Camel

Although not particularly well-known outside the UK, progressive rock band Camel are highly respected in prog-rock circles. Based around the keyboard skills of Peter Bardens and Andrew Latimer’s fluid guitar (plus vocals and flute) Camel generated an enthusiastic following via their early seventies live shows when extended instrumental pieces were the order of the day. Their albums could be described as symphonic progressive rock, though that doesn’t mean it is all extended suites and side-long concepts. Camel’s music is well structured, focussed, and there are fine songs scattered across the albums.

With the release of the melodic instrumental LP The Snow Goose (1975), Camel’s popularity expanded. After two further highly regarded albums (Moonmadness and Raindances), Pete Bardens departed (he died in 2002). Andrew Latimer continued to record and tour (taking some breaks along the way) with the post-70s music being more concise and song-based. Latimer’s long-time musical partner in Camel has been Colin Bass, accompanied by a vast array of other musicians.