August 15, 2018 - Humble Pie - Stone Cold Fever (1971)

Stone Cold Fever first appeared on Humble Pie's 1971 album Rock On, and has since shown up on various compilations, including Humble Pie-The Best, which features the classic cover of what looks to be a woman with a cream pie smashed on her face.

The song is a perfect representation of the distinct styles of the group's two fantastic guitarists: Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton. It begins with a powerful four barre chord pattern - E at 7th fret, then back down the neck for a low slide up to B, D, and A. Drums, bass, and second guitar join in on the next go around, preparing us for a sonic journey to classic rock heaven.

The band locks into a groove at 0:17, followed by Steve Marriott's husky cigarettes and alcohol vocals at 0:26: Oooh, stone cold fever, yeah, it's hard to see. The harsh reality of the rock n roll lifestyle, eh? A descending riff comes in at 0:41, complete with cowbell and twin guitar double helix.

Marriott blows his harp at 0:57 and we are back into the main riff. Then, at 1:41 the Marriott switch is suddenly turned off we are whisked away into a signature Peter Frampton solo, like one he would later play on Do You Feel Like We Do. Marriott hangs out stage right, playing rhythm. The Marriott switch is back on at 2:27, complete with harmonica solo and then into a sample of blues rock riffs. A bit more feverish moaning and groaning before the song comes to a dramatic and sudden end.