The Paris Collection
	Produced by Andrew Latimer
	Released on October 22, 2001
	no chart information
	Find it at GEMM
CP-011CD cover [high resolution scan]

C amel thawed out for a Y2K tour of California and Europe, represented here with a recording of the October 30th show in Paris at The Bataclan (I think that’s French for “Bat Cave”). This was apparently one of the better shows from the tour; the sleeve notes refer to it as “the band’s most fun-filled performance,” perhaps because no one got injured that night. Touring as Camel is apparently a perilous venture, so while I was saddened to hear that Camel might no longer tour in the future, I’m sure their health insurance companies were less distraught at the news. As for The Paris Collection itself, it may be of interest to fans because it features a new keyboardist, Guy LeBlanc, and a new drummer, Denis Clement. As a single-disc selection, it doesn’t really hold a candle to the double-disc sets like Coming of Age or Never Let Go. And The Paris Collection takes some liberties with the original arrangements, which may distract listeners who have grown accustomed to hearing immaculate versions of the classics: “Ice,” “Chord Change,” “Lady Fantasy.” Because Clement joined Camel less than two weeks before the first show, his drumming style is what it is, which is different than Andy Ward (Clive Bunker had been offered the position earlier but didn’t work out). LeBlanc for his part sticks closer to the original sounds, though he’s rarely the presence that Bardens was. The Paris Collection isn’t the worst Camel live disc I’ve heard (that distinction belongs to On The Road 1982), but it’s a disappointment after hearing the double-live sets that marked the ‘90s. Far from a full presentation of Rajaz, we’re treated only to the instrumental “Sahara.” The studio disc to get the most attention this night is Dust And Dreams, and the succession of “Mother Road,” “Little Rivers And Little Rose” and “Hopeless Anger” confirms that the effort has earned a place in Camel’s legend. This live album adds very little to that legend, save to show that the band had the gumption to cross the finish line of the new millennium on the road. Of interest, Andrew Latimer lost his voice prior to this show, so the warbly vocals this time come courtesy of Colin and Guy.

CP-011CD gatefold sleeve

TRACK LISTING

1. ICE
2. CHORD CHANGE
3. FINGERTIPS
4. SLOW YOURSELF DOWN
5. SAHARA
6. MOTHER ROAD
7. LITTLE RIVERS AND LITTLE ROSE
8. HOPELESS ANGER
9. LADY FANTASY
10. SLOW YOURSELF DOWN (LATE-NIGHT VERSION)

CREDITS

COLIN BASS -- bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
DENIS CLEMENT -- drums, percussion
ANDREW LATIMER -- guitars, live mix
GUY LeBLANC -- keyboards, vocals
Mike Warren -- sound
Stacey Oku -- artwork
Keith Curtis -- all photos

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