Shri Camel Explained

Shri Camel
Type:studio
Artist:Terry Riley
Cover:Shri Camel.jpg
Released:1980
Genre:Microtonal, electronic, minimalism
Length:43:36
Label:CBS Masterworks
Producer:Terry Riley
Prev Title:Descending Moonshine Dervishes
Next Year:1984

Shri Camel is an album by experimental music and classical minimalism pioneer Terry Riley. Riley began composing the work in 1975 on commission from West Germany's Radio Bremen, and performed an early version of the work in Bremen in May 1976. In 1978 Riley recorded a different version of the piece, separated into four suites, at CBS Studios in San Francisco as the final part of a three album deal with CBS; however, CBS did not release the recording until 1980.

For the studio recording, Riley performed the work solo on a modified Yamaha YC-45D combo organ tuned in just intonation and augmented with studio digital delay.

Critical reception

In 1995, The Independent wrote: "The popularity of In C has obscured the very real achievement of, for example, Shri Camel, another keyboard improvisation but one that developed movable rather than merely repeating patterns, a stronger melodic profile and more adventurous harmony, including the use of just intonation."[1]

Track listing

  1. "Anthem of the Trinity" – 9:25
  2. "Celestial Valley" - 11:32
  3. "Across the Lake of the Ancient World" - 7:26
  4. "Desert of Ice" - 15:13

Notes and References

  1. News: Potter . Keith . Guru in need of a C-change . The Independent . November 17, 1995.