Moonmadness

Moonmadness is the fourth studio album by English progressive rock band Camel. It was released in April 1976 on Decca and Gama Records and is their last album recorded by the group's original line-up of Andrew Latimer, Peter Bardens, Doug Ferguson, and Andy Ward. After reaching success with their previous album, the all instrumental The Snow Goose, the band started on a follow-up and incorporated vocals and lyrics to the new music. Moonmadness has a loose concept with one track based on the personality of each band member: "Air Born" for Andrew Latimer, "Chord Change" for Peter Bardens, "Another Night" for Doug Ferguson, and "Lunar Sea" for Andy Ward. In 2018, 42 years after its release, Camel performed the album live in its entirety.

Moonmadness
Studio album by
Camel
ReleasedApril 1976[1]
RecordedJanuary–February 1976
StudioBasing Street, London
GenreProgressive rock
Length39:12
Label
Producer
Camel chronology
The Snow Goose
(1975)		 Moonmadness
(1976)		 Rain Dances
(1977)
Singles from Moonmadness
  1. "Another Night"
    Released: June 1976[2]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

Background

Camel's popularity grew in 1975 with their critically acclaimed instrumental album The Snow Goose, which was followed by the group voted Britain's Brightest Hope by readers of the nationwide music publication Melody Maker.[4] In late 1975, the band spent three weeks writing new music for a follow-up album, and recorded Moonmadness in January and February 1976. At the time of release, Latimer said he was very pleased with the album despite the need to rush to finish it.[4]

The last track, "Lunar Sea", ends with a minute-long wind-blowing effect. On some LP pressings, the record arm would skip during the end of this part and naturally return to the beginning of the effect, playing it endlessly (the "terminal groove" effect).

In the Q & Mojo Classic Special Edition Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock, the album came number 23 in its list of "40 Cosmic Rock Albums".[5]

It was voted no. 58 in the Top 100 Prog albums of All Time by readers of 'Prog' magazine in 2014.

Camel performed the album in its entirety on a 2018 tour.[6]

Track listing
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Aristillus" (instrumental except for a spoken voice by Andy Ward)Andrew Latimer1:56
2."Song Within a Song"Latimer, Peter Bardens7:16
3."Chord Change" (instrumental)Latimer, Bardens6:45
4."Spirit of the Water"Bardens2:07
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Another Night"Latimer, Bardens, Andy Ward, Doug Ferguson6:58
2."Air Born"Latimer, Bardens5:02
3."Lunar Sea" (instrumental)Latimer, Bardens9:11
Bonus tracks on 2002 remaster
No.TitleLength
8."Another Night" (Single version)3:22
9."Spirit of the Water" (Demo)2:13
10."Song Within a Song" (Recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon 14 April 1976)7:11
11."Lunar Sea" (Recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon 14 April 1976)9:51
12."Preparation/Dunkirk" (Recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon 14 April 1976)9:32

Personnel
Camel
Production
  • Engineered by Rhett Davies
  • Original LP cover design by Field

Release details
  • 1976, UK, Gama Records/Decca Records TXS-R 115, Release Date March 1976, LP
  • 2002, UK, London 8829292, Release Date 3 June 2002, CD (remastered edition)

Charts
Chart (1976) Peak
position
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[7] 16
Spain (AFYVE)[8] 21
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[9] 48
UK Albums (OCC)[10] 15
US Billboard 200[11] 118

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[12] Silver 60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. The Great Rock Discography. 1995. p. 116. ISBN 9780862415419.
  2. The Great Rock Discography. 1995. p. 116. ISBN 9780862415419.
  3. Jehnzen, Daevid (2011). "Camel - Moonmadness (1976) album review at AllMusic". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  4. Welch, Chris (10 April 1976). "Camel over the moon". Melody Maker. Retrieved 24 November 2019 – via Rock's Backpages.
  5. Q Classic: Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock, 2005.
  6. "The Official Camel Website".
  7. "Dutchcharts.nl – Camel – Moonmadness" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  8. Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  9. "Swedishcharts.com – Camel – Moonmadness". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  10. "Camel | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  11. "Camel Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  12. "British album certifications – Camel – Moonmadness". British Phonographic Industry.
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