# The Very Best of Supertramp

The Very Best of Supertramp is a greatest hits album by the English rock band Supertramp, originally released by A&M Records in June 1990.

## Overview

The compilation is basically a new version of the Autobiography/Classics Vol. 9 CD with the additional song "School" inserted as track 1. Furthermore, all songs are featured in their full-length album versions. The cover depicts the grate from the cover of Crime of the Century, the hand carrying the glass from the cover of Breakfast in America and the orange umbrella from Crisis? What Crisis?. Tracks from their self-titled album Supertramp and Indelibly Stamped were not included.

## Reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
In their retrospective review, AllMusic noted that effectively compiling Supertramp's work is impossible since the group is so album-oriented. However, they offered a relative recommendation for The Very Best of Supertramp, saying that "it flows very smoothly" and is "the closest thing to a definitive overview of the '70s pop-prog group."

## Alternative version

A Dutch release, also titled The Very Best of Supertramp, was issued in late 1989, featuring the same tracks but in a different order and a different sleeve. It was compiled by Dutch compilation label Arcade, although it was later re-issued on the A&M label. The album was a major success in the Dutch chart, spending nine weeks at number one and 70 weeks in total. Given its success, A&M did not officially release the alternative The Very Best of Supertramp in the Netherlands, although it has now replaced the Arcade version.

## Track listing

All tracks are written by Roger Hodgson & Rick Davies, except where noted
The cassette version also included "Even in the Quietest Moments", "Sister Moonshine" and "Free as a Bird".

## Personnel
### Supertramp

* Rick Davies – vocals, keyboard, harmonica, melodica
* Roger Hodgson – vocals, keyboard, guitar (except on "Cannonball")
* Dougie Thomson – bass guitar
* John Anthony Helliwell – saxophone, clarinets, vocals
* Bob Siebenberg – drums, percussion

### Other performers

* Christine Helliwell – backing vocals on "Hide in Your Shell"
* Vicky Siebenberg – backing vocals on "Hide in Your Shell"
* Scott Gorham – backing vocals on "Hide in Your Shell"
* Jake Beddoe – saw on "Hide in Your Shell"
* Ken Scott – water gong on "Crime of the Century"
* Slyde Hyde – trombone, tuba on "Breakfast in America"
* Marty Walsh – guitar on "Cannonball"
* Doug Wintz – trombone on "Cannonball"

### Production

Original release:
* Producers: Ken Scott and Supertramp
* Engineers: Ken Scott, John Jansen, Peter Henderson, Russel Pope, Norman Hall
* String arrangements: Richard Hewson
* Cover Illustration: Greg Wray
* Art direction and design: Norman Moore

## Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for The Very Best of Supertramp :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Argentina (CAPIF) | Platinum | 60,000$^^$ |
| Australia (ARIA) | Gold | 35,000$^^$ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Gold | 25,000$^*$ |
| Canada (Music Canada) | 2× Platinum | 200,000$^^$ |
| France (SNEP) | 2× Platinum | 600,000$^*$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 250,000$^^$ |
| Italy | — | 150,000 |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Platinum | 15,000$^^$ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | Platinum | 100,000$^^$ |
| Sweden (GLF) | Gold | 50,000$^^$ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) | 2× Platinum | 100,000$^^$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 300,000$^*$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |||