Atlantic Ave Magazine October 2019

entertainment | CONCert review
Peter Frampton
Showed Us The Way
Coral Sky Amphitheater | September 6, 2019
written and photographed By tom craig
For very possibly the last time, on a hot September evening, rock
guitar great Peter Frampton came to South Florida and brought
his Finale Tour to Coral Sky Amphitheater in West Palm Beach.
In February, the 69-year-old, British rocker announced he had
been diagnosed with a rare degenerative muscle disorder known
as Inclusion Body Myositis which first affected his legs and could
possibly affect his guitar playing in the future. So, he is out on
the road for one last big tour. In addition to the tour, he has also
been feverishly recording as much new music in the studio with
his band as he can.
This night’s 14 song, two plus hour set was not just your typical
greatest hits farewell show. It was a wonderful combination of new,
old, extended ferocious jams, and crowd favorites with a few stories
of friends and fellow musicians from his fifty-year career in between,
and that big infectious smile of his throughout.
Frampton began the set with “Baby (Somthin’s Happening)” the
same song that starts his most famous album Frampton Comes Alive.
It was followed by “Lying,” and his first extended jam on “Lines On
My Face,” then came the first use of his famous talk box of the evening
on “Show Me The Way.”
Next up was “Fig Tree Bay” followed by three cover songs from his
46 | october 2019 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com
new All Blues album which included a beautiful instrumental interpretation
of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia On My Mind.” After dipping
into the Blues it was time for Frampton and his band to turn on the
afterburners for the final 5 songs of the set “Breaking All The Rules,”
and a touching and snarling cover of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.”
On “(I’ll Give You) Money” came a scorching trade of solos with fellow
guitarist Adam Lester.
Frampton closed the concert with two of his biggest songs “Baby
I Love Your Way” which brought the entire crowd to its feet and
“Do You Feel Like We Do” that started the massive sing-along. After
a group bow Peter and his band filed off stage only to return a moment
later. If this is the final time we get to see Peter Frampton the
choice of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was a fitting end and it
reminded the crowd what a phenomenal performer he is.
After finishing “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” the band quietly
left the stage leaving Peter front and center to speak to the crowd
of over 12,000. “I just have to tell you I have felt all this love and encouragement
coming my way. You guys are going to heal me. I just
want to tell you I love you guys. Thank you so much. I’m just going
to wave, all right?” With that and if to say this is not goodbye this is
just so long for now, he walked off into the darkness of backstage.
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