Frampton's Camel
Encyclopedia
Frampton's Camel is Peter Frampton
's second album, recorded and released in 1973. It was the first album that Frampton recorded in the United States
. Most of the album was written in New York
. It reached #110 on the Billboard 200
Album Chart.
at Jimi Hendrix
's old Electric Lady Studios
. Four years later, Frampton would record there again for his #2 hit album I'm in You
.
Frampton's original drummer Mike Kellie
decided to leave the band because of differences with Frampton. The album shared its name with the band Frampton assembled for the occasion, which was actually more of a group project, including bassist Rick Wills
, new drummer John Siomos
, and keyboardist Mick Gallagher.
The sound on this recording lays out the formula that Frampton would take to mega-success three years later with the release of Frampton Comes Alive!
.
The songs are all first-rate or close to it — included here is the original studio version of the group composition "Do You Feel Like We Do
," a quicker-tempo, extended (albeit less majestic) version of which appeared on the latter album and became a staple of classic-rock radio. This album also includes a cover of Stevie Wonder
's "I Believe (When I Fall in Love With You It Will Be Forever).
Gallagher's driving percussive organ
and piano
were prominent position in the arrangements, and Frampton getting a harder sound from his electric guitars
, though his acoustic guitar
playing is so lush and lyrical that it dominates the album here, and there in its quiet way of such standout tracks as the slinky, soulful, but the Frampton-composed "I Got My Eyes On You", and "Don't Fade Away", the tempo shifting Gallagher and Frampton collaboration "All Night Long", and the power introspective ballad "Lines On My Face", the rollicking "White Sugar", are compelling examples of '70s hard rock
at its commercial best, and Frampton's gorgeously lyrical, all acoustic "Just the Time of the Year", which allowed Frampton space to explore the subtler guitar textures that he would continue to employ on the future recordings.
As on Wind of Change
, Frampton's use of dynamics and mix of acoustic and electric guitars keeps the music from becoming one-dimensional, state-of-the-art sound, adds an even more expansive feel to this album and enhances its melodic richness.
Single
Peter Frampton
Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
's second album, recorded and released in 1973. It was the first album that Frampton recorded in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Most of the album was written in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It reached #110 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
Album Chart.
Background
Frampton pursued a somewhat grittier sound on his second solo outing, 1973's Frampton's Camel, which was recorded in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
at Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
's old Electric Lady Studios
Electric Lady Studios
Electric Lady Studios, at 52 West 8th Street, in New York City's Greenwich Village, is a recording studio originally built by Jimi Hendrix and designed by John Storyk in 1970...
. Four years later, Frampton would record there again for his #2 hit album I'm in You
I'm in You
I'm in You is the fifth studio album by Peter Frampton, released in 1977. Frampton returned from touring in 1976 to record this album. Stevie Wonder is also featured.-Background:...
.
Frampton's original drummer Mike Kellie
Mike Kellie
Mike Kellie is an English drummer. Most notably, he has played in Spooky Tooth and The Only Ones. Kellie has also played with Peter Frampton and in various bands with Chris Wood....
decided to leave the band because of differences with Frampton. The album shared its name with the band Frampton assembled for the occasion, which was actually more of a group project, including bassist Rick Wills
Rick Wills
Rick Wills , is a British bass player. He is best known for his work with rock band Foreigner and his associations with the Small Faces and Bad Company.-Career:...
, new drummer John Siomos
John Siomos
John Siomos, was an American rock drummer who performed with Todd Rundgren, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Rick Derringer, Carly Simon, Mark Moogy Klingman, Buzzy Linhart, Frampton's Camel and played on Peter Frampton's "Frampton Comes Alive", once the biggest selling album of all time,...
, and keyboardist Mick Gallagher.
The sound on this recording lays out the formula that Frampton would take to mega-success three years later with the release of Frampton Comes Alive!
Frampton Comes Alive!
Frampton Comes Alive! is a double live album by English rock musician Peter Frampton released in 1976, and one of the best-selling live albums in the United States. Following four solo albums with little commercial success, Frampton Comes Alive! was a breakthrough for the artist.Released on January...
.
The songs are all first-rate or close to it — included here is the original studio version of the group composition "Do You Feel Like We Do
Do You Feel Like We Do
"Do You Feel Like We Do" is a song by Peter Frampton originally on the Frampton's Camel album released in 1973. The song became one of the highlights of his live performance in following years...
," a quicker-tempo, extended (albeit less majestic) version of which appeared on the latter album and became a staple of classic-rock radio. This album also includes a cover of Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
's "I Believe (When I Fall in Love With You It Will Be Forever).
Gallagher's driving percussive organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
were prominent position in the arrangements, and Frampton getting a harder sound from his electric guitars
Electric Guitars
Electric Guitars were formed early in 1980 by Neil Davenport and Richard Hall who were both studying English at Bristol University. The band soon increased to a five-man line-up, with Andy Saunders , Matt Salt and Dick Truscott , they also later added two backing singers: Sara and Wendy...
, though his acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
playing is so lush and lyrical that it dominates the album here, and there in its quiet way of such standout tracks as the slinky, soulful, but the Frampton-composed "I Got My Eyes On You", and "Don't Fade Away", the tempo shifting Gallagher and Frampton collaboration "All Night Long", and the power introspective ballad "Lines On My Face", the rollicking "White Sugar", are compelling examples of '70s hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
at its commercial best, and Frampton's gorgeously lyrical, all acoustic "Just the Time of the Year", which allowed Frampton space to explore the subtler guitar textures that he would continue to employ on the future recordings.
As on Wind of Change
Wind of Change
"Wind of Change" is a 1990 power ballad written by Klaus Meine, vocalist of the German heavy metal band Scorpions. It appeared on their 1990 album Crazy World, but did not become a worldwide hit single until 1991, when it topped the charts in Germany and across Europe, and hit #4 in the United...
, Frampton's use of dynamics and mix of acoustic and electric guitars keeps the music from becoming one-dimensional, state-of-the-art sound, adds an even more expansive feel to this album and enhances its melodic richness.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Peter Frampton; except where indicated- "I Got My Eyes On You" - 4:29
- "All Night Long" - 3:19 (Frampton, Gallagher)
- "Lines On My Face" - 4:50
- "Which Way the Wind Blows" - 3:32
- "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)"I Believe " is a soul song written by Stevie Wonder and Yvonne Wright, for Wonder's 1972 album, Talking Book....
" - 4:10 (Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Syreeta WrightSyreeta WrightSyreeta Wright , who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was a Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter most notably known for her work with Stevie Wonder and Billy Preston.-Early life and career:...
) - "White Sugar" - 3:37
- "Don't Fade Away" - 4:39
- "Just The Time Of Year" - 3:58
- "Do You Feel Like We DoDo You Feel Like We Do"Do You Feel Like We Do" is a song by Peter Frampton originally on the Frampton's Camel album released in 1973. The song became one of the highlights of his live performance in following years...
" - 6:44 (Frampton, Gallagher, Wills, Siomos)
Personnel
- Peter FramptonPeter FramptonPeter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
- double bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, acoustic guitar, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, vocals - Mick Gallagher - pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, electric pianoElectric pianoAn electric piano is an electric musical instrument.Electric pianos produce sounds mechanically and the sounds are turned into electrical signals by pickups. Unlike a synthesizer, the electric piano is not an electronic instrument, but electro-mechanical. The earliest electric pianos were invented...
, hammond organHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, organHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, hammond B-3, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, moog synthesizerMoog synthesizerMoog synthesizer may refer to any number of analog synthesizers designed by Dr. Robert Moog or manufactured by Moog Music, and is commonly used as a generic term for older-generation analog music synthesizers. The Moog company pioneered the commercial manufacture of modular voltage-controlled...
, fender rhodes, harpsichordHarpsichordA harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
, accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, vocals - Rick WillsRick WillsRick Wills , is a British bass player. He is best known for his work with rock band Foreigner and his associations with the Small Faces and Bad Company.-Career:...
- double bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - John SiomosJohn SiomosJohn Siomos, was an American rock drummer who performed with Todd Rundgren, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Rick Derringer, Carly Simon, Mark Moogy Klingman, Buzzy Linhart, Frampton's Camel and played on Peter Frampton's "Frampton Comes Alive", once the biggest selling album of all time,...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion
Additional Personnel
- Frank CarilloFrank CarilloFrank Carillo is an American rock musician.- Doc Holliday :In 1971, manager Phil Lorito formed a band around Frank Carillo called Doc Holliday, with Carillo, Bob Mayo, Tom Arlotta and Bob Liggio...
- double bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, acoustic guitar, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, vocals, talk boxTalk boxA talk box is an effects unit that allows a musician to modify the sound of a musical instrument. The musician controls the modification by lip syncing, or by changing the shape of the mouth... - Mike KellieMike KellieMike Kellie is an English drummer. Most notably, he has played in Spooky Tooth and The Only Ones. Kellie has also played with Peter Frampton and in various bands with Chris Wood....
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Pop Albums | 110 |
Single
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | "All Night Long" | ||
| 1973 | "I Got My Eyes On You" | ||
| 1973 | "Lines On My Face" | ||
| 1973 | "Which Way The Wind Blows" |