Record Reviews

CAMEL ~ I CAN SEE YOUR HOUSE FROM HERE (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2158 (Barcode: 5013929725829) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1979 Released: 2009 8th album by British Prog legends CamelFind albums by this artist, which marks a transition period in the band´s history, which followed a five years of personnel stability and incredibly productive output, as documented by their albums released during that period. Following the departure of founding member / keyboardist Peter BardensFind albums by this artist soon after recording this album´s predecessor – "BreathlessFind albums with this title" – the remaining two founding members: guitarist Andy LatimerFind albums by this artist and drummer Andy WardFind albums by this artist recruited three new members to complete the new lineup: bass player Colin BassFind albums by this artist (Steve HillageFind albums by this artist), keyboardist Jan SchelhaasFind albums by this artist (CaravanFind albums by this artist) and American keyboardist Kit WatkinsFind albums by this artist (Happy The ManFind albums by this artist). The new quintet lineup recorded this album, with a guest appearance by Phil CollinsFind albums by this artist (GenesisFind albums by this artist) on one track. As to the music included on the album; although more consistent and ambitious than it´s predecessor, at the time of its release it was considered both by the band´s fans and critics as disappointing and way too "commercial" in comparison to the band´s earlier efforts. In retrospect, although different indeed, it still preserves an incredibly high musical standard and integrity, both on the compositional and performance level, and suggests that it was rather the fans, who disliked change, then the band, which propagated change, which caused the fracture. There is no doubt that this album belongs to the proud heritage of music left to us by one of the best British Prog bands in the genre´s history. Recommended!

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CARAVAN ~ IT`S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS MADFISH 636551821223 (Barcode: 636551821223) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 British Canterbury / Progressive Rock heroes CaravanFind albums by this artist are back with a new album, eight years after their last studio recording and well over fifty years since they started their journey in 1968. With vocalist Pye HastingsFind albums by this artist as the only original band member, the lineup includes violist / guitarist Geoffrey RichardsonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jan SchelhaasFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark WalkerFind albums by this artist. Two guests support them on this album: bassist Lee PomeroyFind albums by this artist and flautist Jimmy HastingsFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, nine songs and one instrumental, nine of which are written by Pye Hastings and one by Richardson. Obviously the music does not strike the same ecstatic reaction as that achieved while listening to the early albums by the group, but not because the music is less exciting. Simply we have all moved on and half a Century later we have a different perspective on everything, not only music. To be honest the music is quite faithful to the Canterbury spirit and mood, perhaps somewhat less ambitious but still offering great melody lines and fine instrumental support, and Hasting’s vocals sound fine to me, in contrast to the many critical reviews published about this album. It is completely naïve, if not simply stupid, to expect anything else from a group in their sixth decade of activity and at least they manage to reproduce the spirit of the early days without being completely derivative or pathetic. This album is a nice piece of music which stirs warm memories without being blindly sentimental. Definitely well done, lads! Overall, this is a nice effort by Prog veterans Caravan, re-visiting old memories and sentiments, and being completely professional and heartfelt. For Prog / Canterbury fans, who loved that music once, this is pleasant trip down the memory lane. If one does not have false expectations, one does not get disappointed!

Updated: 29/03/2024Posted: 29/03/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend