The Snow Goose - CAMEL***

The Great Marsh/Rhayader/Rhayader Goes To Town/Sanctuary/Fritha/The Snow Goose/ Friendship/ Migration/ Rhyader Alone/Flight Of The Snow Goose/Preparation/Dunkirk/Epitaph/Fritha Alone/La Princesse Perdu/The Great Marsh

The Snow Goose was the album that delivered the commercial recognition for the British progressive band Camel. An extended instrumental piece, it was inspired by the Paul Gallico novella of the same name. (US:162 UK: 22)

“One of the most impressive prog concept albums of all times, Camel's third album remains a beacon shading its light up to the desolated shores of today's music. Brilliantly composed, orchestrated and performed, this subtle music symbolizes everything that was the great musical eruption of the early 1970s.”

“A beautiful prog record, vocal-free and telling the tale of the Snow Goose. A masterpiece of the style, a band underrated and often overlooked, and this is one of their best, even without the vocals. Greatness from start to finish, with the title track and Rhayader among the best on hand.”

“This is a gorgeous album but it fell slightly short of captivating me. As an atmospheric instrumental experience, it is very successful, exploring much territory and maintaining a consistent quality without getting stuck in a single place for too long. The instruments are all played nearly flawlessly and render vocals completely unnecessary as they conjure up sweeping images and soundscapes. There are great melodies and often the musicianship seems sublime and effortless. Nonetheless I find myself feeling a little unsatisfied at times, like the promised climaxes are not quite realised or the soundscapes, while sweeping, lack true grandeur, or the music simply works better as a passive rather than active listen.”

“Snow Goose is Camel's crowning achievement. It is a rolling, flowing, majestic suite of tightly integrated instrumental passages which create an amazingly cohesive and satisfying whole.”

“The Snow Goose is an essential experience, evocative and emotional, ambitious in its concept and execution, but accessible as well. The band manage to sustain an entirely instrumental album by filling it with brief, memorable pieces, carried by their always measured performances. While most of the album is devoted to the familiar Camel sound, they are joined in places by a small woodwinds group, expanding the scope of the music.”