IS EVERYBODY LISTENING?

The 'Tramp at their peak. This recording was a bootleg one circulating for some time. It was called "Supertramp In Concert 1975" from the "Super Golden Radio Shows". IThe concert took place in London on March 9th 1975 at the Hammersmith Odeon..... The difference in both releases is that this one is more completed : we get "Another Man's Woman" and "Lady" on top of the other tracks.

This recording has a definite nostalgic value of course. The band was about to release "Crisis" this is to be noticed in the intro of their "new" material.

This show represents the whole of "Crime". Each side of the original album being played in the original sequence (which sounds logical since it was a kind of concept work) and only interrompted by four songs from "Crisis".

The band is of course very well used to play the old material, while a bit hesistant but already great in the new numbers.

Some of the differences between the studio material and this live album are "Hide In Your Shell" : the final part is superb and rather rocky. Version for "Dreamer" is somewhat faster here. "Rudy" as well is more rocking during some instrumental sections. But, of course, musically there are little room for improvisations ('Tramp has never been Santana or Purple of course).

There are some very special and funny moments on this record. At the end of "Bloody Well Right", Helliwel will say : "Thanks man....ahhh good evening. Welcome to MY show and em, I'd like to do another one now. This is from my album. I shall be supported by Rick and Roger on vocals on this one. This is called .... Ooh another thing. We've got a little guest vocal group tonight. These are "The Trampettes" and they'll be appearing at the end of this number. They're pretty cool so don't applaud too much. This is "Hide in Your Shell"....".

A bit later in the show, the same Helliwel will say between "Another Man's Woman" and "Lady" : "Yeah. Thanks a lot. That's another one I didn't write. And ah I'm going to do another one.

Heckler in the audience : "Where's the song" ?

Helliwel : "Ooh we've got the chap from rent-a-mouth here tonight (crowd and Dougie laughs and cheers) Yeah... anyway to continue... Now if you can get your fingers together at the end of this one can you click? Yes nice yeah OK...

Heckler : Where's the class/ where's my glass ?

Helliwel : "Yeah hey listen"

Dougie Thompson : "Oh nooo" (laughs nervously)

Helliwel : To get on 'ere you need some material and the only material you've got is that shitty suit you're wearing (crowd applause). This is one called "Lady".

This version of Lady is very good and somewhat different of the one that we all know. At the end of this track, there will be an intro from Dough : "Thank-you. At this point we'd like to present something, the likes of which have never been seen before on a stage in London. This is a new talent spot. We'd like to present Mr. Entertainments himself, Mr. John Helliwell.

Helliwell : "OK turn me on there man (at this point his famous, potentially lethal light bulb jakcet was switched on! Ehhh... Oh thanks a lot man. Now for my encore.

He will then sing what's known as the funny "Alphabet Song" : When Johnny Jones was serenading Mary At quoting poetry he was no fool But he's much rather tell her what he learnt from the teacher When they both attended Kindergarten school.. A you're adorable B you're so beautiful C you're a cutie full of charms D you're a darling and E you're exciting and F you're a feather in my arms G you look good to me and H you're so heavenly I you're the one I idolize (ahh.. eee by gum) J we're like Jack and Jill and K you're so kissable and L is the love light in your eyes M, N, O, P I could go on all day Q, R, S, T alphabetically speaking you're ok You made my life complete and V means you're very sweet W, X, Y, Z

Heckler : Piss off !

It's fun to wander through the alphabet with you to tell you what you mean to me

Hecklers : Rubbish !

Personal comment : the hecklers shouts are hardly audible (you need hearphones to grab them).

This recording has an inmense emotional value (at least to my ears). At this stage, I would like to congratulate Roger, Rick, John, Dougie and Bob for their great contribution to rock music. I belong to those who were a bit orphan while Roger left. It proofed that both Rick and Roger were complementary and none of them will ever equal the quality of their work when they were together. Nor Rick with Supertramp, nor Roger in his solo career. Four stars.