THE STORY SO FAR...

This is not an awful DVD overview of Supertramp, just one that could have been a whole lot better. There are three main features to the disc. First, you get a documentary overview of the band similar to the VH1 style rockumentary with performance clips and personal interviews. It does cover each step of the way but only barely. It is far too short of detail on the classic Hodgson years and this part should have been beefed up considerably. It then covers the post-Hodson years a bit too much, as if we really needed discussion of certain tracks on the Free As A Bird album. Did anyone care about Supertramp at that point? By the late 80s Tramp were as pointless and painful as Yes or Genesis were at that time. Second, you get eleven live tracks from the 1983 Supertramp tour, the last with Hodgson. By this point the band were coasting on fumes with Hodgson already having one foot out of the door to his less than spectacular solo career. They seem rather tired and listless, the performances professional but mechanical. The proper thing to do would have been to show live performances from around 5 years earlier, when they were at the top of their creative game and fully engaged. Furthermore the sound is only acceptable and the crowd noise allowed through is just ridiculous. Strike two. The third and final feature is five promo videos from the 80s which are really nothing special. Supertramp were a pretty good band with a few very good albums at their peak (1974-79) but beyond the scope of those moments they are largely forgettable. This DVD makes that fact all too apparent. For fans of Supertramp I suppose this makes a nice historical document anyway but for others with so many choices for your hard-earned buck, this is certainly one you can pass on. 2 ½ stars, for fans mainly