Camel - A Nod And A Wink


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Camel Productions
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 55:42:00

A Nod And A Wink celebrates 30 years of Camel music. The bands highly melodic symphonic style is in vast abundance here. As the title track opens, longtime fans will rejoice at the sound of Andy on the flute. An element that is too often absent in the bands music. Andy also seems to have found a friend in the acoustic guitar, as it is used throughout the recording. New keyboardist Guy LeBlanc is the perfect mate for Andy's smooth guitar licks. With the two often playing in unison, the band seems to gel together on their first studio effort.

In words and music Andy seems to be in a reflective mood. Songs like "For Today", "A Boys Life" and the short "Miller's Tale" just ooze with feeling. The music changes gears and offers plenty of instrumental sections, yet for the most part it stays in mellow, laid back territory. The mood is not all somber, as the title track immediately signals the listeners to strap themselves in as Latimer and LeBlanc dole out some enticing lead work. The whimsical lyrics of "Fox Hill" are quite different than those of the other songs, and musically is rather bouncy and upbeat. Another excellent instrumental from the band, "Squigely Fair" is a launching pad for Andy's guitar, firing up another terrific melody.

If the albums title was to suggest that the music was a reflection of the bands past work, then I say they hit the mark. Camel has continued to put out consistently excellent music, and I have yet to be disappointed. With the ever-changing line-up, it is good to see Colin Bass still in the fold. Let's hope LeBlanc and drummer Dennis Clement decide to stick around, as both seem to fit perfectly. Cherio!


Tracklisting:
A Nod and a Wink (11:16) / Simple Pleasures (5:31) / A Boy's Life (7:20) / Fox Hill (9:19) / The Miller's Tale / (3:34) / Squigely Fair (8:02) / For Today (10:40)

Musicians:
Andy Latimer - guitars, flute, keyboards, vocals
Guy LeBlanc - keyboards, backing vocals
Colin Bass - bass, backing vocals
Denis Clement - drums
Terry Carleton - drums (2, 6), percussion, backing vocals
JR Johnston - backing vocals

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 (1996)
Camel (25th Anniversary Compilation) (1997)
Rajaz (1999)
Coming Of Age (1999)
The Paris Collection (2001)
Lunar Sea - An Anthology 1973-1985 (2001)
A Nod And A Wink (2002)
Rainbow's End - A Camel Anthology 1973-1985 (2010)
The Snow Goose (re-recorded) (2013)

Pressure Points - Live In Concert (DVD) (1984)
Coming Of Age (DVD) (1998)
Curriculum Vitae (DVD) (2003)
Camel Footage (DVD) (2004)
Camel Footage II (DVD) (2005)
Total Pressure - Live In Concert (DVD) (2007)
Moondances (DVD) (2007)
The Opening Farewell - Live At The Catalyst (DVD) (2010)
In From The Cold (DVD) (2014)
Ichigo Ichie - Live In Japan 2016 (DVD) (2017)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: November 17th 2002
Reviewer: Eric Porter

Artist website: www.camelproductions.com
Hits: 2617
Language: english

  

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