When I was 15, I saved up $1,050 working at a gas station and bought a Marantz stereo, turntable, and Cerwin Vega speakers with 15" woofers and blasted the hell out of this album. Great memories.😎👍
My brother was living in a cabin on the lake, I got a wild hair one weekend and showed up with my entire sound system in tow as well as the major part of my album collection. Long story/short, we set up everything on the deck facing the lake and the concert began. One album (this one) in particular just stood out above all the rest with 300 watts behind it at midnight resonating through the forrest surrounding us and over the still water of the lake. I'm guessing anyone within a mile or more heard every note. I wish I still had that system.
Dual 701 Turntable with a shure V-15 type III stylus ,Pioneer integrated amp with a stand alone pioneer 2 channel 10 band equalizer, pioneer revervb, 2 each 150 watt 5 way Sansui and 2 EACH 5 WAY 150 WATT Kenwood speakers. I had a Kenwood tuner and dual cassette deck and I sure played the heck out of that song too. that is until the Loma Prietta Earthquake IN THE BAY AREA IN 1989 took it all away. My house too. Damn..... I loved that system.
@@MatthewPettyST1300 My dad had the Dual 701 with a Noresco quad system. I also bought the Shure stylus later for myself ~$100 and couldn't believe how good everything sounded. Great equipment back then.
@@MonsterSound.Bradley I bought my gear in 1975 while in the army stationed in Germany. Living in a 2 man room the barracks. I had a Mess Hall pass which took care of food. Not much else to spend my money on but sound toys. I'm not sure but I think I paid $450 for the Dual 701. My barrack Friends all had crazy equipment too. Harmon-Karden to JBL. and Teac. State of the art stuff back then. Now adays, most people just don't know how good the sound of music can be.
Had the privilege to see roger Hodgson perform 18 months ago in a small 1800 seat theatre with his band in Sydney Oh my god the production was flawless the backing band was stellar in all 5 members on stage. I sat there closed my eyes and was teleported to my teens the memories of being with my friends at the beach the music blaring from our car speakers To say I shed the odd few tears during his concert that night was an understatement Was without doubt one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended no theatricals just the music all about the music the fact that he played every supertramp song I wanted to hear just pushed it over the edge. He was humble and I’ve never felt so much genuine love in a room as that night. If ever he tours near your city I employ you do what ever you can to get a ticket he is amazing and genuine
It was written by Roger Hodgson on his Wurlitzer piano when he was 19 years old. He recorded a demo using his own vocals, his Wurlitzer and used cardboard boxes for percussion. Simply amazing.
This album's production was so good that it was used along with albums like Dark Side Of The Moon by record stores to demonstrate and sell stereo systems. Also, album cover fun fact: the dark outer space and stars is actually a black cloth sheet which they cut a bunch of holes in and illuminated from the back with multiple lights. Have a good day my dude! I'm sure Rudy will be a hit with you as well.
HammondCheese Old school photographic tricks, nice. I worked for a photo lab before they went digital as a transparency retoucher. We had a guy, Rick, who’s photo tricks included making glows, like glowing borders... your comment brought back a memory of a past/ passed cool friend.
Probably the most happiest song on the album along with Bloody well Right one of my favourites and best hits Side Two has my favourite SuperTramp song Rudy which comes after this. I love dreamer
"Take a dream on a Sunday..." it's Sunday when you posted it. Perfect. This song gives me chills every time. It takes me back to when I was 11 years old. I have had more than one person tell me that this song reminds them of me. Guess I'm viewed as a dreamer... 😇
It sounds simple, but the fluctuating accents on the keyboards are so intuitively magical. One of my all time favourite singles, I fell in love with Supertramp after hearing it as an 11 to. I bought the album on cassette, wore that out, bought another cassette, then got the LP, which also had to be replaced. Dreamer continues to survive on CD. And I’ll take it to my grave.
Glad you're enjoying it, and I'm glad you will take the time to listen to the album as a whole once you're finished. I've always enjoyed how this song kind of rolls into the next one, "Rudy", which is my second favorite on the album. There's a video they showed when performing Rudy live that goes along with the music so well, I hope you take the time to look at that too.
Growing up then, I only a small tape player. But we bought a set of headphones and Crime of the century was one of the early albums I was immersed in total aural pleasure!!
Bullwinkle brought me here But in all seriousness This is just a superb song off a superb album dreamers my favorite song from Supertramp love your opinion love your show keep them coming.
Thank you for mentioning the vocal harmonies: they are excellent throughout. You’ll not be surprised to learn that Dreamer was their first chart success in the UK. So much so that they sought to repeat the formula on their next album with the song Lady. Hope you keep enjoying this journey
I think this is one of these albums where the production/mixing/engineering is so good and done in a way that it really complements the music. To me it becomes an integral part of the experience of the album as a work of art.
supertramp is the one band i would advice every teenager should listen too, they show that every grown up has gone through the same selffinding process they do. and they are taking their side ;)
Great reaction and breakdown of this MASTERPIECE! This is and always be my favorite song from Supertramp! Thanks for sharing bro. And good to see you again .
As for production : I get it Steely Dan , Fleetwood Mac , Alan Parsons for example - all known for incredible production , especially from the mid 70’s on Donald Fagen’s first solo record - The Nightly - first rock / pop recording that was all digital recording cd ( DDD as opposed to the common AAD ) The sound was so clean it almost ‘ hurt’ when listening to it initially - part of my brain had to make an adjustment for the ‘ perfection’ of it Btw - The Nightfly - absolutely a must listen to record - start with the title track
I've always loved the driving energy of this song. It was my favorite Supertramp song until I heard Child of Vision. And of course the dialogue back and forth between Roger and Rick, one of their trademarks, is awesome.
I was a teen living in DC in the early seventies. attending U of Md. I first heard the album on the college station. The group sounded great. I was surprised when they played Georgetown. and sounded exactly like the album, live. They did not have an elaborate stage set up, but it perfectly reproduced the album sound. Clean production, great songs.
Growing up this was not the version that the rock radio stations in my home town played. They played the Paris Live version instead. Whenever they played the studio version I found it jarring, and I didn't know why. I haven't listened to this in probably fifteen or twenty years, and after hearing it here but before listening to your comments, I immediately looked up the live version. As an adult listener, I can see why radio programmers preferred the live version. It's cleaner, more powerful and probably closer to what the band itself wanted the song to sound like. I still like it more.
"Magic at the bottom..." Right on bro! A Rolling Stone critic called it quiet rewards on second listen. A signature Supertramp feature. You're good at this man...
Also...the primary melody that children the whole world wide can be heard...and this is a song about kids facing who and what to be in their lives. They nail the correlation between lyrics and melodic intonation
Thankfully, the band was given one more 'kick at the can' after their first two albums flopped. Davies/Hodgson brought in 3 new members and everything clicked. I second that emotion when it comes to the many anticipating a great reaction to the next track "Rudy". It's one of their best!
I first heard this song in 1980. The song was released as a live version from the album Paris. The song was very popular in Canada and got a huge amount of radio play. I believe this song's popularity rode the coattails of the album "Breakfast in America" which was huge at that time and skyrocketed Tramp's popularity into the public consciousness. Nice reaction and spot on analysis.
you're gonna LOVE Rudy, your reviews are great by the way, so articulate and well thought out; I love how you play the whole song without interrupting it with mindless chatter; yours is one of the best review channels out there, keep up the good work, PEACE !!!!
If you like melody then you like Supertramp, These songs have stood up for 46 years. As for production Ken Scott is a top class producer/engineer, 2 years earlier he did Ziggy Stardust and has worked with a myriad of artists/bands including the Beatles. Nice work JP.
Thinking about your 70's production comment, i believe that many producers were trying to emulate a live concert feel (and live albums were also very big then). As you mentioned when you did Low Sparks, Traffic is like listening to a live jam, but in the 70's you also had the most meticulously produced band ever, Steely Dan. I think i like the contrast.
This was the track that brought Supertramp to public prominence, justifiably so. Great arrangement and production as you mention, with all the ingredients nicely mixed and matched; just like a REALLY nice cake, baked to perfection. Now, time for tea and scones with perhaps a long Pimms or Margherita later - have an enjoyable Summer Solstice.
Hey Justin! This is the song that introduced Supertramp to me and most of the world. It got tons of radio play, and doesn't sound like anything else by Supertramp or anyone else. The frills like the xylophone at the end and the add ons, as you said help make the song. The line "Can you put your hands in your head" contrasts later with the lyric "Can you put your head in your hands". A song that builds like Ravel's Bolero, grabs you and holds on. It's hard to have this playing without paying attention to it, for me. Their first concert in Montreal in 1975 was the first date for my wife-to-be and me. We still go to see Roger Hodgson every November when he plays 2 sold out shows north of Toronto. See him live to appreciate this music at its best. Dreamer has two meanings in this song. It's a derogatory term that adults label some kids with. It's also a positive term for those who appreciate creativity over conformity. The album is set up so that the second to last song is the major build up, and the last song has the climax and denouement. Perhaps for the last 2 songs, 9:33 minutes in all, you should make an exception to your rule and hear them together.
My 11th grade American History teacher & I "traded" album recommendations. This album cover fascinated me. I bought a lot of albums based on cover art - it never let me down. I distinctly recall my suggesting "Crime of the Century". He suggested "Solar Fire" by Manfred Mann. I still have both albums.
I bought this album when it came out and proceeded to play it that often that I wore it out. One of my favourite albums of all. Every song is such a well crafted piece; but particularly the lyrics...Food for contemplation. Ah, the good old days when songs were more that just songs. And you would get a copy of the lyrics as part of the sleeve so you didn't miss anything.
@@JustJP They desperately need the representation on youtube within the reaction community. It means a lot to see one of my top bands get attention. After this, Crisis What Crisis will give you GREAT ones like "Poor Boy" and "Another man's Woman" :)
Supertramp had some great influences that you can hear in their unique sound. Great musicians with subtleness and jazzy rock. Genesis comes through with Moody Blues.
Great song! First true evidence of Roger Hodgson doing his classic Wurlitzer electric piano riffs or call it "Hammer piano" playing Those piano riffs made Supertramp such a standout in classic progressive rock.
This song is definitely one of those stuck in your head songs after you hear it. You are really good at analyzing music. You help me become aware of the little things that make a song so likable for me that I never really gave much thought before. It gives me a new appreciation for music I've listened to for years. Thanks bro.
The 'magic' you described in the background, the layering, is what attracted me immediately the first time I came across this album! The sound is just epic.
Great job! This is one of the first Super Tramp songs my dad showed me. On a different note, you might like Harbor Lights by Bruce Hornsby, a really cool pop/jazz song.
I understand what you're saying about the production. For me and some of my friends at the time when this album came out we were blown away by the production and that was part of the attraction to it. Kinda the opposite, that's funny but take it from those who were there, then. We appreciated it.
@@JustJP been watching you since before u split with the other dude lol i wish i can remember his name but anyway your awesome at what you do solo , always a good time ty
I've heard the album version before, but it still caught me a little off guard, because the original wasn't a big hit in the US, where they released "Bloody Well Right" instead. Dreamer did become a hit in the US in 1980 from their live album "Paris" released that year, and that's the version I have stuck in my head apparently. Thanks for digging into all this great music! Be well, stay safe. Peace from SF
Produced by Ken Scott who has worked with Beatles, Pink Floyd, Elton John & David Bowie (amongst others). This was Supertramp's last roll of the dice and it was well received by critics if not their most commercial album. Dreamer was my introduction to Supertramp in 1974 and I've been a fan ever since.
Justin, keep going with this album. It was done so week, for it’s time. There simply is no other album that’s sounds like this, beginning to end - in the same stratosphere as Dark Side of the Moon. Great musicians, who rarely “show off”, just put all the right pieces where they belong. You will continue enjoying this one...can’t wait ‘til you make your way to Crisis? What Crisis?, afterwards!
Good review of a lovely song. I wonder if you've reviewed/heard 10CC. So many good tracks from there, good production values and at points innovative with the tech of production.
i actually made a piano / singing cover of myself playing 10cc i'm not in love just a few days ago......my singing sucks but i think i got the keyboard part down pretty good
This was a hit (in the UK, in Feb 75 - I was 12) and was the first time that Supertramp had ever come to my attention. I bought a copy - 7" 45rpm vinyl of course - and then didn't really explore the band's output further until Breakfast in America came out (1979?). Odd really as I've always liked their sound and prog/pop fusion approach to making music! In the 80s and 90s life/mortgage/marriage/children/career etc took priority over music and I pretty much forgot about the band. Thankfully I'm now catching up on their fine tunes.
I remember first hearing this as a 7 - 8 year old back in the day, it drums up negative memories for me which is a shame because it's a total classic. Nice review
Thanks JP. You made my Sunday bright and with a smile with this review. You will never see a person again walking like a zombie without humming ”Dreamer”. 🤠. Your’re spot on when it comes to the production of this album, it is so clean and crisp. 1974....soon 50 years old and still the song is absolutely perfect and relevant. Once you get used to the voices of Roy and Rick, as they are very unique, you’ll go back to this album again and again and now you have three top tunes to come (in my view). Hope your Sunday is perfect
Out of all the concerts I've seen in my life (quite a few) this group was the tightest live. Sounded the closest to the studio. Which in some ways is good and some ways is bad. A good live band can take a regular song and make it crazy good live. But a not good live band, the studio versions of their songs are much better. This group is impressive for how well they sound live, almost as if you were listening to the album. Good or bad? Matter of opinion.
My favorite thing about Supertramp is their attention to songcrafting and production. You might not or mightnot like Breakfast in America. My favorite songs of theirs are on that album. Dreamer kind of leans in that direction.
This track was released as a single, and that is as I know it. I've heard a handful of supertramp singles, and I like them, but I've never bought one of their albums. Perhaps I've been missing out. Some one once made the comment that this song is very restrained, it's held down. It never opens out, just drifts away with a few bells.
BIG rotation song in 70’s-80’s rock radio station so Dreamer was a big hit. I was never one to deep dive into Supertramp, other than owning Breakfast in America and playing it to death for a month before moving onto the next thing, so I’m enjoying your fresh breakdowns. I also appreciate your response to how you record/edit which sounds super laborious. We really have no idea out here what goes into it JP, do we?! haha Appreciate it!
Two very strong tracks to go : If Everyone Was Listening and Rudy Hold Rudy til the end - it’s a fitting way to end the album and live it always brought the house down ( ironically ‘, bring the house down ‘ is a line in If Everyone Was Listening ) Hopefully - you have another Traffic song in you - recommend Freedom Rider , Empty Pages or Rock and Roll Stew
Justin, your take on this album, and Supertramp, is really interesting for me to watch as it evolves. Yes, the production is clean - get a hold of the recent remastering to appreciate just how clean - but I wouldn’t have imagined that as any kind of obstacle. Temporary, as it turns out. I’m wondering too whether you will warm up to Roger Hodgson’s voice. You don’t need to, of course. Just fun to watch someone becoming more familiar with something that has been in my life 45 years.
Hey Justin! Michel here-! My response to your reaction is: good production: yes! great background pieces :yes! The rest: it's okay. Like another comment really poopy! Got to be in the mood for that! Sorry not today!! My favorite song from them is also my favorite album: Give A Little Bit From: Even in the quietest Moments!! That's just my preference! So piggy backing on your last reaction to Joni Mitchell: You said you enjoyed her deep lyrics! I have a GREAT song with Deep lyrics for you to do!! Just listened to it last night for the first time in a long time! Comes from someone who is Definitely in the same class as Joni!! That is of course; Carly Simon!! Omg! Should rate right there with Joni as probably 2 of the Best most unique female voices of all time!!! My reaction request is for the song: That's the way I always heard it should be!!! Great lyrics!- Beautiful Voice Beautiful Woman too!! Plus watch the live version of Haven't got time for the pain from Grand Central Station!! Just awesome venue with incredible acoustics!! Plus she was 50yrs old during this performance!! Beautiful and amazing!!! Please enjoy and Happy Father Day to All the Dads out there!!! Peace out!- Your #1Az fan Michael!!! 😊😊😊
I saw the song choice for today and paused it to make my Sunday coffee, as I did, I began singing loudly, “ Dreema, nothing but a Dreema... so, admittedly the rest of the lyrics were a mystery, so I thank you for that. I seem to remember not loving Rogers’ voice either ( and Ricks’ forget it) when first heard it back in caveman/cavewoman times. Love it now and liked having both vocalist bouncing off one another in the chorus (?). Great choice but I won’t mention what I was hoping to see... Shakti. Oops. I did it again. Much love and respect to all, Peace, Music and dreams
Justin: Michael again sorry but if you decide to delve into Carlys Catologue you should definitely do her album live from Martha's Vinyard and her greatest hits album!!! Thanks always for taking the time to read all my responses!! Music is my PASSION!!!
I hope at some point you do the Breakfast in America album. Or at the very least you give "The Logical Song" a listen. It's one of my all-time favorites. It sounds good, but the lyrics are killer and it shakes me every time I hear it. Sometimes things hit close to home.
Good comments, Justin, on this and many other songs and albums. Agree with you about the slick (and radio friendly) production heard on Crime of the Century and other Supertramp albums that followed, through Breakfast In America. And you're right, the production and sound of bands in the 1970s was widely varied.
It's interesting you happened to like the bigger hits in the album. It makes sense. I like even their weaker sons more, now, hearing them again after so long. Almost as much as the well known songs of theirs.
Once more, I gotta thank you for a great review and reaction. You talking about the production values on this made me think of Pink Floyd and got me wondering if I've missed you reacting to the meat of their work Meddle to Animals (ok, The Wall too). Not to take away from Supertramp. I'm really happy you're doing the whole album. Would love to get your reactions to some Floyd though. :) Cheers.
Crime of the century, their greatest album IMO, and as you mentionned, better listen as a whole. The album Breakfast in America was a collection of hits, but gets on your nerves after a time. This album? Beautiful.
Love this song... it's a fairly simple song, but it's lots of interesting bits swirling throughout the tune to gather interest. The vocal interplay is stellar. I actually prefer Roger's songs... but Rick provides a couple of top-notch tunes on this album... both of which are coming up... Rudy and Crime of the Century. Probably one of my all-time Top 10 album covers.
Hi Justine, excellent review, once again. This album is the one that launched Supertramp to international fame and is an album full of riches. On a different subject, one group and album I suggest you review is: "Eldorado" by Electric Light Orchestra. This a fantastic prog rock concept album (1974) by a group that merges rock with classical music. Different from the other groups you have reviewed, you will not be disappointed if you try it. Many thanks for reading my comments by the way, really appreciated.
"Lady" on the crisis? What crisis? album (still co-produced by Ken Scott & Supertramp) is a track somewhat similar to "Dreamer", in a more pop vein. I always really liked these two pieces arranged with taste. Before co-producing these two supertramp albums, Ken Scott had co-produced Bowie's four albums in a row (Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Aladdin Sane plus the cover album Pin Ups) so he already had experience at the time of Crime of the Century and knew exactly how to give the right sound to this album. Something tells me that you should enjoy the following album Crisis? What Crisis? .-)
A song worth review is Fool's Overture which was on Supertramp's Even in the Quietest Moments album. I would suggest you do the song as covered by Rodger Hodgson after he left Supertramp. The best version of this song is live with orchestra. Continued success looking forward to your next review.
O likes/dislikes, 0 comments... Am I first? Happy solstice to all. It's a nice song, with the typical Supertramp build up... nice vocals and harmonies. Nice review.
It isn't my favourite on the album but always gets the foot tapping. The initial motif is quite weak but the layering and changes in direction are just so good. So I guess we agree on this one.
What, to the layperson, is 8/8 time? Double time? Any examples of others who copied this? Just asking, as I have never heard any one mention this particular aspect of the playing. Fascinating.
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When I was 15, I saved up $1,050 working at a gas station and bought a Marantz stereo, turntable, and Cerwin Vega speakers with 15" woofers and blasted the hell out of this album. Great memories.😎👍
Love the story, I'm sure you wore it out
My brother was living in a cabin on the lake, I got a wild hair one weekend and showed up with my entire sound system in tow as well as the major part of my album collection.
Long story/short, we set up everything on the deck facing the lake and the concert began. One album (this one) in particular just stood out above all the rest with 300 watts behind it at midnight resonating through the forrest surrounding us and over the still water of the lake. I'm guessing anyone within a mile or more heard every note. I wish I still had that system.
Dual 701 Turntable with a shure V-15 type III stylus ,Pioneer integrated amp with a stand alone pioneer 2 channel 10 band equalizer, pioneer revervb, 2 each 150 watt 5 way Sansui and 2 EACH 5 WAY 150 WATT Kenwood speakers. I had a Kenwood tuner and dual cassette deck and I sure played the heck out of that song too. that is until the Loma Prietta Earthquake IN THE BAY AREA IN 1989 took it all away. My house too. Damn..... I loved that system.
@@MatthewPettyST1300 My dad had the Dual 701 with a Noresco quad system. I also bought the Shure stylus later for myself ~$100 and couldn't believe how good everything sounded. Great equipment back then.
@@MonsterSound.Bradley I bought my gear in 1975 while in the army stationed in Germany. Living in a 2 man room the barracks. I had a Mess Hall pass which took care of food. Not much else to spend my money on but sound toys. I'm not sure but I think I paid $450 for the Dual 701. My barrack Friends all had crazy equipment too. Harmon-Karden to JBL. and Teac. State of the art stuff back then. Now adays, most people just don't know how good the sound of music can be.
Supertramp poured a lot of money into their production. Their sound on Crime of the Century was perfect, up there with Dark Side of the Moon
Had the privilege to see roger Hodgson perform 18 months ago in a small 1800 seat theatre with his band in Sydney
Oh my god the production was flawless the backing band was stellar in all 5 members on stage.
I sat there closed my eyes and was teleported to my teens the memories of being with my friends at the beach the music blaring from our car speakers
To say I shed the odd few tears during his concert that night was an understatement
Was without doubt one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended no theatricals just the music all about the music the fact that he played every supertramp song I wanted to hear just pushed it over the edge.
He was humble and I’ve never felt so much genuine love in a room as that night.
If ever he tours near your city I employ you do what ever you can to get a ticket he is amazing and genuine
That sounds like an awesome experience Craige, thank you for sharing that.
After this song it's Rudy, one of their best song ! A masterpiece.
Its arguable...i always thought that school was their greatest hit..i like rudy also but school is somethi g special
Ya
@@belledorris7745 yes of course School is amazing, like Crime or Child of vision, to name a few...
It was written by Roger Hodgson on his Wurlitzer piano when he was 19 years old. He recorded a demo using his own vocals, his Wurlitzer and used cardboard boxes for percussion. Simply amazing.
This album's production was so good that it was used along with albums like Dark Side Of The Moon by record stores to demonstrate and sell stereo systems.
Also, album cover fun fact: the dark outer space and stars is actually a black cloth sheet which they cut a bunch of holes in and illuminated from the back with multiple lights.
Have a good day my dude! I'm sure Rudy will be a hit with you as well.
HammondCheese
Old school photographic tricks, nice. I worked for a photo lab before they went digital as a transparency retoucher. We had a guy, Rick, who’s photo tricks included making glows, like glowing borders... your comment brought back a memory of a past/ passed cool friend.
This was a hit song when I was about 13/14 and we'd never heard anything like it at that time.
"Can you put your hands in your head..."
Later it is:
"Can put your head in your hands."
I like that reversal.
A super hit from the seventies. Good then and still good now.
Probably the most happiest song on the album along with Bloody well Right one of my favourites and best hits Side Two has my favourite SuperTramp song Rudy which comes after this. I love dreamer
"Take a dream on a Sunday..." it's Sunday when you posted it. Perfect. This song gives me chills every time. It takes me back to when I was 11 years old. I have had more than one person tell me that this song reminds them of me. Guess I'm viewed as a dreamer... 😇
Yeah, me too... The only problem with being a dreamer is having to wake up... May you never have to wake all the way up, Buddy! ;-)
Spot on review JP. This is Supertramp’s magical little song, especially with headphones, then comes Rudy!
Ty LJ!
It sounds simple, but the fluctuating accents on the keyboards are so intuitively magical. One of my all time favourite singles, I fell in love with Supertramp after hearing it as an 11 to. I bought the album on cassette, wore that out, bought another cassette, then got the LP, which also had to be replaced. Dreamer continues to survive on CD. And I’ll take it to my grave.
Glad you're enjoying it, and I'm glad you will take the time to listen to the album as a whole once you're finished. I've always enjoyed how this song kind of rolls into the next one, "Rudy", which is my second favorite on the album. There's a video they showed when performing Rudy live that goes along with the music so well, I hope you take the time to look at that too.
I used to drum in a Supertramp cover band. Believe me, it wasn't by any means "simple". I'm glad to see someone reacting to Supertramp.
When you do complicated music and make it sound 'simple' you are damn good. (like Genesis) Most fans have no idea.
Growing up then, I only a small tape player. But we bought a set of headphones and Crime of the century was one of the early albums I was immersed in total aural pleasure!!
Bullwinkle brought me here But in all seriousness This is just a superb song off a superb album dreamers my favorite song from Supertramp love your opinion love your show keep them coming.
Thank you for mentioning the vocal harmonies: they are excellent throughout. You’ll not be surprised to learn that Dreamer was their first chart success in the UK. So much so that they sought to repeat the formula on their next album with the song Lady. Hope you keep enjoying this journey
Ty Derek! I definitely am
"Crisis What Crisis?" was good, but in my humble opinion they never topped "Crime..."
I think this is one of these albums where the production/mixing/engineering is so good and done in a way that it really complements the music. To me it becomes an integral part of the experience of the album as a work of art.
supertramp is the one band i would advice every teenager should listen too, they show that every grown up has gone through the same selffinding process they do. and they are taking their side ;)
This song takes me back to better times in my younger day's it evokes good memories.😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Great reaction and breakdown of this MASTERPIECE!
This is and always be my favorite song from Supertramp!
Thanks for sharing bro.
And good to see you again .
As for production : I get it
Steely Dan , Fleetwood Mac , Alan Parsons for example - all known for incredible production , especially from the mid 70’s on
Donald Fagen’s first solo record - The Nightly - first rock / pop recording that was all digital recording cd ( DDD as opposed to the common AAD ) The sound was so clean it almost ‘ hurt’ when listening to it initially - part of my brain had to make an adjustment for the ‘ perfection’ of it
Btw - The Nightfly - absolutely a must listen to record - start with the title track
Dreamer was (I think ) produced by Ken Scott. Now look at the Alan Parsons - Ken Scott connection: Abbey Road
Arrrrggggl... So much memories. Probably my favorite's one from Supertramp.
I always considered this the “poppy” song on the album. Light and airy musically, although the lyrics suggest a less happy note.
My favorite song from Supertramp!
Fantastic vibe!
Great reaction my man!😎
I've always loved the driving energy of this song. It was my favorite Supertramp song until I heard Child of Vision. And of course the dialogue back and forth between Roger and Rick, one of their trademarks, is awesome.
I was a teen living in DC in the early seventies. attending U of Md. I first heard the album on the college station. The group sounded great. I was surprised when they played Georgetown. and sounded exactly like the album, live. They did not have an elaborate stage set up, but it perfectly reproduced the album sound. Clean production, great songs.
Growing up this was not the version that the rock radio stations in my home town played. They played the Paris Live version instead. Whenever they played the studio version I found it jarring, and I didn't know why. I haven't listened to this in probably fifteen or twenty years, and after hearing it here but before listening to your comments, I immediately looked up the live version. As an adult listener, I can see why radio programmers preferred the live version. It's cleaner, more powerful and probably closer to what the band itself wanted the song to sound like. I still like it more.
"Magic at the bottom..." Right on bro! A Rolling Stone critic called it quiet rewards on second listen. A signature Supertramp feature. You're good at this man...
Why thank you😃
Also...the primary melody that children the whole world wide can be heard...and this is a song about kids facing who and what to be in their lives. They nail the correlation between lyrics and melodic intonation
Thankfully, the band was given one more 'kick at the can' after their first two albums flopped. Davies/Hodgson brought in 3 new members and everything clicked. I second that emotion when it comes to the many anticipating a great reaction to the next track "Rudy". It's one of their best!
I first heard this song in 1980. The song was released as a live version from the album Paris. The song was very popular in Canada and got a huge amount of radio play. I believe this song's popularity rode the coattails of the album "Breakfast in America" which was huge at that time and skyrocketed Tramp's popularity into the public consciousness. Nice reaction and spot on analysis.
you're gonna LOVE Rudy, your reviews are great by the way, so articulate and well thought out; I love how you play the whole song without interrupting it with mindless chatter; yours is one of the best review channels out there, keep up the good work, PEACE !!!!
Thanks JC!😄
If you like melody then you like Supertramp, These songs have stood up for 46 years. As for production Ken Scott is a top class producer/engineer, 2 years earlier he did Ziggy Stardust and has worked with a myriad of artists/bands including the Beatles. Nice work JP.
What makes this song for me is Roger's unique voice and that wonderful-sounding Wurlitzer electric piano.
Thinking about your 70's production comment, i believe that many producers were trying to emulate a live concert feel (and live albums were also very big then). As you mentioned when you did Low Sparks, Traffic is like listening to a live jam, but in the 70's you also had the most meticulously produced band ever, Steely Dan. I think i like the contrast.
This was the track that brought Supertramp to public prominence, justifiably so. Great arrangement and production as you mention, with all the ingredients nicely mixed and matched; just like a REALLY nice cake, baked to perfection. Now, time for tea and scones with perhaps a long Pimms or Margherita later - have an enjoyable Summer Solstice.
If you ever get to see Roger Hodgson and his band live DO NOT miss the concert.
Hey Justin! This is the song that introduced Supertramp to me and most of the world. It got tons of radio play, and doesn't sound like anything else by Supertramp or anyone else. The frills like the xylophone at the end and the add ons, as you said help make the song. The line "Can you put your hands in your head" contrasts later with the lyric "Can you put your head in your hands". A song that builds like Ravel's Bolero, grabs you and holds on. It's hard to have this playing without paying attention to it, for me. Their first concert in Montreal in 1975 was the first date for my wife-to-be and me. We still go to see Roger Hodgson every November when he plays 2 sold out shows north of Toronto. See him live to appreciate this music at its best. Dreamer has two meanings in this song. It's a derogatory term that adults label some kids with. It's also a positive term for those who appreciate creativity over conformity. The album is set up so that the second to last song is the major build up, and the last song has the climax and denouement. Perhaps for the last 2 songs, 9:33 minutes in all, you should make an exception to your rule and hear them together.
My 11th grade American History teacher & I "traded" album recommendations. This album cover fascinated me. I bought a lot of albums based on cover art - it never let me down. I distinctly recall my suggesting "Crime of the Century". He suggested "Solar Fire" by Manfred Mann. I still have both albums.
I bought this album when it came out and proceeded to play it that often that I wore it out. One of my favourite albums of all. Every song is such a well crafted piece; but particularly the lyrics...Food for contemplation.
Ah, the good old days when songs were more that just songs.
And you would get a copy of the lyrics as part of the sleeve so you didn't miss anything.
Gotta say thank you. You are one of the few actively diving into Supertramp on youtube.
Happy to Matt, ty
@@JustJP They desperately need the representation on youtube within the reaction community. It means a lot to see one of my top bands get attention. After this, Crisis What Crisis will give you GREAT ones like "Poor Boy" and "Another man's Woman" :)
Supertramp had some great influences that you can hear in their unique sound. Great musicians with subtleness and jazzy rock. Genesis comes through with Moody Blues.
Love the keys on this song. My kids were first introduced to it in the film "Rocky and Bullwinkle".
Great song! First true evidence of Roger Hodgson doing his classic Wurlitzer electric piano riffs or call it "Hammer piano" playing Those piano riffs made Supertramp such a standout in classic progressive rock.
The song that put SuperTramp on the map, big time.
Nice reaction 👍
This song is definitely one of those stuck in your head songs after you hear it. You are really good at analyzing music. You help me become aware of the little things that make a song so likable for me that I never really gave much thought before. It gives me a new appreciation for music I've listened to for years. Thanks bro.
Thank you so much Mark, that makes me happy to hear that
The 'magic' you described in the background, the layering, is what attracted me immediately the first time I came across this album! The sound is just epic.
Great job! This is one of the first Super Tramp songs my dad showed me. On a different note, you might like Harbor Lights by Bruce Hornsby, a really cool pop/jazz song.
Nice way to start Father’s Day. Love the way that bass line pops in and that keyboard! You’re doing a great job. 👏
That was certainly their greatest success. So it's logic you liked it. It's a really appealing song.
The Supertramp song I had heard the most on radio before I got into them. I have a feeling it will be stuck in my head the rest of the day now. 😄
Great song! I enjoy Supertramp. Breakfast in America is my favorite album of theirs.
I understand what you're saying about the production. For me and some of my friends at the time when this album came out we were blown away by the production and that was part of the attraction to it. Kinda the opposite, that's funny but take it from those who were there, then. We appreciated it.
When Rick comes in, it really takes it to the next level! :D
thx for going thru this Supertramp Album Justin its greatly appreciated , i look forward to it each week :)
Glad you're having a good time Dan, ty
@@JustJP been watching you since before u split with the other dude lol i wish i can remember his name but anyway your awesome at what you do solo , always a good time ty
Great song, one of my favorites by Supertramp.
I've heard the album version before, but it still caught me a little off guard, because the original wasn't a big hit in the US, where they released "Bloody Well Right" instead. Dreamer did become a hit in the US in 1980 from their live album "Paris" released that year, and that's the version I have stuck in my head apparently. Thanks for digging into all this great music! Be well, stay safe.
Peace from SF
These guys are just special. They don't make Bands like this no more, and haven't in quite some time.
Produced by Ken Scott who has worked with Beatles, Pink Floyd, Elton John & David Bowie (amongst others). This was Supertramp's last roll of the dice and it was well received by critics if not their most commercial album. Dreamer was my introduction to Supertramp in 1974 and I've been a fan ever since.
Justin, keep going with this album. It was done so week, for it’s time. There simply is no other album that’s sounds like this, beginning to end - in the same stratosphere as Dark Side of the Moon. Great musicians, who rarely “show off”, just put all the right pieces where they belong. You will continue enjoying this one...can’t wait ‘til you make your way to Crisis? What Crisis?, afterwards!
It was done so “well” (dang spellcheck).
Good review of a lovely song.
I wonder if you've reviewed/heard 10CC. So many good tracks from there, good production values and at points innovative with the tech of production.
i actually made a piano / singing cover of myself playing 10cc i'm not in love just a few days ago......my singing sucks but i think i got the keyboard part down pretty good
I was trying to pimp 10 cc here the other day I think on another Supertramp song. Couldn’t stir some interest. I’m with you on it.
The bridge of this sing is phenomenal
This was a hit (in the UK, in Feb 75 - I was 12) and was the first time that Supertramp had ever come to my attention. I bought a copy - 7" 45rpm vinyl of course - and then didn't really explore the band's output further until Breakfast in America came out (1979?). Odd really as I've always liked their sound and prog/pop fusion approach to making music! In the 80s and 90s life/mortgage/marriage/children/career etc took priority over music and I pretty much forgot about the band. Thankfully I'm now catching up on their fine tunes.
I remember first hearing this as a 7 - 8 year old back in the day, it drums up negative memories for me which is a shame because it's a total classic. Nice review
Very well balanced with nice vocals, a light fun song!
Thanks JP. You made my Sunday bright and with a smile with this review. You will never see a person again walking like a zombie without humming ”Dreamer”. 🤠. Your’re spot on when it comes to the production of this album, it is so clean and crisp. 1974....soon 50 years old and still the song is absolutely perfect and relevant. Once you get used to the voices of Roy and Rick, as they are very unique, you’ll go back to this album again and again and now you have three top tunes to come (in my view). Hope your Sunday is perfect
Ty Dive! Hope you have a great day as well; about to eat breakfast (in America?) Lol
Out of all the concerts I've seen in my life (quite a few) this group was the tightest live. Sounded the closest to the studio. Which in some ways is good and some ways is bad. A good live band can take a regular song and make it crazy good live. But a not good live band, the studio versions of their songs are much better. This group is impressive for how well they sound live, almost as if you were listening to the album. Good or bad? Matter of opinion.
Love your choices & your bliss! 😍
Great stuff from Supertramp ☝️
My favorite thing about Supertramp is their attention to songcrafting and production. You might not or mightnot like Breakfast in America. My favorite songs of theirs are on that album. Dreamer kind of leans in that direction.
Enjoyable, catchy, friendly and positive. Like this song a lot.
This track was released as a single, and that is as I know it. I've heard a handful of supertramp singles, and I like them, but I've never bought one of their albums. Perhaps I've been missing out. Some one once made the comment that this song is very restrained, it's held down. It never opens out, just drifts away with a few bells.
BIG rotation song in 70’s-80’s rock radio station so Dreamer was a big hit. I was never one to deep dive into Supertramp, other than owning Breakfast in America and playing it to death for a month before moving onto the next thing, so I’m enjoying your fresh breakdowns. I also appreciate your response to how you record/edit which sounds super laborious. We really have no idea out here what goes into it JP, do we?! haha Appreciate it!
Haha, ty Stephen. Its definitely work, but I have fun doing this😃
JustJP it shows, that fun you have absolutely shines through.
Two very strong tracks to go :
If Everyone Was Listening and Rudy
Hold Rudy til the end - it’s a fitting way to end the album and live it always brought the house down ( ironically ‘, bring the house down ‘ is a line in If Everyone Was Listening )
Hopefully - you have another Traffic song in you - recommend Freedom Rider , Empty Pages or Rock and Roll Stew
Justin, your take on this album, and Supertramp, is really interesting for me to watch as it evolves. Yes, the production is clean - get a hold of the recent remastering to appreciate just how clean - but I wouldn’t have imagined that as any kind of obstacle. Temporary, as it turns out. I’m wondering too whether you will warm up to Roger Hodgson’s voice. You don’t need to, of course. Just fun to watch someone becoming more familiar with something that has been in my life 45 years.
Ty HK! I think some songs I enjoy the singing, others...not as much lol. We'll see though!
This was their little pop single on an otherwise pretty heavyweight album, but as poppy little numbers go, it is really good.
Hey Justin! Michel here-! My response to your reaction is: good production: yes! great background pieces :yes! The rest: it's okay. Like another comment really poopy! Got to be in the mood for that! Sorry not today!! My favorite song from them is also my favorite album: Give A Little Bit From: Even in the quietest Moments!! That's just my preference! So piggy backing on your last reaction to Joni Mitchell: You said you enjoyed her deep lyrics! I have a GREAT song with Deep lyrics for you to do!! Just listened to it last night for the first time in a long time! Comes from someone who is Definitely in the same class as Joni!! That is of course; Carly Simon!! Omg! Should rate right there with Joni as probably 2 of the Best most unique female voices of all time!!! My reaction request is for the song: That's the way I always heard it should be!!! Great lyrics!- Beautiful Voice Beautiful Woman too!! Plus watch the live version of Haven't got time for the pain from Grand Central Station!! Just awesome venue with incredible acoustics!! Plus she was 50yrs old during this performance!! Beautiful and amazing!!! Please enjoy and Happy Father Day to All the Dads out there!!! Peace out!- Your #1Az fan Michael!!! 😊😊😊
I saw the song choice for today and paused it to make my Sunday coffee, as I did, I began singing loudly, “ Dreema, nothing but a Dreema... so, admittedly the rest of the lyrics were a mystery, so I thank you for that. I seem to remember not loving Rogers’ voice either ( and Ricks’ forget it) when first heard it back in caveman/cavewoman times. Love it now and liked having both vocalist bouncing off one another in the chorus (?).
Great choice but I won’t mention what I was hoping to see... Shakti. Oops. I did it again.
Much love and respect to all,
Peace, Music and dreams
Haha awesome! Shakti, Shakti...have you mentioned them before? Cant say I've heard of them🤭
Justin: Michael again sorry but if you decide to delve into Carlys Catologue you should definitely do her album live from Martha's Vinyard and her greatest hits album!!! Thanks always for taking the time to read all my responses!! Music is my PASSION!!!
"School" and " Hide in your Shell", are My 2 gavs from that and all there albums.
Have you heard ELO " Telephone Line" live, and " Evil woman".
So creative. And timeless!!!
LOVIN your song choices!
SUBSCRIBED!
💥💯🖤🎶🤘
Good review, Justin. Funny, I too don’t really like the first couple of vocal lines here but it has some great parts after that.
I hope at some point you do the Breakfast in America album. Or at the very least you give "The Logical Song" a listen. It's one of my all-time favorites. It sounds good, but the lyrics are killer and it shakes me every time I hear it. Sometimes things hit close to home.
Good comments, Justin, on this and many other songs and albums. Agree with you about the slick (and radio friendly) production heard on Crime of the Century and other Supertramp albums that followed, through Breakfast In America. And you're right, the production and sound of bands in the 1970s was widely varied.
It's interesting you happened to like the bigger hits in the album. It makes sense. I like even their weaker sons more, now, hearing them again after so long. Almost as much as the well known songs of theirs.
Once more, I gotta thank you for a great review and reaction. You talking about the production values on this made me think of Pink Floyd and got me wondering if I've missed you reacting to the meat of their work Meddle to Animals (ok, The Wall too). Not to take away from Supertramp. I'm really happy you're doing the whole album. Would love to get your reactions to some Floyd though. :) Cheers.
Crime of the century, their greatest album IMO, and as you mentionned, better listen as a whole. The album Breakfast in America was a collection of hits, but gets on your nerves after a time. This album? Beautiful.
Love that your honest B😃!! You da man. All Beach Boys !!! American Beatles
Thanks Brian!
Love this song... it's a fairly simple song, but it's lots of interesting bits swirling throughout the tune to gather interest. The vocal interplay is stellar. I actually prefer Roger's songs... but Rick provides a couple of top-notch tunes on this album... both of which are coming up... Rudy and Crime of the Century.
Probably one of my all-time Top 10 album covers.
Hi Justine, excellent review, once again. This album is the one that launched Supertramp to international fame and is an album full of riches. On a different subject, one group and album I suggest you review is: "Eldorado" by Electric Light Orchestra. This a fantastic prog rock concept album (1974) by a group that merges rock with classical music. Different from the other groups you have reviewed, you will not be disappointed if you try it. Many thanks for reading my comments by the way, really appreciated.
Ty Julian! I think that ELO gets blocked unfortunately, but I'll take a look
"Lady" on the crisis? What crisis? album (still co-produced by Ken Scott & Supertramp) is a track somewhat similar to "Dreamer", in a more pop vein. I always really liked these two pieces arranged with taste.
Before co-producing these two supertramp albums, Ken Scott had co-produced Bowie's four albums in a row (Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Aladdin Sane plus the cover album Pin Ups)
so he already had experience at the time of Crime of the Century and knew exactly how to give the right sound to this album.
Something tells me that you should enjoy the following album Crisis? What Crisis? .-)
A song worth review is Fool's Overture which was on Supertramp's Even in the Quietest Moments album. I would suggest you do the song as covered by Rodger Hodgson after he left Supertramp. The best version of this song is live with orchestra. Continued success looking forward to your next review.
Progressive "Pop" with depth. Supertramp.
O likes/dislikes, 0 comments... Am I first? Happy solstice to all. It's a nice song, with the typical Supertramp build up... nice vocals and harmonies. Nice review.
You may be Frands!😃
A lot of people say that about production. As for this album, its incredible production is a major factor in it being such a masterpiece.
It isn't my favourite on the album but always gets the foot tapping. The initial motif is quite weak but the layering and changes in direction are just so good. So I guess we agree on this one.
The 8/8 Piano was revolutionary! Every Pianoplayer copied this :-)
What, to the layperson, is 8/8 time? Double time? Any examples of others who copied this? Just asking, as I have never heard any one mention this particular aspect of the playing. Fascinating.