Even though they were (are?) very successful, I still say Supertramp is electric music's best-kept secret. Esp. in their "main" period ("Crime of the Century" through "Famous Last Words"), these guys were just brilliant. Excellent writing, playing, singing, production, and tighter than tight. (The comparison to Steely Dan is very well taken--I've thought likewise.)
Sad to say, the Dougie Thomson fan club (of which I'm a card-carrying member) shouldn't get too excited yet--Thomson is not on this album, and I don't believe he'll be on this tour. His time these days, as far as I can tell, is mainly divided between talent management & sailing; he really doesn't play publicly anymore. Our loss... (Anyone have better info on Thomson?)
This is not--NOT--to diss the current lineup. It's hard to imagine Davies, Siebenberg, & Halliwell doing half-@ssed music. But it's sure not the same without Hodgson, & without the Thomson/Siebenberg rhythm section duo. I'm not saying it's worse, but it *is* different. No one in the world sings like Roger Hodgson, & I can't imagine his songs with any other voice. (Don't know if they'll play any of his songs on this tour; they did on one post-Hodgson tour, & I think there were regrets, not to mention hard feelings.) And Thomson...what a player. Too solid. Still, the new lineup & material would *have* to be worth it, right? Maybe Davies will be the last clown to bring the house down...
Bottom line: I've always loved this band! (And boy did the other kids think I was a nerd!)
Ooh--almost forgot. In addition to the neato compilations that are coming out, there's also a newly released live performance from the "Crisis" tour, which features *all* the songs from "Crime of the Century" (yesss! ) as well as a handful of songs from "Crisis? What Crisis?" (I think it's called "If Everyone Was Listening.") It's definitely on my shopping list!! Anyone heard it yet?