What’s that phrase about the apple not falling too far from the tree? That certainly applies in the case of Peter Frampton and his son Julian. It has been 16 years since the elder Frampton had recorded a full-length album of all original material and, after much toil and deliberation, Carry the Light (Universal Music) is the result of that endeavor. It’s all about meeting the moment, and the timing was just right for the release of this album and the magical collaboration that emerged between the two.
“I started writing material for this album six or seven years ago, and there was a gap of eight years before that,” explains Peter. “There was also a lot going on in my life with my health and everything.” The GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter/guitarist was diagnosed with a rare degenerative autoimmune muscle disease in 2015 called Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) and, after announcing it publicly in 2019, was preparing a farewell tour.
However, undaunted, Frampton decided to continue using his fingers, muscularity, and guitar playing acumen as much as possible, which bore two cover albums All Blues and Frampton Forgets the Words. Perhaps the biggest revelation and saving grace to his life and career came in the form of a writing and production partnership with his son Julian on this latest project Carry the Light.
“On Carry the Light there are some overall themes of wisdom, empathy, and knowledge that come to mind,” says Julian. “It’s also about not forgetting the past and repeating the same mistakes over and over again. We have to find ourselves out of that cycle and just learn from our mistakes as a country, as a species and as a world together.”
Over the years the Framptons have worked together on stage and in various musical capacities. But, in this case, what began years prior as a Peter Frampton solo record evolved into so much more.
“Julian’s in L.A. and I’m in Nashville,” says Peter. “I was working on these songs and was getting close to finishing them. I asked Julian if he could come out to my place for a week and help me with some of the lyrics. He came out and it was so easy and just a lot of fun straight away. Julian came up with all these great ideas. If it was another producer I don’t know if I would’ve gone along with it because I’m a control freak. But because he’s my son and I have so much respect for him as a musician and a producer we tried every one of his and my ideas. And sometimes it was his idea that worked. And that’s something I wouldn’t have done before. I couldn’t have done it without him. Our motto was to never settle. If I needed to re-do a guitar part or vocal we did it.”
Carry the Light features what fans come to expect from Peter Frampton—exceptional guitar playing, superb songs, and stellar vocals. However, Julian’s steady co-production hand, along with producer-engineer Chuck Ainley, brought in fresh background vocal techniques, clever lyrical ideas, atypical song arrangements, and an overall progressive vibe. In addition, there is an all-star list of celebrity friends and artists that organically heeded the call when given the opportunity to come on board for a cameo. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ keyboardist Benmont Tench, singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, guitarist Tom Morello, guitarist H.E.R., singer-songwriter Graham Nash, and jazz saxophonist Bill Evans each offer rich and singular contributions to the album.
“I tried one guitar and then another to try and find what was in the wheelhouse and would work best for a particular song,” recalls Peter regarding the album’s instrumental approach. “But, ultimately, I always have gone back to my Phenix guitar. It’s so easy to play, along with the Suhr PF 100 series amp. You know, it’s amazing how many people think you’ve gotta use a wall of sound, with 200 watt amps and blow the room out. But that’s probably the absolute wrong thing to do. For me, it’s loud, but it’s not that loud. It’s controllable and doesn’t take over the room.”
With this new album and a documentary, simply titled Frampton, just entering the film festival circuit, there is a mainstream resurgence and relevance for the legacy artist. And, just as many of his celebrity friends paid homage to him with their talents on Carry the Light, Peter Frampton continues to be in demand as a “go-to” side and session man.
“When people want me to play on their stuff they come to me because they want my style,” Peter humbly explains. “I can’t do a Jeff Beck or Clapton type of thing. But I will tailor my style to fit the track they want me to play on.”
And, so, the making of Carry the Light is not only an album filled with songs of depth, hope, love, and positivity for the world but, in many ways, it is a new step in the careers of both Peter and Julian Frampton, as well as a revitalization of their relationship as father and son.
“I now realize, as well as being a great musician, singer and writer, one of his fortes is producing,” says the proud father. “And if you give him a chance I think Julian is gonna be one of the best up-and-coming producers.”
