that is found here, are worth hearing, especially as a part of the sequence of the original concept albums, and you won't be hearing the dynamic of the music as it was on vinyl or as it is now in remastered CD form.

I don't disagree with the comments made by other reviewers (dated sound; corny vocals), yet I still like this music a lot.

Interested in Camel? Do NOT start here.......2002-08-06

I bought this compilation several years ago. I though, oh this is marginally interesting, but rather bland and flat... Turned me off of Camel for many years. But thanks to a good friend who was quite convinced that Camel was awesome, I was introduced to the remastered version of The Snow Goose. Light years different! So much color and depth are LOST on this compilation.

So you want to know more about Camel??? Start with a remaster of one of their classics. This compilation is a very POOR introduction.

A kinder, gentler prog.......2002-01-23

I bought this for the intrumentals. I listen to it for the instrumentals. I'd put it in the category of "gentle prog"... or prog lite. Very listenable. However...
The vocals (both the singing and vocal phrasing) are painfully corny. I can imagine Barney and those little kids singing along. I'd bet you'll agree with me if you're taste runs along early Genesis, Gentle Giant, Yes, Crimson, etc.
But, it was a good purchase. From this comp you can pick out what albums you might like. Snow Goose is good. Check that one out.

Music Album:

Music Album

Music Album

Music CD

Soul Twist and Other Golden Classics ~ King Curtis

Holy Wars ~ Tuxedomoon

Young Jug ~ Gene Ammons

G'tar Island

Fine Arabian Stuff ~ Fats Waller

Best of Scottish Pipes & Drums ~ Dan Air Scottish Pipe Band

Orange Fiction ~ Tomovsky

Movin' on Up! ~ Keith Frank

Rituais ~ Sacra Anima

Essous ~ Grand Kalle & L'african Team