How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Unmemorable
Value for Money
Advantages:
Pleasant for background play
Disadvantages:
Not the Supertramp we knew and loved
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
Supertramp was one of those British groups that epitomised the 70s and 80s. They produced a string of classic albums (remember ‘Crisis, What Crisis?’ named after a chance remark by a politician of the day about the near bankruptcy of the country) and some memorable singles (‘Give A Little Bit’).
There was an attempted reunion in 1997 featuring Rick Davies and John Helliwell from the original group. This album marks that attempt. The full line up was Rick Davies (vocals, keyboard), Mark Hart (vocals, keyboard, guitar), John Helliwell (saxophone, woodwind), Cliff Hugo (bass), Bob Siebenberg (drums), Lee Thornburg (trumpet, trombone), Carl Verheyen (guitar) and Tom Walsh (percussion).
All songs were written by Rick Davies who was also lead vocalist.
The running order is:
It’s A Hard World
(Experimental sounds introduce the track. The accompaniment is a laid back affair giving the feeling of a smoke filled speak-easy – lazy percussion and muted saxophone. It’s a long song at nearly ten minutes.)
You Win, I Lose Get Your Act Together Live To Love You Some Things Never Change Listen To Me Sooner Or Later Help Me Down That Road. And The Light Give Me A Chance C’est What? Where There’s A Will
Overall the style of the tracks is very similar. The tempo varies from the laid back to the quicker funky jazz ballad. ‘Sooner Or Later’ features a long jazz funk instrumental with keyboard and saxophones. The heaviest offering is ‘Give Me A Chance’. ‘Where There’s A Will’ is a reflective refrain sung at the piano with sentimental lyrics and a lush string background. There is a hint of the old Supertramp in the tinkling keyboard arrangements of ‘Listen To Me’.
The album is a pleasant enough collection – part jazz, part swing. Rock and Roll it is not. The lyrics, melodies and arrangements are not that memorable – there is nothing that grabs the ear and lingers (like their old songs such as ‘Goodbye Stranger’ or ‘Give A Little Bit’). It was released at the time of a Supertramp reunion concert tour. I had tickets for their cancert at Newcastle Arena which was unfortunately cancelled at short notice. I gather that there have been occasional venues on the continent since then.
This is not the Supertramp of old; the one that we used to know and love. My impression of the group was always that of two voices and two mildly different styles of song. This new incarnation misses the influence of the other founder member - Roger Hodgson.
Every Supertramp fan would have to listen to this CD and make up his/her own mind. It may well become something of a collector’s item. There is little to recommend it to the passing ear or to anyone wanting an introduction to this supergroup of the past.
More details
How does it rate alongside the competition
Unmemorable
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Satisfactory
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