CAMEL - A Nod and a Wink (2002-2016) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

With close to 30 years of rock history behind him, Andy Latimer choose 2002 to look back on his story so far. Written while he was living in Northern California, many of the album's seven songs (some editions include the bonus track, "After All These Years") are connected to Andy's boyhood years in England in the 1950's and '60's. Camel's reputation for never being a band concerned with following musical trends continues here with themes that include the county fair, a love remembered, a mock fox hunt and the 911 tribute "For Today."

The recording has the modern Camel sound with a modest amount of acoustic guitar, the familiar flute, and the more powerful electric guitar style heard on the band's recordings from the '90's onwards. Latimer's gift for memorable melody is here in abundance and there is much stylistic variation, from folky ballads to bluesy songs and propulsive rock instrumentals. Of course, no Camel album is complete without a few inventive sound effects, including a train sequence with barking dogs that seems to be a nod (and maybe a wink) to the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds.

This is the first album to feature Canadian Denis Clement, perhaps the most forceful and articulate drummer the band has ever had. Together with long time bass player Colin Bass, keyboardist Guy LeBlanc and lyricist Susan Hoover. by Patrick Barr

Tracklist:
1 A Nod And A Wink 11:16
 Susan Hoover / Andy Latimer / Leblanc
2 Simple Pleasures 5:31
Drums – Terry Carleton
Susan Hoover / Andy Latimer3 A Boy's Life
3 A Boy's Life
Susan Hoover / Andy Latimer
4 Fox Hill 9:19
Susan Hoover / Andy Latimer
5 The Miller's Tale 3:34
Susan Hoover / Andy Latimer
6 Squigely Fair 8:02
Drums – Terry Carleton
Andy Latimer
7 For Today 10:40
Susan Hoover / Andy Latimer / Leblanc
Backing Vocals – JR Johnston, Terry Carleton
- Bonus Track -
8 After All These Years
Credits
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Colin Bass
Drums – Denis Clement
Guitar [Guitars], Flute, Keyboards, Vocals – Andrew Latimer
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Guy LeBlanc
Percussion – Terry Carleton
Producer – Andrew Latimer