Freeze Frame
Encyclopedia
Freeze-Frame is the 12th album
by American
rock
band The J. Geils Band, released in 1981 (see 1981 in music
). This was the band's only #1 album and their biggest seller. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200
album chart in February 1982, and remained at the top for four weeks. The album featured the hit singles "Centerfold
" (#1 US; #3UK) and "Freeze Frame
". (#4 US) "Angel in Blue" also reached the US Top 40.
This was the first album where songwriters Peter Wolf and Seth Justman, who provided the band with its original material, did not share credit on every song. Justman wrote or co-wrote all of the album as well as receiving credit as arranger and producer of the material.
The album was remaster
ed in 1993 and reissued on BGO in the UK and was remastered in 2008 for the Japanese market, but has not been remastered in the U.S.
Part of the success of the album can be attributed to the videos that were run constantly on MTV including "Centerfold" and the title track from the album.
Additional personnel
Singles - Billboard (North America)
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band The J. Geils Band, released in 1981 (see 1981 in music
1981 in music
See also:* Timeline of musical eventsThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1981.-January–April:*January 10 – A revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance opens at Broadway's Uris Theatre, starring Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith.*January 24 –...
). This was the band's only #1 album and their biggest seller. The album reached number one 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 in February 1982, and remained at the top for four weeks. The album featured the hit singles "Centerfold
Centerfold (song)
Centerfold is a single released by The J. Geils Band from their album Freeze Frame. The song is about a man who is shocked to discover that his high school crush appeared in a centerfold spread for a men's magazine...
" (#1 US; #3UK) and "Freeze Frame
Freeze Frame (J. Geils Band song)
Freeze-Frame is a song written by Seth Justman and Peter Wolf for The J. Geils Band. It was first released as the opening track on the chart-topping 1981 album of the same name...
". (#4 US) "Angel in Blue" also reached the US Top 40.
This was the first album where songwriters Peter Wolf and Seth Justman, who provided the band with its original material, did not share credit on every song. Justman wrote or co-wrote all of the album as well as receiving credit as arranger and producer of the material.
The album was remaster
Remaster
Remaster is a word marketed mostly in the digital audio age, although the remastering process has existed since recording began...
ed in 1993 and reissued on BGO in the UK and was remastered in 2008 for the Japanese market, but has not been remastered in the U.S.
Part of the success of the album can be attributed to the videos that were run constantly on MTV including "Centerfold" and the title track from the album.
Track listing
- "Freeze-FrameFreeze Frame (J. Geils Band song)Freeze-Frame is a song written by Seth Justman and Peter Wolf for The J. Geils Band. It was first released as the opening track on the chart-topping 1981 album of the same name...
" (Justman, Wolf) – 4:01 - "Rage in the Cage" (Justman, Wolf) – 4:56
- "CenterfoldCenterfold (song)Centerfold is a single released by The J. Geils Band from their album Freeze Frame. The song is about a man who is shocked to discover that his high school crush appeared in a centerfold spread for a men's magazine...
" (Justman) – 3:36 - "Do You Remember When?" (Justman, Wolf) – 4:45
- "Insane, Insane Again" (Justman) – 4:43
- "Flamethrower" (Justman) – 4:58
- "River Blindness" (Justman) – 6:06
- "Angel in Blue" (Justman) – 4:51
- "Piss on the Wall" (Justman, Wolf) – 3:02
Personnel
- Stephen Bladd – 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 ....
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - J. GeilsJ. GeilsJohn Geils popularly known as J. Geils, is an American blues-rock lead guitarist, singer and founder of The J. Geils Band; he has also recorded with several jazz musicians. Born in New York, he grew up in Far Hills, New Jersey where he graduated from Bernards High School.Since 1982, Geils has...
– 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... - Seth JustmanSeth JustmanSeth Justman was the keyboard player for the U.S. rock band, The J. Geils Band. He co-wrote many of the band's songs with singer Peter Wolf, and took sole songwriting credits for the band's biggest international hit, "Centerfold" . Justman became the band's main vocalist once Wolf left the J...
– 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 - Danny Klein – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Magic DickMagic DickRichard "Magic Dick" Salwitz was the harmonica player for The J. Geils Band. In addition to the harmonica, Salwitz plays the trumpet and saxophone. He attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he met John "J" Geils and Danny Klein and became a founding member of...
– 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...
, trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846... - Peter WolfPeter WolfPeter Wolf is an American Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Rock and Roll musician, best known as the lead vocalist for the J. Geils Band from 1967 to 1983; and for a successful musical solo career to date with writing partner Will Jennings.- Life and career :Wolf was born in the Bronx, New York...
– vocals
Additional personnel
- Tawatha Agee – vocals
- Randy BreckerRandy BreckerRandal "Randy" Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is a highly sought after performer in the genres of jazz, rock, and R&B, and has performed or recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Billy Cobham, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Sandip Burman, Charles Mingus, Blood, Sweat & Tears,...
– horn - Ronnie CuberRonnie CuberRonnie Cuber is a jazz saxophonist. He has also played in Latin, pop, rock and blues sessions. In addition to his primary instrument, baritone sax, he has also played tenor sax, soprano sax and flute, the latter on an album by Eddie Palmieri. As a leader, Cuber is known for hard bop and Latin jazz...
– saxophone - Cissy HoustonCissy HoustonEmily "Cissy" Houston is a Grammy Award–winning American soul and gospel singer. She led a very successful career as a backup singer for such artists as Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Wishbone Ash and Aretha Franklin, and is now primarily a solo artist...
– vocals - Tom "Bones" MaloneTom Malone (musician)Tom "Bones" Malone is an American jazz musician. As his nickname implies, he specializes on the trombone, but also plays trumpet, tuba, tenor sax, baritone sax, flutes, piccolo, and other instruments....
– horn - Lou MariniLou MariniLou Marini, Jr. is an American saxophonist, arranger and composer. He is noted for his work in the jazz, rock, blues and soul music traditions.-Early life and range of musical experience:...
– horn - Alan RubinAlan RubinAlan Rubin , also known as Mr. Fabulous, was an American musician. He played trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet....
– trumpet - Fonzi ThorntonFonzi ThorntonFonzi Thornton, is an American singer, song writer/producer, stage performer and radio personality.Thornton has provided background vocals on albums by artists which include Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Chic, Sheena Easton, Mariah Carey, David Bowie, Michael Jackson,...
– vocals - Luther VandrossLuther VandrossLuther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
– vocals - Ken WilliamsKen WilliamsKen Williams may refer to:*Kenneth Williams , British actor*Ken Williams , baseball outfielder*Ken Williams , American college basketball player...
– vocals - George Young – horn
Production
- Producer: Seth JustmanSeth JustmanSeth Justman was the keyboard player for the U.S. rock band, The J. Geils Band. He co-wrote many of the band's songs with singer Peter Wolf, and took sole songwriting credits for the band's biggest international hit, "Centerfold" . Justman became the band's main vocalist once Wolf left the J...
- Engineer: David Thoener
- Mixing: David Thoener
- Arranger: Seth JustmanSeth JustmanSeth Justman was the keyboard player for the U.S. rock band, The J. Geils Band. He co-wrote many of the band's songs with singer Peter Wolf, and took sole songwriting credits for the band's biggest international hit, "Centerfold" . Justman became the band's main vocalist once Wolf left the J...
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Pop Albums | 1 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | "Angel in Blue" | Billboard Hot 100 | 40 |
| 1982 | "Centerfold/Flamethrower" | Club Play Singles | 12 |
| 1982 | "Centerfold" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 1 |
| 1982 | "Centerfold" | Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| 1982 | "Flamethrower" | Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks | 25 |
| 1982 | "Flamethrower" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 30 |
| 1982 | "Freeze-Frame" | Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks | 25 |
| 1982 | "Freeze-Frame" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 8 |
| 1982 | "Freeze-Frame" | Billboard Hot 100 | 4 |
In popular culture
- America's Funniest Home VideosAmerica's Funniest Home VideosAmerica's Funniest Home Videos is an American reality television program on ABC in which viewers are able to send in humorous homemade videotapes. The most common videos usually feature slapstick physical comedy arising from incidents, accidents and mishaps...
used this song as of there music montages in 1992. - "Centerfold" is included on the disc of Rock Band 3Rock Band 3Rock Band 3 is a music video game, developed by Harmonix Music Systems. The game was initially published and distributed by MTV Games and Electronic Arts, respectively, with Mad Catz taking over both roles a year later. It is the third main game in the Rock Band series...
. - "Freeze-Frame" was heard in an episode of Everybody Hates ChrisEverybody Hates ChrisEverybody Hates Chris is an African American television period sitcom inspired by the teenage experiences of comedian Chris Rock , while growing up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York . The show is set from 1982 to 1987; however, Rock himself was a teenager during years...
. - "Freeze-Frame" was released as downloadable content for the Guitar HeroGuitar HeroGuitar Hero is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems and published by RedOctane for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It is the first entry in the Guitar Hero series. Guitar Hero was released on November 8, 2005 in North America, April 7, 2006 in Europe and June 15, 2006 in...
series. - "Freeze-Frame" was heard in the 2010 episode of Covert AffairsCovert AffairsCovert Affairs is a USA Network television series starring Piper Perabo and Christopher Gorham. The one-hour drama premiered on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. The show concluded its first season on September 14, 2010 and was renewed for a second season on August 19, 2010. The second season began airing on...
: "A Fool in the Rain." - "Freeze-Frame" is offered as a downloadable song for Rock Band 3Rock Band 3Rock Band 3 is a music video game, developed by Harmonix Music Systems. The game was initially published and distributed by MTV Games and Electronic Arts, respectively, with Mad Catz taking over both roles a year later. It is the third main game in the Rock Band series...
. - "Freeze-Frame" was featured in The SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
episode HomerazziHomerazzi"Homerazzi" is the sixteenth episode of the eighteenth season of The Simpsons, which was originally broadcast on March 25, 2007. It was written by J. Stewart Burns, directed by Matthew Nastuk, and guest starred J.K. Simmons as the tabloid editor, Betty White as Herself, and Jon Lovitz as Enrico...
. - "Freeze-Frame" was heard in an EnergizerEnergizer HoldingsEnergizer Holdings is an American manufacturer of batteries and personal care products, headquartered in Town and Country, Missouri. Its most well known brands are Energizer and Eveready batteries, Schick, Wilkinson Sword and Edge shaving products, Playtex feminine hygiene and baby products, and...
battery commercial. - "Freeze-Frame" was the name of a magical spell, invented by Dr. Jay Geils, in the Wizards of Waverly PlaceWizards of Waverly PlaceWizards of Waverly Place is a Disney Channel Original Series that premiered on October 12, 2007. It won "Outstanding Children's Program" at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards in 2009...
episode "Credit Check".