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Supertramp is alive and well with
Roger Hodgson at the helm

Roger Hodgson
The Fox Theatre
Tucson, AZ
December 1, 2016
Roger Hodgson Roger Hodgson Roger Hodgson

Review and photos by Frances Sealy

What's the difference between Roger Hodgson's shows and today's Supertramp shows? The answer is a lot! Roger splintered off from Supertramp in 1983. Rick Davies has kept the name of Supertramp and toured sporadically since that time. Each performs only the songs that they originally sang lead in the recordings that made the super group famous. Mr. Hodgson has kept the music and that classic sound alive and intact. The show is a big winner as Roger makes the music timeless.

The performance started with the classic song "Take the Long Way Home." Everything was there from Roger's great voice to the harmonica and the clarinet (provided by band mate, Aaron MacDonald). The opening songs "School" and "Breakfast in America" kept the momentum going full swing. Roger said after performing "Breakfast in America," "I don't think I could write a lyric like that now if I tried. My girlfriend wouldn't let me." Roger kept his very congenial wit going throughout the evening.

Credit must be given to the rest of the band for the superb recreation of the Supertramp sound. Multi instrumentalist Aaron MacDonald played anything he picked up as well as vocal harmonies. Kevin Adamson added amazing keyboards to the mix. There were three separate keyboards used at times during the show. Bassist, David Carpenter and drummer, Bryan Head finished the ensemble lineup. Roger's catalogue is huge compared to Rick Davies although many Supertramp songs were a collaborative effort. Supertramp's 2015 tour was cancelled due to Mr. Davies health issues. He has been battling multiple myeloma. Who knows if Davies and Supertramp will ever tour again. Maybe it is time to include some of the other Supertramp classics like "Bloody Well Right." That said, there was plenty meaty Supertramp entrees to soothe the soul. Roger included a few songs from his solo album release, Open the Door.

It is apparent that Roger is still in his prime of life and he is enjoying performing as much as his fans enjoy seeing his performances. It is impossible to separate Hodgson from Supertramp even though he is "formerly of" Supertramp. Supertramp is long overdue for an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and that includes Roger Hodgson.
Set List:
1. Take the Long Way Home
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
2. School
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
3. Breakfast in America
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
4. Lady
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
5. Hide in Your Shell
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
6. Along Came Mary
(Composer: Roger Hodgson)
7. Sister Moonshine
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
8. The Logical Song
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
9. Child of Vision
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
10. Lord Is It Mine
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
11. Death and a Zoo
(Composer: Roger Hodgson)
12. Only Because of You
(Composer: Roger Hodgson)
13. Babaji
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
14. The Awakening / Quietest Moments
(Composer: Roger Hodgson)
15. Dreamer
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
16. Fool's Overture
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)

Encore:
17. Had a Dream (Sleeping With the Enemy)
(Composer: Roger Hodgson)
18. Give a Little Bit
(Supertramp song) (Composer: Roger Hodgson)
Roger Hodgson Roger Hodgson Roger Hodgson
Roger Hodgson

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