Peter Frampton: Live In Detroit Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		4.0

Peter Frampton: Live In Detroit Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman March 24, 2013

Peter Frampton had a relatively short shelf life as a Top 40 solo artist, but when he was at the top, he was at the top. The phenomenal success of Frampton Comes Alive!, once the best-selling live album of all time (which shows how useless the phrase “of all time” can be) put Frampton on the cover of Rolling Stone as well as a near permanent perch atop the Billboard album chart. A handful of huge hit singles accompanied the release, but after I’m in You failed to reach the stratospheric heights of the live album, and then a devastating car accident which hobbled Frampton both personally and professionally, he seemed consigned to releasing well received albums that sold only moderately well. What’s completely apparent, however, at least with regard to this 1999 Detroit concert, is that Frampton never lost his passion to play and perform, and that his fan base never lost faith in the artist.

Frampton is met with adulatory screams from an admittedly middle aged audience (at least in the front rows), but age hasn’t dimmed either his guitar playing, which is surprisingly fierce at times here, or his plaintive tenor, which still sounds clear as a bell and has in fact become rather nicely burnished with the advancing years. His band offers more than able support, with good contributions from keyboardist Bob Mayo and Chad Cromwell on drums. The set list is relatively varied, hitting some of his bigger successes (“I’m in You” is noticeably absent) while also visiting some lesser known gems.

Peter Frampton: Live In Detroit Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Frampton Live in Detroit is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Vision (an imprint of Eagle Rock Entertainment) with an AVC encoded 1080i transfer in 1.78:1. This is a really nicely sharp looking live performance video, helped immeasurably by the fact that the stage is well lit and not swathed in blue or red. Colors are nicely robust and fine detail pops extremely well in close-ups. The interlaced presentation has a few issues with regard to close-ups on hands strumming guitars and the like. Black levels and contrast are solid throughout.

Peter Frampton: Live In Detroit Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Frampton Live in Detroit features both losseless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 tracks. The 5.1 track is nicely spacious, though for my personal tastes, the audience roars of approval (not to mention the requisite sing-alongs) could have been mixed a bit lower. The band is extremely well recorded, with nice separation of instruments. Frampton's voice sounds fantastic and is extremely well mixed up front where it should be. Fidelity is excellent throughout.

Peter Frampton: Live In Detroit Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Boot it Up (1080i; 3:48) features previously unseen rehearsal footage as well as assorted behind the scenes shots from the FCA! 35 Tour.


• Interview (1080i; 26:46) is a really good, in depth sit down with Frampton that covers the entire gamut of his long career.

Peter Frampton: Live In Detroit Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Frampton Live in Detroit is both kind of charmingly low key as well as surprisingly energetic. The singer-guitarist is in fine form and is surrounded by an excellent band. Fans will certainly be pleased with the concert, even if they wish the playlist might have included this or that song. Video and audio are very good, and the brief supplements are also quite interesting. Recommended.