With music written by Andy Latimer and lyrics by Susan Hoover, “Nude” tells the story of a Japanese soldier who, after being lost in the jungle for 29 years unaware that the war in the Pacific has ended, returns home to hero’s welcome but cannot cope with modern living. The rhythm section is now original drummer Andy Ward and Colin Bass (naturally!) with Mel Collins on flute, piccolo and saxes and Duncan Mackay on keyboards. The infectious ‘City Life’ begins an album, which also features enduring Camel classics like ‘Drafted’, ‘Lies’ and ‘Captured’. To be released on 28th February, this lavishly illustrated package with the customary Esoteric essay includes a remastered original album mix, and a 5.1 surround sound original and stereo mixes.
There are obvious comparisons to the epic “The Snow Goose” – Camel was rather good at concept albums. A couple of final thoughts: this would make a great film with a ready-made soundtrack, and when are albums like 1991’s “Dust and Dreams”, which was based on John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath” (Andy Latimer visited Steinbeck’s old house as part of his research) going to get ‘the treatment’?
“Pressure Points” was recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon on 11th May, 1984 (I think they liked it there!) to promote the excellent “Stationary Traveller” (another concept album!) and the concert was especially poignant for the re-appearance of Pete Bardens on stage for the final part of the set. The single LP release omitted six songs, including a rather good version of ‘Lady Fantasy’. This latest incarnation includes two CDs of the concert remastered and a Blu-Ray video of the “Pressure Points” concert film.
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