Customer Reviews

Very Best of

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Don't get me wrong, I am a committed Peter Frampton fan, but this short-changes him and cannot be described as his very best. It's just a collection of 10 songs, some of which were hits, some not. Without a doubt much of his very best work never made it on to this album. If you want a single-CD collection of his work, go for 'Greatest hits', but much better by far is the 2CD compilation 'Shine on' which contains 30 tracks, covers his career much more effectively, and is very good value.

I love Peter Frampton. I saw him in concert on June 15 of this year at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA opening for Yes. He was AMAZING. The energy he showed at that performance proves once and for all that even at his age, he still has it. He has the energy he had when 'Frampton Comes Alive!' was released, and although his long, blond hair is gone, it is replaced with an older, wiser-looking haircut. In fact, the Frampton show was among the best I had ever seen. His voice is as good, if not, better than it was in 1976. And his guitar playing hasn't changed a bit. He's still a virtuoso. Do check out his new album 'Thank You Mr. Churchill' if you can, because it really is amazing how great Frampton still is.

Now, to this review.

'The Very Best of Peter Frampton' is a budget album. It is for those of you who maybe want to have more than just 'Frampton Comes Alive!' but don't want to buy the 2 CD 'The Peter Frampton Anthology' or 'Gold' instead. This album features 10 songs spanning his A&M years (which were his peak years).

The album features several great tunes and songs you hear on the radio all the time, including 'Show me the Way' (from 'Frampton Comes Alive!' -- not the studio version) and several others, like 'I'm in You,' the studio version of 'Baby I Love Your Way' and 'I Can't Stand it No More' -- one of his best rockers.

However, this is a very flawed collection as well.

'Do You Feel Like We Do' does appear here, but not in the 14-minute majestic live version. Instead, it is offered in its inferior studio version, meaning the talkbox solo is gone. The studio version is more than half the length of the live version, at 6:43 long. This automatically deducts a star from the album. Why the studio version? Could it hurt to have included the live version? It sure would have fit on here, since this album is well under the 80 minute time limit of a CD.

Also, the same goes for 'Baby I Love Your Way.' The studio version of this song isn't bad by any stretch, but the live version is truly the one to hear. Go seek out that version first before you hear this.

Overall, buy this if you are a budget minded Frampton fan who cannot afford anything else. Otherwise, seek out 'Frampton Comes Alive!,' 'Greatest Hits' and the 2010 new studio album, 'Thank You Mr. Churchill' which should be all the casual Frampton fan should need to start their collection. If you decide you like Frampton and want to hear more, 'Live in Detroit,' 'Frampton' (the studio album) and 'Frampton's Camel' are recommended as the next steps.

This is ***NOT*** (I repeat, NOT) a good starting point. Look elsewhere if you want a comprehensive Frampton collection. As stated above, 'Greatest Hits' is the place to go. Not this one. Avoid unless you absolutely cannot afford anything else.

A nice compilation of Frampton tunes at an affordable price. My favs on this cd are "Im in you" (nice drums in it) "lines on my face" "show me the way" This cd has some fine guitar work in it and is a nice compliment to "Frampton comes alive!".