Frampton (album)

Background

Frampton left Humble Pie because that group fell into a loud, hard rock groove that overwhelmed the technical skills he'd spent years working on as a guitarist; he poured a lot of that into this highly melodic mid-tempo rock album.

Frampton's band experienced changes when keyboardist and rhythm guitar player Andy Bown decided to leave the group after a year, and once again focus on his solo career, and bassist Rick Wills decided to leave the group while touring to spend more time with his family and his baby.

The album took three weeks to write. In October 1974, Frampton recorded at Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire, with Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio parked outside.

The album

On the album, Frampton composes in a wide range of styles, both instrumentally and vocally. The compositions feature acoustic and electric guitar textures, as apparent on "The Crying Clown", and the acoustic instrumental "Penny For Your Thoughts." Also, "Nowhere's Too Far (For My Baby)" and "Day's Dawning" are examples of melodic arena rock on the album.

Frampton's work on the album did much to enhance his reputation as a solo artist. The album went to #32 on the Billboard 200 album chart, setting the stage for the blockbuster success of his 1976 double live LP Frampton Comes Alive!.

Track listing

Side One

1. "Day's Dawning" – 3:55
2. "Show Me the Way" – 4:02
3. "One More Time" – 3:19
4. "The Crying Clown" – 4:03
5. "Fanfare" – 3:28

Side Two

1. "Nowhere's Too Far (for My Baby)" – 4:18
2. "Nassau" – 1:07/"Baby, I Love Your Way" – 4:42
3. "Apple of Your Eye" – 3:41
4. "Penny for Your Thoughts" – 1:27
5. "(I'll Give You) Money" – 4:34

All songs written by Peter Frampton.

Personnel

Additional personnel

Production

Charts

Album