Town And Country [Extra tracks, Original recording remastered]

Humble Pie - Town and Country, 1969.

I need to first mention that in this newly remastered release (also being the first version of this album to appear on Amazon when you search for 'Humble Pie') it seems to include every song from their first album 'As Safe As Yesterday (1968)', so it would be wise to never purchase this with the 'Better Together' selection, since it's just the first album. Which is on this album. Strange, but honestly, having both on one disk safes space and gives you extra awesome to listen to.

Anyway, on to the review.
This is the second album from Humble Pie, consisting of Steve Marriott on guitar and vocals, previously of 'The Small Faces,' Peter Frampton, also on guitar and vocals, previously of 'The Herd', but not even I have heard of them, so if you have, then I have to assume his prowess is very much known to you; Greg Ridley on bass guitar, previously of 'Spooky Tooth,' and drummer Jerry Shirley. With an album put together by the guys who had put out songs like 'Tin Soldier' (Marriott), or helped with the entire Spooky Two album (Ridley), you know you are in for a treat of musicianship and powerful, spirited vocals.

This is exactly what this album has to offer. Great rhythm section, killer bass lines, searing leads traded back and forth by Marriott and Frampton, great vocals not only by Marriott but also an incredibly rough-voiced Frampton, shown here in a completely different light than he is on his post-Pie solo records and even more so than on his 'Frampton Comes Alive!' album. The only song in which all of these elements does not come together is probably 'The Light of Love,' which is a attempt at experimentation, but just is not able to meld in with and falls quite short of the songs from the rest of the album.

Of noteworthy mention though, however, is the entirely acoustic piece, 'Every Mother's Son,' to my ears there is only the duel leads of Frampton and Marriott on guitar, no bass, no drums, no percussion. Every little bit of emotion is squeezed from both players and especially from Marriott's voice - leading to the magnificent crescendo that starts about halfway through and peaks at the very end with shouts of ecstasy from Marriott (that's one hell of a build up.)

Other tracks worth noting: 'Sad Bag of Shaky Jake,' probably the purest rocker on the album, but not in any sense of the word straightforward or bland. The fabulous mid-tempo rocker, 'Cold Lady,' with rough harmonies from at least two or three of the band members (the roughness is a good thing, adds to the song's already raw quality.) The thoroughly raucous and warmly emotional 'Down Home Again,' in which Steve Marriott's got a girl back home that calls him her own, but he calls his wife.

All in all, worthy of every 5 star I've given it, and it is a shame that more people seem to know nothing of this, or the album preceding and the one following. This, 'As Safe As Yesterday' (1968), and 'Humble Pie' (1970), are also both highly recommended.

Browsing through your reviews, the Humble Pie catalog seems particularly beset by "star inflation". Five stars come cheap these days. So "only" four stars may seem verging on the mediocre to some of your reviewers. Not so, I just reserve five stars for really outstanding records.

Not quite outstanding, but this is a fine record, as good as anything in the Humble Pie catalog. This was one of their two early records (1969) with the original lineup, including Peter Frampton. Overall, this is probably the Pie's quietest record, with a definite bent toward acoustic numbers. Frampton's songs hint at his early solo work to come (Take Me Back and Only You Can Say stand out). Marriott quits screaming for long enough to contribute some fine numbers (Every Mother's Son and Silver Tongue especially). Nice cover of a Buddy Holly forgotten chestnut (Heartbeat). The album ends with a flourish, Home And Away, co-written by Frampton, Marriott, and bassist Greg Ridley. One wishes Frampton and Marriott had truly collaborated more after hearing this. Alas, only a couple of more albums remained before they splintered, and Humble Pie as never the same (sorry all you Smokin' fans).

This disc will probably not change your life. But it's historically important if you like Frampton, Marriott, or the later Pie. And it stands up quite well on its own merit. This is not quite as good as Rock On, but it's close.

The early signs of the great band they were to become are on show here. A bit softer and more country flavour than later albums , but nevertheless still well played, interesting compositions and also great value for money as it is almost 2 albums in one. A lot of people just prefer the popular, big selling releases, but I like collecting the whole catalogue to see how bands progress from their ealy days. This is worth getting as the basic Humble Pie ingredients are there, Marriot, Frampton, Shirley and Ridley, who I believe should be viewed by history as one of the top 4 or 5 rock bands of all time, especially their live performances.