Pump up the volume on these and prepare to have your tiny minds blown.
Man, where even to begin? 😎
Let me just say, though, and for the record, that one of the reasons these guys aren't as famous as they should be is that the album pictured in the vids above came out -- to my knowledge inexplicably -- almost a year after "Hello Hello", the Top 10 single that made them briefly a thing. A year, of course, is a lifetime in pop music terms, and what the hell were they thinking?
I should add that "Treadin'" was the B-side of the aforementioned Top-Tenner, and I get chills just thinking of the glorious jangly folk-rock guitars that decorate it. I should also add that it was not included on the original Camel LP, and that the stereo version above was not available till a CD reissue sometime in the 90s.
Needless to say, I can still vividly recall my delight when I heard it in all its two-channel glory for the first time. 😎😎
1-2-3...is this thing on? 😎
ReplyDeleteThere were a lot of interesting musical acts that came along in answer to the British Invasion. Sopwith Camel were certainly an interesting answer but never a very good answer.
ReplyDeleteTheir music seemed equally inspired by The Beatles, "Face to Face" Kinks and possible exposure to LSD. But did Sopwith Camel ever encounter Testosterone?
I was going to simply skip leaving a reply out of respect to your interest and enjoyment of Sopwith Camel until you went fishing for comments. Their music seems silly to me without enough wit to compensate for it being so twee. They're okay, okay?
Captain Al :-)
1967, I'm 16 with only so much pocket money for a new album - these are the bands the Camel was up against at the record store - the Beatles, Stones, Cream, Jimi, hell even the Monkees. See the problem ? AI described them as a Vaudeville, ragtime inspired band ...lol
DeleteI was only aware of their hit Hello Hello from 67. Tidal music bio calls them 'Second rate Lovin' Spoonful' seems a bit harsh i will reserve judgement until i listen to more material.
ReplyDeleters
Hold on hold on! that came out wrong- i love the lovin' spoonful and being called second rate lovin' spoonful is in fact high praise in my books. embarrassed
Deleters
Always was drawn to the album cover art and colors in the record shop way back when. Agree with both sets of comments above. They do appear to ape the Spoonful. And there is a blithe sweetness to the proceedings.... but a bit thin in production and emotional heft. Woulda, shoulda, coulda
ReplyDeleteIt appears that the Camel were up against some strong SF songwriter bands
ReplyDeleteJefferson Airplane were the first signed SF band, Camel @#2 - followed by the Dead .
Hot on those heels were Moby Grape.
Now that's a tough room to be in a Battle of the Bands with.