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Famed for their perennial "All Right Now," Free helped lay the foundations
for the rise of hard rock, stripping the earthy sound of British blues down to its raw,
minimalist core to pioneer a brand of proto-metal later popularized by 1970s superstars
like Foreigner, Foghat and Bad Company. Free formed in London in 1968 when guitarist Paul
Kossoff, then a member of the blues unit Black Cat Bones, was taken to see vocalist Paul
Rodgers' group Brown Sugar by a friend, drummer Tom Mautner. After deciding to form their
own band, Kossoff and Rodgers recruited drummer Simon Kirke (since Mautner was at
university) and 16-year-old bass phenom Andy Fraser from the ranks of John Mayall's
Bluesbreakers; with the aid of Alexis Korner, who also suggested the name Free, the
fledgling band signed to the Island label, issuing their bluesy debut Tons of Sobs in
1968.
Free's eponymous 1969 follow-up expanded on their roots-based sound, incorporating
rockers like Albert King's "The Hunter" as well as muscular ballads like
"Lying in the Sunshine" into the mix. Although both of the first two albums
fared poorly on the charts, 1970's Fire and Water became a tremendous hit on the strength
of the primal "All Right Now," a Top Five smash powered by Rodgers' gritty,
visceral vocals. After headlining 1970's Isle of Wight festival, the group appeared
destined for superstardom, but the LP Highway did not fare nearly as well as anticipated,
and after a grueling tour which yielded 1971's Free Live, the band dissolved amidst ego
clashes and recriminations.
While Rodgers went on to form Peace and Fraser founded Toby, Kossoff and Kirke teamed
with bassist Tetsu Yamauchi and keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick to record the
album Kossoff, Kirke, Tetsu and Rabbit. When none of these new projects proved successful,
the original lineup of Free re-formed to record 1972's Free at Last, which launched the
hit "Little Bit of Love." However, drug problems nagged the group, as Kossoff's
longtime battle with heroin continued to worsen; soon Fraser exited to form Sharks with
Chris Spedding, leaving Rodgers and Kirke to record the majority of 1973's Heartbreaker
while a drug-addled Kossoff watched from the sidelines. Soon, the group disbanded again,
this time for good: while Rodgers and Kirke went on to found Bad Company, Kossoff formed
Back Street Crawler before dying of a drug-induced heart attack on March 19, 1976.
Tons Of Sobs - 1968
Although Free was never destined to scrape the same skies as Led Zeppelin, when they
first burst out of the traps in 1968, close to a year ahead of Jimmy Page and company,
they set the world of British blues-rock firmly on its head, a blistering combination of
youth, ambition, and, despite those tender years, experience that, across the course of
their debut album, did indeed lay the groundwork for all that Zeppelin would embrace. That
Free and Zeppelin were cut from the same cloth is immediately apparent, even before you
start comparing the versions of "The Hunter" that highlight both bands' debut
albums. Where Free streaks ahead, however, is in their refusal to compromise their own
vision of the blues - even at its most commercial ("I'm a Mover" and
"Worry"), Tons of Sobs has a density that makes Zeppelin and the rest of the
era's rocky contemporaries sound like flyweights by comparison. The 2002 remaster of the
album only amplifies the fledgling Free's achievements. With remastered sound that drives
the record straight back to the studio master tapes, the sheer versatility of the players,
and the unbridled imagination of producer Guy Stevens, rings crystal clear. Even without
their visionary seer, however, Free impresses - three bonus tracks drawn from period BBC
sessions are as loose as they are dynamic, and certainly make a case for a full
Free-at-the-Beeb type collection. Of the other bonuses, two offer alternate versions of
familiar album tracks, while "Guy Stevens Jam" is reprised from the Songs of
Yesterday box set to further illustrate the band's improvisational abilities. As if they
needed it. - Dave Thompson
01 - (0:51) Over The Green Hills
02 - (3:29) Worry
03 - (3:32) Walk In My Shadow
04 - (3:42) Wild Indian Woman
05 - (8:26) Goin' Down Slow
06 - (2:58) I'm A Mover
07 - (4:16) The Hunter
08 - (5:07) Moonshine
09 - (4:56) Sweet Tooth
10 - (2:09) Over The Green Hills
11 - (3:07) I'm A Mover [BBC Session]
12 - (2:19) Waitin' On You [BBC Session]
13 - (4:45) Guy Stevens Blues [Blues Jam]
14 - (5:14) Moonshine [Alternative Vocal]
15 - (4:58) Sweet Tooth [Early Take and Alternative Lyrics]
16 - (3:51) Visions Of Hell [Unrealeased Master Mix]
17 - (3:24) Woman By The Sea [Alternative Version]
18 - (3:54) Over The Green Hills [BBC Session]
Free - 1969
Free's second album was recorded with the band itself in considerable turmoil as
principle songwriters Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser demanded strict discipline from their
bandmates, and guitarist Paul Kossoff, in particular, equally demanded the spontaneity and
freedom that had characterized the group's debut. It was an awkward period that saw both
Kossoff and drummer Simon Kirke come close to quitting, an eventuality that only the
intervention of label chief Chris Blackwell seems to have prevented. Few of these tensions
are evident on the finished album - tribute, again, to Blackwell's powers of diplomacy. He
replaced original producer Guy Stevens early into the sessions and, having reminded both
warring parties where the band's strengths lie, proceeded to coax out an album that stands
alongside its predecessor as a benchmark of British blues at the turn of the 1960s. - Dave
Thompson
01 - (3:35) I'll Be Creepin'
02 - (3:41) Songs Of Yesterday
03 - (4:03) Lying In The Sunshine
04 - (3:31) Trouble On Double Time
05 - (3:44) Mouthful Of Grass
06 - (3:57) Woman
07 - (5:32) Free Me
08 - (3:23) Broad Daylight
09 - (5:17) Mourning Sad Morning
10 - (3:15) Broad Daylight [Single Version]
11 - (3:10) The Worm [Single Version]
12 - (2:55) I'll Be Creepin' [Single Version]
13 - (3:07) Sugar For Mr Morrison [Single Version]
14 - (3:26) Broad Daylight [BBC Session]
15 - (3:17) Songs Of Yesterday [BBC Session]
16 - (3:40) Mouthful Of Grass [Solo Version]
17 - (4:07) Woman [Alternative Version]
18 - (2:43) Trouble On Double Time [Early Version]
19 - (5:13) Mourning Sad Morning [Alternative Version]
Fire And Water - 1970
If Fleetwood Mac, Humble Pie, and Foghat were never formed, Free would be considered
one of the greatest post-Beatles blues-rock bands to date, and this record shows why.
Conceptually fresh, with a great, roots-oriented, Band-like feel, Free distinguished
itself with the public like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple did (in terms of impact, only)
in 1970. A lot of people thought that they were in the same league; buttressed by the FM
hit "All Right Now," the entire album and group presented itself to the world as
a complete band, in every sense of the word. From Paul Kosoff's exquisite and tasteful
guitar work, to Paul Rodgers' soulful vocals, this was a group that was easily worthy of
the Cream, Blind Faith, or Derek and the Dominos mantle. - Matthew Greenwald
1 - (3:46) Fire And Water
2 - (4:29) Oh I Wept
3 - (4:25) Remember
4 - (5:20) Heavy Load
5 - (5:57) Mr. Big
6 - (6:03) Don't Say You Love Me
7 - (5:32) All Right Now
Highway - 1971
The last and least of the original Free studio albums, Highway was recorded just three
months after the band scored the career-redefining hit "Alright Now," with their
profile at an career-topping high, but morale heading toward an all-time low. Guitarist
Paul Kossoff was reeling from the death of friend Jimi Hendrix, a new single, "The
Stealer" - the follow-up to The Hit - bellyflopped ignominiously and, when the album
followed suit, the band itself was not far behind. Heavily influenced by their admiration
of the Band, Highway has understandably been described as Free's answer to Music From Big
Pink, sharing both the laid-back vibe and mellow looseness of that role model. Where it
went awry, of course, was in the fact that Free was not cut out to be country-rock
guitar-twangers, no matter how fiery their missionary zeal. Yet, the strutting rockers
"The Stealer" and "Ride On Pony" alone shatter the brave new mood,
while reflective romancers like "Love You So" and "Be My Friend" could
well have been composed specifically to rid the band of the shadow of "Alright
Now," and prove that underneath the coolest exterior, there beat a heart of the
molten gold. Of course, Free had bathed in such waters before, and the closing "Soon
I Will Be Gone" certainly bears comparison with any of their past ballads.
Nevertheless, too much of Highway reacted to the pressures of the recent past, rather
building upon the strengths that had made such events possible in the first place, and you
reach the bonus tracks appended to the 2002 remaster despairing that they will ever
rediscover that earlier flair. But the 1971 hit single "My Brother Jake" is a
gorgeous knockabout clearly informed by the Faces' recent assault on Free's own throne,
while a couple of BBC session tracks, sensibly highlighting both the best ("Ride On
Pony") and the worst ("Be My Friend") of the album itself, pack a punch
that was clearly absent in the studio. In fact, whatever your opinion of Highway itself,
the bonus tracks comprise an entire new reason to pick up the album. - Dave Thompson
01 - (4:19) The Highway Song
02 - (3:19) The Stealer
03 - (4:04) On My Way
04 - (5:51) Be My Friend
05 - (3:11) Sunny Day
06 - (4:21) Ride On A Pony
07 - (4:57) Love You So
08 - (3:08) Bodie
09 - (3:12) Soon I Will Be Gone
10 - (2:53) My Brother Jake [Single Version]
11 - (2:31) Only My Soul [Single 'B' Side]
12 - (4:32) Ride On A Pony [BBC Session]
13 - (5:39) Be My Friend [BBC Session]
14 - (3:59) Rain [Alternative Version]
15 - (3:24) The Stealer [Single Version]
Free Live - 1971
Although Free made excellent studio records, this live album is perhaps the best way to
experience the band in all its glory. Led by singer-guitarist Paul Rodgers and lead
guitarist Paul Kosoff, the band swings through nine songs with power, clarity, and a dose
of funk. Of course, the hit single "All Right Now" is gleefully extended, much
to the audience and listener's delight. Superbly recorded by Andy Johns, this is one of
the greatest live albums of the 1970s. [Free Live was re-released in 2002 as a British
import featuring seven bonus tracks.] - Matthew Greenwald
01 - (6:30) All Right Now [Live]
02 - (3:43) I'm A Mover [Live]
03 - (5:58) Be My Friend [Live]
04 - (4:00) Fire And Water [Live]
05 - (4:33) Ride On A Pony [Live]
06 - (6:23) Mr. Big [Live]
07 - (5:22) The Hunter [Live]
08 - (4:30) Get Where I Belong [Live]
09 - (4:35) Woman [Live]
10 - (4:17) Walk In My Shadow [Live]
11 - (9:12) Moonshine [Live]
12 - (3:59) Trouble On Double Time [Live]
13 - (5:28) Mr. Big [Alternate Take] [Live]
14 - (4:46) All Right Now [Alternate Take] [Live]
15 - (4:24) Get Where I Belong [Alternate Take] [Live]
Free At Last - 1972
Following Paul Rodgers' unsuccessful project titled Peace and Andy Fraser's ill-fated
Toby, Free rebuilt themselves and released Free at Last in the summer of 1972. The band
went right back to what they know best, with Rodgers bearing his blues-rock soul to
Kossof's moody electric guitar. Tracks like "Sail On," "Soldier Boy,"
and "Travelling Man" come out on top as some of the band's most emotive
material, proving that their breakup in 1971 had no real effect on their chemistry.
"Little Bit of Love" was released in the U.K., peaking at number 13, while the
album itself broke the Top Ten there, stalling at number 69 in the U.S. The band's mixture
of laid-back blues and gritty, bare-boned rock & roll is as poignant and as expressive
as it was on Tons of Sobs or Fire and Water, even though Paul Kossof's problems with drugs
were beginning to be more and more evident. Eventually, Kossof's addiction affected the
entire band, hindering Free's ability to go on tour to promote the album. After Free at
Last, Andy Fraser left the group and created the band Sharks along with Chris Spedding,
while Kossof was busy with his own Back Street Crawler project. After Kossof's death in
1976, John Bundrick re-joined along with Tetsu Yamauchi for 1973's Heartbreaker...Free's
final release. - Mike DeGagne
01 - (3:33) Catch A Train
02 - (2:53) Soldier Boy
03 - (5:24) Magic Ship
04 - (3:07) Sail On
05 - (3:24) Travellin' Man
06 - (2:36) Little Bit Of Love
07 - (5:33) Guardian Of The Universe
08 - (5:20) Child
09 - (5:17) Goodbye
10 - (5:59) Burnin' (Molten Gold) [Alternative Take]
11 - (3:15) Honky Tonk Women
12 - (5:29) Magic Ship [Alternative Mix]
13 - (2:39) Little Bit Of Love [Alternative Mix]
14 - (6:08) Guardian Of The Universe [Paul Rogers Solo Version]
15 - (5:20) Child [Early Mix]
Heartbreaker - 1973
Free's return in 1972 was scarred by any number of traumas, not least of all the
departure of bassist Andy Fraser and the virtual incapacity of guitarist Paul Kossoff -
one-half of the original band, and the lion's share of its spirit as well. But did their
erstwhile bandmates let it show? Not a jot. The hastily recruited Tetsu Yamauchi, and
vocalist Paul Rodgers himself, filled the breach instrumentally, and probably 50 percent
of the ensuing Heartbreaker ranks among Free's finest ever work. Of course, any record
that can open with the sheer majesty of "Wishing Well," Rodgers' so-evocative
tribute to Kossoff, is immediately going to ascend to the halls of greatness, all the more
so since Kossoff himself is in such fine form across both this cut and the next three -
completing side one of the original vinyl, "Come Together in the Morning,"
"Travellin' in Style," and "Heartbreaker" add up to the band's most
convincing sequence of songs since the days of Fire and Water. Further into the disc, two
contributions from another new recruit, keyboard player John Bundrick, fall a little flat,
a fate they share with the previously unreleased "Hand Me Down/Turn Me Round,"
one of the 2002 remaster's six bonus tracks. But a pair of solo Rodgers songs, "Easy
on My Soul" and "Seven Angels," close the album with as much emotion as it
opened on, and one could well argue that, after such a treat, the aforementioned bonus
tracks are all but unnecessary, especially as the first few simply offer outtakes,
alternates, and B-sides from the sessions themselves. As the CD wraps up, however, two
final tracks reveal what happened once the album was completed, peeping into the band's
rehearsal room on the eve of their summer tour of Japan to catch "Heartbreaker"
and "Easy on My Soul" in such rough but eloquently heavenly form that this most
emotionally weighted of Free's albums could demand no deeper coda. - Dave Thompson
01 - (3:44) Wishing Well
02 - (4:44) Come Together In The Morning
03 - (4:03) Travellin' In Style
04 - (6:17) Heartbreaker
05 - (4:19) Muddy Water
06 - (4:11) Common Mortal Man
07 - (3:48) Easy On My Soul
08 - (5:14) Seven Angels
09 - (3:43) Wishing Well [US Mix]
10 - (3:05) Let Me Show You [Single 'B' Side]
11 - (4:22) Muddy Water [Alternative Vocal]
12 - (3:01) Hand Me Down Turn Me Around [Prospective Album Track]
13 - (5:45) Heartbreaker [Rehearsal Version]
14 - (8:44) Easy On My Soul [Rehearsal Version]
Best Of Free - 1973
One of Britain's most underrated rock acts, Free produced a number of quality albums
until the band's breakup in 1973. From the bluesy debut album, through the rocky Fire and
Water, and on to the haunting Heartbreaker, Free's albums were consistently loaded with
impressive music and catchy melodies. The Best of Free attempts to capture the highlights
of the bands seven albums on one disc. The major and semi hits that the band ever enjoyed
are featured, including "All Right Now," "Fire and Water," and
"I'm a Mover." The Best of Free fails, however, through its stupidly small track
list. So many more tracks should have been added to this compilation that The Best of Free
is embarrassing in light of Island's near-perfect best-of, The Free Story. - Ben Davies
01 - (3:46) Fire And Water
02 - (4:19) The Highway Song
03 - (2:37) Little Bit Of Love
04 - (3:38) Mouthful Of Grass
05 - (2:52) My Brother Jake
06 - (5:14) The Hunter
07 - (5:35) All Right Now
08 - (3:53) Woman
09 - (3:31) Catch A Train
10 - (2:58) I'm A Mover
11 - (3:17) The Stealer
12 - (5:07) Goodbye
Molten Gold: The Anthology - 1993
With their big riffs and bluesy melodies, Free virtually defined hard rock in the early
'70s, and Molten Gold: The Anthology shows that this wasn't such a meager achievement.
Throughout the two discs, it becomes clear that the key to Free's rock & roll was
their rhythm section, which powered their riffs to perfection. This is the definitive
Free, two discs of pure hard rock. - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Disc 1
01 - (3:00) I'm A Mover
02 - (4:19) The Hunter
03 - (3:35) Walk In My Shadow
04 - (3:32) I'll Be Creepin'
05 - (3:39) Songs Of Yesterday
06 - (3:54) Woman
07 - (3:19) Broad Daylight
08 - (3:40) Mouthful Of Grass
09 - (5:38) All Right Now
10 - (4:32) Oh I Wept
11 - (5:25) Heavy Load
12 - (6:07) Don't Say You Love Me
13 - (4:30) The Stealer
14 - (4:20) The Highway Song
15 - (5:50) Be My Friend
16 - (3:02) Soon I Will Be Gone
Disc 2
01 - (3:00) My Brother Jake
02 - (4:06) Fire And Water
03 - (4:35) Ride On A Pony
04 - (6:18) Mr. Big
05 - (5:53) Time Away
06 - (5:57) Molten Gold
07 - (3:31) Catch A Train
08 - (3:25) Travelling Man
09 - (2:38) Little Bit Of Love
10 - (3:09) Sail On
11 - (3:44) Wishing Well
12 - (4:43) Come Together In The Morning
13 - (4:07) Travelling Man
14 - (6:14) Heartbreaker
Millennium Collection: The Best Of Free - 2002
Some would argue that a single-disc collection doesn't do Free much justice, and that
even a single-disc collection merits more than 11 songs (though this CD really isn't that
short, adding up to 46 minutes). Still, for those who want a heavy dose of Free, there are
more than one multi-disc set available. This is a pretty good sample of their 1968-1973
output, focusing understandably most heavily on Fire and Water (the 1970 album with
"All Right Now") but including at least a track from all of the LPs they put out
during the period. Those familiar primarily with the single "All Right Now"
might be surprised at how moody, sometimes even downbeat, much of this blues-rock is.
While Free lacked the oomph of Led Zeppelin, they were at the same time more concise and
seriously emotional than many such bands of the era, at least on the songs selected for
this disc. The curious omission of the two British hit singles "My Brother Jake"
and "A Little Bit of Love," however, prevents this from being the most
representative concise best-of it could have been, though the hit "Wishing Well"
is onboard. - Richie Unterberger
01 - (2:59) I'm A Mover
02 - (3:33) Walk In My Shadow
03 - (3:32) I'll Be Creepin'
04 - (4:00) Fire And Water
05 - (5:36) All Right Now
06 - (5:23) Heavy Load
07 - (3:17) The Stealer
08 - (6:15) Mr. Big [Live]
09 - (3:31) Catch A Train
10 - (3:45) Wishing Well
11 - (4:41) Come Together In The Morning
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