Spins: Supertramp • Reissues

Supertramp

Even in the Quietest Moments … half-speed LP remaster

Breakfast in America half-speed LP remaster“

… famous last words …” half-speed LP remaster

(A&M/UMe)

These three simultaneous reissues complete the campaign to return high-quality pressings of the studio output by Supertramp’s pivotal five-man lineup to circulation. The albums were restored via half-speed mastering at Abbey Road Studios. Last year’s offerings included essential 1974 album Crime of the Century. This wave includes the remaining two must-haves from the band’s catalog, and its charming if uneven parting effort with co-leader Roger Hodgson from 1982.

1977’s Even in the Quietest Moments … regains the momentum begun with 1974’s Crime of the Century. The album begins with the blissful 12-string acoustic jangle of Hodgson’s sublime single “Give a Little Bit.” The song was reportedly inspired by the spirit of the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love.” The shimmering title cut expands like a dawning sunrise as it builds from a low simmer to an emotional peak propelled Dougie Thomson’s sturdy bass and Bob Siebenberg’s steady drumming. Rick Davies’ “Downstream” is a solo piano ballad brimming with pure romance. Thematically reminiscent of George Harrison’s soul-seeking fare like “My Sweet Lord,” “Babaji” pays homage to Hodgson’s spiritual guiding light while calling for aid. Reeds player John Helliwell is highlighted on the bluesy pop of Davies’ “From Now On,” followed by a duet with European flair between Hodgson’s guitar and Davies’ melodica. The songs is capped with a gospel call-and-response coda. Hodgson’s ambitious 11-minute “Fools Overture” incorporates the band’s progressive pop and symphonic savvy into the album’s epic conclusion.

1979’s Breakfast in America is the album that needs no introduction because it’s never left the public’s ear. The release sees all of the band’s pop-based ambitions come to fruition. The progressive elements of “Fools Overture” or the title cut to 1985’s Brother Where You Bound are generally absent, but the meticulous band refines its playing and melodic strengths to generate its most focused and enduring collection of songs. Three of Hodgson’s compositions became major hit singles.

The carnivalesque title track taught some sheltered youth (including your faithful correspondent) what kippers were. “They’ve gotta have ’em in Texas, ’cause everyone’s a millionaire,” Hodgson insists. Mom never picked them up from the grocery store, even though we lived in the Lone Star State at the time. Alas. “The Logical Song” was a canny protest against control and conformity disguised within a captivating minor-key verse and dreamy, uplifting chorus. “Please tell me who I am,” pleads Hodgson before the song transitions into a madcap solo section featuring Helliwell’s off-kilter solos. The song was Supertramp’s biggest hit, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Take the Long Way Home” suggests straying from the familiar when reality becomes too big of a compromise of the self. Viewed in harsher light, it’s about pursuing your own peace even if it means abandoning your responsibilities and commitments to others. There may not have been a Mrs. Hodgson at the time to raise an objection.

Davies scored with road-dog tale “Goodbye Stranger,” singing about a delightfully itinerant life with a new partner in every town. “I’ll never look behind me, my troubles will be few,” he sings, echoing the carefree sentiment of Roger Miller’s “King of the Road.” The falsetto choruses singing “hope you find your paradise” give voice to the paramours left behind.

1982’s … famous last words … was certified Gold and reached the Top 5 spot on the album charts, but that could have been largely due to Supertramp’s peaking status and expectations following the landslide success of Breakfast in America. Hodgson and Davies were artistically divided in their goals for the album, resulting in the lack of a unified musical identity enjoyed by earlier works, even when consisting of the two writers’ separate compositions. The album title was changed from Tightrope and Davies has said the final name was chosen to reflect the writers’ intentions not to work together anymore. Davies’ vision of a heavier progressive element would be overridden in favor of Hodgson’s accessible songs, leaving the aforementioned “Brother Where You Bound” to instead become the centerpiece of the first Supertramp album following Hodgson’s departure for a solo career. Hodgson’s bouncy “It’s Raining Again” is a charming pop confection with a “chin-up” -message of encouragement. It reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Davies’ best remembered songs from the album are ’50s-styled ballad of devotion “My Kind of Lady” (charting at #31) and the hand-clapping gospel stroll of “Put On Your Old Brown Shoes.” The latter song features soulful electric piano, sparkling acoustic piano reminiscent of Little Feat’s Bill Payne, harmonica, and guest spots by Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart. Helliwell delivers spirited saxophone playing on songs including “Crazy.”

My base of comparison for the new pressings were original LP copies of Breakfast in America and … famous last words … The new mastering work by Miles Showell is reverent but beneficial when compared to the old vinyl. The new pressings are actually cut about 3 dB quieter than the vintage LPs, with less compression and limiting and more room for natural dynamic range that breathes life and air into the mix, with lower harmonic distortion. Breakfast in America tracks including “The Logical Song” are more vivid and seem to have a broader soundstage. Siebenberg’s drums on “Goodbye Stranger” are noticeably more robust and natural. The new master of … famous last words … isn’t as bright as the old master but sounds a bit more lifelike as a result. The … famous last words … tracks may not be Supertramp’s tip-top songs, but the seasoned musicians do offer their delights. The songs on all three of these reissues now have their best chance to shine in the vinyl format.

Even in the Quietest Moments … 8 of 10

Breakfast in America 10 of 10

“… famous last words …” 6 of 10

– Jeff Elbel