PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Peter Frampton played Manchester last night to a packed house, he moved up from the Academy he played in march earlier this year, to the Bridgewater hall.
So why return so soon ?
Well its all to do with something called “Frampton comes alive”. Frampton’s milestone double live album, which has sold over 17 million copies worldwide, he will be performing it in the UK for the very first time in its entirety , to celebrate it being 35 years old. And Planetmosh was there at the opening night.
Its hard to look at Peter today, and picture him as the Mop Topped, flare’s wearing singer songwriter from the 70’s, but as soon as he opens his mouth and sings, you know your in for a treat, as Framton has not lost any of his vocal powers, and for somebody aged 61, that’s no mean feat. Frampton’s voice has a bit more grit than it did thirty-five years ago but, as a guitarist, Frampton still brings all the dexterity and fluidity that has made him a guitarist’s guitarist.
A little pre-show information was provided on the big screen, about the do’s and don’t’s at the show, courtesy of a certain William Shatner, or Captain James T Kirk, as he is better known.
He kicked the show of with “Somethings Happening”, “Doobie wah” and a stunning version of “Lines”, it was then that his trademark “Framptone” made an appearance along with his signature tune, “Show Me The Way”. By this time the crowd were well and truly on his side, joining in with the rousing chorus.
Another comedy moment, though unintentional, was when the Guitar tech brought the wrong guitar on 3 times for “Wind of change”. It was nice to see peter make light of the matter, and it was soon forgotten about, when he the strummed the opening bars.
For the next 90-minutes, it was, indeed, 1976 all over the again, as Frampton and the band played Frampton’s recitation of “Comes Alive”. He even joked with the audience that as they were playing FCA in the order of the record that “this was the point you would put your joint down go and turn over the record to side 2 and then pick your joint up as you made your way back to your chair, or at least that’s what he’d been told!”
Strangely enough, the songs never felt tired, dated, or just plain “not as good as i remember”, they sounded as fresh today as they did all those years ago, that on its own is a tantamount to just how good Peters song writing skills are.
With a short break just over half way into the 3 hour set, peter returned to the stage, to play songs from his latest albums, including songs from the 2006 Grammy Award-winning instrumental set “Fingertips” and last year’s “Thank You Mr. Churchill”.
Then that was it, or was it, surely he must do at least one encore ?
Had Peter saved the best till last ? in my opinion, he had, he returned to the stage to thunderous applause, he thanked the audience before playing the George Harrison classic “While my guitar gently weeps”, what a way to end a show, absolutely stunning, the best version I have ever heard.
Make sure you catch this tour, your in for a treat.
Photos courtesy of Steve Goudie.
Setlist:
Something’s Happening
Doobie Wah
Lines On My Face
Show Me The Way
It’s A Plain Shame
Wind Of Change
Just The Time Of Year
Penny For Your Thoughts
All I Want To Be (Is By Your Side)
Baby I Love Your Way
I Wanna Go To The Sun
I’ll Give You Money
Shine On
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Do You Feel Like We Do
Asleep At The Wheel
Restraint
Float
Boot It Up
Double Nickels
Vaudeville Nanna And The Banjolele
Road To The Sun
Black Hole Sun
Four Day Creep
Off The Hook
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
