I Can See Your House From Here
1979

Andy Latimer: Guitars, Flute, Autoharp, Vocals, Backing Vocals
Andy Ward: Drums, Massed Marching Military Snares, Drum Loop, Percussion
Jan Schelhaas: Yamaha C.S.80, Prophet Five, Yamaha Electric Grand Piano, Mini Moog, Grand Piano, Solina, EMS Sequencer
Kit Watkins: Hammond C.3, Solina, Yamaha Electric Grand Piano, Rhodes Piano, Mini Moog, Clavinet, Flute, Yamaha C.S.80, Grand Piano
Colin Bass: Bass, Vocals, Wal Fretless Bass, Backing Vocals.
guest appearances:
Mel Collins: Alto Sax on Your Love is Stranger than Mine
Phil Collins: Percussion

Camel's sound stepping into the 80's with the notable production of Rupert Hine and keyboard work by virtuoso Kit Watkins. Some pop songs, some classic orchestration, some very good instrumentals, some less... But definitely Ice is the peak of this album; voted as the band's most favourite track, Ice is an emotional, impressive progressive piece, of over 10 minutes long.

* Some ideas about the album's name and cover suggest it is based on a rather irreverent joke (which, if you really want, you can read on the Humour section). Further dwelling into the subject leads to think that the cover is a reference to the then-recently departure of Peter Bardens. The crucified astronaut could be a reference to Peter's penchant for spacey sounding keyboards and themes. Taken a bit further, it could be that the cover art and title of Peter Bardens' Seen One Earth (from 1987) is a reply of sorts to the I Can See... joke. Although quite interesting, this is totally incorrect... CP informs the members simply liked the vulgar joke, and wanted to give Camel a bit funnier aspect than the serious 'musician' status. (The idea was submitted by Jeff Gebhardt. Jeff, you were wrong, sorry.)
* Andy Latimer: "I can see... was meant to be called 'Endangered Species'. I was out voted [sic] by the rest of the band [...] who wanted to be humorous."
* ...And yet several people felt offended by the joke, record shops refused posters and magazines refused ads.
* Jan Schelhaas (he's from exotic Liverpool) played with Caravan, just like Richard Sinclair. When he joined Caravan in 1976, he replaced their keyboard player Dave Sinclair, Richard's cousin. Both Dave Sinclair and Schelhaas played with Camel on their Breathless tour.
* Note: A two keyboards-players band. Latimer: "I suddenly thought using two keyboards players would be a great deal because we'd be able to do many more adventurous things..."
* Eye of the Storm also appeared on Kit Watkins' band Happy the Man's third album, Better Late.
* Neon Magic lyrics were written by Viv McAuliffe, Wait lyrics were written by John McBurnie.
* Phil Collins probably played little riffs somewhere, I detect some typical riffs on Hymn to Her
* Ice was recorded live in the studio at The Farmyard in Little Chalfont, Berkshire. Latimer wanted to redo the track because of the slightly flat guitar note in the beginning of the solo. The rest of the band, along with producer Rupert Hine and Phil Collins urged him to keep the track as is.
* Listen closely to the end of Neon Magic and you'll hear a circus-organ playing a short excerpt from Rhayader.

Deram CD version includes notes by John Tracy.
LP: Decca TXS-R 137, Arista 4254, London L20P 1048, Gama 211030, Released in mid-October 1979
CD: Deram 820 614-2, One Way Records OW 29131.
Approx Time: Total Playing Time: 44:29
I Can See Your House From Here reached number 45 in the UK charts


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