Frampton Comes Alive! is a double live album by the English musician and songwriter Peter Frampton, released in 1976 by A&M Records. Following four studio albums with little success and sales, Frampton Comes Alive! was a breakthrough for Frampton and is one of the best-selling live albums ever. "Show Me the Way", "Baby, I Love Your Way", and "Do You Feel Like We Do" were released as singles; all three reached the top 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and frequently receive airplay on classic rock radio stations.
Frampton Comes Alive! | ||||
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Live album by | ||||
Released | 15 January 1976[1] | (US)|||
Recorded | 13–14 June, 24 August and 22 November 1975 | |||
Venue | Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael, California Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, California Long Island Arena, Commack, New York SUNY Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, New York | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length |
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Label | A&M | |||
Producer | Peter Frampton | |||
Peter Frampton chronology | ||||
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Singles from Frampton Comes Alive! | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Christgau's Record Guide | B−[3] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [4] |
Released on 15 January 1976, Frampton Comes Alive! debuted on the charts at No. 191. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 the week ending 10 April 1976, spending 10 non-consecutive weeks in the top spot through October. It was the best-selling album of 1976 and has sold over 8,000,000 copies in the United States.[5]
Frampton Comes Alive! was voted "Album of the Year" in a 1976 Rolling Stone readers' poll. It stayed on the chart for 97 weeks and was still No. 14 on Billboard's 1977 year-end album chart. It was ranked No. 41 on Rolling Stone's "50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time" list.[6] Readers of Rolling Stone ranked it No. 3 in a 2012 poll of all-time favourite live albums.[7]
In 2020, Frampton Comes Alive! was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[8]
Background and recording
editThe album was recorded between June and November 1975, primarily at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco as well as Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium in San Rafael, California, Long Island Arena in Commack, New York, and a concert on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus in Plattsburgh, New York. The Winterland songs were recorded on a 24-track master recorder. Other concerts were captured on a 16-track recorder. Recordings from four shows were used for the original album. Master tapes were recorded at 15 inches per second using professional Dolby "A" noise reduction.[9]
The live album had been intended to be a single LP disc, but at the suggestion of A&M Records, additional shows were recorded, and the album expanded to two LPs for release. On the special features for the Live in Detroit concert DVD, Frampton commented that some difficulty was encountered in the mixing after the microphone cable to the bass drum microphone was inadvertently pulled, accidentally causing the microphone to face at a 90-degree angle from the drumhead. During the concerts, Frampton principally used a distinctive modified black 1954 Gibson Les Paul Custom electric guitar (with three Humbucker pick-ups as opposed to the usual P90 and AlNiCo Staple pickups).[10] On In the Studio with Redbeard, Frampton said, "The album is mostly live except for the first verse of 'Something's Happening', the electric rhythm guitar on 'Show Me the Way' (the talk-box came out but the engineer forgot to move the mic) and the intro piano on 'I Wanna Go to the Sun' were fixed in the studio but the rest was all live (all the guitar solos, acoustic guitars, electric keyboards, drums, bass guitar and rest of vocals)".[11]
Release
editThe double album was released in the U.S. at a reduced list price of $7.98, only $1.00 more than the standard $6.98 of most single-disc albums in 1976. It was pressed in "automatic sequence," with sides one and four on one record and sides two and three on the other. This arrangement facilitated sequential listening on automatic record changers.
The album produced 3 hit singles: "Baby, I Love Your Way," "Do You Feel Like We Do," and "Show Me the Way." The talk box guitar effect became closely associated with Frampton due to its use in the latter two singles. The single version of "Do You Feel Like We Do" was edited to 7:19 from the original 14:15 album version, making it one of the longest singles to reach the top 40, surpassing The Beatles' "Hey Jude" at 7:11. The B-side of "Do You Feel Like We Do," the acoustic instrumental "Penny for Your Thoughts," was the shortest track on Frampton Comes Alive, at 1:23.
In January 2001, a 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the album was released. It featured 4 additional tracks not present in the original version, one recorded in a radio studio and not part of the main concert program. The track sequence was revised to more accurately reflect the original concert set list. Frampton produced the remixed and extended album and performed live with the original band at Tower Records in Los Angeles to promote the release.
Track listing
editAll songs written by Peter Frampton except as noted. Durations are sourced from original LP release.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
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1. | "Introduction/Something's Happening" | Somethin's Happening (1974) | 5:54 | |
2. | "Doobie Wah" | Frampton, John Headley-Down, Rick Wills | Somethin's Happening (1974) | 5:28 |
3. | "Show Me the Way" | Frampton (1975) | 4:32 | |
4. | "It's a Plain Shame" | Wind of Change (1972) | 4:21 |
No. | Title | Original album | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "All I Want to Be (Is by Your Side)" | Wind of Change (1972) | 3:27 |
2. | "Wind of Change" | Wind of Change (1972) | 2:47 |
3. | "Baby, I Love Your Way" | Frampton (1975) | 4:43 |
4. | "I Wanna Go to the Sun" | Somethin's Happening (1974) | 7:02 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Penny for Your Thoughts" | Frampton (1975) | 1:23 | |
2. | "(I'll Give You) Money" | Frampton (1975) | 5:39 | |
3. | "Shine On" | Rock On (1971) | 3:35 | |
4. | "Jumpin' Jack Flash" | Mick Jagger, Keith Richards | Wind of Change (1972) | 7:45 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Lines on My Face" | Frampton's Camel (1973) | 7:06 | |
2. | "Do You Feel Like We Do" | Frampton, Mick Gallagher, John Siomos, Rick Wills | Frampton's Camel (1973) | 14:15 |
25th anniversary deluxe edition
edit- Disc one
- "Introduction/Something's Happening" – 5:56 (Originally titled "Baby (Somethin's Happening)" on Frampton's 1974 album Somethin's Happening)
- "Doobie Wah" (Frampton, Rick Wills, John Headley-Down) – 5:43
- "Lines on My Face" – 6:59
- "Show Me the Way" – 4:32
- "It's a Plain Shame" – 4:03
- "Wind of Change" – 2:57
- "Just the Time of Year" – 4:21 *
- "Penny for Your Thoughts" – 1:34
- "All I Want to Be (Is By Your Side)" – 3:08
- "Baby, I Love Your Way" – 4:41
- "I Want to Go to the Sun" – 7:15
- Disc two
- "Nowhere's Too Far (For My Baby)" – 4:49 *
- "(I'll Give You) Money" – 5:46
- "Do You Feel Like We Do" (SUNY-Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY, 22 November 1975)[citation needed] (Frampton, Mick Gallagher, John Siomos, Wills) – 13:46
- "Shine On" – 3:29
- "White Sugar" – 4:43 *
- "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) – 7:40
- "Day's Dawning/Closing" – 3:34 *
(* Available only on the 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
35th anniversary deluxe edition
editSame track listing as the 25th anniversary edition plus an extra track "Do You Feel Like We Do" featuring Warren Haynes.
Personnel
edit- Peter Frampton – lead vocals, lead guitar, talk box on "Do You Feel Like We Do" and "Show Me The Way"
- Bob Mayo – rhythm guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Hammond organ, vocals
- Stanley Sheldon – bass, vocals
- John Siomos – drums, percussion
Production
edit- Audio engineer: Ray Thompson
- Photography: Mike Zagaris
- Mastering: Mike Reese at The Mastering Lab
- Remastering: Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab, Los Angeles
- Remastering: Roger Wake at Bourbery-Wake
- Remastering (25th Anniversary Edition): Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, ME, October 2000
- Remix (25th Anniversary Edition): Chuck Ainlay at Backstage Studios Nashville, TN, August/September 2000
Chart positions
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Certifications and sales
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[37] | 3× Platinum | 150,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[38] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Japan | — | 15,000[20] |
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[40] | 8× Platinum | 8,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
edit- ^ "RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ Eder, Bruce. "Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: F". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 24, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "Frampton, Peter". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. p. 1,832. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "50 Greatest Live Albums". rollingstone.com. 29 April 2015.
- ^ "Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Live Albums of All Time". rollingstone.com. November 21, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "GRAMMY Hall Of Fame | Hall of Fame Artists | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com.
- ^ Frampton Comes Alive In 5.1 – Mixonline.com
- ^ "Peter Frampton Interview". February 1, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-02-01.
- ^ "Peter Frampton Comes Alive 40th Anniversary".
- ^ "Billboard Hits of the World". Billboard Magazine. 30 April 1977. p. 99.
- ^ a b c Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 117. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Billboard Hits of the World". Billboard Magazine. 19 February 1977. p. 58.
- ^ "RPM Top Albums". RPM Magazine. bac-lac.gc.ca. 24 July 1976. p. 29. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive!" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – F" (in French). Institut français d'opinion publique. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive!" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "Billboard International". Billboard Magazine. 23 April 1977. p. 74.
- ^ a b Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Hits of the World". Billboard Magazine. 16 April 1977. p. 71.
- ^ "Billboard Hits of the World". Billboard Magazine. 5 March 1977. p. 60.
- ^ "Billboard Hits of the World". Billboard Magazine. 11 December 1976. p. 51.
- ^ "Peter Frampton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "Rock LP Best Sellers". Billboard Magazine. 22 May 1976. p. 46.
- ^ "Cashbox Top 100 Albums". Cashbox Magazine. 13 March 1976. p. 57.
- ^ "Top 100 Albums of '76". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1976 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ "Top 50 Albums of 1976" (PDF). Music Week. 25 December 1976. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via worldradiohistory.com.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1976". Billboard. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "Top 20 Albums of 1976". Cashbox Magazine. 25 December 1976.
- ^ "Top 100 Albums of 1977". RPM Magazine. bac-lac.gc.ca. 31 December 1977. p. 15. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. 1977. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1977 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ "1977 Talent in Action" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 89, no. 51. 24 December 1977. p. 66. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "CashBox Magazine" (PDF). Cash Box. December 16, 1978. p. 56. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive". Music Canada. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "British album certifications – Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ "American album certifications – Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive!". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 5 November 2020.