- Rob Benberg - drums, percussion (1973-)

- Richard Davies - vocals, keyboards

- John Anthony Helliwell - sax, woodwinds, vocals (1973-)

- Roger Hodgson - vocals, keyboards, guitar

- Dougie Thomson - bass

- Bees Make Honey (Rob Benberg)

- Alan Bown (John Anthony Helliwell)

- Roger Hodgson (solo efforts)

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Crime of the Century

Company: A&M

Catalog: SP-3647

Year: 1974

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring and edge wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 1735

Price: $4.00

In our case, Supertramp's one of those 70s guilty pleasures we're a little embarrassed to admit to.  It may have something to do with the fact their latter stage work seemed to dominate the top-40 airwaves during our high school years, merely reminding us of our lost youth ...  who knows.  On the other hand it's kind of funny to hear one's 13 year son humming "The Logical Song" ... where in the world did he hear that one?

Released in the wake of their split with long time benefactor/Dutch millionaire Stanley Miesegase, 1974's "Crime of the Century" found the band moving in pursuit of a more commercial orientation.  Recorded during an extended stay at a farm in Southcombe, Somerset, Davies and Hodgson were again responsible for all of the material, though this time the focus was clearly on shorter, more radio-friendly material.  Produced by Ken Scott, the results were surprisingly impressive, offering up a mix of keyboard dominated tracks the highlighted catchy melodies and interesting song structures.  The album quickly spun off a pair of radio hits via the singles "Bloody Well Right" b/w "" (A&M catalog number AM-1660) and "Dreamer" b/w "" (A&M catalog number AM-).  Peaking at # 38 the LP also provided the band with their first true American commercial success.

"Crises? What Crises?" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) School    (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 5:34

2.) Bloody Well Right   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 4:31

3.) Hide In Your Shell   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 6:48

4.) Asylum   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 6:43

(side 2)

1.) Dreamer   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 3:31

2.) Rudy   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 7:19

3.) If Everyone was Listening   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 4:04

4.) Crime of the Century   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 5:36

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Crises? What Crises?

Company: A&M

Catalog: SP-4560

Year: 1975

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: original inner sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 1736

Price: $4.00

Co-produced by Ken Scott and the band, to us 1975's "Crises? What Crises?" stands as another step in the band's transition towards a more commercial identity.  With the material again written by Richard Davies and Roger Hodgson, tracks such as "Lady" and "Sister Moonshine" is quite commercial, though it isn't nearly as impressive as the previous set.  Elsewhere tracks such as "A Soapbox Opera" and "The Meaning" ensured there was still plenty of progressive-oriented material for older fans, though it didn't do a great deal for our ears. Commercially the set didn't do bad, peaking at # 44.

"Crises? What Crises?" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Easy Does It   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 

2.) Sister Moonshine   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 

3.) Ain't Nobody But Me   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 

4.) A Soapbox Opera   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 

5.) Another Man's Woman   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 

(side 2)

1.) Lady   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 

2.) Poor Boy   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 

3.) Just a Normal Day   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 

4.) The Meaning   (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) - 

5.) Two of Us    (Roger Hodgson - Richard Davies) -