"Harbour of Tears" is a conceptual album by the English progressive rock band, Camel. It was released in 1996 and is the 13th studio album of the band. The theme of the album revolves around the Irish diaspora of the 19th and 20th centuries when Ireland was undergoing famine, prompting many Irish people to sail to America, particularly around the 1840's.
The album was named after Cobh, a seaport town in Ireland, which was the departure point of many Irish people emigrating to America. Cobh was historically known as "The Harbour of Tears", hence the album title. Camel's lineup in this album was Andrew Latimer (guitars, flutes, keyboards, vocals), Colin Bass (bass guitar, vocals), Foss Patterson (keyboards) and Dave Stewart (drums).
As for the music, it prominently displays the band's progressive rock ethos, featuring a fusion of rock, classical and folk music. The tracks are thematically connected and are marked by deep emotion, reflecting the hardships experienced by the emigrants. "Harbour of Tears" was generally well-received by critics and is considered a significant work in Camel's discography. The narrative style and poignant storytelling through music make it a memorable concept album.
The album consists of 15 tracks, including some notable ones such as "Coming of Age", "The Hour Candle", and "Irish Air". Most of the album's music was composed by Andrew Latimer, with lyrics written by Susan Hoover, Latimer's wife. The album, with its strong concept and powerful execution, remains a fine exemplification of the band's ability to tell stories through their music.
