09 July 2019 (gig)
12 July 2019
When the sad news broke in February of this year that Peter Frampton had been diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (a muscular disorder), it was heartbreaking to all. However, Frampton refused to retire and is currently in the midst of his goodbye jaunt, which is labeled, “Peter Frampton Finale - The Farewell Tour."
The outing, which will wrap up in San Francisco in October of this year, performed in Boston, Massachusetts at the Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion on July 9, 2019.
An opening set from Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening, was a Led Zep-heads dream come true. Beginning with the bombastic doublet of "Immigrant Song" and "Good Times, Bad Times," Bonham and his band tore through nine Led Zeppelin covers in all. The album, "Led Zeppelin II" was most represented as, “What Is and What Should Never Be,” "Ramble On," and "Whole Lotta Love," took up a large portion of their 45 minute set. Ending perfectly with "Rock and Roll," and the iconic "Stairway to Heaven," (before starting "Stairway to Heaven," Bonham repeated Robert Plants introduction to "Stairway" from the 1976 concert film, "The Songs Remains the Same," stating; "This is song of hope." This was very appropriate, as many in the crowd no doubt are still hoping for one more tour from the surviving members of Led Zeppelin.
Frampton opened his set, as he did on his iconic 1976 live album, "Frampton Comes Alive," with, "Baby (Something’s Happening)" and led into his soulful cover of Stevie Wonders "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" (a hit single from Framptons 1977 LP, "I'm In You").
After venturing back to 1973 and "Lines on my Face" (a deeper cut from his second album, "Framptons Camel"), he lit up the already steamy night with "Show Me The Way." It was also the first time during the night that he would use his famous “talk box” to recreate the songs distorted vocal sections.
While the roadies were changing up the stage setting, Frampton told a story of a bird that ran into a window at his home. After being stunned, but recovered, the bird would not leave his balcony (Frampton reported that the type of bird would only “take off to fly” from the “water”). Frampton then transported the bird to the water and it did take off (or as he said, in "National Geographic style"). This adventure was turned into a song, and he performed the smooth acoustic tune, "I Saved a Bird Today."
Framptons most recent record, 2019's “All Blues," (a massive success for Frampton, as "All Blues" captured the number one spot in its debut on the Billboard Top Blues Albums Chart) was represented with a trio of songs from the disc; "Georgia on my Mind," and two Freddie King classics, "Me and My Guitar" and "Same Old Blues."
Frampton did a touching tribute to the late Chris Cornell and played an instrumental rendition of Soundgardens, "Black Hole Sun." Actually, Frampton had recorded "Black Hole Sun" for his disc, "Fingerprints" with Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) and drummer Matt Cameron (Soundgarden/Pearl Jam) in 2006. "Fingerprints" also scored Frampton a Grammy Award in 2007 as the Best Pop Instrumental Album. Ending the set with the classics, "Baby, I Love Your Way," and an epic near 20 minute version of "Do You Feel Like We Do," where the “talk box” made an appearance again, much to the delight of the Frampton die-hards. Earlier, Frampton said that some fans were attending “several shows” on this tour and he noted that one fan in the audience was attending their 101st Frampton show ever!
A three song encore included covers of Ida Cox ("Four Day Creep"), Ray Charles ("I Don't Need No Doctor"), and The Beatles ("While My Guitar Gently Weeps").
While taking his final bows, it was surreal to think that this is Framptons "last waltz," as he truly still loves performing live. But if his touring days are over, this tour is most certainly cementing his sterling legacy.
