Lost Musical Gems - the Forgotten Solo Projects of Supertramp!
Chronicling some of the band members' experimental ventures into solo careers during the "lost years" of 1979 to 1982 (which scientist Stephen Hawking calculates to have been three years).
Rockin' Rick's Backwoods Jamboree!
Returning to his musical roots, then slightly beyond, then taking a wrong turn in the Appalachian Mountains and accidentally bumping his head, Rick wakes up to find himself a member of a rustic band and records a solo album:
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Excerpt from 'Be Gone, Hollywood!'
Cletus and Starla and Gomer and Pearl
Get all of their news from the Star
And they're doing their hair like celebrities wear
Yes - Hollywood reaches this far
There's no road to our holler yet somehow we know
Who's dating who and what star's on skid row
What actress is pregnant and who might be dad.
We know when the A-list has been good or bad.
We got children to feed and horses to hitch
But we whisper "that actress can be a real bitch
on the set or a charity drive to plant trees."
Yet her enlightened views bring us all to our knees.
Banjo and jug and washboard and spoon,
thank God for the folks who can still pick a tune
and pluck our minds briefly from tinsel and trash
- But hey, I just heard that Brad Pitt has a rash
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| Photograph of Mr. Davies (top, left) during his brief career with his solo band, 'The Mountaineers.'
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Roger Hodgson: Do Unicorns Dream About Me?
Disconsolate and bemused by the stress and pressure of being in a multi-platinum rock band, Roger Hodgson seeks out the solice and solitude of nature for an opportunity for self-evaluation. "Who am I? Why am I here? Is this what I really want to do with my life? Paper or plastic? Are those mushrooms edible?" An unfortunate wrong answer to that last question results in the recording of a solo album heavy on introspection, mythical animals, and home-made musical instruments.
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Excerpt from "Do Unicorns Dream of Me?"
I walked through the hills of an emerald isle,
A begger-man searching for even one smile,
And wondering carelessly all of the while,
'Do unicorns dream about me?'
A poor man but happy, untroubled by care,
As free as a rabbit escaped from a snare,
In search of a secret the world would not share,
'Do unicorns dream about me?'
The forest at night is a magical place,
The pond showing stars and my own happy face
reflected to realize, with insight and grace,
'Yes, unicorns dream about me!
They dream about handsome, free - ME!"
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John Helliwell's Happy Children's Songs!
(alternate title: "Buy It So Your Kid Will be Quiet")
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 Recognizing that there had been no quality children's albums recorded in a while and determined to continue this proud tradition, John joins the ranks of artists who realize that parents will pay dearly for anything that will get their little ones to behave for even a few minutes at a time.
His debut entry in this musical genre is the surprisingly spritely and blithe album entitled, Hooray, It's Vaccination Day!
Hits from the album included:
- It's True 'Cuz I'm Bigger Than You
- Too Bad You Can't Drive - There's a Circus In Town
- It's Called a Saxophone and You Can't Touch It
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And leading off the fun was the title track, "Hooray, It's Vaccination Day!":
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Excerpt from "Hooray! It's Vaccination Day!"
Gather round, you little tots
Roll up your sleeves - it's time for shots!
They keep you healthy, safe, and strong,
So you can pay taxes your whole life long!
CHORUS:
Oh hey diddle derry-diddle tumble down dee,
Dead germs injected into you and me!
Hey diddle, ho diddle, derry-dee doo,
You'll feel like a pin-cushion when you're through!
(Fade to schoolyard screams
from "School", then a saxophone solo.)
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Adopting the impish persona of "Scruffy", the lovably frightening railroad drifter who distrusts the government and rarely makes eye contact, John charmed children with his songs and antics.
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