Search - Pete Barden's Mirage :: Speed of Light: Live

A great re-issue

eveoflove | North York, Ontario Canada | 01/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A great album, but it is in fact a re-issue of the album called "Live Germany 1996", and was recorded at the Star Club in Oberhausen, Germany in March 1996. Musicians, besides Peter Bardens, are Stevie Adams on guitar, Dave Cohen on drums, and Desha Dunnahoe on bass. Excellent recording quality, and interesting interpretations. About half of the material is non-CAMEL, but in the same vein."

Nice addition for Camel collectors

Jeff Runyan | White House, TN USA | 12/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a pretty decent album, rough at times but very worthwhile if you're into Camel. Half of the cuts are Camel covers, the other half are Bardens solo pieces, presumably, which are basically pleasant new-age songs. The CD has no info on personnel or date of concert, but I'm almost certain this is not the Mirage lineup with ex-Camel members Andy Ward and Richard Sinclair."

Surprisingly Bland

kireviewer | Sunnyvale, Ca United States | 10/22/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a re-issue of the CD called Mirage Live Germany 1996. It is over 70 minutes long and the sound quality is very good for a live album.



This is the second band called Mirage that Pete Bardens created (the first featured members of Caravan). This band consists of Steve Adams on Guitar, Cohen on drums and Dresha Donnahoe on base and flute. This band was just created as a touring band, and did not record a studio album. I believe it was the last major the thing that Bardens did. He died in 2002. I know that he toured the US around the time of this album was recorded, but I can't remember what year.



This CD is a disappointment. While the song selection is good, it is all old stuff, and there is nothing new or exciting.



The performance is mostly bland. I think it is because that this band was just thrown together to do a tour. The band doesn't seem like it spent anytime to get to know each other or the material. The material is played straight up and by the numbers. For the most part, it borders on boring. For most of the songs, the studio versions are better and more lively.



There are two very good tracks. Timepiece is a very interesting and energetic instrumental featuring mostly keyboards. Tell Me has added depth with the addition of Donnahoe's vocals (Donnahoe is female).



The classic Camel songs are actually the most boring parts of the CD. Bardens probably shouldn't even do Never Let Go, as it was more of a Lattimer song. I never was a huge fan of the Snow Goose, although there are some interesting parts to it. Here, it is at its worst. The CD ends with a very uninspired version of Lunar Sea.



At the high price, I wouldn't recommend buying this CD. I would suggest getting Camel Live, or any of the Bardens solo CD's instead.



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