History of the album "A Live Record" (1978) - Camel
Camel is a British band known for their individual art-rock style, in which melodicism prevails over vocals. The band's first live recording was the double work "A Live Record", which included the best compositions recorded during three different tours.
The first part of "Live Recording" is filled with singles that the guys recorded during several of their tours. It also contains items taken from "Mirage" and "Rain Dances": the song "Never Let Go" from Latimer's debut album of the same name, and "Song Within a Song" from "Moonmadness". They were recorded in the capital of England at a major concert venue in autumn 1977. The record also includes the Camel singles "Lunar Sea", "Skylines", "Ligging at Louis" and "Lady Fantasy: Encounter/Smiles for You/Lady Fantasy".
The second LP is no less interesting. It contains a complete concept album of the band, based on the children's play "The Snow Goose". This very work was included in the programme of the guys' tour, which took place in 1975. When listening to it, everyone can appreciate the fruits of co-operation between the rock band and the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Bedford. The recording was made in 1975 at the Royal Concert Hall in London.
The inspiration for writing "White Rider" came from the fantasy novel "The Fellowship of the Ring" by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. The success of the work gave the rock band the idea to create a whole album, the basis of which would be this outstanding literary work. Initially the tie-in was to the short story "Siddhartha" written by Hermann Hesse.
Camel even created several compositions on this theme. But after a while, a new source of inspiration appeared - the novel "Snow Goose". The band turned to the author, Paul Gallico, with a request for help in composing lyrics for the album, but the writer's reaction was extremely inadequate. He stated that he accepts only one thing called "Camel" - and that is cigarettes. As it is easy to guess, Gallico refused. And he also wasn't too lazy to file a petition with the court, asking for a ban on the use of his work for the title of a music album. For this reason, the work was renamed "Music Inspired by The Snow Goose".
Today "Snow Goose" is the best available recording of the art-rock band. In terms of sound it is not inferior to the studio variation. Only applause and applause in between the compositions speak about the fact that the work is a concert work.