For those of you lucky enough to have seen the return of Camel last year, and the magnificent Snow Goose played in its entirety, this new release will bring back souvenirs. For those of us outside of Europe who wish we'd been there, this is welcome news.
Camel have released a live DVD title In from the Cold, chronicling their last night at The Barbican, in London. Recorded on 28 October, 2013, the DVD showcases the Snow Goose and the welcome return on the stage by Andy Latimer.
The 130 minutes DVD is available only on tour in Europe for the moment, sold at the merch desk, but once the tour is over, the DVD will be made available either through Camel Productions or through the usual outlets.
In From The Cold tracklisting:
Set One: (The Snow Goose)
1. The Great Marsh
2. Rhayader
3. Rhayader Goes to Town
4. Sanctuary (Revised)
5. Fritha
6. The Snow Goose
7. Friendship
8. Migration (Revised)
9. Rhayader Alone (Revised)
10. Flight of the Snow Goose
11. Preparation
12. Dunkirk
13. Epitaph (Revised)
14. Fritha Alone
15. La Princesse Perdue
16. The Great Marsh (Reprise)
Set Two:
1. Never Let Go
2. Song Within a Song
3. Echoes
4. The Hour Candle
5. Tell Me
6. Watching the Bobbins
7. Fox Hill
8. For Today
9. Lady Fantasy
Camel and keyboardist Guy LeBlanc have both announced on their respective websites that, due to ill health, Guy will not perform on the March 2014 tour. We already miss our friend's influence and his place within Camel will be waiting for his return.
Ton Scherpenzeel has agreed to step in as keyboardist on the tour to help Camel keep the show on the road. Ton, fans will remember, is the keyboardist and leader of prog band Kayak and also toured with Camel during the European segment of their 2003 Farewell tour.
Camel says they support Guy's leaving to seek treatment and await his return.
Guy LeBlanc, on his Facebook page, gave a bit more information concerning his illness. Here is the statement in full:
One of the greatest joys of my life was the opportunity to join Camel for the comeback/Retirement Sucks tour of 2013. The whole thing was an amazing experience; performing this music for all the wonderful people who came to all the shows. The positive emotions felt throughout transcended mere words, and the camaraderie and joviality within the band and crew still evokes smiles from my lips on a daily basis.
Since being diagnosed with an allegedly incurable renal cancer that has metastasized in my bones, I've been undergoing radiation treatment, to which it seems I've responded well. I've also been taking a drug to try shrinking the tumours (best case scenario) in order to buy me more time in this mortal coil.
I had hoped to be in a stable course of treatment so I could join my buddies again for the March tour, which is now upon us, but developments in the last couple of weeks have made it necessary for me to bow out of this tour so that I may focus on my recovery and the recommendations of my doctors.
I'm so glad that Ton has agreed to do this, and also very relieved. It saddens me deeply that I will not see my friends, but the love and support I've received gives me strength and I look forward to seeing everyone again once this hurdle is passed.
Love, Guy L.
We at the Internation Prog Rock Show, and fans around the world, wish Guy all the best and hope to see him on stage very soon.
Camel Tour 2014:
March 2: Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland
March 3: Muziekgebouw, Eindhoven, Holland
March 4: Vooruit, Gent, Belgium
March 6: Filharmonie, Filderstadt/Stuttgart, Germany
March 7: Theater Am Tanzbrunnen, Cologne, Germany
March 9: City Hall, Sheffield, UK
March 10: Town Hall, Birmingham, UK
March 11: Corn Exchange, Cambridge, UK
March 13: Parr Hall, Warrington, UK
March 16: aula Magna, Lisbon, Portugal
March 17: Teatro Nuevo Apolo, Madrid, Spain
March 18: Barts Theater, Barcelona, Spain
March 20: Hiroshima, Turin, Italy
March 21: Teatro Comunale, Vicenza, Italy
Updated date and cover:
Yes, your read the title correctly. Andy Latimer and friends have lovingly re-recorded The Snow Goose in anticipation of the nearly sold-out 2014 European Tour. It is faithful to the original, with tasty arrangements and enhancements for stage presentation. The newly recorded Snow Goose has an anticipated release date of October 5th 2013 November 15th 2013.
This was all done under wraps, with news only coming out today since the forthcoming issue of Prog Magazine has Camel as a cover story.
As for the shows, only the Mannheim and Fulda shows in Germany aren't yet sold-out.
Also, this coming Sunday, Andy and Denis will be guests on BBC Radio 6 with Cerys Matthews, so tune in at 10 AM GMT. We may get to hear some of the re-recordings.
