Customer Reviews
Very Disappointing - By: R. W., 15 Nov 2008 
Haven falling deeplyin love with several bands that claim to be influenced by Camel (Pendragon, Arena, Knight Area etc...) I thought I'd go back to the source.
Sorry. Not my cup of tea.
It probably all seemed very clever & arty at the time, but this album might as well be inspired by reminiscences of a tea party as Snow Gooses.
It's just all so polite & nicey nicey & oh so Eengleesh. It sounds like the soundtrack to a 70's BBC educational kids TV show. Come to think of it it probably was used for one.
Prog at the time needed a good kick up the pants to survive, via punk, which thankfully it got & it has.
For Prog Archeologists only.
I've probably offended the god of prog now. Sorry.
All that said, really like Rajaz by Camel.
Perfect instrumental progressive rock! - By: alextorres, 04 Aug 2008 
It's funny that when you love & know a certain piece of music so well you don't often play it. Such is the case with Camel's "Snow Goose", which I had on LP many years ago (!) but which I only recently added to my CD collection.
I'm glad I did. The sound quality on this remastered CD is first-class & the music sounds as beautiful as ever. All instrumental of course, apart from some superb vocalisations on a couple of the sections. This was a seminal album: Camel were on top form & allowed the music to speak for itself. It's not played at a fast tempo, allowing the listener to become drawn by the sumptuous, ever-changing melodic lines, the wonderfuly chosen keyboard sounds, the wistful flute & languid guitar lines. Those are the items that "glitter"in this aural soundscape, which is a shame because the rhythm section's playing is just as strong.
There are quite a few bonus tracks on here. For me, they detract from the overall feel of the album, which is perfect. I have heard many of these sections before on some other Camel collections and, whilst of interest, they really do not compare to the experience of the album listened toin its entirety.
Beautiful. - By: Stargazer, 17 Jul 2008 This was the first album by Camel that I purchased, & it's an album that I enjoy very much. As it's a concept album & instrumental only I'd assumed that this was what Camel were all about until I discovered some of their other albums, then that misapprehension was put right. This is full of superbly wonderful melodies & is great music to chill out & relax to. It's not bombastic or too loud but instead I find it rather soothing & tranquil. Full marks to Camel for this effort, which even today, puts so many other bandsin the shade.
TIME TO CHILL!!! - By: Stotty, 09 Mar 2007 The Snow Goose was Camel's first real crack at attempting the dreaded concept album. It seems that you can't call yourself a bona fide prog rock outfit until you've churned out a conceptual epic.
To be fair to Camel, there's nothing pretentious about The Snow Goose. It isn't a double album which loses the listeners interest after the first 3 tracks, nor is it a tale from a topographic ocean. It's a concept based around Paul Gallico's novel of the same name.
It has to be said that some of the musical themes & melodies here are very memorable indeed. 'Rhayader Goes To Town', 'The Snow Goose', 'Flight Of The Snow Goose' & 'La Princesse Perdue' contain great hooks that reappear throughout the album & linger longin the memory. It's also worth noting that the quality of the playing on this album is excellent.
Having said all that 'The Snow Goose' does suffer from a lack of vocals & lyrics, that might have made the whole concept/story of the album worth following. As the album is purely instrumental, it's fair to say that the band could have called the album just about anything & got away with it. I also feel that the production isn't the best. The keyboards & guitar shine well enough, but there isn't enough beefin the rythmn section to give it a real edge.
Allin all then, a brave effort by Camel to make a concept album with a difference, but to these ears at least, not the masterpiece some people think it is. For me 'The Snow Goose' is at it's best as a chill out record, & not a good old slice of swirling prog.
A Forgotten Classic... - By: DSR, 05 Aug 2006 It's great writing reviews for music like this. Looking at the "purchasers of this also bought..." section sets me off on a tangent to dig forgotten treasures out of my collection...
I first heard Camel with the excellent "Mirage" & went to see them live when they were touring this album (and on other occasions).
Camel created some lovely soundscapes, some heavy, others quiet & melodic. This release is the first to truly bring it all together with no vocals this time.
The production is very good, if a little "bass light" by modern standards (listen on a pair of very large, decent speakers & all is then ok...). I understand the CD transfer WAS from the original masters that Decca had. The music, I suppose, is very much of its time, but is highly enjoyable nonetheless. I've just looked at some of the Gentle Giant discs on here & the sound samples presented from this band seem really dated, if very well played....
If you remember Camel with great affection as I do (I lost touch with their workin the late eighties), then I urge you to buy this disc & forget the cares of the world for three quarters of an hour or so.
Great music from a great band...
P.S. A real shame about the death of Pete Bardens, as he & Andy Latimer worked really well together...
