It's Peter Frampton's 59th birthday today, and we found ourselves prepared.
Last night Zach and I sat down and hammered out "Baby I Love Your Way'' -- one of the hit singles off the classic "Frampton Comes Alive!'' album that still receives heavy airplay on classic rock FM stations 33 years after its release. (Even though, it seems, some people were introduced to Frampton more recently on an episode of "Family Guy.'')
We had been plunking around for a week playing different riffs, beats and melodies (some of it actually sounding pretty good) without finding the discipline or desire to tackle a single song from start to finish.
But last night, after Zach restrung the old Gibson LG-2 "Cotton Queen'' with D'Addario phosphor bronze lights and Pop changed out the Elixirs on the Martin 000-28, we discovered energy in the new volume and brighter tones we were suddenly generating.
A song was percolating in our bones. Could a gig be far behind?
There we were, father and son, working the fretboards for the truth. Dos Jimbos? The old oak and an acorn that had landed, as it turns out, very close to the tree. Strumming the night away in Bradenton, Fla., far from Zach's friends and bandmates back in Richfield, Minn. But in very close proximity to where Frampton's music first entered my brain back in 1976. Now those were the days...
A simple chord progression we had been playing for days without really connecting to any definite songs, G/D/A minor, suddenly became the chorus to "Baby I Love Your Way.'' And we were on our way...
Ooh, baby I love your way
Wanna tell you I love your way
Wanna be with you night and day
Once we learned the F7, a sweet signature chord that anchors the song's verses, there would be no stopping us. Zach found the voice that been trapped inside him, and were wailing in harmony to one of those timeless songs that just needs to be played.
Shadows grow so long before my eyes
And they're moving across the page
Suddenly the day turns into night
Far away from the city
But don't hesitate, 'cause your love won't wait
Do you wonder how fireflies have the power to shine, shine, shine? We know that now. Learned it last night...
Last night Zach and I sat down and hammered out "Baby I Love Your Way'' -- one of the hit singles off the classic "Frampton Comes Alive!'' album that still receives heavy airplay on classic rock FM stations 33 years after its release. (Even though, it seems, some people were introduced to Frampton more recently on an episode of "Family Guy.'')
We had been plunking around for a week playing different riffs, beats and melodies (some of it actually sounding pretty good) without finding the discipline or desire to tackle a single song from start to finish.
But last night, after Zach restrung the old Gibson LG-2 "Cotton Queen'' with D'Addario phosphor bronze lights and Pop changed out the Elixirs on the Martin 000-28, we discovered energy in the new volume and brighter tones we were suddenly generating.
A song was percolating in our bones. Could a gig be far behind?
There we were, father and son, working the fretboards for the truth. Dos Jimbos? The old oak and an acorn that had landed, as it turns out, very close to the tree. Strumming the night away in Bradenton, Fla., far from Zach's friends and bandmates back in Richfield, Minn. But in very close proximity to where Frampton's music first entered my brain back in 1976. Now those were the days...
A simple chord progression we had been playing for days without really connecting to any definite songs, G/D/A minor, suddenly became the chorus to "Baby I Love Your Way.'' And we were on our way...
Ooh, baby I love your way
Wanna tell you I love your way
Wanna be with you night and day
Once we learned the F7, a sweet signature chord that anchors the song's verses, there would be no stopping us. Zach found the voice that been trapped inside him, and were wailing in harmony to one of those timeless songs that just needs to be played.
Shadows grow so long before my eyes
And they're moving across the page
Suddenly the day turns into night
Far away from the city
But don't hesitate, 'cause your love won't wait
Do you wonder how fireflies have the power to shine, shine, shine? We know that now. Learned it last night...
I'll celebrate Frampton's birthday by listening to some early Humble Pie, thank you.
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