Fingerprints Songs Ranked

Fingerprints, released in 2006, is Peter Frampton’s 13th studio album and first instrumental album and features guest appearances from friends and musical acquaintances, as well as Frampton’s signature effect, the talkbox. It was his first album on A&M Records in 24 years. Fingerprints won a Grammy in 2007 for Best Pop Instrumental Album. Once dubbed “The Face of 1968” by the British music press, the one-time teen idol Peter Frampton has been a blues-rocker in Humble Pie, a platinum-selling ’70s superstar, and a latter-day session guitarist for David Bowie. His 2006 album of instrumentals features a variety of British rock and jazz talent, including the saxophonist Courtney Pine, the seminal 1960s guitarist Hank Marvin, and the reunited Rolling Stones’ rhythm section Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, in a varied set that runs the gamut of contemporary musical styles, from Latin, blues, and R&B, to hard rock, funk, and Django Reinhardt-influenced jazz. Here are all of Fingerprint’s songs ranked.

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14. Souvenirs de nos peres

“Souvenirs De Nos Peres (Memories of our Fathers)” closes the album, and is a fun traditional European-folkish sounding piece. It has a rich mix of textures, and was written by John Jorgenson who plays as well. (In a odd way, certain parts of it remind me of Randy Newman’s music from the TV show Monk.)”

13. Blowin’ Smoke

“Blowin’ Smoke” features two of the guys from Pearl Jam, and yet again sounds like a more traditional Frampton song. This is probably the heaviest song on the album, with a thumping bass line that reminds me a little of the riff in Argent’s “Hold Your Head Up”. Some great lead guitar work.”

12. Double Nickels

“Double Nickels” is a really interesting & intricate track where Frampton again employs guitar textures & phrasing a little different from his previous work. I have a hard time describing it. A sort of Spanish-tinged country rock, but more complex than what that sounds like. Roots music in a way but more refined, that you just have to hear.

See more: Peter Frampton Albums Ranked

11. Cornerstones

“Cornerstones” features Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts and bassist Bill Wyman. Ironically, the songs on Fingerprints that feature well-known guest musicians sound more like traditional Frampton songs to me than other cuts. This is a really cool rock tune that could easily have been on his previous albums. Very tight and rhythmic and Charlie sounds great.”

10. Shewango Way

“Shewango Way” is the first real uptempo rock song, and is probably the point where fans who wanted more of a rock album will start to get more comfortable. It’s still different from his previous rock songs though, and is one of the tunes I think might’ve made a better opening track. It’s just a cool rock tune with some great guitar tones.”

9. Float

“Float” is a mid-tempo melodic tune where Frampton plays dual guitar leads with Gordon Kennedy, who co-produced and co-wrote much of the album. Some really nice slide guitar work.

8. Ida y vuelta (Out and Back)

“Ida Y Vuelta” is a slower jazz piece that again allows Frampton to stretch into a playing style not heard on many of his other albums.”

7. Boot It Up

“”Boot It Up” is a driving uptempo funky/jazzy tune that finds Frampton trading lead licks with tenor saxophonist Courtney Pine. Quite different and an immediate indication this isn’t a traditional sounding Frampton album that simply replaces lead vocals with lead guitar. That’s probably why it was chosen for the first song, but I’m also afraid it might throw fans off a little, which concerns me since this is an album you have to grow with somewhat”

6. Black Hole Sun

“Black Hole Sun” sounds a lot like the original, only with guitar playing the melody. It’s the only song that features “vocals”, with Frampton “singing” the last choruses using his famous talk box.

See more: Peter Frampton Songs Ranked

5. Oh When…

“Oh When…” is a short acoustic piece, barely over a minute long. Just Frampton on this one. In general, it is hard to make an instrumental recording and hold the listener’s interest for fifty five minutes. This compact disc succeeds in spades.”

4. Smoky

“Smoky” is another unique Frampton blues track. See my notes for Blooze. Peter Frampton is one hell of a guitar player and this compact disc proves it. Actually, more axe slingers of his abilities should try a hand at an instrumental album.”

3. Grab a Chicken (Put It Back)

“Grab A Chicken (Put It Back)” is a fun up-tempo tune with some cooking show voice-overs in the background. This is the eclectic guitar record I’ve been waiting to hear for years from this guy…”

2. Blooze

“Blooze” is a mid-tempo blues tune like the title suggests. I’ve always felt that Frampton has a unique talent for taking what at first sounds like a fairly traditional blues pattern, but then adds in unexpected chord progressions & melody that subtly elevate it into something more sophisticated & complex. Kind of like “Flying Without Wings” from the Now album. That’s not a knock on blues at all, but in the hands of many other rock guitarists, a tune like this would never develop beyond an ordinary blues wanker.”

1. My Cup of Tea

“My Cup Of Tea” is the first song that sounds more like what fans might expect on a “traditional” Frampton album. It reminds me a lot of “Fig Tree Bay” & some of the other songs from his debut solo album Wind Of Change.”