RATINGS: A = must own B = buy it C= average D = yawn F = puke

Humble Pie Performance: Rockin’ The Fillmore – The Complete Recordings
Omnivore Recordings

http://omnivorerecordings.com/humble-pie/

Rating: A

The press release for Humble Pie Performance: Rockin’ The Fillmore – The Complete Recordings states, “One of the world’s greatest live albums is now four times greater!” That is pretty much all one needs to know to get excited about this release.

Back in the day, no one ruled the stage like ex-Small Faces Steve Marriott. His vocals, rivaled for blues soaked perfection only by Paul Rodgers, have become as legendary as this classic live album. Marriott snagged and 18-year old guitar player named Peter Frampton from his band The Herd and the rest, as they say, is history. 

The band, despite Marriott’s previous success and Frampton’s promise, were not an overnight sensation. It took a few years before they hit the big time. In fact, they finally made it due to this live album (ironic that one of the first iconic live albums features Frampton, as he would make best selling live album only a few years later with Frampton Comes Alive).

The venue chosen, the legendary Fillmore, made it into the name of the album. The band was on fire from the opening note. This was blues rock that boarded on the heaviest music of the day. The energy between the band and crowd took every song, every note, and raised the roof. The disc was so infectious that it became Humble Pie’s first Gold record.

What is exciting about this box set is that there was a lot more than the original album record at the time---much more. In fact, four CDs worth, which are now available from Omnivore Recordings. The original album, all seven tracks, is joined by 15 more that have never been heard before. The band played several sets I May of 1971 and now, Pie fans can relish in every set; every version of the songs played and enjoy this album like never before.

While much of all the sets include the same tunes, this is Humble Pie, so there are plenty of differences in the jamming out of the tunes. And, when you’re talking songs like “I Don’t Need No Doctor,” “Four Day Creep” and “I’m Ready” one can listen all day as these songs feature all of the best vocals, and guitar playing Humble Pie could muster up!

CD Disc 1:
5/28/71 Friday, First Show
1. FOUR DAY CREEP
2. I’M READY
3. I WALK ON GILDED SPLINTERS
4. HALLELUJAH (I LOVE HER SO)
5. I DON’T NEED NO DOCTOR


CD Disc 2:
|5/28/71 Friday, Second Show

1. FOUR DAY CREEP
2. I’M READY
3. I WALK ON GILDED SPLINTERS
4. HALLELUJAH (I LOVE HER SO)*
5. ROLLIN’ STONE*
6. I DON’T NEED NO DOCTOR*

CD Disc 3:
5/29/71 Saturday, First Show
1. FOUR DAY CREEP
2. I’M READY
3. I WALK ON GILDED SPLINTERS
4. HALLELUJAH (I LOVE HER SO)
5. STONE COLD FEVER*

CD Disc 4:
5/29/71 Saturday, Second Show
1. FOUR DAY CREEP*
2. I’M READY*
3. I WALK ON GILDED SPLINTERS*
4. HALLELUJAH (I LOVE HER SO)
5. ROLLIN’ STONE
6. I DON’T NEED NO DOCTOR


* Originally issued on the album Performance: Rockin’ The Fillmore (A&M SP 3506, 1972)
All other tracks on this disc previously unissued including all tracks on disc one.

By Jeb Wright