Performance Rockin the Filmore [Import]

On 2/14/07, Universal Japan released the entire Humble Pie A&M catalog, plus the "Marriott" solo album, in remastered, mini-sleeve packaging.

These remasters are GLORIOUS. This 2006 jewel-case re-release does not have the 2007 mini-sleeve's mastering.

The initial production run of the five central Pie titles (Humble Pie, Rock On, Performance, Smokin' & Eat It) have already sold out in Japan, so don't delay in getting yours!

Four of the five Japanese remasters are now the audio benchmarks for these titles: The 2006 UK Repertoire version of the third album, "Humble Pie", definitely has more clarity than the Japanese version, especially in the drums.

Perhaps now, Universal U.S. will get up off its lazy collective a** and make these fabulous remasters available.

Until that day, grab the Japanese CD's before they're gone, as all mini-sleeve CD's are limited edition.

Link to the 2007 Japanese remaster

WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?

Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.

Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.

Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.

Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.

All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.

In support of their must-have studio album, "Rock On", Humble Pie hit the road to rock their fans with their live performances. One venue they played toward the end of their tour in the U.S. was the great Fillmore East; which, brings us to the recordings there that became one of the best 'live' albums ever.

The indispensable and highly regarded "Performance: Rockin' The Fillmore" was an immediate hit upon release and is remembered by many today as one of THE essential live albums to have in your music collection. Originally a double-album, Performance fits on one CD and from start to finish reveals the stunning, electric, and thrilling sound with which Humble Pie entertained their live audiences. Listening to Performance puts you in the front row of the show with Humble Pie right in front of you, and they aren't in the mood to disappoint.

The album begins with a hard-rockin' rendition of Ids Cox's "Four Day Creep" that really starts the 'show' with a bang. Next, Steve works the audience up with his bluesy, soulful wailing before beginning the great Willie Dixon number "I'm Ready" done the Humble pie way: loud, hard and groovin'. The band then breaks into one of the great cuts off of "Rock On", "Stone Cold Fever", a soul-searing hard rock song with a classic riff along with some great lead guitar from Frampton.
Side-Two of the first LP comes next with a long, jamming interpretation of Dr. John's "I Walk On Gilded Splinters". The song begins as a slow, grooving rocker with Steve's soulful singing; which, continues to build from verse and chorus into a great jam in the middle to a fast paced lead break by Frampton that eventually brings the band full circle to a slow, blues-shuffle ending chorus. 'Gilded Splinters' clocks in at about 24:30 minutes and ends the first disk (on the original LP).

Song number 5 on the CD begins side 3 of the double-album. The band breaks into a low-keyed, lumbering blues jam of Humble Pie's arrangement of Muddy Waters' "Rolling Stone". Steve's soulful, preaching floats above the music as he both sings the song and interacts with the audience, encouraging their involvement as the number rocks along. This jam also builds into a great hard rocking, faster paced climax, with Frampton playing a great lead after which everyone sings the concluding words in unison. "Rolling Stone" is a little over 16 minutes long and took up the entirety of side 3.

The fourth side (song 6 here) begins with the Pie performing their great, uplifting version of Ray Charles' "Hallelujah (I Love Her So)". The whole band joins in on the vocals as they play a swinging/rocking rhythm back-drop that really pays great honor to the elder Charles' classic song. The audience shows great appreciation at the conclusion of this number. The Pie concludes this live set (song 7) with one of the greatest cover songs they ever performed. "I Don't Need No Doctor", penned by Ashford/Simpson/Armstead, has one of the greatest guitar riffs ever. Steve sings it with his powerful, soul-drenched voice with the urgency of an emergency room physician as the band keeps up the fast-paced, hard-rock rhythm. Frampton plays another great lead; which, turns strait into the middle-section vocal jam by Steve. The song concludes with the hard rock riffing that it began with and ends the album with a huge bang, just like it began. What a show!

If you like 'live' albums, you'll LOVE this one. Performance: Rockin' the Fillmore is one of the great live albums of any rock era. Unfortunately, after this tour, Peter Frampton left Humble Pie for the uncharted waters of a solo career. This left the rest of the band looking for a new lead guitarist/song-writer/singer. With the uncertainty of that situation, how would their next album fare....? Let's just say that the future of the band was not in jeopardy and their next album, "Smokin'", would continue the band's status as one of the biggest acts in rock.

This review is of the 2009 Universal/Japan SHM-CD, 24-bit remastered pressing [UICY-94068] of "Performance: Rockin' the Fillmore". This edition comes with a clear, resealable plastic sleeve which protects the entire mini-sleeve replica. The original 12" inch, double-album has been fully restored to its original condition with all artwork/pictures and gatefold included on a smaller, 4" x 4" scale. The entire original double-album fits onto one CD that is protected by a clear plastic anti-static sleeve. It also comes with an obi, a English/Japanese lyric insert, as well as exact replicas of both original 12" LP labels, one of which has a production/copy number printed on one side. This remastered pressing is highly recommended both for the packaging and for the superb sound quality. If you're unable to get this edition, the 2007 Universal/japan remastered edition is also recommended. No other pressings have the great sonic quality as these 24-bit remasters at this time. Get one while you can!!

Humble Pie really lets it out on this one. Peter Frampton is in rare form, far part II of this LP, and hear a more mature Peter, just listen to "Frampton Comes Alive", the greatest live LP ever produced.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews  3.3 out of 5 stars