Humble Pie (album)
Encyclopedia
Humble Pie was the third studio album
released by English
rock group Humble Pie (band)
in 1970, and their first with A&M Records
.
's gentle "Earth and Water Song" is buttressed between two of the heaviest tracks on the record, the band composed [] "One Eyed Trouser Snake Rumba," and a cover of Willie Dixon
's "I'm Ready". Drummer Jerry Shirley
contributed a rare lead vocal on his song "Only a Roach," a country-twinged ode to cannabis
that also appeared as the B-side of the summer 1970 single "Big Black Dog
". This was their first release under the auspices of new American manager Dee Anthony
— who'd pushed for a louder, tighter sound both live and in the studio — and for their new label, A&M Records. At the end of 1969, the Pie's old label, Immediate
, owned by Andrew Loog Oldham
, went bankrupt — a saga chronicled by Marriott on the satirical ballad "Theme from Skint (See You Later Liquidator)".
, an influential English illustrator
and author best known for his erotic illustrations.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
released by English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rock group Humble Pie (band)
Humble Pie (band)
Humble Pie was a rock band from England, finding success both in the UK and the US. They are remembered for songs such as "Black Coffee" "30 Days in the Hole", "I Don't Need No Doctor", and "Natural Born Bugie"...
in 1970, and their first with A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
.
Album profile
Humble Pie was a transitional album and a harbinger of the band's new, heavier direction. The material was darker than their previous two efforts, with striking contrasts in volume and style — Peter FramptonPeter Frampton
Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
's gentle "Earth and Water Song" is buttressed between two of the heaviest tracks on the record, the band composed [] "One Eyed Trouser Snake Rumba," and a cover of Willie Dixon
Willie Dixon
William James "Willie" Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. A Grammy Award winner who was proficient on both the Upright bass and the guitar, as well as his own singing voice, Dixon is arguably best known as one of the most prolific songwriters...
's "I'm Ready". Drummer Jerry Shirley
Jerry Shirley
Jerry Shirley is an English rock drummer, best known for his work with the rock band Humble Pie and appeared on all their albums...
contributed a rare lead vocal on his song "Only a Roach," a country-twinged ode to cannabis
Cannabis
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...
that also appeared as the B-side of the summer 1970 single "Big Black Dog
Big Black Dog
"Big Black Dog" was a single released in 1970 by English rock band Humble Pie, one of the first British supergroups and formed in 1969. It was the band's first single, written for A&M Records and the follow-up single to "Natural Born Bugie" . It was written by the band's guitarist, Peter...
". This was their first release under the auspices of new American manager Dee Anthony
Dee Anthony
Dee Anthony was an American talent manager who started in the business with fellow Bronx native Jerry Vale. After meeting Tony Bennett in 1954 at a nightclub in Yonkers, New York, he ended up representing the singer for more than a decade...
— who'd pushed for a louder, tighter sound both live and in the studio — and for their new label, A&M Records. At the end of 1969, the Pie's old label, Immediate
Immediate Records
Immediate Records was a British record label, started in 1965 by The Rolling Stones' manager Andrew Loog Oldham and Tony Calder and concentrating on the London-based blues and R&B scene.-History:...
, owned by Andrew Loog Oldham
Andrew Loog Oldham
Andrew Loog Oldham is an English producer, talent manager, impresario and author. He was manager and producer of The Rolling Stones from 1963, and was noted for his flamboyant style.-Biography:...
, went bankrupt — a saga chronicled by Marriott on the satirical ballad "Theme from Skint (See You Later Liquidator)".
Track listing
- "Live With Me" - (Marriott/Frampton/Ridley/Shirley) - 7:55
- "Only a Roach" - (Shirley) - 2:49
- "One Eyed Trouser Snake Rumba" - (Marriott/Frampton/Ridley/Shirley) - 2:51
- "Earth and Water Song" - (Frampton) - 6:18
- "I'm ReadyI'm Ready (Blues song)"I'm Ready" is a blues song written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Muddy Waters in 1954. It was a hit, spending nine weeks on the Billboard R&B chart where it reached #4...
" - (DixonWillie DixonWilliam James "Willie" Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. A Grammy Award winner who was proficient on both the Upright bass and the guitar, as well as his own singing voice, Dixon is arguably best known as one of the most prolific songwriters...
) - 4:59 - "Theme from Skint (See You Later Liquidator)" - (Marriott) - 5:43
- "Red Light Mama, Red Hot!" - (Humble Pie, Lyrics-Marriott) - 6:16
- "Sucking on the Sweet Vine" (Ridley) - 5:46
Album cover art
"Humble Pie" is often referred to by fans as "The Beardsley Album," because of the distinct cover artwork by artist Aubrey BeardsleyAubrey Beardsley
Aubrey Vincent Beardsley was an English illustrator and author. His drawings, done in black ink and influenced by the style of Japanese woodcuts, emphasized the grotesque, the decadent, and the erotic. He was a leading figure in the Aesthetic movement which also included Oscar Wilde and James A....
, an influential English illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
and author best known for his erotic illustrations.
Album credits
- Steve MarriottSteve MarriottStephen Peter Marriott , popularly known as Steve Marriott, was an English musician, songwriter, and frontman of several notable rock and roll bands, spanning over two decades...
- guitar, keyboards, vocals - Greg RidleyGreg RidleyAlfred Gregory 'Greg' Ridley was one of the more visible rock bassists in England, and a founding member of the successful rock band Humble Pie...
- bass, guitar, vocals - Jerry ShirleyJerry ShirleyJerry Shirley is an English rock drummer, best known for his work with the rock band Humble Pie and appeared on all their albums...
- drums, guitar, vocals - Peter FramptonPeter FramptonPeter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
- guitar, keyboards, vocals
- John Wilson - drums on "Only a Roach"
- B.J. Cole - steel guitar
- Recorded by Glyn (The Man) Johns at Olympic Sound Studios, London
- Mutual Ideas by Glyn Johns / Humble Pie