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Prog Album of the Week - Week 25 (01/24/2014): Camel - The Snow Goose

Discussion

As always, we encourage participation from everyone - if you've never heard the album, there's a YouTube link provided! Go check it out and report back!

Welcome to the twenty-fifth week of r/progrockmusic's Album of the Week! Last week we discussed Frank Zappa's Hot Rats and that was lovely. If you'd like to peruse previous weeks' discussions, the threads are here:

1, 2, 3, [4] (http://www.reddit.com/r/progrockmusic/comments/1lg9vp/prog_album_of_the_week_week_4_08312013_genesis/), 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.

Last time we discussed Camel was back in week 11! That time it was Moonmadness, this time it's The Snow Goose! Which do you prefer?

http://i.imgur.com/pa0TdF5.jpg

###Camel - The Snow Goose (1975)

Track Listing:

  1. The Great Marsh; 2) Rhayader; 3) Rhayader Goes to Town; 4) Santuary; 5) Fritha; 6) The Snow Goose; 7) Rhayader Alone; 8) Flight of the Snow Goose; 9) Preparation; 10) Dunkirk; 11) Epitaph; 12) Fritha Alone; 13) La Princesse Purdue; 14) The Great Marsh (Reprise).
  • As described on the Wiki page, here's the description for each tune:

1."The Great Marsh"

Just before dawn till sunrise.

2."Rhayader"

He lives in an old lighthouse on the Essex marshes, caring for the wild birds.

3."Rhayader Goes to Town"

The townsfolk react coldly towards Rhayader because of his odd appearance. But their fear is mixed with curiosity for he has a noble bearing.

4."Sanctuary"

The Snow Goose swept off course by a sea storm just reaches the Essex coast. Fritha finds her exhausted and wounded on the beach and gently cradles her, for she has heard that nearby lives a man who is a great healer of birds.

5."Fritha"

When she meets Rhayader she too is frightened, but her concern for the Snow Goose overcomes her fear.

6."The Snow Goose"

7."Friendship"

While the Snow Goose gradually gains strength, tended to by Rhayader and visited by Fritha, a strong bond of affection grows between the three of them.

8."Migration"

9."Rhayader Alone"

With the departure of the Snow Goose, Fritha no longer visits the lighthouse and Rhayader is once more alone with the melancholy sounds of the marshes.

10."The Flight of the Snow Goose"

One day high above the horizon appears the familiar shape of the great white bird. Rhayader in his joy sends for Fritha.

11."Preparation"

Rhayader gets ready to sail, together with the small Armada of other boats to help in the desperate rescue operation at Dunkirk.

12."Dunkirk"

As Rhayader departs, leaving Fritha behind he cannot prevent the Snow Goose following him out across the channel and right into the heart of battle.

13."Epitaph"

Rhayader ferries many stranded soldiers to safety until at last he is hit, and the Snow Goose is seen circling low over the spot where the little boat has gone down.

14."Fritha Alone"

15."La Princesse Perdue"

Fritha realising somehow that Rhayader will not return and is still looking out to sea when she spies the Snow Goose. She is filled with a sweet sadness as she follows her princess home in as if to land only to fly away, out of sight lost forever.

16."The Great Marsh"

####Potential Discussion Questions:

  • So the title of the album is actually Music Inspired by The Snow Goose b/c of legal troubles with Paul Galico. Anyway, the album is based off of his short story, The Snow Goose. Has anyone read it? If so, how does the music compare to the novella?

  • How would you personally rate the album?

  • Are there any moments on the album you consider particularly strong or particularly weak (i.e., favourite/least favourite moments)?

^contributions, ^comments ^& ^corrections ^are ^welcome. ^Message ^/u/BenBenBenBe.

Posted Jan 26, 2014, 1:09 AM UTC · edited

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