"It has been a long and frustrating search, but we were finally successful in tracking down a visual recording of Camel performing in 1976. It has been bootlegged mercilessly over the years. We had managed to get a copy on VHS back in 1993, but the recording was so poor, you couldn't recognise the band members. If you didn't know the music intimately, you wouldn't know it was Camel. It was touted as having been filmed in Spain but, in actual fact, it was recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon on 14th April 1976. The original line up of Andrew, Andy Ward and Doug Ferguson, with the late Peter Bardens, were on tour with their new release, Moonmadness. It's a rather dark recording, with the original audio, but an excellent performance. It's a wonder that the record company still had any form of it in the archives and, while it still has its gremlins, it's a fabulous piece of history.
We decided to combine this short performance with the complete 1977 BBC recording at the Hippodrome during the Raindances tour. Originally, we were only able to get permission to release specific time frames of this show, as licenses are charged per minute of usage. Now, through the generosity of the BBC, we were granted a special license to release all of the show. Together, they make a nice window to the past.
A very special bonus is that we have included two audio recordings Decca Records (and the band, for that matter) had virtually forgotten about. Long ago, in a faraway galaxy known as Someplace in London, Andrew, Andy, Doug and Peter recorded two songs titled Autumn and Riverman. They weren't considered quite good enough for an album, but what makes these recordings so special to my ears is that they are the zygotes of what would become Camel's signature. They are hindsight in perfection, allowing us to look back to where so many songs originated, a bit like the river's source. I think they also have a certain innocence about them, too. We couldn't see them being released on a Camel album of today as they are too juxtaposed, both in structure and sound. I personally felt they were too unique to be included in that way, and needed something special. When our video producer, David Minasian, suggested we put them on the DVD as an audio bonus, we knew we'd found their place. Dave included an excellent slide show of still images to accompany the music. Dave also came up with the title for this DVD, which we think is perfect: Moondances. We are anticipating a late October release."
And here the news goes to Andrew's health situation ....
"And so to our personal news. As you know from our previous newsletter, Andrew has been dealing with health issues for some time. His diagnosis of Polycythemia Vera has now turned into Myelofibrosis, a change we had expected. In our last letter, I explained our understanding that MF isn't necessarily a fast-moving disorder for most patients. Unfortunately, it has been moving far more quickly than we would have wished. We have had a few dark days since announcing his condition and we've had some difficult choices to make. Choice can often appear invisible. I know that may seem an ambiguous thing to say, but it seems to me that we often don't think we have them because we don't like the look of them. We're certainly not fond of our choices but we do have them... and we have made ours: In mid-November, Andrew will undergo a bone marrow transplant.
I know this may sound frightening, and may seem a negative sign. But we do not see it that way. We are steadfast in our positive attitude towards the future. Bone marrow transplantation is a remarkable process and the success rate is as high as 70%. Actor Gene Wilder talks openly of his BMT, and has written a fascinating book about his life, called Kiss Me Like A Stranger. We actually know someone who has had a BMT and has since returned to an active life as a commercial farmer. It won't be an easy road. Getting Andrew back to good health and full strength will probably take a year. But he is keen to get on with the fight and we have every confidence that we are both equipped to deal with this challenge. That is so because we have an enormous network of support from our loved ones and from this Family Camel. We are deeply grateful to those who have gone before him to pave the way for this intensely complex treatment, and to the donor who has given Andrew this gift of life.
Over the next few weeks, we will set up a diary on our website, so you can check in to read of Andrew's progress. Our guestbook has had problems with virus', but his has now been resolved. Those who have written words of encouragement and love have given Andrew, and me, tremendous strength.
More than ever, we are grateful for your support. This is all about positive energy, about refusing to crumple in the face of adversity. We are none of us getting out of this alive, and it is our obligation to seize every moment and own it, recognising and accepting all the choices we are given, whether or not we like what we see"
I close this eBeast with a lovely quote from Scottish novelist/poet Walter Scott :
AmarokProg - Rock, Folk, Rock Alternatif, Metal, Prog Rock, Hard Rock, Blues, Bluegrass, Jazz, Celtique... le webzine musical avec albums, groupes, discographies, critiques, videos et extraits...
26/03/13 - 
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