Disco de Supertramp: “Crime of the Century [Remaster]”

If you are in your late 30's or 40 something, then you grew up in the 70's, when people actually bought 12' round vinyl discs and played them on a turntable! If, by chance, you were really into high quality audio sound (refered to as an audiophile), then you should be well acquainted with this musical offering.

A company known as Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL), out of California, pioneered the "Original Master Recording" album. Also referred to as a "half-speed master". This company would seek out and only accept a first generation master tape to re-issue a popular music album. They made the choices based on popularity and sonic quality. The first few offerings were records of recorded "nature sounds" such as lightening, wind, streams, birds, etc. I think one was called The Power and the Majesty. The very first musical selection (catalog #1-005) was Supertramp's Crime of the Century. That's one of the reason's I bought this album. As a young music buyer of the day (late '78) I had not heard of Supertramp. I did know who Pink Floyd was and of course, the Beatles. I was surprised that Crime of the Century kept showing up in the MFSL offerings along with Dark Side of the Moon, Steely Dan's Aja, Fleetwood Mac I, and The Beatles Abbey Road. MFSL's Original Master Recordings were limited editions of 25,000 pressings.

In the early '80's, they began offering Ultra High Quality Records. Limited to only 5,000 pressings. These were the most incredibly high-quality analog phonograph records ever produced by anyone. Heavy, 200 gram records, pressed on virgin vinyl, so clean you could see light through it.

Again, Supertramp's Crime of the Century was one of the first five offerings, along with Floyd's Dark Side. I'm talking about a record that cost $50! Only the ultimate in sound quality music was considered for these very special discs. Even a regular Original Master Recording record cost more that a compact disc does now! About $17.

All this history lesson in sound recording media, that I have presented here, is simply to justify the fact that Crime of the Century is quite possibly the finest sounding achievment in all of recorded rock music. A "masterpiece" as another reviewer put it (pety brawl). Asking the question as to why it didn't stand in the same ranks as Pink Floyd's "The Wall" or "Dark Side of the Moon"? Well...it Does! And it always has. MFSL did not release Dark Side (#1-017) until after Crime of the Century. And way before other greats such as Steely Dan's Aja (#1-033) and Neil Diamond's fantastic sounding Hot August Night 'Live' (#2-024).

In the mid-80's, when compact discs first began to emerge in audio stores, the musical selections were very limited. Just like so many older people remember the first album or record they bought with their own money, everyone also remembers the first compact disc they purchased. I was working in the electronics section of a retail store and needed a compact disc to demo the new machines that were arriving. I went to a local high-end audio store that had a small bin of these mysterious new things called "cd's" for short. And what did I find among the half-dozen classical selections, but Supertramp - Crime of the Century (along with Rush's Moving Pictures). Paid my $18 and walked out. That was our only Demo disc for almost a year, and became quite of few people's favorite after hearing the great music that was within that plastic jewel case.

It's the little things that matter most. A&M's earlier release of Crime of the Century sounded awful. Supertramp's most ambitious prog-rock album certainly deserved better; Mobile Fidelity Sound's release of the album was a big improvement. Of all the Supertramp reissues this year, Crime sounds best; it's sound is fuller, bigger and finally matches the ambitious concept behind the album.

It's a crime that A&M chose not to reissue this fine album with any audio extras or notes. Crime is as bare bones as reissues come; the original lyrics and artwork are featured but, sadly, there's no comments from any of the band members. If Rhino had reissued this album, you can be sure that the album would have been packed with extras (an example of how it should be done is the 2 disc debut album by the Cars. The original single disc is also available but the 2 disc version is available for the fans).

Should you purchase this album? If you like or love Supertramp, frankly, the answer is yes. This album has never sounded quite this good before. Kudos on the sound but two thumbs down on the packaging. I'd give it 4 1/2 stars.

So many US fans of Supertramp still believe to this day that 1974's "Crime Of The Century" was the band's very first album. This is totally not true---it's actually their *third* album, following 1970's "Supertramp" & 1971's "Indelibly Stamped," both of which are only available on import, but they're both superb Tramp albums worth seeking out. Now that we've got THAT cleared up...."Crime Of The Century" was Supertramp's first commercial breakthrough, and it's a winner all the way. Many Tramp classics are on this one: "School," "Bloody Well Right," "Dreamer, "Rudy," and the title track. Singer/songwriter/ keyboardists Roger Hodgson & Rick Davies are in top form, as are their new recruits John Halliwell on sax, bassist Dougie Thomson & drummer Bob Siebenberg. The band's unique music is melodic, rocking, and catchy, and the production is supreme, as especially evidenced on this new remastered version.It wasn't their first album, but "Crime Of The Century" WAS Supertramp's first big splash in the music world. It's a terrific album, and a sign of things to come from this great band. :-)

"Crime of the Century" is the name of the album , but in hindsight " Surprise Of The Century " would of been a more apt title . Supertramp were formed in 1969 around Richard Davies , with the financial backing of Stanley August Miesegaes

(Known to his friends as Sam) .In the first auditions Richard met Roger Hodgson , who were to become the nucleus of the band we now know from legend as Supertramp. After various name changes the band decided to be called Supertramp after Sam suggested it from the W. H. Davies book published in 1910, 'History of a Supertramp.'

The first self titled Supertramp album is released in 1970 , to no public or critical acclaim , the rest of the band are either fired , have a nervous breakdown ,or jump ship. A second album is recorded 'Indelibly Stamped' ( 1971) which if anything fared even worse than it's predecessor. ( Both of these albums feature rather aimless songs featuring meandering solo's and indifferent lyrics instantly forgettable .) after the tour to promote, Indelibly Stamped, the three new recruits to the band are all fired leaving just the duo of Davies and Hodgson again, at this point Sam separates from the band paying off the 60,000 pound debts already incurred , wishing them all the best for the future , but severing any further ties .

Davies and Hodgson bravely keep going recruiting new musicians in the shape of magical saxophonist John Anthony Helliwell ( Ex 'Alan Bown Sound' )The rock solid jazzy drumming of Bob.C. Benberg ( Ex 'Bees Make Honey ', and 'Ilford Subway' with American Scott Gorman before he became famous with 'Thin Lizzy'.)Perhaps most importantly of all Dougie Thomson came in on Bass guitar and also took over the business management of the band .At this point the band are gigging day to day to survive whilst writing new material for the proposed new album . But A&M Records had no future plans for the band, in fact they thought Supertramp had imploded . Roger Hodgson, Richard Davies under the watchful eye of new partner Dougie Thomson went back to A&M Records to plead their case for another bite at the cherry. For once somebody at the record company got it right .

In November 1973 the band are moved lock stock and if you want smokin' barrel to a farm in Somerset ,England to work on the new material for the next album , from there in February 1974 they are moved onto Trident Recording Studio's in London with the excellent Ken Scott holding down production duties , in June the band finish off recordings in the famous Ramport Studio's .The third album under the Supertramp banner is released in September 1973, and with the full weight of the A&M publicity machine behind them, coupled with some ground breaking and prestigious live concerts, the band become overnight sensations . The first single off the album " Dreamer" ( Which was to be the template for the Supertramp sound from here on,hammering piano, searing guitar licks , beautifully contrasting harmonised vocals, with catchy amusing lyrics , combustible saxophone and clarinets ,with a jazz influenced rhythm section.) was to peak at Number 13 in the British charts followed by the album itself which was in the Top Five by Christmas of that year .

All the songs on the album have a conceptual theme to them in this case insanity . All sorts of insanity whether it be brought on by ,Education( School), Dreaming( The first single), Love (Rudy),Shyness ( Hide In Your Shell) or authority ( The title track). Every track is instantly recognisable as Supertramp , and the album as a whole runs together perfectly , starting with the haunting harmonica opening of School to the final rousing crescendo of the title track . In-between there are some splendid melodies ranging from many of the bands influences ,Folk, Progressive/Rock, Pop, Jazz and the Classics ,combining the vocal talents of both Hodgson and Davies in there contrasting manner, giving Supertramp that essential variety,which is used in quite devastating effect on the albums centrepiece song Asylum ,where they both sound as if they are completely going off the planet , quite a blend you may think , but it all gels to stirring effect .

Supertramp were to go on to conquer the Adult oriented world of Rock music ,even the advent of Punk Rock did not dent their mercurial rise to Stardom . Three more smash hit albums were to follow, " Crisis What Crisis?" (1975) , " Even In The Quietest Moments" ( 1977) and culminating in the Worldwide Number One album "Breakfast in America"( 1979) which was to spawn four Hit singles on it's own ( In those days Hit singles used to mean something .) The band toured Internationally on the strength of these records and would fill Stadiums where ever they went .

As in many marriages ,something that started out as blissfully perfect ruptured into bitterness and in family fighting, after one more not so successful album and world tour ,Roger Hodgson left the family taking with him John Anthony Helliwell, leaving Richard Davies to carry on with the name Supertramp . Of course by this time none of them needed to work for the money , and really did not care, nor to be quite honest did the public, enough was enough . Both carried on their careers in a very lack lustre manner , but were never to find that original spark again . All good things must come to an end.The Tramp was super for a long time and made enough to retire to it's mansion , I do like a story with a happy( If not perfect) ending .I wonder if Stanley August Miesegaes " Sam" ever got repaid for his original funding of the dream?

Mott The Dog.

OK, I love this album; I first heard it as a 15-year-old in 1975, and played it endlessly - it's THAT album for me.

Those of you who only know the band from Breakfast In America are missing something important. This is one of the most perfectly constructed, played and produced albums of the 70's. It bears comparison with Dark Side of the Moon without question: and it is a great deal less angst-ridden.

Get this, and listen to it. "Breakfast" is light, sugary-sweet by comparison. From the opening, unforgettable harmonica solo, to the fading chords of the last track, this is proper music, played for intelligent listeners, and not with the radio or the charts in mind. All the songs are through-composed, all impeccably arranged and played, and that production is astonishing. Listen to the drums on 'If Everyone Was Listening'. Or the Wurlitzer solo on 'School'. Or... I could go on and on. For the perfect blend of musicianship, accessibility and adherence to exacting standards, it is very, very hard to find anything that could compete with this record.