New Journeys with Andrew Latimer – Stationary Travels
As even the most casual readers of the site are no doubt aware, the abiding appreciation for atmospheric instrumental music behind this blog and even its very name takes much of its inspiration from the work of the legendary progressive rock band Camel and its guitarist Andrew Latimer. While the band is still very much a going concern, outside of a 2013 rework of their landmark album The Snow Goose (1973), it has been quite some time since new songs have been released. That makes the recent announcement of a Latimer’s Bandcamp page and a series of new digital singles quite special indeed. In this post, we survey some of the treats and highlights to be found there.
“Seeking Refuge”
Inspired by the last known recording of the now extinct Kauaʻi ʻōʻō bird, this song was the first release on Latimer’s new page. Starting off in a mood redolent of such tender instrumentals from Camel’s catalog such as “Selva” or “Reflections”, the piece shifts into a bluesy section juxtaposed with exotic motifs not unlike the journey the band took with the Rajaz album (1999).
“Second Chance”
Andy’s notes on this superb track indicate that it was originally written for the touching 1996 concept album Harbor of Tears. That alone makes it like found treasure for longtime Camel fans but the pièce de résistance here is a sumptuous, heartfelt extended guitar solo which is a worthy addition to the pantheon of gems he has turned out over the years.
“In the Dark”
A key band member in recent touring iterations of the band, multi-instrumentalist Pete Jones wrote the lyrics for this song the music for which Latimer shared with him while Jones was working on a project about coal mining. The track has a real cinematic bent to it as well as tasty guitar textures all of which sets the stage for an exhilarating sax solo performed by Jones. Listeners who enjoy this might want to visit Camel’s official YouTube channel where videos of some the band’s recent live performances can be found featuring Latimer and Jones along with Colin Bass (bass, keyboards, guitar, vocals) and Denis Clement (drums, percussion).
“Drafted”
An especially unexpected treat is a new rendition of “Drafted” which first appeared on the concept album Nude (1981) which was based on the true story of a Japanese soldier marooned on island for years after the end of WWII without knowing the war had ended. In its original form, it is a poignant song sung from the perspective of a reluctant young man coming to terms with a sense of duty to heed his country’s call to war and is driven home in a gorgeous Latimer guitar solo. This version feels like a mournful reprise with Andy’s weathered vocals and the lead instrument in the form of cello performed by Barry Phillips serving well the song’s haunting refrain penned by lyricist Susan Hoover – “I won’t forget the memory, taking a life for a life to be free”.
Links: Bandcamp Page | Official Website (Camel Productions)
