The Definitive Collection unites original recordings from
Humble Pie's early-'70s A&M output, highlighting the gravelly vocals of ex-
Small Faces frontman
Steve Marriott along with the driving guitars of first
Peter Frampton and then
Frampton's replacement,
Dave "Clem" Clempson. During their peak years,
Humble Pie were the premier boogie band. Their output of the era inundated album rock radio with the originals "Hot 'n' Nasty" and "30 Days in the Hole,"
Eddie Cochran's "C'mon Everybody," and the
Ray Charles-inspired epic "I Don't Need No Doctor," which was recorded live at the Fillmore and was
Frampton's swan song with the band. Also included are several hard-edged cover versions of blues classics -- "Four Day Creep," "Rollin' Stone," and "I'm Ready" -- which were a significant part of their regular live set at the time. While there are other, more exhaustive compilations, such as the double-disc 1994 set
Hot 'n' Nasty: The Anthology, this is the best concise overview of the group's career, containing the most hits on a single disc. ~ Al Campbell