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24 25 hudson 10/18/06 2:43 PM Page 24

BY KEVIN KELLY

EVEN IN THE QUIETEST MOMENTS
Songwriting legend Roger Hodgson brings his signature
voice and intimate show to Newfoundland shores.

A
s a co-founder of 1970’s English Hodgson left Supertramp in 1983
rock supergroup Supertramp, after the album, Famous Last Words,
Roger Hodgson was responsible focusing on his family, his spirit, work-
for writing some of the ing at his own pace.
greatest rock and roll After releasing two solo
songs from that era. albums, 1984’s In The
From Give A Little Bit Eye of The Storm and
to The Logical Song to 1987’s Hai Hai, Hodgson
Take The Long Way was out of the spotlight ,
Home, Dreamer and mostly. He continued to
School among others, release albums, but did-
Supertramp sold over 60 n’t tour much to support
million albums while them.
Hodgson was with the But it didn’t mean his
band. Two of those albums, Crime of songs were out of the spotlight, howev-
The Century and Breakfast In America, er. In May 2005, Hodgson was honored
eventually sold over a million copies in by ASCAP (the American Society of
Canada alone. Composers, Authors, and Publishers)

24 The Newfoundland Herald October 29, 2006

24 25 hudson 10/18/06 2:43 PM Page 25

“He has a very unique voice and I think
he’ll go wherever he wants to go to.”
— Hodgson on Idol Craig Sharpe

in recognition of his song Give A Little Bit being one of the
most played songs in 2005, thanks to a recent hit cover version
by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Hodgson will take to the stage solo at Mile One Centre on
Nov. 6 to bring his music to local fans. It’s his first cross-
Canada tour in 23 years and he promises an intimate evening
of music. He recently released a platinum-selling DVD, Take
The Long Way Home: Live in Montreal which gives a little pre-
view of what to expect.
Whether playing keyboard, guitar, or piano, the songs are
intimate in their performance, just his unique voice and at the
most, one or two accompanying instruments. The songs are at has a very unique voice and I think he’ll go wherever he really
their core element. wants to set his mind to.”
The Herald recently had the chance to speak with Hodgson
about songwriting, his career and working with the Canadian SONGWRITING 101
Idols this season, including Newfound;and’s Craig Sharpe. Hodgson approaches songwriting in a unique way. He men-
“You can see the feeling that is created when these songs tions to The Herald that it is very much a process.
are stripped down to the way they sounded when I wrote “Each song is very different,” he states of his approach to
them,” Hodgson states about people’s reaction to his live show. songwriting. “A song like Dreamer literally exploded out of me
“There’s a certain magic that happens for people when they one day, lyrics and everything. It must have been the mood I
hear them in that form. I love the intimacy of the solo shows.” was in. I grabbed the tape recorder and put it down, started
He says he feels “right at home” on stage. arranging it, putting harmonies in. It was very quick.”
“I’m having a whole new love affair with these songs again,” But despite that example, there is a usual formula to
he says. “I’m finding that I love these songs more than ever. ” Hodgson’s songwriting.
He says that even with the fact its been quite a number of “In general, when a song comes to me, it is a three to four
years since these hits have been written, people still love week process,” he states. “I liken it to a brief love affair,
and enjoy them. when a new melody just grabs a hold of me and goes
“I’m just really amazed how they’ve stood the test round and round in my head the whole time. It has
of time so well,” Hodgson states. “For me, as the guy that consuming quality to it, like falling in love. “
who sings them, that’s even more amazing. I never After he left Supertramp in 1983, Hodgson
get tired of them. When I get on stage, I want to admits it was a little difficult being out of the
give it my best.” group dynamic.
“I was 14 years with the band,” he says of his
A SHARPE VOICE old mates. “It was an incredible adventure and
Recently, a whole new generation experienced learning experience. I learned a lot about myself,
Hodgson’s music when he mentored on the pop- and human nature, and the highs and lows of
ular TV show Canadian Idol along with both adulation and criticism.”
Dennis DeYoung, known for his work Having experienced the ups and downs of
with Styx. Hodgson really liked men- fame, he’s reflective of his accomplish-
toring to the young Idols. ments. “There’s a lot of pitfalls when it
“I felt very much like a protec- comes to fame and success,” Hodgson
tive, proud parent,” he states of says. “There’s not a handbook that
working with the Idol contest- they give out, and you have to navi-
ants. He says the Top 7 that he gate those waters yourself. Your
worked with were a fabulous whole external world changes dra-
group of individuals includ- matically.”
ing a certain young One of his songs is called Time
Newfoundlander, Sharpe. Waits For No One, and it’s a good
“My heart went out to philosophy on Hodgson’s career
him,” he says of the Upper and the changes in his life over the
Island Cove native. “He may be years. However, the songs that Roger
very, very young, but I know why Hodgson creates leaves an indelible
he did so well. He has a voice with a lot mark on the listener and makes us all
of character to it and I was so proud. He give a little bit more in our lives. Maybe
that’s why fans connect to his sound so
“I’m having a whole new well.
Kevin Kelly is The Newfoundland Herald’s Senior
love for these songs.” Editor. He can be reached by emailing kkelly@nfld-
herald.com

October 29, 2006 The Newfoundland Herald 25

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