Camel News: Latimer health, new DVD, new album!

One of the most commented posts I've ever put up here had to do with the health of Camel guitarist/vocalist Andrew Latimer. It's thus that I feel very happy posting this bit of excerpts from the most recent Camel Productions eBeast newsletter:

Andrew's Health

This is officially the last time we will talk about Andrew's health. The bone marrow transplant has been a complete success, and I think the dark days are well and truly behind us. As I've said in past newsletters, he continues to have some challenges to face, but he is a strong-willed individual, and he will find way to overcome them. So, it's no longer about health problems. It's about the music...

The Opening Farewell

Andrew and Denis have now finished work on the DVD, and Denis has completed mixing the audio. Once all editing and mastering is complete, we'll send the masters off to the plant and it will be a matter of weeks before it's on sale in our shop.

Track listing:

Lady Fantasy
Lunar Sea
Unevensong
Another Night
Hymn to Her
Ice
Echoes
Spirit of the Water
Stationary Traveller
Slow yourself Down
Drafted
Mother Road
Rhayader
Rhayader goes to town
For Today

Time: 2 hrs 7 mins
Format: NTSC*
Region: 0 (no restrictions)
(*This format will play on all equipment enabled for NTSC)

It would be hard to believe this was from 2003 had we not been through such an intense passage of time since then. In my darkest hour, I had not wanted to even consider releasing it posthumously. And so, it is with tremendous pleasure, that I announce the pending release of this DVD.

In The Meantime...

In between work on the DVD, Andrew and Denis have been writing material for the next Camel album. It is still in an embryonic state, but the two seem to be expanding their musical relationship and lots of good sounds have been emitting from the studio of late. No definitive dates are going to be announced until a cohesive body of work has been created. However, I think it safe to say that a Camel album is in the future and I, for one, am just about breathless with anticipation.

Kit Watkins: free downloads

Kit Watkins, former keyboardist for Happy The Man and Camel, as well as a prolific solo artist in his own right, has released a number of his albums for free download through his website via the Creative Commons License (free to share with attribution for non commercial purposes and without using said material to create derivative works).

You can check out the selections (including a full DVD!) at the following site:

http://www.kitwatkins.com/pages/storeframeset.htm

ANDREW LATIMER HEALTH UPDATE

137 DAYS POST TRANSPLANT...

I apologise for the lack of information these past weeks. Andrew's exellent progress suffered a nasty setback in February. We did send out a newsletter to those on our mailing list, appealing for a renewed Hour Candle lighting and you responded in force. It is so heartening. After a tough 4 weeks, he finally rallied and began to stabilise. He was able to come home in late March and, since then, has gone from strength to strength.

We remain optimistic, even moreso now than ever before. It is, however, still a long road to recovery. He still has a number of side effects to deal with, both from the stem cell transplant and from the drugs he must take for the foreseeable future. But he is doing so with dignity and humour, now having fewer down days. They are always made easier by the support he has received from his family, friends, and this global Camel family.

My thanks to those of you who have sent so many kind words of support, many sharing similar experiences and some sharing experiences that did not have the happy outcome we are presently enjoying. Rarely are there words of expression to ease such heartache, and I would not be so bold as to think I could find them. I am honoured to be given such an intimate glimspe into a painful part of people's lives who, despite their loss, continued to wish for our success. That is a very great gift indeed.

In anticipation of some good news to come, I will close asking only that the candles keep burning.

My grateful thanks to you all,
Susan Hoover
http://www.camelproductions.com/

Camel: Andrew Latimer health update

In the event that you did not know, Camel guitarist/vocalist Andrew Latimer underwent a stem cell/bone marrow transplant 3 months back, give or take, trying to treat an ongoing illness. The following is the most recent update from Susan Hoover:

Day 90 post transplant

Up until about 3 weeks ago, Andrew was doing fantastically. None of the expected side-effects had occurred and he was released from hospital just before Xmas. He certainly couldn't run a marathon, but we enjoyed the holidays with a new, and very grateful, perspective. Andrew began to slowly return to work, getting in a few good hours of writing and recording each day. It looked as if he really would "sail through" this intense and aggressive treatment...

Things took a turn in early February and he has suffered a bit of a setback, being readmitted to hospital where he remains until the doctors can "put him right" (as his chief consultant put it). I am reassured on a daily basis that they are as optimistic as ever so I do not worry unduly. But I have been honest with you all from the start and will continue to be so by telling you that he is a bit down-spirited, and quite taxed in his energy. If I could take his place, I would. How many of us wouldn't offer ourselves for someone we love? But, it doesn't work that way. This is Andrew's path and none of us can alter it. We can, however, continue to send him our support. I know for certain that all those candles burned an energy straight to his heart and left a light. He could use a few more, I think, to lift his spirits. If you can, please light an Hour Candle for him and spend just awhile sending him your unique, positive energy. No matter how strong we are, an indefinite stay in a hospital can set the dark thoughts in motion. Throw a little light if you can.

Thank you for your many emails of kind words and concern. I'm sorry I can't reply and hope you will accept my thanks.

Ever grateful,
Susan Hoover

(Personal side note: I know how difficult a stem cell transplant can be, having gone through one myself. It's very draining, yet at the same time, it can work wonders. Going on 7 years now from my transplant, it is my sincere hope that AL makes it through this setback so his gifts can be shared with us for years to come.)