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Frampton Comes Alive! is not just an album; it is a landmark in the annals of rock history. Released on January 6, 1976, by A&M Records, this live double album catapulted Peter Frampton to superstardom.

Known for its groundbreaking use of the talk box and its impeccable live recording quality, Frampton Comes Alive! remains a quintessential example of the live album format. Today we wanted to delve into the elements that make this album a classic and its enduring impact on rock music.

greatest album of all time

The Context and Creation

Peter Frampton, a former member of the bands The Herd and Humble Pie, embarked on a solo career in the early 1970s. Despite moderate success with studio albums, it was his live performances that garnered him a dedicated following. Frampton Comes Alive! captures the essence of these electrifying performances.

Highlights from the Album’s Track Listing

There’s little filler on this album. While most people probably are much more familiar with some of the hits, “Show Me the Way,” “Baby, I Love Your Way,” and “Do You Feel Like We Do,” all 14 tracks are worth listening to. This is definitely an album you put on and play from cover. While listening to the album we had some notes and thoughts about the songs:

Side 1

  1. “Introduction/Something’s Happening” (5:54) – A great kickoff to the album.
  2. “Doobie Wah” (5:28) – The funkiest song on the album. Frampton himself tells us as much when introducing the song he exclaims, “We’d like to get a bit funky now.”
  3. “Show Me the Way” (4:32) – Classic track, you’ll be singing along with Frampton and his talk box the entire time.
  4. “It’s a Plain Shame” (4:21) – Frampton introduces this song as a “rocker,” and he wasn’t wrong. This song feels very inspired by Frampton’s previous work in Humble Pie.

Side 2

  1. “All I Want to Be (Is by Your Side)” (3:27) – A nice catchy acoustic guitar track.
  2. Wind of Change” (2:47) – Another smooth acoustic track, showcases Frampton’s sweet vocals.
  3. “Baby, I Love Your Way” (4:43) – This ballad is one of Frampton’s biggest hits for a reason, the whole song flows perfectly, creating a soundscape of melody.
  4. “I Wanna Go to the Sun” (7:02) – The piano and the keyboard work on this track is top-notch, rivaled only perhaps by the tasteful solo Frampton plays mid-way through.

Side 3

  1. “Penny for Your Thoughts” (1:23) – A bright acoustic ditty from his eponymous debut album, sounds very bright and the crowd goes wild for it!
  2. “(I’ll Give You) Money” (5:39) – The excellent guitar licks of Peter Frampton are put on full display with this track, it’s definitely one of the more rockin’ tracks on the album.
  3. “Shine On” (3:35) – Frampton pays homage to his roots, playing a song from his former band, Humble Pie. “Shine On” originally appeared on their 1971 release, Rock On.
  4. “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” (3:35) – Side three closes with another cover, this time it’s the classic Rolling Stones single, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” released in 1968.

Side 4

  1. “Lines on My Face” (7:06) – This slow track may be one of the more melancholic songs on the album, the guitar accenting the bass and percussion well. Frampton’s guitar playing in the slower parts is very David Gilmouresque.
  2. “Do You Feel Like We Do” (14:15) – What a way to end an album. You’ll be joining Frampton in singing the chorus, and will be taken on an epic 14 minute long ride. The talk box is especially featured here.

Commercial Success and Legacy

Frampton Comes Alive! was an unprecedented commercial success. It topped the Billboard 200 chart for ten weeks and became the best-selling album of 1976, with sales eventually surpassing eight million copies in the United States alone. This success transformed Peter Frampton from a relatively unknown solo artist into a household name.

Truly an All-Time Great Record

Even decades after its release, Frampton Comes Alive! continues to resonate with listeners, affirming its status as a definitive live album and a milestone in the career of one of rock’s most talented musicians. If you don’t have a copy in your collection, and you’re into classic rock, that’s something that needs to change!