Search - Humble Pie :: Rock On

THIS IS IT, THAT INCREDIBLE REMASTER!,

BOB | LOS ANGELES, CA | 08/20/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 2009 release is the first re-issue of the fabulous, out-of-print, limited edition 2007 Japan-only LP-mini-sleeve remaster.



This edition is an "SHM-CD"; instead of the normal plastic used on the CD's data side, a material derived from LCD technology is utilized, supposedly for greater transparency. Although the manufacturer claims improved sound, I have not heard one whit of difference between a non-SHM CD and an SHM disc, and liken it to the green marker craze of the 80's.



However, this is the only edition, other than the previous mini-sleeve, of this legendary album that contains the incredible remaster. This version blows away any other release; you will not believe the improvement in the audio, especially if you have ANY other "Rock On" CD to compare it to.



Also, be aware that there are several other Japan CD releases of Rock On here on Amazon, but only this release and the previous 2007 mini-sleeve contain this remaster.



This release has already sold out in Japan, just like the first issue two years ago. 'Sleeve reissues do happen occasionally. However, this remaster was released at the same time as the Police mini-sleeve '07 set; the Police 'sleeves have been re-pressed 3 times in the interim, but this is only the first re-issue of the HP set. So, if you're an HP fan, DON'T delay in picking one of these up.



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."

Another hard rock classic

J. Mutch | Malden, MA United States | 06/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album along with 1971's self-titled Humble Pie album and 1972's Smokin' are prime, 70's hard rock, boogie rock..whatever you want to call it..with mellower acoustic songs in the mix. This is the last studio album recorded with Peter Frampton in the line-up. 'Shine On' is a fantastic pop-rock Frampton song."

Four Solid Boulders

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 12/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One the finest bands of players that rock music could hope to have within it's ranks...Humble Pie. Steve Marriott, Peter Frampton, Greg Ridley and Jerry Shirley. A hard rock band that could blend in country, jazz, folk, honky tonk, blues,R & B and soul, as needed, anytime, anywhere.



"Rock On" was the last studio recording by The Pie that included Pete as a member {"Rockin' The Fillmore" the fantastic live double LP of Pete's last tour, would follow this.} This 1971 recording was one of The Pie's best because of the selection of songs presented here capture the band in it's best light. "Shine On" Pete's great song is here, and it was a staple of his solo concerts for years after, this version is 'heavier' than how Pete would perform it later, and this version is full of muscle and might, it is THE version. "Sour Grain" thumps and rocks and contains a little soul, a taste of what later Pie would do a lot more of a few years later. "79th & Sunset" is a welcome to the Honky Tonk for these english country boys, when HP goes in this direction, they sound like the funkiest boys on the back forty. "Stone Cold Fever" is flat-out hard rock, and as this version is great, it is only a taste of what The Pie would be live on The Fillmore record, "Fever" is great, great rock music with one of those classic riffs that drives it along.



"Rolling Stone" is next, and here is another song that would grow so much bigger on stage, another classic Pie track. "A Song For Jenny" opens side two, it's a pretty acoustic song for a friend of Steve's, again the country influence slides in here, the Soul Sisters, are dropped into this for some stone soul funk, and then it's into Pete's: "The Light" a melodic rocker with his tasty lead playing featured over the funk groove laid underneath it all. "Big George" is writen and sung by Greg, and it's a thumping-beat tune, but as it's not bad, it is the weakest track on this record.



"Strange Days" with it's jazzed-out piano riff brings us back up into real Pie territory, like the best works of another great band: Traffic, "Days" is classic Pie. Steve, is in charge here with this one, another great HP number, the lead guitar, {Steve? Pete?} is tasteful and controlled, like in a murder mystery before you find out who the killer is. To close "Rock On" is: "Red Neck Jump" another Steve tune that brings us back to the Honky Tonks, there's a bit of funk and fire mixed right into this: 'Jump' as it contains a bit of 1950's jive, to send us home.



There is more of what Steve is about, featured on: "Rock On" over the lighter and jazzier influences of Pete. And as he could see the direction that Humble Pie, was headed for, this would be Pete's last record as a member of the band. The stage act would become about the hardest of any outfit of it's day. NOBODY could follow Humble Pie on stage, they were just too good! The studio recordings would really explore soul, funk and R & B after Peter's departure from the group. It was all about to change, after this.

Four Stars!!!"