Camel - Mirage (1974) - Lp

Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in 1971. Led by founding member Andrew Latimer.
Andrew Latimer (guitar), Andy Ward (drums) and Doug Ferguson (bass) had been playing as a trio called The Brew around the Guildford, Surrey area of England.
On 20 February 1971, they auditioned to be the back-up band to singer/songwriter Phillip Goodhand-Tait and released an album with him in August 1971 titled I Think I'll Write a Song on DJM Records. This would be their first and last album with Goodhand-Tait.
They recruited Peter Bardens (keyboards) and after an initial gig to fulfill a Bardens commitment on 8 October 1971 in Belfast, Northern Ireland under the name of 'Peter Bardens' On', they changed their name to Camel. Their first gig was at Waltham Forest Technical College, London supporting Wishbone Ash on 4 December 1971.

In August 1972 Camel signed with MCA Records and their eponymous debut album Camel (1973) was released six months later. The record was not a success and the band moved to the Deram Records division of Decca Records (UK).
In 1974 they released their second album; the critically acclaimed Mirage, on which Latimer showed he was also adept on flute. Although failing to chart at home, it gained success on the U.S. west coast, prompting a three-month tour there.

Mirage was released on March 1, 1974. It features some of their best-known songs, including "White Rider" and "Lady Fantasy". It is also a showcase for Andrew Latimer's flute, notably on "Supertwister".
There are five tracks on Mirage, two over 9 minutes. Those two are multi-part songs: "Lady Fantasy" and "Nimrodel/The Procession/The White Rider", the latter being about The Lord of the Rings.



The album was released on Gama Records/Deram Records.

The album was voted no. 51 in the Top 100 Prog albums of All Time by readers of Prog magazine in 2014.


Side A
A1.  Freefall  (5:55)
A2.  Supertwister  (3:20)
A3.  Nimrodel / The Procession / The White Rider  (9:18)

Side B
B1.  Earthrise  (6:50)
B2.  Lady Fantasy  (12:59)
       (a) Encounter
       (b) Smiles For You
       (c) Lady Fantasy

Camel

• Andrew Latimer – guitars, flute; vocals on "Nimrodel/The Procession/The White Rider" and "Lady Fantasy"
• Peter Bardens – organ, piano, Minimoog, Mellotron, Fender electric piano, Hohner Clavinet, Celesta; vocals on "Freefall" and "Lady Fantasy"
• Doug Ferguson – bass, vocals on "Lady Fantasy"
• Andy Ward – drums, percussion

Production

• Produced by David Hitchcock
• Engineered by Howard Kilgour and Bill Price

Notes

Released: 1 March 1974 

Recorded: November 1973, Studio Island Studios, London, Decca Studios, London

Genre: Progressive rock 

Length: 38:22 

Label: Deram Records

Catalog# SML 1107

Price: €10,00

Vinyl: Goed

Hoes: Goed

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