No Easy Answer | |
You Are the One | |
Heroes | |
Selva | |
Lullabye | |
Sasquatch | |
Manic | |
Camelogue | |
Today's Goodbye | |
A Heart's Desire | |
End Peace |
Andy Latimer: | Guitars, Piano, Vocals, Keyboards, Organ, Mellotron, Bass |
David Paton: | Bass, Fretless Bass, Vocals |
Graham Jarvis: | Drums |
Duncan Mackay: | Prophet Synth |
Chris Rainbow: | Backing Vocals, Lead on A Heart's Desire and End Piece |
Francis Monkman: | Harpsichord-Synclavier |
Anthony Phillips: | Grand Piano, Organ, Classical and 12 Strings Guitar, Poly Moog, ARP 2600, Marimba |
Pete Bardens: | Organ, Mini Moog on Sasquatch |
Hydne Bendall: | Yamaha CS-80 |
Tristian Fry: | Glockenspeil |
Jack Emblow: | Accordion |
1982 found Camel with no direction but with many talented musicians. The album has it moments, but some people dislike it. Some claim
it resembles Alan Parsons Project. (No wonder: same people on both groups:
Chris Rainbow, David Paton). Many pop songs, and one
interesting instrumental Sasquatch.
The front and back cover (not available on the CD)
are slightly different, but same idea - a distorted picture of Andrew Latimer's face.
The LP inner sleeve includes lyrics, and
lots of photos of the band and other people involved, Some LP pressings have no inner notes/lyrics.
The Single Factor was once released on CD, with a B/W photo on the
booklet instead of blue/white. A new DERAM CD is available by now.
Some lyrics were written by Susan Hoover. | |
Note the guest appearance of Peter Bardens on Sasquatch, a song about Andy Latimer's feet (according to the Total Pressure video). There is also a small picture of two feet and shoes in the inner jacket, entitled "Sasquatch". Susan explains: "Sasquatch is the American Indian name for Big Foot. Andrew has big feet." | |
This is the first album without Andy Ward, which leaves us with only Andy Latimer from the original Camel lineup. A note on the lyrics sheet claims that "Ward does not appear on this album following a serious injury to his hand." | |
The album's title may give us a hint about what Camel were aiming at the time. Or it may be read as a sign of complaint that releasing singles is an important factor, and so we've got this album coming out. | |
In an interview, Andy admitted that at the time of working on the album the band was at a very critical stage of it's existence, apparently they were all under great stress, perhaps from the record company. Andrew: "The Single Factor [...] basically came about by accident. That album was a bit directionless in a way. It suffered considerably as a result of Andy's leaving." | |
Fry and Monkman, as well as Herbie Flowers who appeared on Nude were members of Sky during 1981 - 1982. Both Camel and Sky were produced and engineered by Tony Clark and Haydn Bendall in those years. This could be the background for their guest appearances. | |
Anthony Phillips is from the very early incarnation of Genesis, who later released several progressive-oriented albums. |
Deram CD version includes notes by John Tracy. | |
Passport PB 6013, Decca SKL 5328. Released on May 6th. | |
Passport PBC 6013 | |
Passport 38342 | |
Total Playing Time: 38:16 |