Even in the Quietest Moments
Encyclopedia
Even in the Quietest Moments... is the fifth album by progressive rock
band Supertramp
, released in April 1977
.
The album was recorded mainly at Caribou Ranch Studios in Colorado with overdubs, vocals and mixing completed at The Record Plant in Los Angeles and was Supertramp's first album to use engineer Peter Henderson, with whom the band would work for the rest of Roger Hodgson's tenure.
Even in the Quietest Moments reached #16 on the Billboard Pop Albums Charts in 1977 and within a few months of release became Supertramp's first Gold (500,000 copies or more) selling album in the US thanks to "Give a Little Bit" being a US Top 20 single and reaching number 29 on the UK Singles Chart
. While "Give a Little Bit" was the big hit, both "Fool's Overture" and the title track also got a fair amount of FM album-rock play.
A remastered CD version of the album with full original artwork, lyrics and credits restored (including the inner sleeve picture of the band absent from the original CD) was released on 11 June 2002 on A&M Records in the US. The cover photo is not doctored – a grand piano was placed on a mountain top at a ski area near Caribou Ranch Studios, covered with snow and photographed. The sheet music on the piano, though titled "Fool's Overture", is actually the Star-Spangled Banner.
In 1978, Even in the Quietest Moments... was ranked 63rd in The World Critic Lists, which recognised the 200 greatest albums of all time as voted for by notable rock critics and DJs.
. However, a Fender Rhodes piano was used during a short section of "From Now On".
This is the first album in which Rick Davies does not play a harmonica on any of the tracks.
reissues were mastered from the original master tapes by Greg Calbi and Jay Messina at Sterling Sound, New York, in 1997 and 2002. The reissues were supervised by Bill Levenson with art direction by Vartan and design by Mike Diehl, with production coordination by Beth Stempel.
Both the 1997 and 2002 remasters are heavily criticized by audiophiles who claim they were mastered too loud as part of the "loudness war
" mastering trend. Also the song "Lover Boy" was edited and is missing a couple of bars.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Supertramp
Supertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
, released in April 1977
1977 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1977.-January–February:*January 1 – The Clash headline the gala opening of the London music club, The Roxy....
.
The album was recorded mainly at Caribou Ranch Studios in Colorado with overdubs, vocals and mixing completed at The Record Plant in Los Angeles and was Supertramp's first album to use engineer Peter Henderson, with whom the band would work for the rest of Roger Hodgson's tenure.
Even in the Quietest Moments reached #16 on the Billboard Pop Albums Charts in 1977 and within a few months of release became Supertramp's first Gold (500,000 copies or more) selling album in the US thanks to "Give a Little Bit" being a US Top 20 single and reaching number 29 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. While "Give a Little Bit" was the big hit, both "Fool's Overture" and the title track also got a fair amount of FM album-rock play.
A remastered CD version of the album with full original artwork, lyrics and credits restored (including the inner sleeve picture of the band absent from the original CD) was released on 11 June 2002 on A&M Records in the US. The cover photo is not doctored – a grand piano was placed on a mountain top at a ski area near Caribou Ranch Studios, covered with snow and photographed. The sheet music on the piano, though titled "Fool's Overture", is actually the Star-Spangled Banner.
In 1978, Even in the Quietest Moments... was ranked 63rd in The World Critic Lists, which recognised the 200 greatest albums of all time as voted for by notable rock critics and DJs.
Track listing
All songs written by Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, lead vocals by Hodgson unless otherwise stated.Side one
- "Give a Little BitGive A Little Bit"Give a Little Bit" is the opening song on Supertramp's 1977 album Even in the Quietest Moments.... The song was released as a single that same year and became an international hit for the band, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart...
" – 4:13 - "Lover Boy" – 6:49 Lead vocals: Rick Davies
- "Even in the Quietest Moments" – 6:31
- "Downstream" – 4:04 Lead vocals: Rick Davies
Side two
- "Babaji" – 4:51
- "From Now On" – 6:21 Lead vocals: Rick Davies
- "Fool's OvertureFool's Overture"Fool's Overture" is the closing track from Supertramp's 1977 album Even in the Quietest Moments. Written and sung by guitarist, keyboard player, singer and songwriter Roger Hodgson, the song tells about World War II Britain and the lessons learned from it. The song, which is over 10 minutes long,...
" – 10:52
Instruments
This album is unique in the Supertramp discography as none of the songs feature the band's trademark Wurlitzer electric pianoWurlitzer electric piano
Wurlitzer 200A|250px|thumbThe Wurlitzer electric piano was one of a series of electromechanical stringless pianos manufactured and marketed by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, Corinth, Mississippi, U.S. and Tonawanda, New York...
. However, a Fender Rhodes piano was used during a short section of "From Now On".
This is the first album in which Rick Davies does not play a harmonica on any of the tracks.
Original release
- Producer: Supertramp
- Engineers: Peter Henderson, Russel Pope
- Assistant engineers: Tom Anderson, Tom Likes, Steve Smith
- Mixing engineer: Geoff Emerick
- Remixing: Tom Anderson
- Mastering on original LP: Frank DeLuna
- Re-mastering: Greg Calbi, Jay Messina
- Programming: Gary Mielke
- Orchestral arrangements: Michel Colombier, Supertramp
- Art direction: Mike Doud
- Design: Mike Doud
- Photography: Kenneth McGowan, Bob Seidemann
1997 and 2002 A&M reissue
The 1997 and 2002 A&M RecordsA&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
reissues were mastered from the original master tapes by Greg Calbi and Jay Messina at Sterling Sound, New York, in 1997 and 2002. The reissues were supervised by Bill Levenson with art direction by Vartan and design by Mike Diehl, with production coordination by Beth Stempel.
Both the 1997 and 2002 remasters are heavily criticized by audiophiles who claim they were mastered too loud as part of the "loudness war
Loudness war
The loudness war or loudness race is a pejorative term for the apparent competition to digitally master and release recordings with increasing loudness.The phenomenon was first reported with respect to mastering practices for 7" singles...
" mastering trend. Also the song "Lover Boy" was edited and is missing a couple of bars.
Supertramp
- Rick DaviesRick DaviesRick Davies is an English musician, best known as the founder and keyboardist of progressive rock band Supertramp...
– keyboards, vocals - John HelliwellJohn HelliwellJohn Helliwell is an English musician and the saxophonist and occasional keyboardist and woodwind player for the rock band Supertramp...
– saxophones, vocals, clarinetClarinetThe clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, melodicaMelodicaThe melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,...
on "From Now On" - Roger HodgsonRoger HodgsonCharles Roger Pomfret Hodgson is a British musician and songwriter, best known as the former co-frontman, and founding member, of progressive rock band Supertramp....
– guitars, keyboards, vocals - Bob SiebenbergBob SiebenbergBob Siebenberg, also known as Bob C. Benberg, is an American musician, best known as a member of British progressive rock band Supertramp, playing drums and percussion...
(credited as Bob C. Benberg) – percussion, drums - Dougie ThomsonDougie ThomsonDouglas Campbell "Dougie" Thomson is a Scottish musician, born in Glasgow and raised in the Rutherglen area of the city. He is best known as the former bass guitarist of progressive rock band Supertramp.-Career:...
– bass
Album
Album – Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Pop Albums | 16 |
Singles
Singles – Billboard (North America)| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | "Give A Little Bit" | Pop Singles | 15 |