Supertramp reborn even in the quietest moments at The Grove
Crime of the Century that more didn't attend tribute to 1970s prog-rockers.
YOU have to feel sympathy for some of the acts that appear at The Grove.
They drag their bones around the country, win critical acclaim fromthousands of fans,give up a day rehearsing and making last minute changes to their act – and go on to a near empty auditorium.
There were so few people at the venue on Saturday night for The Spirit of Supertramp as performed by Logicaltramp (a mammoth mouthful of a title) that we could have all fitted into the performance space of the local pub.
But that didn't stop the seven-piece band led by charismatic and energetic singer Willy Norton from putting their heart and soul into the show.
Those under 30 have probably never heard of the 1970s British prog-rock band, Supertramp, and no doubt think that us old duffers are getting them mixed up with Supergrass.
But mention Dreamer, Goodbye Stranger, The Logical Song or Breakfast in America to anyone middle-aged and we become misty eyed for a time when music carried you away with lengthy concept pieces, arty album covers, long hair and falsetto voices.
Localtramp aren't, as Norton says, "a bunch of impersonators" but an international group of talentedLondon-based musicians who love the unique sound ofRoger Hodgson and Rick Davies' Supertramp.
In fact Norton and co probably weren't even born when the group first came to prominence with albums like Supertramp, Crime of the Century, Crisis? What Crisis?and Even In The Quietest Moments.
But that didn't stop them coming up with a power-packed andentertaining show that covered pretty much every hit, and a few of the more obscure songs, that the band achieved.
Norton's voice was indecently high, his harmonica-playing perfect and he even threw in a cheek solo. In-between singing he bounded around the stage hot-wired to the music.
His fellow musicians, including French sax player Laurent Hunziker, Belgian guitarist Tony Clayton, Caribbean-born keyboard player Serge Saint Rose, Grant Wildy on drums and Gary Hopkins sharing vocals and keyboard duties, were given their moments to shine through a back catalogue that featured School, Bloody Well Right, It's Raining Again, Goodbye Stranger and Lady.
The show finished with an impressive if somewhat muted finale.
The ambitious, stylised and lengthy Fool's Overture featured guest appearances (via back projection) from Hitler, Churchill, and the entire war-time armies of Russia, Britain and Germany but it seemeda strangelyweak choice for a last piece.
Good then that the lads came back for an encore and ended, as Supertramp always completed their sets, with Crime of the Century.
Logicaltramp deserved (Bloody Well Right) more than 180 punters and let's hope that it doesn't put them off a return gig.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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