PARIS

The Supertramp fan had to wait for quite a long time to hear a live album from this wonderful band. This tour (as most of their tours before) is concentrated on "Crime". Since it is a masterpiece, I have little problem with this.

Seven out of eight tracks from this album (only "If Everyone Was Listening" was skipped). There is one unreleased album track "You Started Laughing" and I really wonder why they played it : it is the poorest song of this double live album. I would rather cry than laugh when I hear it !

I am also a bit frustrated that there are only three songs from "Crisis" which is one of my fave of the band (second to "Crime" IMO) with no sign from "Lady" for instance. This was the supporting tour for "Breakfast" and only three songs from the album are played "Take The Long Way Home", "Breakfast in America" and "The Logical Song". I guess that indicates than even then, the fans (as the band) were not over-enthusiastic about this release.

From the two songs from "Even ...", there is a wonderful rendition of "Fool's Overture" : all the studio effects are well reproduced on stage (taped I guess) and this is of course the highlight of this live album. The sound is very good and the audience really seem to appreciate this fantastic number during the show.

Some good numbers from the era are missing though. "Goodbye Stranger", "Even In The Quietest Moments, "Give a Little Bit" and "Another Man's Woman". It was interesting to note that a week earlier, A&M Records (Canada) released a publicity memo stating that a "triple album" would possibly be released of an ENTIRE Supertramp concert.

The entire Paris show was filmed and although clips of eg. "Dreamer" have been seen with Helliwell lying on his back on top of the grand piano whilst singing backing vocals, the entire footage hasn't been released commercially. What a pity ! Roger's daughter, Heidi was born back stage at 7.45pm 11th April 1979, just 10 to 15 minutes before her dad was due on stage at 8pm. She was born in Roger's motor home !

Even if those live tracks lack sound a lot like the studio ones, it is a very good live album. Four stars.