Mirage (band)
Encyclopedia
Mirage were a progressive rock
offshoot from Camel
in the 1990s.
The band was formed by drummer
Andy Ward and keyboardist
Peter Bardens
, both former members of Camel, having last been together in the band
in 1977. Also in the original line-up were guitarist
Steve Adams (who had been working previously with Bardens) and bassist
Rick Biddulph (who had been in Caravan of Dreams
with Ward). Richard Sinclair
, former Camel and Caravan
member was originally asked to join on bass, but declined.
Camel had historical links with the band Caravan, notably in that Richard Sinclair and his cousin David Sinclair
had both been in Caravan and then later Camel. The decision was taken to expand Mirage into a Camel/Caravan supergroup
with the addition of David Sinclair and Jimmy Hastings
(Brother of Pye Hastings
and another former Caravan member, he had also guested on Camel's album Mirage
). A tour was planned with Caravan lead vocalist Pye Hastings
to join the band for old Caravan numbers only. Rehearsals started in November 1994 and touring continued to the end of the year, but David Sinclair, Jimmy Hastings and Pye Hastings then left. A live double album
, Mirage Live 14.12.94, was released in 1995 (mainly including old Camel and Caravan numbers and several post-Camel pieces by Bardens), but plans for a studio
album never materialised and the remaining quartet dissolved.
Bardens and Adams re-launched the band in the U.S.
in 1995 as 'Pete Bardens' Mirage'. With Desha Dunnahoe (bass, keyboards, flute, vocals) and Nick D'Virgilio
(drums), the band recorded
a piece for a Genesis
tribute album, Supper's Ready (Magna Carta Records). The band toured in late 1995 and early 1996, but with a new drummer, Dave Cohen (who had previously worked with Richard Sinclair). The band's set mixed Camel numbers and material from Bardens' solo career. Another live double album, Speed of Light - Live, was released in 1997, but again plans for a studio album never materialised and the band broke up that year. Biddulph, Dunnahoe and Cohen briefly continued under the name Hush.
progressive rock band Mirage were also influenced by Camel. They released two albums, A Secret Place and Tales From the Green Sofa.
There is also a band called Mirage based in Atlanta
, Georgia
. Another Mirage band comes from Jordan
. They had two hit
songs, "Tegoul Ahwak" ("You Say I Love You") and "Sarkha" ("A Scream").
There were also a British
band
called Mirage who were a medley band who, between 1987 and 1988 released a medley of other artists hits such as Alexander O'Neal
, Pepsi & Shirlie
, Taffy
, Bananarama
, Rick Astley
, Krush
, Two Men, a Drum Machine and a Trumpet
, Bomb The Bass
, Taja Sevelle
, Eurythmics
, Eighth Wonder
, Pet Shop Boys
, Aswad, Kylie Minogue
, Pat and Mick
, Hazell Dean
, Mel & Kim, Spagna
and Sabrina
. They released three albums, in 1987, 1988, and 1989.
There are a British
band
called Mirage, founded in 2005 by Cathy Williams (vocals, harmonium, tampura) (formerly of the Feminist Improvising Group
with Maggie Nicols
, Lindsay Cooper
and others) and Geoff Leigh
(flutes, soprano sax, shenai, zithers). Playing together within several bands before since the 1970s (Henry Cow
, Radar Favourites, Rag, Red Balune), Mirage's music is influenced by avant-garde rock and Indian raga
s. As Mirage, they have released two albums (Mirage and Child's Play) to date.
Two Camel
tribute bands have also take the name Mirage: In 2010, a Norwegian progressive band is including Camel songs amongst a set of Yes
, Jethro Tull
, and King Crimson
.
About the same time, an Italian band has released several pieces from the Snowgoose suite.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
offshoot from Camel
Camel (band)
Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in 1971. An important group in the Canterbury scene, they have been releasing studio and live recordings steadily, with considerable success, since their formation.-1970s:...
in the 1990s.
The band was formed by drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Andy Ward and keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
Peter Bardens
Peter Bardens
Peter Bardens was a keyboardist and a founding member of the British progressive rock group Camel. He played organ, piano, synthesizers and mellotron and wrote songs with Andrew Latimer...
, both former members of Camel, having last been together in the band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
in 1977. Also in the original line-up were guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Steve Adams (who had been working previously with Bardens) and bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Rick Biddulph (who had been in Caravan of Dreams
Caravan of Dreams (band)
Caravan of Dreams were a British progressive rock band from the Canterbury scene. Led by Richard Sinclair, it evolved from the short-lived Going Going.-Going Going:...
with Ward). Richard Sinclair
Richard Sinclair
Richard S. Sinclair is a progressive rock bassist, guitarist and vocalist who has been a member of several bands of the Canterbury scene.-Biography:...
, former Camel and Caravan
Caravan (band)
Caravan are an English band from the Canterbury area, founded by former Wilde Flowers members David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan. Caravan rose to success over a period of several years from 1968 onwards into the 1970s as part of the Canterbury scene, blending...
member was originally asked to join on bass, but declined.
Camel had historical links with the band Caravan, notably in that Richard Sinclair and his cousin David Sinclair
Dave Sinclair
David Sinclair , is a keyboardist who has been part of the progressive rock Canterbury Scene...
had both been in Caravan and then later Camel. The decision was taken to expand Mirage into a Camel/Caravan supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
with the addition of David Sinclair and Jimmy Hastings
Jimmy Hastings
James Brian Gordon 'Jimmy' Hastings , is a British professional musician associated with the Canterbury scene....
(Brother of Pye Hastings
Pye Hastings
Julian Frederick Gordon 'Pye' Hastings is a British musician. He is the guitarist, vocalist and leader of the Canterbury scene band Caravan and brother of Jimmy Hastings.-References:...
and another former Caravan member, he had also guested on Camel's album Mirage
Mirage (Camel album)
Mirage is Camel's second album, released in 1974. It features some of their best-known songs, including "Nimrodel" and "Lady Fantasy". It is also a showcase for Andrew Latimer's flute, notably on "Supertwister"....
). A tour was planned with Caravan lead vocalist Pye Hastings
Pye Hastings
Julian Frederick Gordon 'Pye' Hastings is a British musician. He is the guitarist, vocalist and leader of the Canterbury scene band Caravan and brother of Jimmy Hastings.-References:...
to join the band for old Caravan numbers only. Rehearsals started in November 1994 and touring continued to the end of the year, but David Sinclair, Jimmy Hastings and Pye Hastings then left. A live double album
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
, Mirage Live 14.12.94, was released in 1995 (mainly including old Camel and Caravan numbers and several post-Camel pieces by Bardens), but plans for a studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
album never materialised and the remaining quartet dissolved.
Bardens and Adams re-launched the band in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1995 as 'Pete Bardens' Mirage'. With Desha Dunnahoe (bass, keyboards, flute, vocals) and Nick D'Virgilio
Nick D'Virgilio
Nick D'Virgilio is an American drummer and multi-instrumentalist musician, often referred to as NDV, best known as a former member of the progressive rock band Spock's Beard. He was also one of two drummers chosen to replace Phil Collins in Genesis on the Calling All Stations album...
(drums), the band recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
a piece for a Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
tribute album, Supper's Ready (Magna Carta Records). The band toured in late 1995 and early 1996, but with a new drummer, Dave Cohen (who had previously worked with Richard Sinclair). The band's set mixed Camel numbers and material from Bardens' solo career. Another live double album, Speed of Light - Live, was released in 1997, but again plans for a studio album never materialised and the band broke up that year. Biddulph, Dunnahoe and Cohen briefly continued under the name Hush.
Other Mirage bands
There have been several other bands by the same name. The FrenchFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
progressive rock band Mirage were also influenced by Camel. They released two albums, A Secret Place and Tales From the Green Sofa.
There is also a band called Mirage based in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. Another Mirage band comes from Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
. They had two hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
songs, "Tegoul Ahwak" ("You Say I Love You") and "Sarkha" ("A Scream").
There were also a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
called Mirage who were a medley band who, between 1987 and 1988 released a medley of other artists hits such as Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal is an American R&B singer. He is best-known for the songs "If You Were Here Tonight" and "Fake", and the duets with Cherrelle, "Saturday Love" and "Never Knew Love Like This".-Biography:...
, Pepsi & Shirlie
Pepsi & Shirlie
Pepsi & Shirlie were a British pop duo who released two albums, All Right Now in 1987 and Change in 1991.-Career:The act comprised Helen "Pepsi" DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman , who had been Wham! backing vocalists. Holliman's original singing partner, Dee C...
, Taffy
Taffy
Taffy can refer to any of the following:* Taffy , a type of chewy, often colored, candy* Taffy is a sometimes pejorative term for a Welsh person or thing...
, Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
, Rick Astley
Rick Astley
Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries...
, Krush
Krush
Krush were a UK dance music group, who had a crossover hit single with "House Arrest" in 1987.-Career:The group consisted of musicians Mark Gamble, Cassius Campbell and record producers Mark Brydon and Robert Gordon. Their second single "Walking On Sunshine" was a club hit in 1992, and peaked at...
, Two Men, a Drum Machine and a Trumpet
Fine Young Cannibals
Fine Young Cannibals were a British band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1984, by bassist David Steele and guitarist Andy Cox , and singer Roland Gift...
, Bomb The Bass
Bomb the Bass
Bomb the Bass is the umbrella title for the output of British musician and producer, Tim Simenon. The band, which has evolved its style over the years, has been classed as electronic or dance....
, Taja Sevelle
Taja Sevelle
Taja Sevelle is a music recording artist, songwriter, novelist and inventor from Minneapolis, Minnesota who began her music career in 1987 when she was signed to the Paisley Park Records label by Prince. In the same week, she was accepted into the Berklee College of Music in Boston.Sevelle's first...
, Eurythmics
Eurythmics
Eurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A...
, Eighth Wonder
Eighth Wonder
Eighth Wonder were a British pop band in the 1980s. They formed in 1983 and enjoyed major success in Japan and Italy between 1985 and 1987, before having hit singles in the UK and across Europe in 1988.-Early years:...
, Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
, Aswad, Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
, Pat and Mick
Pat and Mick
Pat and Mick were a British vocal duo consisting of popular radio personalities Pat Sharp and Mick Brown. The royalties from their record sales were donated to Capital FM's 'Help A London Child' charity...
, Hazell Dean
Hazell Dean
Hazell Dean is a British dance-pop singer, who achieved her biggest success in the 1980s as a leading Hi-NRG artist. She is best known for the top ten hits "Searchin' ", "Whatever I Do " and "Who's Leaving Who"...
, Mel & Kim, Spagna
Spagna
Spagna is an Italian singer and songwriter.-Career:She started her career singing in English and in the early 1980s she provided vocals and wrote songs for an Italo Disco duo project called Fun Fun; as well as writing songs for many other dance music projects until 1986, when she embarked on a solo...
and Sabrina
Sabrina
-People:*Sabrina , a feminine given name *Sabrina , British entertainer*Sabrina *Sabrina *Sabrina Salerno , Italian pop singer aka Sabrina...
. They released three albums, in 1987, 1988, and 1989.
There are a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
called Mirage, founded in 2005 by Cathy Williams (vocals, harmonium, tampura) (formerly of the Feminist Improvising Group
Feminist Improvising Group
The Feminist Improvising Group were a five- to eight-piece English free improvising avant-garde jazz and avant-rock ensemble formed in London in 1977...
with Maggie Nicols
Maggie Nicols
Maggie Nicols , is a Scottish free-jazz and improvising vocalist, dancer, and performer.-Early life and career:...
, Lindsay Cooper
Lindsay Cooper
Lindsay Cooper is an English bassoon and oboe player, composer and political activist. Best known for her work with the band Henry Cow, she was also a member of Comus, National Health, News from Babel and David Thomas and the Pedestrians...
and others) and Geoff Leigh
Geoff Leigh
Geoff Leigh is an English jazz and progressive rock musician, playing primarily soprano sax and flute. He was a member of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow and founded several bands himself, including Red Balune, Random Bob, Black Sheep, Mirage, and Ex-Wise Heads.-Biography:Geoff Leigh's...
(flutes, soprano sax, shenai, zithers). Playing together within several bands before since the 1970s (Henry Cow
Henry Cow
Henry Cow were an English avant-rock group, founded at Cambridge University in 1968 by multi-instrumentalists Fred Frith and Tim Hodgkinson. Henry Cow's personnel fluctuated over their decade together, but drummer Chris Cutler and bassoonist/oboist Lindsay Cooper were important long-term members...
, Radar Favourites, Rag, Red Balune), Mirage's music is influenced by avant-garde rock and Indian raga
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
s. As Mirage, they have released two albums (Mirage and Child's Play) to date.
Two Camel
Camel (band)
Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in 1971. An important group in the Canterbury scene, they have been releasing studio and live recordings steadily, with considerable success, since their formation.-1970s:...
tribute bands have also take the name Mirage: In 2010, a Norwegian progressive band is including Camel songs amongst a set of Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, and King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
.
About the same time, an Italian band has released several pieces from the Snowgoose suite.
See also
- CamelCamel (band)Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in 1971. An important group in the Canterbury scene, they have been releasing studio and live recordings steadily, with considerable success, since their formation.-1970s:...
- CaravanCaravan (band)Caravan are an English band from the Canterbury area, founded by former Wilde Flowers members David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan. Caravan rose to success over a period of several years from 1968 onwards into the 1970s as part of the Canterbury scene, blending...
- Caravan of DreamsCaravan of Dreams (band)Caravan of Dreams were a British progressive rock band from the Canterbury scene. Led by Richard Sinclair, it evolved from the short-lived Going Going.-Going Going:...