Alive - Frampton Is!

Got a last-minute chance recently to see Peter Frampton on his "Frampton Comes Alive 35th Anniversary Tour".  How could I resist?  It took place a mere 5 miles from my house!

In case you haven't heard, Peter has been touring and revisiting/playing his entire blockbuster 70's album for the first half of the evening's performance.  Why do I feel compelled write?  Well, "Frampton Comes Alive" was a HUGE guitar influence for me.  I remember going over some of his songs as a youngster with my guitar teacher back home in Downey and talking about the scales PF was using.  And I sang all the ballads, too.  I wore my record (vinyl!) out!!

And how could I not buy the CD recording of the very show that I attended?!  Especially when he makes sure to reference "Riverside" in his songs...

By the way...
Did you see the photo I took with Peter at the NAMM Show in 2010?

Bad phone-camera shot, but there I am with one of my guitar heroes!

And further, a video from that very show...

Unfortunately I did NOT sit this close.  Not having ever seen him live, I was real glad I got the chance.  And I had no idea how cool the material from his latest instrumental CD was!

Fun!

Alive - Frampton Is!

Saw Burt Bacharach at the Fox Theatre!

I was very thrilled and blessed to see Burt Bacharach live and in person with the Corona Symphony Pops at the Fox Theatre the other night! (4th row behind the small VIP section!)

I was surprised I guess at how frail he seemed. But after all he's turning 83 in May.  I think his seasoned age made him that much more more endearing to the audience though.  You just wanted to go and gave him a big, but gentle, hug of thanks.  Kind of like your grandpa.

Though well advanced in years, man, he still had "it".  It was very passionate performance.  He was very humble and relational, joking about his Ricola cough drops, forgetting words a little, and losing his voice only to get it back some by the time his singing parts came along.

He had a very talented trio of pro singers with him, Josie James, Donna Taylor, and John Pagano.  The orchestra did a great job and it was so cool hearing some of those signature string and horn lines live.  The songs never stopped. Medley after medley.  The "first four hits" medley.  The "songs written for film" medley.  On and on it goes!

Thanks, Burt!

Did you know there are a couple of songs I've written in the past that were purposely both a pastiche (a fancy word I learned in a Stephen Schwartz bioraphy!) of those classic Bacharach/David tunes?  Take a listen below!

Window Seat

free music download from Steve Probst

Yes, Love

free music download from Steve Probst

The concert looked something like this:

Saw Burt Bacharach at the Fox Theatre!