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Camel - The Paris Collection

Camel - The Paris Collection
Released: 2001
Label: Camel Productions
Cat. No.: CP - 011CD
Total Time: 69:03

Reviewed by: Eric Porter, September 2002
Camel has released a half dozen (or so) live albums under the "Official Live Bootleg" moniker from Camel Productions. As a huge Camel fan, these releases are made all the more interesting by the various line-up changes the band has gone through. Each group of musicians offers something unique to these classic songs. The Paris Collection features the latest incarnation of the band: Guy LeBlanc on keyboards, Dennis Clement on drums, along with longtime bassist Colin Bass backing Andy [Latimer] during their 2000 tour. The most enjoyable offering from this set are the acoustic renditions of "Fingertips" and "Slow Yourself Down" including a bonus studio version.

Bands from Pearl Jam to Marillion, King Crimson to The Grateful Dead have all released a variety of live shows, a popular way to please devoted fans. I wish Camel the same success that these groups have had with this formula. On the down side, only one track from Rajaz; "Sahara" was included. Instead of "Lady Fantasy" how about some new stuff? Overall, the band sounds really good, and Andy's guitar screams and wails when called upon. New keyboardist Guy LeBlanc (from Nathan Mahl) is noticeable present in the mix in comparison to Foss Patterson, whose parts seemed drowned out in the Coming Of Age release. A short tour diary is included, which makes for some intersting reading about the stops along the way. Lets hope us east coasters finally have an opportunity to see the band on their next tour, until then, these bootlegs will have to fill the void.

More about The Paris Collection:

Track Listing: Ice (8:47) / Chord Change (8:52) / Fingertips (6:40) / Slow Yourself Down (4:30) / Sahara (6:51) / Mother Road (6:07) / Little Rivers And Little Rose (1:55) / Hopeless Anger (5:43) / Lady Fantasy (16:04) / Bonus Track: Slow Yourself Down (late night version) (5:34)

Musicians:
Andrew Latimer - Guitars
Guy LeBlanc - Keyboards, Vocals
Denis Clement - Drums, Percussion
Colin Bass - Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

Contact:

Website: http://www.camelproductions.com/
Note: will open new browser window

Discography

Camel (1973/2002*)
Mirage (1974/2002*)
The Snow Goose (1975/2002*)
Moonmadness (1976/2002*)
Rain Dances (1977)
A Live Record (1978/2002*)
Breathless (1978)
I Can See Your House From Here (1979)
Nude (1981)
Chameleon - The Best Of Camel (1981)
The Single Factor (1982)
Stationary Traveller (1984)
Pressure Points - Live (1984)
Compact Compilition (1986)
Landscapes (1991, compilation)
Dust And Dreams (1991)
Echoes (1993, compilation)
On The Road '72 (1993)
On The Road '82 (1994)
Never Let Go (1994, live)
Harbour Of Tears

Rajaz (1999)
Coming Of Age (1999)
The Paris Collection (2001)
A Nod And A Wink (2002)

	Camel - The Paris Collection
	Released: 2001 Label: Camel Productions Cat. No.: CP - 011CD Total Time: 69:03
	Reviewed by: Eric Porter, September 2002 Camel has released a half dozen (or so) live albums under the "Official Live Bootleg" moniker from Camel Productions. As a huge Camel fan, these releases are made all the more interesting by the various line-up changes the band has gone through. Each group of musicians offers something unique to these classic songs. The Paris Collection features the latest incarnation of the band: Guy LeBlanc on keyboards, Dennis Clement on drums, along with longtime bassist Colin Bass backing Andy [Latimer] during their 2000 tour. The most enjoyable offering from this set are the acoustic renditions of "Fingertips" and "Slow Yourself Down" including a bonus studio version. Bands from Pearl Jam to Marillion, King Crimson to The Grateful Dead have all released a variety of live shows, a popular way to please devoted fans. I wish Camel the same success that these groups have had with this formula. On the down side, only one track from Rajaz; "Sahara" was included. Instead of "Lady Fantasy" how about some new stuff? Overall, the band sounds really good, and Andy's guitar screams and wails when called upon. New keyboardist Guy LeBlanc (from Nathan Mahl) is noticeable present in the mix in comparison to Foss Patterson, whose parts seemed drowned out in the Coming Of Age release. A short tour diary is included, which makes for some intersting reading about the stops along the way. Lets hope us east coasters finally have an opportunity to see the band on their next tour, until then, these bootlegs will have to fill the void. More about The Paris Collection: Track Listing: Ice (8:47) / Chord Change (8:52) / Fingertips (6:40) / Slow Yourself Down (4:30) / Sahara (6:51) / Mother Road (6:07) / Little Rivers And Little Rose (1:55) / Hopeless Anger (5:43) / Lady Fantasy (16:04) / Bonus Track: Slow Yourself Down (late night version) (5:34) Musicians: Andrew Latimer - Guitars Guy LeBlanc - Keyboards, Vocals Denis Clement - Drums, Percussion Colin Bass - Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals Contact: Website: http://www.camelproductions.com/ Note: will open new browser window Discography Camel (1973/2002) Mirage* (1974/2002) The Snow Goose* (1975/2002) Moonmadness* (1976/2002) Rain Dances* (1977) A Live Record (1978/2002) Breathless* (1978) I Can See Your House From Here (1979) Nude (1981) Chameleon - The Best Of Camel (1981) The Single Factor (1982) Stationary Traveller (1984) Pressure Points - Live (1984) Compact Compilition (1986) Landscapes (1991, compilation) Dust And Dreams (1991) Echoes (1993, compilation) On The Road '72 (1993) On The Road '82 (1994) Never Let Go (1994, live) Harbour Of Tears Rajaz (1999) Coming Of Age (1999) The Paris Collection (2001) A Nod And A Wink (2002)