Camel's classic period started with The Snow Goose, an instrumental concept album based on a novella by Paul Gallico. Although there are no lyrics on the album -- two songs feature wordless vocals -- the music follows the emotional arc of the novella's story, which is about a lonely man named Rhayader who helps nurse a wounded snow goose back to health with the help of a young girl called Fritha he recently befriended. Once the goose is healed, it is set free, but Fritha no longer visits the man because the goose is gone. Later, Rhayader is killed in battle during the evacuation of Dunkirk.
The goose returned during the battle, and it is then named La Princesse Perdue, symbolizing the hopes that can still survive even during the evils of war. With such a complex fable to tell, it is no surprise that Camel keep their improvisational tendencies reined in, deciding to concentrate on surging, intricate soundscapes that telegraph the emotion of the piece without a single word. And even though The Snow Goose is an instrumental album, it is far more accessible than some of Camel's later work, since it relies on beautiful sonic textures instead of musical experimentation. The Snow Goose reached 22 in the UK charts
by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracks
Disc 1
1. The Great Marsh - 2:04
2. Rhayader - 3:02
3. Rhayader Goes To Town - 5:20
4. Sanctuary - 1:05
5. Fritha - 1:19
6. The Snow Goose - 3:12
7. Friendship - 1:44
8. Migration - 2:01
9. Rhayader Alone - 1:50
10.Flight Of The Snow Goose - 2:41
11.Preparation - 3:54
12.Dunkirk - 5:25
13.Epitaph - 2:07
14.Fritha Alone - 1:30
15.La Princesse Perdue - 4:56
16.The Great Marsh - 1:15
17.Flight Of The Snow Goose - 2:05
18.Rhayader - 3:11
19.Rhayader Goes To Town - 5:07
20.The Snow Goose/Freefall - 11:02
Tracks 1-16 Original Album, released 1975
Bonus Tracks 17-20
Disc 2
1. Rhayader Goes To Town - 5:08
2. Sanctuary - 1:12
3. The Snow Goose - 3:03
4. Migration - 3:31
5. Rhayader Alone - 1:43
6. Flight Of The Snow Goose - 2:56
7. Preparation - 2:04
8. Dunkirk - 5:10
9. Epitaph - 1:16
10.La Princesse Perdue - 4:40
11.The Great Marsh - 1:57
12.Selections From "The Snow Goose" (A. The Snow Goose, B. Friendship, C. Rhayader Goes To Town)
Written by Peter Bardens, Andrew Latimer
Tracks 1-11 Recorded Live For BBC Radio One "In Concert" 1975
Track 12 From BBC 2 "The Old Grey Whistle Test" 1975
Camel
*Andrew Latimer - Electric, Acoustic, Slide Guitars, Flute, Vocals (Track 8)
*Peter Bardens - Organ, Electric Piano, Acoustic Piano, Pipe Organ, Minimoog, ARP Odyssey
*Doug Ferguson - Bass, Duffle Coat
*Andy Ward - Drums, Vibes, Percussion
With
*David Bedford - Orchestral Arrangements