In a time, not so long ago, Supertramp were the biggest band on the planet. Hard to believe you say? Well, maybe 28 years ago is a long time, but it certainly seems like it was just yesterday when I was still in junior high school and Breakfast In America was the number one album in the country they wrote about having breakfast in. The album went on to spawn four hit singles and sell over 18 million copies worldwide, which finally made Supertramp international superstars.
It's not that the band was a one-album-wonder though. Although they got off to a rather lackluster start, with a couple of poor selling, traffic-inspired, bluesy, prog-rock albums, the band eventually hit their stride with album number three, 1974's Crime Of The Century, which many consider to be their finest. Myself, I consider it a toss up between Breakfast and Crime. Now there's a cool album name - Breakfast & Crime.
The Story So Far... captures Supertramp during their massive 1983 world tour in support of their ...Famous Last Words... album, which was released the previous year. What is it with these guys and the use of "..."? The concert footage is bookended by two short documentary segments that feature interviews with each of the band members, who provide an excellent overview of the band's rise to stardom, and eventual fall from grace. The live performances are taken mostly from a Toronto, Canada show that was performed indoors, and a Munich, Germany show that was performed outdoors, mostly during daylight hours.
"Crazy" kicks off the ...Famous Last Words... album and it was used to open most of the shows on this tour. This Rodger Hodgson sung number is pretty forgettable when compared to the classics that soon follow. Rick Davies takes the lead on the next song, "Ain't Nobody But Me" from 1975's Crisis? What Crisis?, and this too is not one of the band's strongest songs. After a somewhat lackluster start they really kick things into gear with the title track from Breakfast In America, and things never let up.
From there it is basically a run through of most of the best material from the Crime Of The Century and Breakfast In America albums, with a couple of songs from Even In The Quietest Moments thrown in between. Highlights include a powerhouse version of "Bloody Well Right", with Davies' trademark Wurlitzer electric piano licks and nuanced vocals creating the beautiful melodic foundation, while Hodgson's dirty power chords provide the perfect counterpoint. "School" is one of my favorite Supertramp songs and it was easily the best performance on this DVD. The Berlin stadium had finally darkened, and the haunting mood of the song's intro was captured beautifully, as Davies laid down his famous harmonica riff, and Helliwell joined in on soprano sax.
Article comments
1 - Dave Black
Thanks for the background, very helpful.
As a 70's guy with 32+ years working in the U.S. Consumer Electronics trade, I can’t imagine what would have been captured from Supertramp if our 07’ audio/video tech had been available. Fear not, I’m buying anyway. My eyes and ears are getting pretty old, I may not know the difference in another 10 years.
Thanks again,
2 - mike murray
I love supertramp, is there any dvd of there's that sounds and looks good. please let me know.
3 - Paul Roy
Mike, I'm afraid this is it.