Trollheart

I think you can see how Supertramp have deteriorated though without Roger (and I don't want to be accused of being a fanboy: I loved Rick Davies' work too, but it needed them both to work the magic) --- "Free as a bird" had one or two good songs on it, but was largely disappointing, "Some things never change" was a little better (though not too much --- very "Brother where you bound" for my tastes) and as for the last one, well I listened to "Slow motion" once, thought it was well named and put it away. I may revisit it soon, perhaps I didn't give it a chance.

However, Roger's solo albums have almost been the continuation from "Famous last words", with my favourite being his debut "In the eye of the storm" (reviewed in my journal section) --- real classy, prog but chartworthy songs, great lyrics and a real zest for life. Supertramp, on the other hand, come across to me as being a little bored, lost, down and perhaps lacking both direction and purpose. It's sad to see how they've fared after the split.

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Unknown Soldier

Famous Last Words was the big comeback album by Supertramp in the early 1980s and despite having some good material was never quite upto the level of their best stuff in the 1970s. After Roger Hodgson left it was all over really, as the rest of their discography without him was mostly forgettable. Both Hodgson and Davies needed each other to get the best out of one another, much like the McCartney and Lennon partnership. The only songs I like by Davies post Hodgson were from the next album Cannonball and they were "Cannonball" and "Brother Where You Bound"

Trollheart

I would strongly disagree that FLW was not up to the standard of previous albums. I in fact see it as one of their very best, and an example of what perhaps they could have achieved had they stayed together (though maybe it's so good BECAUSE they knew they were splitting --- swan song?)

My preferences would be, in order best to worst, as follows:-
Crime of the century
Breakfast in America
Famous last words
Crisis? What crisis?
Even in the quietest moments
Supertramp
Some things never change
Free as a bird
Brother where you bound
Indelibly stamped
Slow motion

Not forgetting of course the excellent live "Paris"

I agree there are only two good songs on "Brother where you bound", those being Cannonball and the title track, and as for "Free as a bird", I only like "I'm beggin' you", though perhaps I need to relisten to the whole album. "Some things never change" upped the game a little, with great tracks like "It's a hard world", "You win I lose", "Listen to me please", "And the light" and the closer "Where there's a will there's a way", but I really can't think of anything --- anything --- I like on "Slow motion".

Have you listened to Hodgson's solo work?

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Unknown Soldier

Your list is very similiar to mine:

Crime of the Century
Breakfast in America
Crisis? What Crisis?
Even in the Quietest Moments
Famous Last Words
Brother Where You Bound
Supertramp

The rest of the albums, I find to be very poor so the order is pretty much not important.

Despite being a Hodgson fan, I`ve only ever listened to a best of compilation, which I know is not always the best way to appreciate somebody`s work. If you want to recommend his best solo album, I`ll give it a listen.

I`m a huge fan of 1970s live albums and there are so many in that decade which are great, to be honest though I didn`t think Paris was up to say the same level as Fleetwood Macs live album which came out around the same time, I mentioned Mac as they put out a sound that appealed to the same type of listener. Saying that though, maybe I should give Paris another listen.

Trollheart

There's no question, Hodgson's debut "In the eye of the storm" is just about his best ever --- even including his work with Supertramp. There are only seven tracks on it, but every one is a classic. Check my Member's Journal for a review if you're interested.

"Paris" I mention because it was the first time I heard "Fool's overture", and I thought it was absolutely amazing. Also, it contains "You started laughing", which to my knowledge is not on any Supertramp album, and the version of "Crime of the century" that closes it is tremendous.

As far as 70s live albums go, I do have a few, but I would probably put Genesis "Seconds out" at the top, if only for the stunning version of "Supper's ready" and "Firth of Fifth".

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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018