Humble Pie Discography 19692 Better -
The band's prolific output continued with their second album, Town and Country , released just three months after their debut. In stark contrast to the heavy rock of its predecessor, this album leaned heavily into acoustic folk and country sounds, showcasing the band's versatility. The track listing includes:
: This self-titled release effectively bridged the gap between their progressive tendencies and straight-ahead hard rock. Marriott's gritty, powerhouse soul shouting began to take center stage, contrasting beautifully with Frampton's melodic guitar work.
Their debut single, "Natural Born Bugie," was released in July 1969 and became an instant sensation, climbing to No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. Hot on its heels came the debut LP, As Safe As Yesterday Is . The album was a visionary, albeit sometimes chaotic, blend of heavy blues, crushing rock, and pastoral folk. While it peaked at No. 16 in the UK, it immediately established the band’s dual-guitar threat and Marriott’s commanding voice. Tracks like "Alabama '69" and the title track showcased a band that was already confident enough to experiment with dynamics, swinging from delicate acoustic passages to blistering, metal-leaning riffs.
Their self-titled third album, simply called Humble Pie , marked the band’s first release for the A&M label and was produced by the legendary Glyn Johns (The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin). The album saw the band returning to a more electric rock format, but with a darker, more mature and soulful edge. It was a more focused effort that found the band at the peak of their powers, successfully synthesizing the heavy rock of their debut with the dynamic range they had explored on Town and Country . humble pie discography 19692 better
Humble Pie was a British rock band formed in 1969, known for their blues-rock and hard rock sound. The band's original lineup consisted of Steve Marriott (vocals, guitar), Peter Frampton (guitar, vocals), Rick Grech (bass), and Jerry Shirley (drums).
While mainstream rock history frequently reduces Humble Pie to their seminal 1971 live album Performance Rockin' the Fillmore or the 1972 studio classic Smokin' , their output in 1969 captured a unique, brief window of total creative democracy. Before management steered them exclusively toward high-volume blues-rock, the 1969 iteration of Humble Pie seamlessly balanced face-melting heavy metal riffs with delicate, acoustic pastoral folk. 1. 'As Safe as Yesterday Is' (August 1969) The Heavy Metal Big Bang
: A heavy, Hammond-organ-drenched cover of the Steppenwolf track that serves as a masterclass in vocal power. The band's prolific output continued with their second
Smokin’ was a turning point. Following Frampton’s departure, the band recruited guitarist Clem Clempson and fully embraced the sound of a heavy, no-frills rock band under Marriott’s sole influence. The slower blues grooves gave way to a new, focused ferocity. Smokin’ became the band’s most commercially successful studio album, peaking at #6 on the Billboard 200 chart, a career high.
(August 1969) Their debut arrived as psychedelia was gasping its last breath. Steve Marriott (fresh from Small Faces) and Peter Frampton (ex-Herd) created a heavy, pastoral hybrid. Tracks like the title cut and “Natural Born Bugie” (their first single) blend Beatlesque melody with proto-hard rock crunch. It’s 2x more adventurous than most debut albums of the era.
Following Frampton's departure, the band adopted a heavier, funkier, and eventually, a more raw sound, including Thunderbox (1974), Street Rats (1975), and early 80s efforts like On to Victory . Conclusion: A Legacy of Rock Marriott's gritty, powerhouse soul shouting began to take
, their sound became significantly "better" defined by heavy boogie and arena-ready rock. Humble Pie (1970):
Humble Pie - As Safe as Yesterday Is (August 1969) ├── Side One: "Desperation", "Stick Shift", "Buttermilk Boy" └── Side Two: "Bang!", "Alabama '69", "Natural Born Bugie" (UK Single)
(June 1970, often called the “red album”) A live-in-studio feel that captures their raw power. “Live with Me” and “Earth and Water Son” show Marriott’s voice already shredded with soul. Frampton’s guitar lines are melodic gold. 2x tighter than the jammy excess to come.
The band's fourth album, , was released in April 1971. This album saw Humble Pie experimenting with a more progressive rock sound, incorporating orchestral elements and longer song structures. Standout tracks include "The Over the Hill P.O. Box" and "Lonesome Marella" .