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A solitary, snow-covered piano in the middle of the Rocky Mountains.
An image that evokes solitude, a desire to escape, the search for oneself.
The mountain teaches silence, teaches us to live with our thoughts, with our weaknesses. Who knows, maybe this is the reason that pushes the Supertramp to leave beloved Albion and take refuge among the peaks of Colorado. Or perhaps it is more likely the quest for the much-desired commercial success, only hinted at with the two previous works. The fact remains that it's still not the moment of glory; another two years will pass before they produce that "Breakfast in America" which will establish them in music history and henceforth will allow them to have lunch and dinner overseas.
"Even In The Quietest Moments" still follows the path undertaken by its predecessors, a successful musical formula, fresh and refined, in perfect balance between author pop and progressive. An introspective album, with soft atmospheres and delicate textures, which for once sets aside the characteristic Wurlitzer sound and favors acoustic parts. Otherwise, it is the usual encounter/clash of the two creative minds of the group, Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, with the latter in particular leaving a more distinct imprint.
With the successful single that opens the album, "Give a Little Bit", led by an acoustic guitar always in the foreground, a refrain that indelibly stamps itself on your mind, and a sax solo adding that touch of elegance that never hurts. But Hodgson's skill as a composer doesn't stop at the more easy-listening side, as he is also the author of the more inspired compositions. Starting with the delicate title-track, a ballad with folk roots, with a clarinet crafting a nostalgic melody amid the background chirping of birds. "Babaji" is instead a track that highlights the harmonious falsetto voice of the multi-instrumentalist, supported by a driving rhythm dictated by the piano. The piece is dedicated to the namesake guru, encountered during our previous trip to India.
However, it is the concluding "Fool's Overture" that reaches the emotional peaks of this work. A long suite that sways between smooth piano passages and more symphonic and rhythmical moments, while the cryptic lyrics talk to us about the inability of man to learn from his own mistakes. Completing the album are Davies' tracks, among which the intense "From Now On" stands out, following the rhythm and blues vein of its author. Although it is often overlooked and classified as interlocutory and uncertain, "Even In The Quietest Moments" is, for me, an album of absolute value, confirming the magical moment of the group. For a good five years, Supertramp didn't miss a beat and were the Lords of Pop. Maximum respect.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Give a Little Bit (04:09)
Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
I'll give a little bit
I'll give a little bit of my love to you
There's so much that we need to share
So send a smile and show you care
I'll give a little bit
I'll give a little bit of my life for you
So give a little bit
Give a little bit of your time to me
See the man with the lonely eyes
Oh take his hand, you'll be surprised
(Oh take it)
Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
Give a little bit
I'll give a little bit of my life for you
Now's the time that we need to share
So find yourself, we're on our way back home
Going home
Don't you need, don't you need to feel at home?
Oh yeah, we gotta see
Ooh, yeah gotta get a feeling
Ooh, yeah come along too
Come-a come-a come-a come along
Ooh, yeah come along too
Come along too
What a long night
Come a long way
Ooh, yeah sing it tonight
03 Even in the Quietest Moments (06:28)
*Birds*
Even in the quitest moments
I wish i knew
What i had to do
And even though the sun is shinging
I feel the rain
Here it comes again..dear..
And even when you showed me
My heart was out of tune
For theres a shadow of doubt thats not letting me find you to soon
The music that you gave me
The language of my soul
Lord i want to be with you wont you let me come in from the cold
Dont you let the sun fade away
Dont you let the sun fade away
Dont you let the sun be leavin wont you come to me soon
And even though the stars are listening
The Oceans deep
I just go to sleep
And then i create the silent movie
You become the star
Is that what you are Dear?
You wisper tells a secret
Your laughter brings me joy
And no wonder the feelings of nature ons the cold boy
And still the tears keep falling
There falling from the sky
Well let the light of me go under before i get high
Dont you let the sun disappear
Dont you let the sun disappear
Dont you let the sun be leaving no you cant be leaving my life
Say that you wont be leaving my life
Say that you wont be leaving my life
Say wont you please say wont you please say wont you please say wont you please
Lord wont you come and get into my life
Lord wont you come and get into my life
say wont you please say wont you please say wont you please
say wont you please say wont you please
Oh lord dont go
(C'mon let the sun be leavin-go)
And even when the song is over
Where have i been
Was it just a dream
Although your door is always open
Where do i begin
May i please come in..Dear?
04 Downstream (04:01)
Took a boat Sunday
Down by the sea
It just felt so nice
You and me
We did'nt have a problem
Or a care on earth
And all around was silence
Everywhere.
You are the reason
I was born
To be with you through all seasons
I'll always hear you when you call
We'll keep the love light shining
Through each night and day
A lonely life behind me
Oh what a change you've made.
So down here on the ocean
We will stay, We will stay, we will stay.
Been through a lot of changes
Turned a lot of pages
When I took a boat on Sunday.
To know you as I know you now
That is all I need
And we will get along somehow
If we both believe.
So down here on the ocean
We will stay, we will stay, we will stay
Been through a lot of changes
Turned a lot of pages
When I took a boat on Sunday.
05 Babaji (04:51)
All of my life I felt that you were listening
Watching for ways to help me stay in tune
Lord of my dreams, although confusion
Keeps trying to decieve
What is it that makes me believe in you?
Babaji, oh won't you come to me
Won't you help me face the music
Bring it out so we can sing it out
Help me to find it before we lose it
At night when the stars are near
And there's no one to keep you from coming here
And there's no one to shield me before your eyes
Is it mine, is it mine, is it mine to know?
I can see it's not too good to me
To be afloat in the sea of glory
Babaji, oh how you comfort me
By showing me it's a different story
Your light in the dark is real
And I know that you know it is how I feel
When I see the reflections that's in your eyes
Is it mine, is it mine, is it mine to know?
Babaji, have you a song for me
To tell the world of its guardian angel
Bring it out so we can sing it out
Oh must you always remain a stranger?
At night when the stars are near
And I long for delusion to disappear
The I see the reflection that's in your eyes
Is it time, is it time, is it time to know?
07 Fool's Overture (10:53)
(Churchill's famous speech)
We shall go on till the end, we shall fight on the seas and oceans.
We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.
We shall never surrender
History recalls, how great the fall can be
While everybody's sleeping
The boat's put out to sea
Born on the wings of time
It seems the answers were so easy to find
Too late the prophets cry
The island's sinking, let's take to the sky
Called the man a fool
Stripped him off his pride
Everyone was laughing
Up until the day he died
Ooh though the wound went deep
Still he's calling us out of our sleep
My friends, we're not alone
He waits in silence to lead us all home
So you tell me that you find it hard to grow
Well I know, I know, I know
And you tell me that you've many seeds to sow
Well I know, I know, I know
(distant choir sings 'Jerusalem' almost inaudibly)
And was the Holy Lamb of God
on England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
Dreamer
Can you hear what I'm saying
Can you see the parts that I'm playing:
Holy Man, Rocker Man, Come on Queenie,
Joker Man, Spider Man, Blue Eyed Meanie
So you found your solution
What would be your last contrribution?
Live it up and rip it up and why so lazy?
Give it out and dish it out and let's go crazy, yeah
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Other reviews
By Tucidide
Even in the Quietest Moments by Supertramp effortlessly claims my personal Palme d'Or, Silver, and Bronze for Records for Sleeping.
Roger Hodgson performed his promorphos work perfectly, particularly with tracks like Babaji and Fool's Overture.
