Breakfast in America – Supertramp – What’s On The Table
We hope you’re all feeling super!
Welcome to a new “What’s On The Table”! This time we’re travelling back to 1979 …
We received this stunning picture disc of Supertramp’s “Breakfast In America” during last year’s Advent Calendar. Unfortunately, it came without a sender address, so we couldn’t address our thanks to the right person. If YOU sent it, please let us know in the comments! 😀
It was one of our first choices when we thought of which albums to pick for a new season of “What’s On The Table”. Technically, “Crimes of The Century” is our favourite Supertramp album but “Breakfast In America” is by far their most successful one and full of world-wide hits (and the only one we own).
We’re sure many of you have a lot to say about it too and we’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions. Supertramp played live quite excessively for a number of years so we wonder if any of you ever got the chance to see them live?
Please share your thoughts and feelings! 😉
Stay groovy,
Mona & Lisa
I enjoy these segments because some of the albums were published when I was too young to remember and others like this one I was too busy to spend much time listening except on the radio in my car going to and from wherever. I was in college & working so I didn’t have much free time.
Supertramp was a good group. Thanks for covering this one because I always learn quite a bit.
They had a lot of hits, great music. Thanks for covering. Really enjoyable.
I was never a fan of Supertramp, I didn’t like the sound of the vocals by which I mean they were too high and ‘squeaky’ for my teen ears. This meant that I could, and did, not concentrate on the lyrics and so did not gain anything from them. This personal taste hasn’t really changed much since then and even your review and background chat of Breakfast in America hasn’t stirred anything, for now.
I was more into bands like The Jam in the late 70s.
I am familiar with all the songs you played, but not really familiar with Supertramp. But I was one of those guys that dressed in the “funny” fashion of the day. A suggestion – please do “take the long way home.” You got part of it down already. lol. Also, have you considered doing some ABBA songs. Chiquititta or I Have a Dream. I think they would fit your harmonies and guitars w/ Mr. Rudy’s organ/piano. Anyway. Peace be
I agree that Crime of the Century was one of their best. Also Crisis, What Crisis tends to be overlooked but in my view pretty good.
Great choice of album and so glad you both love it. This is one of my all time favourite albums and you are right about how well produced it is.
To my great embarrassment when I first heard The Logical Song on the radio in 1979 I thought it was sung by a female singer! Not sure it is really prog rock though, maybe parts of the tracks on the second side. Wonderful What’s on the Table! I think you could do a duo cover of Give a Little Bit as it’s more guitar based if you wanted to do a Supertramp song.
O now you’re talking! Love Supertramp and also love the way that you ladies are discovering and commentating on albums that have formed a soundtrack to my whole life. These days I probably watch more than just listen to bands, albums and songs via YouTube (and there’s a huge amount of Supertramp to be discovered on that platform).
I probably know 80% of the lyrics from Breakfast in America and they are great songs to sing along to. However, for me it is their first album Supertramp which will always be dear to my heart (and yes, there is a romantic connection with a first girlfriend). Check out “Surely” (Reprieve).
However, going back to BIA I would say that “Lord is it Mine” is such a beautiful song, and one of my favourite Supertramp songs.
Thank you as always.
I liked Supertramp, but probably not one of my top ten bands. “Give a Little Bit” was my favorite song by them. Personally, I never cared for “Breakfast in America.” Oh well… interesting to get your take on them. 😊
This was the opening number of the first time I took my girlfriend (2 years later to be my wife) to see them in 1979. While not that particular moment, it’s very close to the rendition they played at the Edmonton stop (same tour) that spring. Pretty much the signature song of theirs for me. We hadn’t even quite made it to our seats when the house lights went down and we were fumbling around in the dark while those ghostly strains of the harmonica echoed through Northlands Coliseum. We sat down just in time for Rodger to send out the first lonely lines of the vocals. My hair literally stood up, and other than the music, I swear you could have heard a pin drop the crowd was in such silent awe. I will never forget that.
Bing Videos
This is changing the subject… Mona and Lisa’s YouTube version of Day Tripper is a live version from the Cavern Club. They have a very talented young lady, playing the tambourine. The version that Siri plays sounds identical, except I think the tambourine part is played with the symbols? They are both live versions. Maybe you musically inclined people could sent me straight on that? 🤔🤓
Tim I’m not musically inclined at all but it’s an interesting question you bring up about the difference in those recordings. As far as I can tell there is only one recording. Day Tripper doesn’t appear on the Cavern Club cd. The recording with Julia Shaeffer playing the tambourine and singing harmonies appears on the Beatles and More volume 1 cd. The description beneath the video says it was recorded at a club in Vienna. I listened to the cd version and I agree with you. I can hear the cymbals more prominent on the cd than on the video. I believe the cymbals and the tambourine are being played at the same time but for some reason the cymbals stand out more on the cd. Maybe the mixing of the audio track was tweaked a little in the studio before being recorded to disc. Just my two cents worth. Interesting question though.
That’s interesting I will have to study that more…. And yes, I spelled “cymbals”wrong. If it was really a smart phone, it would figure that out!🤓
Now that I am studying the YouTube video…. that certainly is not the Cavern Club….. and I do believe I hear the cymbals in there also…. If I watch it, of course, I concentrate on the tambourine because I can see it. But if I close my eyes and listen, I do hear the cymbals also. Thanks Tim I think we figured out my mystery!?🤔🤓
There’s another mystery in Mona and Lisa’s version of Maxwells Silver Hammer…. I will study it more before I throw it out into the universe…..🤓🎶
Yeah Tim, the video doesn’t show a good view of the drummer playing the cymbals so I think it’s just natural to focus on the tambourine. I won’t ask about Maxwell’s Silver Hammer but there is at least one video where some clips of Mona singing are flipped in a mirror image.
Lol, my smart phone was the dumbest one on the shelf.
Now that I think about it…. Most everything I do is on my phone. When I watch YouTube videos it’s always on my phone. When I’m in the shop listening to music through Siri, (whatever that is?) I listen to it through a separate “smart”speaker that the guys set up. It does pick up more of the fine sound details of the music. 🎶🤙🤓
Loved the WOTT, I’ve always been a fan of Supertramp, it was my big brother that got me into them. Along with a few other bands like Genesis and Yes. I saw them in the late 70’s at the Glasgow Apollo. It was before Breakfast In America so they were probably touring Even In The Quietest Moments. I think you probably could do some Supertramp in the Duo Sessions just change the arrangements to suite your sound.
First of all, dear Mona, I have to make you a compliment for your outfit.The blouse you wear looks beautiful! Now to the album: I know this album since it was released in1979, and I liked it from the beginning till today. It was the end of the hippie area, therefore the long hair of the musicians.
I have to post this Super Great Song & Performance! Dig the Alto Sax solo, & the vocal is Supreme!
Supertramp – The Logical Song (Official 4K Video) (youtube.com)
AANNNNDDD! Another Good un!’ With a Clarinet solo this time.
Supertramp – Take The Long Way Home (Official 4K Video) (youtube.com)
Another great choice. So many good songs and all well done. I’m with Mona on “Crime of the Century” I think I bought it the first day it came out and played till it turned white but this will do. How about you guys do a Supertramp cover? So many possibilities.. Logical Song with Papa Rudy on Hammond and Michaela on Sax. Hey, a little more practice no problem.. take it, take it, take it YEAH!
Ah, it just now hit me that the woman on the album cover represents the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor! I’m a little slow when it comes to art.
It was the 3rd song before I realized the background was composed of restaurant settings.
Another great WOTT! I like the way you review albums. It sounded like this one did not get the “Two Twins Thumbs Up” rating that you sometimes give.
I don’t remember Supertramp, so his is not an album that I am not familiar with at all, but I’m sure I would have heard some of their songs at some point. I have to agree with your thought on it not really being your style of music, but I know I liked some other songs from that era. I also listened more to folk, country, and Spanish language music during the late 70’s and after, and I’ve always listened to oldies from the 60’s.
A couple of the songs remind me of Elton John’s music, but Sir John ‘s great music is on a higher plateau in my view, and he gave one of the best live performances I ever saw.
I’m a long time fan of Supertramp. I bought Breakfast In America when it was about a year old. To be honest, it didn’t make as big an impression on me as some of their earlier albums which I actually bought later. I’ve never been a fan of over production and this did and does still spoil it a bit for me but I love the music regardless.
There are two songs from Supertramp that stand out to me as overlapping the MLT vibe to some extent. One is Two Of Us from the album Crisis? What Crisis?. I’m hearing both a Duo Session version and a Wagner family version. The second is Give A Little Bit from Even In The Quietest Moments.
Again, a Duo Session or a Wagner Version. There is plenty of room for a Papa Rudi and a Michela spin on the keys, sax and bass. And, of course, a Papa Rudi clean and crisp production.
The bass parts in both of these are a huge part of the rhythm feel and the harmony. Maybe a duo session without bass might be a bit empty?????
For a full band production of Give A Little Bit, I’m hearing your double bass rather than the Hoffner but I guess that’s just my acoustic bias.
In any event, I would love to hear either or both of these with the MLT stamp firmly upon them.
Jung! I say, Jung! Would you like to weigh in on this?
Ladies, any chance of a future WOTT on another excellent English group, ELO? Perhaps A New World Record or Out of the Blue?
Paul, you may know this but I thought I’d mention it: sometime in the last five years Jeff Lynn took a modern-day version of ELO on tour and videos of individual songs were made which are on YouTube. So, these are the original songs but filtered through all the years which have passed since they were written. Some of these are quite interesting and worth a look.
Pete, thanks for the heads up, but, yes, I did know this. I’m sure that they went to the US too a couple of times, with the band being led by my cousin Mike (not really, but his surname is Stevens!).
One of the gigs was shown live on British TV and I was hugely impressed with how good the band sounded. A double CD and DVD called “Jeff Lynne’s ELO – Wembley or Bust” was issued which, of course, I had to buy. Haven’t listened to it for a while, so I might load up the DVD later!
Jeff, being as humble as ever, was truly shocked at the success and popularity of the gigs but they resulted in him producing a new Jeff Lynne’s ELO album called “Alone in the Universe”, which isn’t their greatest, but has a few decent tracks on it. The album “From Out of Nowhere” came out a few years later.
This is just what I needed today! It uplifted my spirits, I was feeling a bit too black pilled and this came to lift me up! I’m extremely thankful for that alone.
This album cover is one of the best ever in my humble opinion.
Love how each of you have different tastes and Mona is all over Supertramp.
I remember when I first heard this album, it was in the early 80’s (probably ’82) at my grandparents farm where the whole family and friends would converge for the summer. That summer we had two new albums, Ringo’s Stop and Smell the Roses and this one. I remember my aunt loving the line “don’t you look at my girlfriend, she’s the only one I’ve got”. It took me a while to realize they were British.
The Logical Song is such a great song, so many on this album.
For some reason I always grouped Supertramp and STYX together.
Thank you for reviving all those memories.
Now it’s off to Breakfast, in America of course.
I loved this WOTT! Very nice job on your research and in putting this one together Mona & Lisa! (And on ALL of your WOTTs by the way!) I do remember hearing the “Logical Song” a lot on the radio when it first came out, and some of their other songs. And to tell you the truth, I didn’t pay much attention to whether they were British or American. Also, as is often the case with songs, I don’t know all the lyrics unless I write them out to sing.
I don’t own any albums of theirs, & it would seem logical that I would buy them since I did really like their Songs, Voices & Arrangements. But, as I’ve said before, at that time I was doing so many things, like playing trumpet in different groups, & often singing. But I also attended college & university, got degrees, traveled, lived in NYC, socialized, & just stayed busy. Things haven’t changed much since then as far as being busy.
I just had so much other Music that I was listening to, studying & playing. As for singing or listening myself, I was really into the Beatles, Wings, the solo albums of John, George & Ringo, but also Billy Joel, The Bee Gees, ABBA, & many Jazz & Pop singers.
Classical Music played a role in my life too.
Supertramp wasn’t something that I thought I would practice or sing in a group. But I DID feel that their music was as good as anything out there. So yeah, I will definitely revisit this super group!
Thank you again for your fine choice in Music for us! I very much enjoyed all your comments, “My Fair Ladies!” And your ending was perfect! It left me hanging and wanting more! And again, very nice threads, & hairstyles — just perfect as always!
THANKS SO MUCH! — Bud
PS — The USA definitely has its good points AND bad points! No arguments there! While I believe that it’s fine to focus on the good things…. if we don’t complain & demand change for the better, WE’LL NEVER GET IT! After all, criticism, education, knowledge and CHANGE are what makes our situation better! And whatever the rest of the World does, the US always seems to affect everyone else everywhere. So we MUST set a good example on the World stage!
Also, no more selfish “America First” ideology please! Every country & Every living thing is equally important! Cooperation is much more important than Competition! I’m not trying to be political; I just believe in doing WHAT’S RIGHT for everyone!
CHEERS! — Bud
Damn …. just remembered Roger Hodgson had performed in Ottawa back in 2018 , never went to show but remember kind of seeing him interviewed on Ottawa local news and Ottawa local newspaper at the time….
Also some yrs back, Sir Paul Mac had performed in Otrawa but never went because the ticket prices were far beyond my affordability bracket …. sad I had to miss out on seeing both these mysic icons live but that’s the reality of my world…. can’t/couldn’t afford tickets unless I had won the 649 lottery at the time …..lol…
Also, do recall my 2nd oldest bro having the ” Crimes of the Century ” album, I recognized the album cover when you showed it onscreen… so, I was exposed to Supertramp ” …lol….
The album cover I remember in the 70s was so iconic, it was plastered everywhere in record stores. I haven’t heard these 4 songs in such a long time, it’s great to hear them again. My favourites were the Logical Song and Take The Long Way Home. Supertramp created some amazing epic songs that were like prog-rock symphonies. Of their albums, the one I am very familiar with and like the best is “Even In The Quietest Moments”, some really epic tracks on their. Give a Little Bit, and Fools Overture in particular really stood out for me. Thank you, always love these WOTTs. Loved your groovy ending on Take the Long Way Home.
And no…. When people from other countries, criticize or complain about the United States… we certainly are not perfect. That doesn’t really bother me. I do like to concentrate on all the good things our country has done. It’s kinda like being married…. If you concentrate on the things you don’t like about your spouse, you probably are not very happy… but if you concentrate on the good things that they have done, you should be smiling every time you think of them! 🤙🤓
That was a great album…. and it was certainly during my “time.” I remember, singing and knowing most of the words to their popular songs. But if anyone asked me what my favorite band was, they probably wouldn’t have been in the top 10. But reliving the music put a smile on my face…. so I know I enjoyed listening to them. Come to think of it. The smile might’ve been from listening to you two talk about Supertramp. There’s something about the high pitched voice of Supertramp and Rush that I certainly listening to… the songs were great, but for some reason neither one of them were at the top of my list! I probably listen to Creedence… Steppenwolf…Doobie Bros… I know that was a little earlier era, and maybe it was a little darker music?? But those I remember buying their albums.. so they were certainly in my top five! It’s always great to watch you two sing or talk… or even make a planter out of a pallet!!! You put the whip cream on top of my day?🤓
This was my generation! One of the few good groups I listened to. The 1970s did not have a lot of good music as compared to 1960s but they did have some good music.
Both Mona & Lisa looked so lovely today.
I have this album, but not with the pretty pictures on it – just plain vinyl. I remember their hit songs and I liked them, but not so familiar with their other work.
Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend.
Bobby S. 😎❤️🎈🧛♂️
PS There was a mild earthquake today on the east coast of the US. These are quite rare in this area. Normally they are more prevalent on the west coast in California.
Hey Y’all, a great breakfast in America is at the local Waffel House and the juke box (every Waffel House has a juke box) is playing Steve Wariner’s song Small Town Girl.
Waffel House ain’t fancy, it’s just GOOD.
Ladies, Thanks again for a wonderful start to the weekend!
Hey Mona, your blouse is too cool! Absolutely beautiful. Looks like you just rolled through a field of Texas wildflowers.
C!!!
Ahhhh… I kinda recall this album & many hits from it hearing them on radio as kid in the 70s and later my teen yrs in the 80s… and I too, had no idea they were British either…. Wow, things that we learn on a daily basis … Much enjoyed this WOTT segment…. and that album cover photo I think is ranked as one of if not , best Iconic of all time …. Thankyou Mona & Lisa for another enlightening/entertaining/educational episode…. Awesome Wknd Segway …. 💜💯🤘🏻😎🤩
They were my first concert back in the 70’s here in Philadelphia when they were touring Crime of the century which is also my favorite album.
What a blast!!
I love this record. I was lucky enough to see Supertramp in concert on this tour as well as the Famous Last Words tour.. I remember they were surprisingly very loud live. I think my favorite song on this album is Oh Darling. I just love it.
You say. “surprisingly very loud live”.
I remember reading in a magazine somewhere that Supertramp’s PA had the power to, “level a small town”.
Maybe there is some truth to that story. 🙂
That statement was true. They were extremely loud, but with excellent, clear sound! I say surprising because their recordings are so highly produced and polished sounding, I just didn’t expect them to be as loud as they were!
I love Mona more and more all the time! One of my all-time favorite bands. “Crisis? What Crisis?” is my favorite album, followed by Crime of the Century and Even in the Quietest Moments. But this album definitely was the biggest, and no wonder. It was the perfect commercially accessible album crafted for the airwaves, but without denying or parting too much from their roots. Brilliant. I also liked Brother Where You Bound which was quite the departure without Roger.
I never got to see them live but I have seen Roger solo a couple of times and his solo albums are brilliant. Eye of the Storm got me through some really dark times back in high school.
Thanks as always for such a great treat! And while I had to laugh at Mona’s clothing remarks, that blouse she has on is breathtaking!
Really enjoyed it too Roger. I love that MLT delve into such a wide variety of genres in music, and always love their professional take and perspective on songs. Their keen sense in music bring out insight and perspective I always find fascinating and enjoyable.
I love WOTT, always very interesting, and the stereo reactions from you two are always wonderful – you agree on a lot of things, but not everything. It always gets me thinking about tunes I haven’t heard in a long time, and you always teach me something.
From ’73-77 I was in college, so I was inundated daily by music, in a way that’s never happened to me before or since. I remember those songs very well, and I listened to Crime of the Century after watching the video, and I remember those songs too. They were on the radio a lot, but I don’t own their albums and I’ve never seen them live.
Watching this, I was thinking, this has prominent keyboards in it – which usually piques my interest – and I’ve heard it many times. Why didn’t I follow them,or ever play their songs? It wasn’t what I was into.
As far as how Americans take criticism – the rest of the world has never been shy about telling Americans what they’re doing wrong. I think it probably gets drowned out by all the criticism from within America.
Thanks!
Chris,
On your last comment; ha — ha — ha!
Supertramp was one of those bands that was rather middling for me; OK but never really got into them. However, 1979 was one the best and worst years of my life. I was in the Navy, stationed at an airbase in California. A couple of my friends and I got an apartment and my friend Scotty (RIP man!) drove back to Michigan and returned with his stereo and a bunch of vinyl. Cream, 10 Years After, Rare Earth, and many stories possibly not suitable. But in the car, it was radio, and these songs were all over the airwaves. It was a lot of fun until the end of that year when “The Wall” was released, but then we all transferred to new commands, sad enough but also the US embassy in Tehran was overrun and we had over a year of that drama to guide our futures.
I had forgotten how many big hits this album contained.
Thanks for reminding me. Enjoyable.
I didn’t realize they were British .
One other thought…
I don’t think Americans were offended in any way by this album. At that time, I remember Elton John, Rod Stewart, John Lennon, David Bowie, The Bee Gees, Ringo Starr, Mick Fleetwood and a lot of other British artists living in the US for tax purposes.
Loved your outtro…
I never had any Supertramp albums but remember hearing their hits quite a lot on American radio. They did have a fresh sound that still sounds good today, just wasn’t my cup of tea at the time. I did not even know they were British. Thank you Mona and Lisa for all the information and insight on the band and the album. Thanks to the many club members too for all the info in their comments. I always learn a lot with the WOTTs. Have a great weekend.
I find it really interesting that so many people commented that they didn’t realise that Supertramp were a british band. Going by the sound of their biggest hits I wouldn’t have guessed so either! I loved reading all the comments today too, lots of interesting insights! 🙂
One of the things I really like about this club is reading all the comments of the club members. Being an American from the Midwest farm country I like hearing stories and opinions of members from other places of the world, even other areas of the U.S. It’s an asset to the club I never thought about when joining but now I find it very enjoyable. You have built something very special here, thank you so much!!
I’ll drink to that, Tim.
Well said.
Thanks Ian. I may join you a bit later, it’s only 10 am here, Lol, cheers!!
“Breakfast in America” has now become a worldwide classic in pop history. I never saw Supertramp live, but I saw Roger Hodgson live at “The Night of the Proms” in Antwerp (Belgium) in 1991. Steve Harley and Randy Crawford also performed that same evening. At the end of the show they sang and played all together “Hey Jude” from The Beatles. I think there is footage of it on YouTube somewhere.
Oh wow, I would love to see that! I tried to find the clip on YouTube but no success so far. If you ever come accross it please let us know!
Mona, I finally found the video on You Tube. It shows the end of the show. The presenter speaks Dutch, but the images speak for themselves. Here’s a link tot it. I hope it works and you like it.
Kind regards. 🙂
https://youtu.be/MW15av2mXFg?feature=shared
Thanks Dirk,
for finding this video for us! I enjoyed hearing all the different vocal styles from these great singers! It was very moving seeing everyone “Come Together” & be so involved in this Beatles song, which has stood the test of time!
Here’s a video you might find interesting. Sir Paul flew to NYC & sang with Billy Joel in Concert. The story that goes w/it is very special!
LAST PLAY AT SHEA Billy Joel × Paul McCartney (youtube.com)
Fascinating video, Bud! Any idea why Paul was so eager to do that?
Hi David,
Bill(y) has named the Beatles as one of his main influences, along with Bach! As with Paul, the Music that inspires Billy always comes out in his own style. And I believe they are friends! They’ve done a few things together, and it’s great how all the airport & customs people let Paul thru so he could get to the concert in time, & not miss it!
Paul’s wife Nancy is from New York, so he goes there a lot. He probably heard that Joel was playing a concert that night, & just rang him up to see if he could join in! Of course, the crowd loved it — GREAT FUN with 2 big Music Stars!
— Bud
Bud, Thank you very much for this fantastic video.
Boy, what a story and what a great performance. I think it must have been a huge surprise for the audience there to see two giants in the music world play together. 🙂
Dirk,
Thanks for your comment! For sure that would be something to remember! Here’s another interesting one that I just saw for the 1st time!
Here’s Paul at age 77, & Steve at age 71 in 2019. These guys have Eveready batteries inside of them!
Helter Skelter – Paul McCartney & Steven Tyler (youtube.com)
I’m so glad you found that video – thank you, Dirk!! What an absolute treat! 🙂
Lisa: “The first song is ‘Gone Hollywood’…I don’t know this one”
The shift from prog-rock to pop…not sure what came first, have to look up…’Goodbye Stranger’ or ‘Follow You Follow Me’ by Genesis.
Late 70s/Early 80s is not all bad…still like the mullet.
Fascinating. Good choice, great album, great band.
I was interested to hear you talk about labels controlling musical styles. I have always pointed my fingers at US radio stations for that. So many commercial stations trying to please their sponsors led them to play very narrow genres aimed at specific demographics. It’s my belief that the Beatles could not have done what they did if they had to do it in the US because the radio stations that had played the early pop songs would not have played the later, more progressive releases. It was only possible because the band had already become SO huge that they HAD to. They’d become a genre of their own, if you like.
In the UK, we only had the pirate stations (who played whatever they liked) and the BBC, to whom there were only two genres; everything was either classical or pop (and, occasionally, jazz). Also, then as now, they were commercial free. So you could hear The Beatles and all the others in the same program as novelty songs, old style ballads, West End musical numbers – basically, anything that sold well as a single. So an established artist’s music would get played even if it was radically different from anything else. If the public liked it, it sold and the musical world could be changed very quickly and easily.
Same thing happened again later with styles like punk, reggae, synth-pop and so on.
Mona and Lisa, another great choice! Me and my wife got married in 1979 so this album was a huge success that year so a lot of songs on this album remind me of the year we got married. So, as you can guess me, and my wife love this album and brings back great memories for us. Never had the chance to see them live but I know friends who have seen them and said they put on a great show. But their song Give a Little Bit means a lot to us as well it came out in 1977 and we loved that song. So again, thanks for another What’s on the Table, always a great time spending with you both. Hope you have a groovy weekend and look forward to next Friday! Hugs and Love from Me and Maddie
I saw Supertramp twice live in Manchester in the 1970’s, and I agree with Mona about ‘Crime of the Century’ being one of their best Albums. I have this album and their next one which is ‘Crisis What Crisis’. To me the earlier stuff was better, which is similar to the early Genesis music in the Peter Gabriel era, which is my favorite go to music of all time and I never tire of it, particularly tracks like ‘Firth of Fifth’ which make the hairs on my neck stand on end. When Peter Gabriel and Steve Hacket left the band Genesis became a pop band and I went right off them!! Back to Supertramp, I can’t remember the last time I played their albums- which must say something!!
I enjoy their music and seen them in concert here years ago.
Love your outro- Take The Long Way Home- What I do when MLT playing when driving…lol
Thanks for the Friday smiles! 🙂
Mona and Lisa,
Great album especially the included singles tracks. I remember the songs from the radio, but I never purchased the album or the singles. Oh well, my loss! Thanks for jogging my memory.
Charles
Hello!
Thanks for another wonderful What’s On The Table?. I consider Supertramp one of my ‘B-list’ artists. I love a lot of their music and still have their albums on vinyl from the ‘70s along with the inevitable ‘CD repurchases’ of the ‘90s and later. They just don’t tend to be among my first choices when I’m looking for something to sit down and listen to. Based on the Supertramp album that gets played the most these days, I’d say my favorite is Even In The Quietest Moments, followed by Crime of the Century, then Breakfast in America. My go to songs in their catalog are Fools’ Overture, Hide in Your Shell, Give a Little Bit, Dreamer, and Take the Long Way Home.
After relistening to Breakfast in America, I noticed that Child of Vision (one of my favs from the album) must have been a hold-over from the original ‘conversation’ concept from the album, as well as being a bit of a throwback to their earlier days.
Look at the photo on the back of the album. The band are having breakfast in America whilst reading newspapers from their hometowns. Rick Davies is reading (or pouring sugar on) the Swindon Evening Advertiser as that is where he was from. The Glasgow Herald, Manchester Evening News, and Oxford Mail can also be seen.
Oooh, we completely missed that! Thanks, that’s a clever little detail! 🙂
If you released ‘Breakfast in Liverpool’ you could have a photo of you all reading Viennese newspapers 😀
Ooh! I’d never noticed that either.
I knew this because I used to live in Swindon and the local newspaper became very excited that they featured on the album cover of a Worldwide hit 🙂
Justin Heywood of the Moody Blues also came from Swindon, and still lives nearby,
Good eyes RIchard!
When I started to collect vinyl (again) this was the second Supertramp album I purchased. Even in the Quietest Moments I think is their best album. It warms my heart to see them appreciated by someone as talented and accomplished as the twins.
I was never a huge Supertramp fan but I bought this album on the back of the singles on it. Having purchased it, I also went on to like the tracks Gone Hollywood, Lord Is It Mine and Oh Darling.
Thanks for doing a WOTT for this album as they were certainly a talented group.
Despite growing up in the 70’s, I never heard of Supertramp. Their only intersection with my life was in the first Superman movie (1978), when Give a Little Bit is playing on Lois Lane’s car radio as she pulls into a gas station just before the earthquake hits.
Hello Ladies
I remember the 4 songs being on the radio, but could not have told you who the group was. I was much into 2 groups and a solo artist at the time. Perhaps you’ve heard of them. CHICAGO, THE BEACH BOYS, AND ELTON JOHN. I know they didn’t have alot of success (just 3 of the biggest names in music) and countless hits. Beach Boys And Chicago collaborated on some some during that era of the late 70s at CARIBOU RANCH. ALL THREE ARTISTS Recorded at CARIBOU at one time or another. Thanks again for Whats On The Table today. Good stuff.
Best always, Rick Ross
I’m with Mona liking Supertramp’s 1973 Album. My favorite songs are “Give A Little Bit” and “Goodbye Stranger” but there aren’t many by them that I don’t like.
I love Mona’s 👱♀️ shirt and Lisa’s 👩🦰 sweater vest. Soooo cool! 👍 😊
Oh, I forgot to mention that I had no idea Supertramp was an English group when I first heard them. I enjoyed your video presenting this album to us!
thank you for Video i really like a couple of super tramps songs the radio stations played them a lot in the seventies on radio 2 i worked in the Audio repair side and played the radio all day.
Good morning all! This really brought up some great memories for me, I was a huge (still am) fan of Supertramp in the 70’s and 80’s. I went to all their concerts that hit Edmonton during the Hodgson/Davies years, and was enthralled with their sort of upbeat take on music that portrayed the light and dark sides of society during those two decades. Breakfast in America was to me a very piano driven album, not that they all weren’t to a certain degree. But several of the songs drift away from the norm of prog rock and harder rock where the percussion and bass lines rule the compositions (to me anyway).
Plus Helliwell’s woodwind accompaniment (not to mention his jovial interaction with the crowds during live performances) added so much more to the productions. Bob Seger used the sax players on many of his songs but not to the degree that Supertramp did. But Helliwell’s use of the clarinet was also very prevalent, especially on stage live. I recall him doing a short warmup to check the tuning of the clarinet before one of the songs…and he joked to the crowd that it was “close enough for rock & roll” before launching into the song’s intro. We all roared!
Sadly, I sort of lost my affection for the only Rick Davies led era of the band, I think part of the attraction was the different perspectives of Hodgson and Davies (musically and personally) is what made them the group that they were. Imagine, a rock group with divergent personal attitudes resulting in creative conflicts! (cough, cough)
Mona mentioned the early albums being more of her favor to put on WOTP and in some ways I agree. Present reasoning on this volume excepted of course…I do hope the donor of the record comes forward to be recognized for such thoughtful generosity!
One of my favorite Supertramp songs is from “Crisis, What Crisis” it still resonates with me and I can’t seem to ever hear it often enough. Sister Moonshine rates right up there with “Give A Little Bit” as a top 10/top of the list song for me.
Great “What’s On the Table” girls!!! Thank you for rekindling my more youthful days, I hope you enjoy this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b95cVg3eY-4
Thanks for sharing all that – very interesting! I’m glad you got to see them live a few times with the original line-up!
I started my time at the University of Illinois in 1979, and several of the songs from this album were featured on the jukebox (with actual 45s!) in the game room near the laundry room for my dorm, and I’d play the singles while studying in the game room waiting for my laundry to finish. There are some great songs on the album.
Hello everyone, alltough i am from that era i don’t know much about supertramp. I heared them a lot , because my friends and classmates were big fans of them. I was more into soul at that time. Nowadays i start to appreciate more kinds of music. I’ve never owned a record of supertramp but i did receive an album ( Allso a coloured one ) from Jacob Collier today. I was very amazed to see that he has a song with the same name as my favourite song from your WHY album, named Summer Rain!! A great song too.
It was great to hear from you again today i surely loved your blouses!!
Have a nice weekend, i hope the weather is going to be as good in Liverpool as it will be over here
They were in my “era” but some of their songs go so much radio play, that they became annoying…the vocals and cheesy keyboards really get annoying! But they had their moments!
When are MLT’s gonna play in USA??
I had the 8-track (yeah I am that old). From my experience, it did not serve as a gateway to other Supertramp albums for me or any of my friends. Also, the girls who rode in my car didn’t seem to like it a whole lot, it certainly wasn’t a collection to inspire romance which was quite important at that time. (You wanted a candid reflection!)
It was played a lot over American radio then. The satirical commentary didn’t phase me one way or another. We viewed the British as very tight and structured, while we felt very free and open as Americans, and are ok and proud of that.
Always a joy to watch you, have a great weekend.
I recently bought this Album and I love it very my sister was given the single the logical song for her birthday the year it came out