It’s funny, really. An English guy moves to the US and finally gets to see a Brit guitarist named Peter Frampton! I’d never been aware of him even playing the UK during the years I was going to gigs there, 1979 through 2000. Maybe he did, but if so, they were low key events!
I was really looking forward to this gig for two reasons: it would be the first time my wife would see Frampton live ever, and my first time since 2001.
It was raining as we arrived, then thunder and lightning kicked in, and continued throughout the gig. Frampton strolls out after his backing band -- with longtime cohort John Regan on bass – are already getting warmed up. Sadly, his other long serving band pal, keyboardist Bob Mayo passed away in 2004.
He’s looking his age, but boy! He still rocks and sings great! The opener, "Off The Hook" is from Frampton’s new CD, Fingerprints. It’s a good opener!
Next up, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and "Lines," before some cheeky interaction with the crowd. "Please stick with us on this next song, we only rehearsed it on the tour bus on the way here," Frampton says as they launch into, "Show Me The Way." Classic stuff!
I was really looking forward to this gig for two reasons: it would be the first time my wife would see Frampton live ever, and my first time since 2001.
It was raining as we arrived, then thunder and lightning kicked in, and continued throughout the gig. Frampton strolls out after his backing band -- with longtime cohort John Regan on bass – are already getting warmed up. Sadly, his other long serving band pal, keyboardist Bob Mayo passed away in 2004.
He’s looking his age, but boy! He still rocks and sings great! The opener, "Off The Hook" is from Frampton’s new CD, Fingerprints. It’s a good opener!
Next up, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and "Lines," before some cheeky interaction with the crowd. "Please stick with us on this next song, we only rehearsed it on the tour bus on the way here," Frampton says as they launch into, "Show Me The Way." Classic stuff!
Frampton Alone
The rest of the band leave PF solo and he pulls on an acoustic. We then get excellent solo renditions of, "All I Wanna Be (Is By Your Side)," "Penny For Your Thoughts" and "Wind Of Change" before the band rejoins him.
"Float," another new song off Fingerprints follows, where Mr. Frampton shares some lead work and harmony soloing with long time co-writer Gordon Kennedy.
A new instrumental rocker, "Boot It Up," is next, followed by an interesting cover, "Black Hole Sun," made famous by grungers Soundgarden, instrumental but with a touch of his classic voice-pipe for good measure. PF also does some serious shredding in this track! Whew!
Next up, new man on keys, Rob Arthur had a little solo spell with a little interaction with PF, before an older number "I Want To Go To The Sun" gets an airing where in the solo PF hits the shredding road again! Wow! He doesn’t want any of the younger members of the crowd thinking he’s an "old fart" just yet!
"Baby I Love Your Way" and "Do You Feel Like We Do" are next up with band introductions during the latter number. Gotta love that voice-pipe!
Always Leave 'Em Wanting More!
That was the end of the set. We still wanted more, though, and they still wanted to play! Out they come again, cranking it up with the old Humble Pie track, "I Don’t Need No Doctor" before the finale, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"” which finished abruptly with a massive bang and the power going out on stage. Still don’t know if that was due to the storm or Frampton bringing the house down!
He’s certainly still got it and I strongly recommend seeing him. See you next time, Mr. Frampton. Say, why not chuck in some pyrotechnics next time?
Great gig!
