SUPER SOLO…..NIGHT-LIFE Magazine had the pleasure of seeing one of music’s most definitive voices, ROGER HODGSON; as we made the Rock and Roll roady to Casino Rama; located a little over an hour outside of TORONTO. The brilliant songwriter/musician and co-founding member of  SUPERTRAMP; kicked off his first full scale Canadian tour in over twenty-three years with two sell out performances at the breath-taking Entertainment Centre inside the Casino Rama.
    While the accomplished performer hasn’t been with SUPERTRAMP since the mid-eighties he still boasts the catalog of classics that sold more than 60 million records worldwide, as well as enjoying success with his distinguished solo career. HODGSON is touring in support of his latest DVD release titled “Take the Long Way Home”, which was recorded earlier this summer in MONTREAL. What made opening weekend at CASINO RAMA so special was the fact that HODGSON was joined on stage by a full symphony orchestra and choir which made the already mesmerizing songs sound even more heavenly. The two hour set was loaded with hits from the mega selling albums “”Crime of the Century” and “Breakfast in America”, which included an awe-inspiring rendition of “Give A Little Bit”, a song which has been given a radio re-birth by BUFFALO’s own GOO GOO DOLLS.
    The luminary lyricist seemed almost humbled by the interaction of the packed house as he rewarded them with a galvanizing performance, the kindred spirit reveled in sharing the intimate stories behind the timeless songs like “School” and “Even In the Quietest Moments”. The encore began with an absolutely vintage version of “Fools Overture”, when HODGSON explained; “When I wrote this song some twenty-five years ago I dreamed of one day doing it with a full orchestra, now every time I do it I get goose bumps”. The last song of this magical evening was the BEATLES, “Let It Be”; while it may not have been the most likely choice it certainly did seem like a “Logical Song” as HODGSON paid homage to one of music’s most prolific songwriters in JONH LENNON.
    Be sure to visit the ROGER HODGSON website @ www.rogerhodgson.com to order a copy of the new DVD, “Take the Long Way Home”, this powerful performance can be best described as; “a one man orchestra, ROGER plays 12 string guitars, piano and keyboards with an incredible fullness of sound”. It would be a crime not to add this to your music collection.
    NIGHT-LIFE would like to once again thank Jenna Hunter, Media Relations Manager @ CASINO RAMA, for her hospitality and professionalism. Check out their website @ www.casinorama.com for upcoming events. We would also like to thank Linda Tyler from Harmonic Management for her help.
    WHO DUNNIT…..To call this a musical cold case would be an understatement since it’s been twenty-four years since the WHO last released a studio album; the file finally has some new LEED’S with the release of ENDLESS WIRE. To say any album is worth a quarter of a century wait may be a bit of a reach, but this collection of twenty-one songs is a perfect DNA match to any of the WHO classics including “Tommy” and “Quadrophenia”.
    TOWNSHEND once again proves to be a master storyteller morphing a spectrum of emotions from love to hate with plenty of acrimony to ignite the fire. When it comes to strapping on the guitar TOWNSHEND manages to fuse the well crafted acoustics with his legendary power chords. DALTREY’s vehement vocals help the music move along; while his ripped physical stature allows him to reach deep within to compensate for his lack of natural range.
    Although ENDLESS WIRE unfortunately doesn’t include the original rhythm section of KEITH MOON and JOHN ENTWHISTLE it seems the music was written with the bands fallen comrades in mind. The second half of the disc is a TOWNSHEND mini-opera called “Wire & Glass”, a story about a young band trying to make it and a burnt out rock star. One of the many stand out tracks on the disc is “”It’s Not Enough” a rousing rocker which was co-written by TOWNSHEND’S girlfriend RACHAEL FULLER. What makes this disc even more of a “Bargain” is the fact that it includes a bonus DVD from a show this past July called LIVE AT LYON. The five song DVD includes a new future classic cut the “Mike Post Theme” from ENDLESS WIRE as well as a blistering version of “Won’t Get Fooled Again”.
    THE WHO is also recording every show on the current tour and making them available for purchase.  Be sure to get in tune with THE WHO 2006 ENCORE SERIES @ www.themusic.com. Fans can also “Join Together” with the band at the Air Canada Centre on Monday December 4th.