Frampton (album)

Frampton
Studio album by Peter Frampton
Released	March 1975
Recorded	October 1974 – February 1975
Studio	Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio, Clearwell Castle, Gloucestershire
Genre	Rock
Length	37:16
Label	A&M
Producer	Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton chronology
Somethin's Happening (1974)Somethin's Happening1974 Frampton (1975) Frampton Comes Alive! (1976)Frampton Comes Alive!1976

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Rolling Stone	(not rated) [2]

Frampton is the fourth studio album by Peter Frampton, released in 1975 before he went on tour and recorded Frampton Comes Alive! The most recognizable songs from the album are "Show Me the Way" and "Baby, I Love Your Way" which became big hits when released as singles from Frampton Comes Alive! The album peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200.

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

• Peter Frampton - lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, organ, talkbox, bass guitar on "Baby I Love Your Way"
• Andy Bown - bass guitar
• John Siomos - drums, percussion
• Bob Mayo - Keyboard and vocals

Additional personnel

• Poli Palmer - vibes on "The Crying Clown"

Production

• Producer: Peter Frampton, Chris Kimsey
• Engineer: Chris Kimsey, Andy Knight
• Mixing: George Marino
• Mastering: George Marino, Doug Sax, Arnie Acosta
• Art Direction: Vartan, Roland Young, Junie Osaki
• Photography: Mike Zagaris
• Supervisor: Beth Stempel, Bill Levenson
• Coordination: Beth Stempel, Bill Levenson
• Management: Dee Anthony

Charts

Album

Certifications

References