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Rocker Lives Up to Legend as Powerful Guitar Heavy Show Rolls Into New Jersey! A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch Peter Frampton grew up in England during the height of the British invasion, poised to become a chapter in rock music history, which he achieved in the 70's. Today, Frampton is still a first-class guitarist, well respected for his past and present works.
 Peter Frampton has released his first solo instrumental record in 2006! Frampton started playing guitar at a young age, performing in various bands. In his teens he was working with Humble Pie, George Harrison and others. Peter released his first solo record in 1972, becoming a superstar in the mid-70s with "Frampton Comes Alive". The double-LP with its broad range of songs that included arena rock, ballads and pop sold millions of copies. On this pivotal record, Peter became famous for using a talkbox on 'Do You Feel Like We Do'. Eventually, Peter would design his own line of electrical sound devices under the Framptone name. Peter continued making music and in the 90's he became involved with eMedia instructional software that teaches users how to play the guitar. Recently, Frampton released "Fingerprints". The CD is a return to Peter's musical roots of blues, classical and jazz. Peter describes the record as "a wonderful challenge, pushing me to raise my own bar again and again." Adding to Peter's potency on the record is a stellar lineup of guest players such as Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts and Warren Haynes. The fourteen-track instrumental CD features an assorted range of styles from Latin to rock along with some contemporary covers including Soundgarden's 'Black Hole Sun'. Frampton, who has never really been gone, is back with vitality and fittingly appeared at the BergenPAC which has its own story of resurgence. The BergenPAC in Englewood, NJ is the same location where the historic John Harms Center stood. The John Harms Center opened in 1926 showcasing the arts for decades and closing in 2003 to public outcry. It recently reopened as the BergenPAC, once again taking its place as an entertainment and educational center in the community. Peter performed a diverse yet dynamic show at the PAC on October 15, 2006. At a few minutes after seven, Sauce, a comedian took the stage and struggled with the rough New Jersey crowd who was clearly more interested in hearing and seeing Frampton. The stage at the PAC was packed with lots of Marshall stacks and around eight the theater went dark as Frampton took the stage. Right from the start, Peter was on the prowl playing elongated leads on his guitar, exploring the entire fret as his talented band worked their way through the first song, which was an instrumental. Next was a blistering version of 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered'. Frampton handled the lead vocals as the other players contributed harmonies and heat. Peter said good evening to the audience, joking that he was going to do a little comedy, but "you are a tough crowd .. I'm glad I play guitar .. we are going to do some vinyl material era, most of my stuff is on vinyl, I do have some smaller ones (CDs)", Peter stated before moving into 'Lines On My Face'. The classic unfolded like a rich tapestry with colorful chords melding with a solid rhythm. Changing to a fender, Peter said "we are going to do something we never done before" but fooled the fans as they went into an energized version of 'Show Me The Way'. On this song, the keyboardist played guitar adding to the guitar heavy sound flowing over the driving rhythms and cool talkbox effects. Frampton asked the audience for "noise and singing, please" and the crowd complied and they were on their feet as the song came to a close. The band left the stage and Peter switched to an acoustic, playing 'All I Want To Be (Is By Your Side)' with a slight change in the lyrics that he "don't care that he lost his hair". Frampton pulled rich textures and tones from the acoustic as the audience helped sing the ballad complete with dramatic pauses. The following song was an animated instrumental with multiple parts that were light and airy yet attention-grabbing. This track transitioned into 'Suddenly With No Warning' a slower and more serious tune. Peter, who was casually dressed in jeans and a sweater, appeared relaxed yet confident in the material - which was a mix of the mega hits from the 70's, a few creative covers and innovative instrumentals from his latest CD "Fingerprints". Changing to another acoustic, Frampton talked about doing session work with George Harrison and picking up one of George's guitars with an usual tuning, which Peter credited for the inspiration of the next song - the dynamic 'Take Me Away'. The band returned to the stage as Peter returned to an electric. Frampton introduced Gordon Kennedy as a collaborator as they segued into 'Float' a new instrumental with a dreamy quality. The next song also from Frampton's most recent album was the funky 'Boot It Up'. The rhythms were compelling and the crowd clapped along at first than they got caught up in the innovative interactions before the song came to an abrupt stop. Peter pointed out that you may have noticed that "the new record is all instrumental, I have an okay voice but I do love to play guitar. This next song.. I liked it when I heard it on the radio .. I almost drove off the road." Frampton's version of 'Black Hole Sun' was haunting with Peter pulling chords out from the depths over a heavy beat, which added to the impact of the interpretation that imploded with vocals through the talkbox at the end. Frampton, now sporting a gold Les Paul led the way through an up-tempo rocker that progressed into and out of a number of sizzling solos by Frampton. Peter switched to a big bodied guitar as the group moved into the crowd pleasing 'Baby, I Love Your Way' complete with a sing-a-long. Building on that momentum, Peter asked the fans and the band if they were ready to get rowdy. Everyone was and the theater went wild for 'Do You Feel Like We Do', which included Peter trading licks with his Grammy award winning guitar player. People moved out of their seats crowding the stage and the aisles as the song progressed. This version included a memorizing keyboard solo and a much deserved introduction of the band who is Rob Arthur on keyboards, Shawn Fichter on drums, Gordon Kennedy on guitar and John Regan on bass. John was introduced as an old friend and Peter jested that the first time they played together was 1747. The song closed with Frampton at the talkbox, thanking the fans and saying that they were "the best audience (he ever had)", a nod to Sauce the comedian who had tried to win the crowd over with a similar comment during his comic routine. The two song encore included an extended, explosive version of Humble Pie's 'Don't Need No Doctor'. The interpretation included jams with dueling guitars and a number of musical exchanges among band members. The other players left the stage leaving Peter along with his black Les Paul to explore expansive riffs with effects before picking out the familiar chords to 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', which was the dramatic closer. Frampton is a passionate player not content to rest on the laurels of his super-stardom but continues to evolve as an artist. The show at the PAC, demonstrated that Peter is creating vital and relevant music for the present yet still able to capture the phenomena of the past - proving Frampton is still very much alive!
 The elegant Bergen Performing Arts Center was a great place to see a concert! Related Links: For more information on Peter Frampton and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Frampton.com | Fingerprints CD | Live DVD | bergenPAC.org
 (Originally Published on October 20, 2006) |
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