The Snow Goose (Camel cover)

[Johnny Robbo]

This is my take on the title track of Camel's wonderful Snow Goose album from 1975. I got turned on to this whole album by my English teacher at school in the late '70s. He was the archetypal 1970s teacher, smelling of pipe tobacco & damp tweed; always sipping from a cup of Nescafe with leather patches on his elbows and a Grizzly Adams beard.

In one lesson he took us through the Paul Gallico novella "The Snow Goose" & played this album in the background as we read through the book with him. It turns out that Camel intended the album to be a sort of "soundtrack" to the book – it takes roughly the same time to read the book as it does to listen to the album.

If you're not familiar with this epic album, then I urge you to check it out. Here's an Old Grey Whistle Test performance of excerpts from the album, including this track, for comparison's sake.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTVnCyDoQlQ

I used all the usual suspects on this:

Drums: Cakewalk Studio Instruments
Bass: Ebay no-name jobbie
Lead & Rhythm Guitar: Harley Benton
Slide Guitar: Tele
Hammond Organ: ORGANised VST
Vox Tonelab for all the guitar tones

Thanks for listening, chaps!

John

[Geir]

Now this sounds so pro !!!

Excellent performance !!

Just love that guitar-tone !!

Well done John!

[BrettBob]

Never heard of Camel, but I dig what you've done. Guitar harmonies are spot on. I've always been a Gibson guy, but I love the sound of a Tele.

[Groundy]

This is just superb John. You are such a fantastic musician.
As for the teacher I think I must have had the same one by The sound of him. Mine was a music teacher believe it or not.Mr Sharp....
Well done pal...Alex

[chapperz66]

A great version Johnny.  I was a bit of a Camel fan and remember seeing the whistle test spot on the telly.  Fantastic tone on the guitars - and the hammond is none-too shabby as well. 

The old pc is holding up well I'm pleased to note.

[Redler]

Excellent job, Johnny!! I just admire your skills on each instrument and the way you product your work!

Big WOW!

[Mike_S]

This was a great listen. It transported me firmly back in time to 70's rock heaven. Well done indeed with the arrangement and instrumentation, but the icing on the cake is that lovely lead tone and playing. Never overplayed, just on the money!!

Mike

[Pine]

John...thanks so much for having me flown over the pond to sit in your studio while your band played this tune 

Wonderful live feel! You've done a bang up job on this..everything in it's place and loved those leads (on a Tele identical to mine) You sure don't hear any music like this anymore except on Indie sites like this. Thanks heavens for the internet!

 As for that teacher...i can almost see him. Probably went home after work and rolled one up...

Fine job on this...great post!

[Johnny Robbo]

Thanks chaps! Just to clarify... the main lead guitar on this is the Harley Benton LP copy... I only used the tele for the slide part in the bridge.

Working on this tune made me all nostalgic & just as a bit of fun, I Googled my old school and the name of the teacher (Mr. Lavanne). Lo and behold one of the first images I found was this one. It looks like it was a few years after he taught me as he'd trimmed his beard, but the tweed jacket is still there! He's the guy I've circled in red:



And here I am at around the age when I first heard Camel playing this tune, complete with pudding basin haircut:



Ahhh... those were the days

[Hook]

Sounds great brother, not familiar with the original but loved this.
Rock On!