Feels like I've been given a knighthood! Poor Susan; when I arrived at the Milton Keynes concert the first thing I heard when I walked through the door of the foyer was her voice - she was going spare since there didn't seem to be enough presence on the Merchandise stand. What could I do? I reintroduced myself to her and she walked me over to the stand and I just took my jacket off & got stuck in with the selling opportunities. It helped that I had been drafted in officially to do the same at Verviers, so I'd had plenty of practice. Payment was a bottle of Carlsberg I libertated from the fridge, since by the time we had finished the bar had closed!

Was a bit fraught afterwards, since we had to do a stocktake, count all the money and make everything tally, and I nearly missed my train back to London.

Anyway, I keep trying (& failing) to get down to an account of my travels (& travails) with Camel.

£46 for a copy of the Snow Goose single - who'd have thought it.

Regards,

James.

Susan Hoovers Tribute to James:

"James attended 18 out of 19 European performances! During this time, he endeared himself to the band and was affectionately dubbed The Cameleer. James helped in so many ways, not least during the selling of merchandise when the venue's seller did not show up. I personally recall being quite overwhelmed at The Stables, in Milton Keynes, when James appeared, promptly rolled up his sleeves, and got to work. We will remain ever grateful for his kind heart and his tremendous support. James is an Honourary Member of the band now and, if there ever is another tour, James Evinson will be at the top of every guest list.."

Murray Preston
Topanga Canyon, Ca.

Link to Sheffield gig picture

Thanks for the responseand kind comments - unfortunately this was the only one. I have another photo of my life long friends Ian & Jane, taken inside the venue just before the show started. They are a little older than me (I'm
39!) and took me to see Camel back in 1981 at the Liverpool Empire on the Nude tour. This photo of Andy now takes pride of place on their living room wall, so I'm pleased it's getting around and making a few people smile.

The shot sums up the passion and intensity of it all for me. During the show a bloke from Liverpool at the side of me was telling me how he couldn't even begin to describe how he feels during the closing bit of Unevensong, with
the different guitar parts overlayered, etc (this was just after they'd played it and both of us had gone slightly beserk, adding our own overlayered guitar parts!!). And that's it in a nutshell. You can't explain it, and when you try you know you sound daft, and people who are not into Camel look at you as though you're daft, too.

I sent a very long e-mail to the official Camel website straight after the gig. Vocals might have been a bit dodgy due to Andy'd cold, but for pure emotion I found the evening quite overwhelming. Many memories as I stood and
watched for that final time. The band was also in the nearby pub beforehand. They came in but were left in peace - good touch from the fans in there. I was dying to go and say 'Hello' for the first and last time, but somehow it
felt strange, and would have seemed to me to have been too intrusive.

Anyway, thanks for letting me recount a few memories. Till whenever next.

Steve

Link to Steve's Picture: The shot sums up the passion and intensity

Thanks very much for the update on the site and your recent mail. Sorry I haven't mailed earlier.

I managed to meet Andy and the rest of the band in the pub prior to the sheffield gig and managed to get all of the bands autographs (which was nice!) and a quick chat prior to them having their meal.

It was a pleasure to meet you at the Astoria gig and yes I did make the Sheffield gig which was even better than the Astoria gig. The venue was small but it didn't matter, we even had the guy shouting out for Mystic Queen again!

The Yorkshire crowd were really up for it even to the point that the band HAD to come back on for a second encore. I just had to go to what probably is the final Camel gig.

Anyway I've taken quite a few pics and I'll try and sort out a couple of decent ones to send to you.

Regards Andy Reed

Hope you didn't get too pissed off with my text messages and v/msgs leading up
to the Camel Amsterdam Paradiso gig!! As you could probably tell...I was pretty
excited!

So much to tell you...

Having arrived in Amsterdam, my mate (Harry - who is Dutch) and I decided we'd
head straight to The Paradiso to see what was going on as we guessed that the
sound check was about to start! We looked thru the letterbox of the front door
and could see Andy warming up (literally as it was bleedin' freezing) while he
waited for the rest of the gang to arrive.

Soon afterwards, Colin arrived so we collared him for a brief chat and some
signatures on my Farewell Tour T-shirt and some CD's. Ten minutes later Denis
arrived...more of the same. Ton, apparently, was already inside.

A quick "pit-stop" at the Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam - which is just round the
corner from The Paradiso and back to the front door!! We were the first in the
queue! We then met Dennis Karlsson, a Swedish Rock Journalist who came out of
The Paradiso for a breather, and struck up a conversation with him. He promised
to get us to Andy after the show as he knew Andy and was with Camel for two days
doing a feature on them for his magazine.

I also met a Brit (James) who was attending 18 of the 20 European dates! I told
him about Rajaz and said we'd be interested in him doing a Tour Diary for the
site. He liked the idea very much. I have his e-mail address so will follow this
up with him directly. Thought this would be a great post tour feature...hope you
don't mind. He's met Andy a few times during his travels this time round. I took
the opportunity to actively promote Rajaz with many other waiting fans while we
waited in the freezing cold to get inside!!

Finally the doors opened and we were in the warm...followed by a quick dash to
the front of stage to pitch our place for the evening!!!

The show started at 9pm with Lady Fantasy...I won't go thru the rest of that
nights play-list...but rest assured there was something for everyone! A terrific
show...apparently the best so far on the European leg...with an extra encore
(Lawrence) not done anywhere else on the European section of the tour. All in
all, around 2hrs 20mins without the usual customary break halfway through.

The Dutch crowd were left screaming for more...what a great venue The Paradiso
is...and what a great Camel crowd the Dutch are!!

After the show, we hooked up with Dennis again and a couple of other fans that
we'd met outside the venue earlier. Eventually we got to Andy. I said "Hi Andy
it's Shane..." and was greeted with..."I know you...you're Shane "Camel" Carlson
from Dubai...how could I forget Shane!" Brillaint...I was on top of the world!!
We spent over an hour or so in the company of the guys and even met Susan Hoover
for a brief chat and photos. Unfortunately, Ton left straight after the show so
I didn't get to meet him...he was unwell and went home with his family.

I've got some great live show photos as well as some after show shots with Andy,
Colin, Denis and Susan...a truly unforgetable night tinged with a little sadness
of most probably never seeing them together live again.

On the way home I said to Harry that if I died that night...I would have died a
very happy man! It was indeed very true. I was alive with adrenalin and even
seriously considered cancelling my return flight home and staying for the rest
of the Dutch and Belgian gigs. Sadly, I had to be all grown up and return home!

Back at Harry's, even though it was after 2am, I sat in bed viewing my digital
photos and reliving the whole eventful night...it was no good...I just couldn't
sleep!

I remember waking up at 06:15am in the morning with a huge smile on my face...I
haven't stopped smiling since!!

Both Harry and I (along with the other 1,000 fans at The Paradiso) had a truly
memorable evening in the company of our musical heroes...CAMEL!!

Allan, my advice to you if you want to get to meet Andy is - be patient. They
will come out after the show...you just need to keep your eyes and ears open to
the conversations going on around you and you may pick up where they'll be.
Probably your best chance is The Stables?

Anyway, take care and I'll send the photos over to you very soon.

Cheers,

Shane.

Rajaz response: This guy is totally obsessed with Camel, he makes me feel like an amateur. ALL THE BEST MATE

Hey Allen Caught the second show at The Bottom Line in NYC-One of the
highlights of my life!!!!!-Will send you a picture once I figure out
this computer of mine-Anyway any news on their last gig????? They simply
must have a dvd of one of the farewell tour shows-Been a big fan since
their first lp-Your web site is to be applauded -I find it to be the
best on the WEB-Thanks for keeping it updated-Must be a lot of work but
the results are much appreciated-Thanks again-Tom

Rajaz response: Hi Tom, it would be great if you could send me your pictures I do not have any yet of the US tour.

whereever you are. Just wanted to say that I saw a fantstic farewell gig last night (18.10.03) in Bonn. The venue was crowded and camel made a great set.

So, who is able to see them on the farewell tour don't miss them it was a great evening last night in Bonn. Where the hell did Andrew find this dynamic powerful drummer ???

All who are looking forward to the following concerts in Holland, Belgium and England who'll see/hear a great concert.

Regards from Cologne/Germany
Gerd

Rajaz response: Gerd, you were absolutely right it was not to be missed.

take care bye

Rajaz response: Many thanks for the pictures Abdo.

Hi,

I've just returned to the UK after visiting my Father in Torrevieja, Spain and taking in the gig at Murcia.

The venue didn't have air conditioning and by the time the gig started the sweat was just pouring off everybody.

Despite this what a FANTASTIC gig, althought the venue was about 75% full the atmosphere was brilliant. The Spaniards were shouting Maestro ....... Andy and every song was met with ecstatic applause.

The highlights for me at the show were :-

Arubaluba
Echoes
Never Let Go
and the Spaniard being asked to put his shirt back on by the security guard (what was all that about then)

Just one small favour to ask - would it be possible to schedule in Watching the Bobbins for the final part of the tour !!!!!
But all of the songs were brilliant. I'm really looking forward to the gig at the Astoria and I'm just going to look at the web-site now to go to the final gig in Sheffield.

I hope the rest of the tour is going well and I can't wait till the 28th

Best Wishes Andy Reed dustanddreams@aol.com

Ians feedback from the concert held at the Trenton War Memorial building on Sunday June 29 where Camel headlined the second day of the NEARfest weekend event.

I recently saw them on their farewell tour and they simply blew me away - I
haven't felt like that about live music for many years - it was also kind of
sad. It prompted me to go an a Camel buying binge! I already own all the
original issue CD's and all CP CD's signed by Andy but have just bought
(through good ole e-bay) the special edition remasters and the Japanese mini
LP versions. I even have the privilege of previously owning the original
Greasy Truckers LP. I also just bought Moonmadness on vinyl so I can frame
the cover - great artwork - do you know anything about the artist?? Any
signed prints lying around?

I should say that the stand-in keyboard player was out of this world. I love my synths and this guy can play. Moreover the energy and passion he exuded from his playing (and he is talented make no mistake) just went through you. Frankly having seen him play it would be tough to imagine a line up without him.

Best regards, Ian

Name: Steve Samson
Country: USA

Hi Allan,
I just got home today from New York City. I saw Camel Saturday night at the Bottom Line in Manhattan. I stayed for both shows. It was amazing! It was also very emotional, thinking this will be the last time. I may end up heading for the West coast when they are there. Who knows !
I met many die hard Camel fans like myself. People came from all over the USA and Canada just to see them perform. The second show I sat with 4 guys that flew in from Puerto Rico just for the concert.
I could not believe how good they sounded! As usual Andy and Colin were perfection! Denis on drums definitely adds a great deal of energy to the Camel sound. But what blew me away was Tom Brislin! I cant get over how quickly he has come up to speed with all the material, in an incredibly short time.

It was obvious the band was having as much fun as we were. They were all grins! They played a few different songs during the second set. I think that may have been because the band realized there were many people who stayed for both shows.

The New York fans were a little rowdy. At one point, during the second set, between songs, a guy in the back stands up and yells " I have been waiting 30 years, Thank you for coming to New York !" Which brought down the house !

It was a great night ! Would not have missed it for anything !

Take care. STEVE

Name : Dave Pagden
Town : Cambridge
Country : Canada

Hi Allan,

Would you like the Camel set list of music played on the last tour, you may have this already.? I do not know how accurate this may be, it was taken from one of the
last concerts. There is a lot of favourites on this list including Lady Fantasy, Ice and Stationary Traveller, plus the new ones which are my favourites on ANAAW, Foxhill and For Today.

Thanks again,

Dave

Richard wrote:

>Hi,>
>Anyone have the set list of the concert yesterday night?
>
>Thanks,
>Richard
>
According to a post on the Camelogue list it was as follows:

Lady Fantasy
Unevensong
Hymn To Her
Echoes
Stationary Traveller
Drafted
Rhayader / Rhayader Goes To Town
Lunar Sea
Another Night
Ice
Spirit of the Water
Slow Yourself Down
Fox Hill
Mother Road
For Today

First Encore:
band introductions
Never Let Go

Second Encore: (dedicated to Pete Bardens)
Homage to the Gods of Light

/Anders