Humble Pie – Performance, Rockin the Fillmore

387

5 Stars

Recognized now as one of the earliest of the rock supergroups, Humble Pie were formed in 1969 by Steve Marriott, lead singer and guitarist with the Small Faces; Peter Frampton, lead singer and guitarist with The Herd; Greg Ridley, bassist and singer with Spooky Tooth; and 17-year-old wonder drummer Jerry Shirley.

(Greg Ridley was easily good enough to be a frontman and lead singer with almost any band. But every time he formed a band, there were two even better singers than him in place. Gary Wright and Mike Harrison in Spooky Tooth, Marriott and Frampton in the Pie.)

***Steve Marriott he is regarded as one of the greatest***
***blues/soul singers ever.***

But there was a bit of a false start. Formed at the back end of the sixties, their first single (‘Natural Born Budgie’) was a smash hit in the UK. But both Marriott and Frampton had been through the Teenage Heart Throb business and wanted to be taken seriously as creditable musicians. So all glamorous, fashionable clothing was discarded, as were the light Poppi songs.

At first, they went down the arty acoustic route.

But after four albums not bothering the charts, things had to change. Out went the acoustic equipment to be replaced by electric guitars, giant drum kits and massive amps with speakers to match.

Thus armed, they went out breathing fire.

The result was this double album (1971). Never has an album rocked so hard or heavily.

The twin guitars rattle the walls, giving the windows no chance. Let off the leash, Greg Ridley’s bass thumps you straight through the eyes, whilst the drumming of Jerry Shirley belies his young years. Steve Marriott puts on a show that simply shines—it is no wonder he is still regarded by many as one of the greatest blues/soul singers ever. His ability to hold an audience in the palm of his hands is also given a good airing.

***Peter Frampton on lead guitar (left) and Greg Ridley on bass (right).***

The only slight drawback was that through two years of mucking about trying to find their direction they had not actually written any songs to play and rock out. Not a problem for the boys; they just took some of their favourite songs from other artists and Pieified (Editor: “Is that a word?” Mott “It is now.”) them.

So we get opener ‘Four Day Creep’ by Ida Cox, where the guitars jostle for position, then Willie Dixon’s ‘I’m Ready’ where Marriott and Frampton play with the audience before nattering them with a full dirge rock anthem. Next up is ‘Stone Cold Fever’ off that year’s album ‘Rock On.’ A band composition—I bet the record company execs were pleased.

That was side one in the days of vinyl. Three more sides of this double album to go and only four songs are necessary. Side two clocks in at over twenty minutes with a wonderful version of Dr John’s ‘Walk on Gilded Splinters.’ The performance allows the band to stretch out, with some great harmonica from Steve Marriott.

Closing the set proper on side three is Muddy Waters’ ‘Rollin’ Stone.’ This has been ripped apart and laid bare. Steve Marriott leads the audience through various ribald tales before the final section where the band lets rip, taking off together to leave the audience howling for more.

Which is exactly what they get. Firstly, on side four we get a burst of Ray Charles with ‘Hallelujah I Just Love Her So’. By this time, the Pie are flying high.

Then everything is turned up to eleven as The Pie ravages their way through the Motown classic ‘I Don’t Need No Doctor,’ never missing from the Pie’s set from this point onwards. Of course, the crowds do need a doctor to put their damaged brains back in place.