Camel
1973

Slow Yourself Down
Mystic Queen
Six Ate
Separation
Never Let Go
Curiosity
Arubaluba

Andy Ward: Drums and Percussion

Doug Ferguson: Bass and Vocals on tracks 2,6

Peter Bardens: Organ, Mellotron, Piano, VCS3 Synthesizer and Vocals on track 5

Andy Latimer: Guitar and Vocals on track 1,4

Camel's debut album can be considered among their finest. Very similar in sound textures and production to their second release, it features some jazz-rock improvisation tracks, along with simple (yet grooving) rock songs. Peter Bardens' fantastic Organ improvisations are heavily featured here, although Latimer's guitar solos feel held back a little
The Record's original back cover has a black & yellow picture of the band
The album was once available on LP by MCA records, and was reissued by Camel Productions on CD. The CD has a lyrics sheet and pictures of the group.

Note: A remastered edition of Camel has been released in 2002 by MCA/Universal. This edition contains additional 23 minutes in two bonus tracks: Never Let Go (Single version) and Homage to the God of Light (live at the Marquee Club, 29th October 1974). Read a comparitive review of the two releases.

Camel sold about 5000 copies in it's first year.

Camel never got the success it should have had, and it became somewhat a collector's item only years later.

Camel toured this album, supporting Barcley James Harvest.

Eddie (no last name) played Congas on Slow Yourself Down. This "Eddie" was a mate of Peter Bardens'. Peter never knew his second name. (Thanks Susan!)

The CD release does not include the song credits: 3,4,5 by Latimer, 2,6,7 by Bardens, and 1 by Ward/Latimer.

Andy said to a fan that the photos of the group members were taken at Andy Ward's flat.

Rami Zakh suggested that the obscure Six Ate title refer's to the song's time signature, which is mostly 6/8. Susan Hoover Approves that it's true.

Dave Williams, the album's producer, urged the band to find a real singer. The idea was finally dropped after the band auditioned a singer who started dancing on stage while the other were gigging through instrumental improvisations.

The album's recording started in August 15th and lasted 12 days. Andy Latimer summarized the album's recording as "a bloody nightmare".

MCA 250 634-1, MCA MUPS 473, MCA 2665, MCA 201 350. Released in February 1973

CP-002CD, Deram 8829252

Total Playing Time: 40:22

Skylines - Camel Web Page - created by Ofir Zwebner

Andy Ward:	Drums and Percussion
Doug Ferguson:	Bass and Vocals on tracks 2,6
Peter Bardens:	Organ, Mellotron, Piano, VCS3 Synthesizer and Vocals on track 5
Andy Latimer:	Guitar and Vocals on track 1,4

	Camel sold about 5000 copies in it's first year.
	Camel never got the success it should have had, and it became somewhat a collector's item only years later.
	Camel toured this album, supporting Barcley James Harvest.
	Eddie (no last name) played Congas on Slow Yourself Down. This "Eddie" was a mate of Peter Bardens'. Peter never knew his second name. (Thanks Susan!)
	The CD release does not include the song credits: 3,4,5 by Latimer, 2,6,7 by Bardens, and 1 by Ward/Latimer.
	Andy said to a fan that the photos of the group members were taken at Andy Ward's flat.
	Rami Zakh suggested that the obscure Six Ate title refer's to the song's time signature, which is mostly 6/8. Susan Hoover Approves that it's true.
	Dave Williams, the album's producer, urged the band to find a real singer. The idea was finally dropped after the band auditioned a singer who started dancing on stage while the other were gigging through instrumental improvisations.
	The album's recording started in August 15th and lasted 12 days. Andy Latimer summarized the album's recording as "a bloody nightmare".

	MCA 250 634-1, MCA MUPS 473, MCA 2665, MCA 201 350. Released in February 1973
	CP-002CD, Deram 8829252
	Total Playing Time: 40:22

Camel1973

Camel
1973