Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of genres, styles and time periods. Click “Next Album” below to explore each album or view the full album index here.
PETER FRAMPTON | Frampton Comes Alive!
A&M (1976)
Selected by Sonya Alexander
British rocker and former Humble Pie band member Peter Frampton knocked it out of the park with Frampton Comes Alive! After four moderately successful solo albums, Frampton catapulted to the musical stratosphere with the release of this double live album, which remained in the number one spot for a whopping 10 weeks in 1976 and, to date, is one of the best-selling live albums ever, with over 11 million copies sold worldwide. It combines scintillating guitarwork, heartfelt lyrics and rock and roll panache.
"Show Me the Way," "Baby, I Love Your Way" and "Do You Feel Like We Do" were singles released from the album that are enduring classics that still get a lot of airplay. Other tracks to note are "Doobie Wah," which is infused with funk and sounds like it could be a Doobie Brothers tune and "Lines on My Face,” a finely-crafted love song with a jolt of rock. "Winds of Change" is a sweet, airy, rambling tune similar to Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On" and touches the heart with its simplicity and sincerity.
Frampton's master guitar playing is often overlooked in comparison to his peers, but this album showcases his instrumental skills to the max, as well as his chemistry with the audience. Frampton Comes Alive! brought Frampton's career to life and, if he never does another album again, this one will stand the test of time as a testament to his unadulterated talent and contribution to the music world.
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