5 Stars
When Free played their first gig at the Nags Head in Battersea, they were impossibly young but equally impossibly talented. To listen to them play, it was hard to take in their appearance compared to their sound. At this time, Andy Fraser was the baby of the band at only 15 years old, but in some ways, he was already the veteran as he had been playing with John Mayall and his Bluesbreakers. Paul Kossoff (son of actor David Kossoff) was 17 years old, whilst Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke were 18 years old. So in actual fact, they were not old enough to even enter some of the clubs they were gigging at.
Upon seeing these young upstarts, one of the founders of the British Blues scene, Alex Korner, took the band under his wing, naming them Free. (This was all very well and good but caused many problems with customers turning up to see a band for free. Especially if they were support. ‘Mott the Hoople Free’.)
But they quickly became one of the hardest gigging bands in the country. (After all, they had youth on their side.) They rushed into Morgan Studios to record this album in a matter of days with Guy Stevens as producer and Andy Johns as engineer, who were quite a formidable pair who would later create a reputation for themselves as best in their fields. Although thankfully with Free, they just let them get up and play, recording what was basically their live set at the time.
Although recorded in 1968, it was not released until early 1969 as, at Guy Stevens’ insistence, they recorded a version of live staple ‘The Hunter,’ a cover of the Albert King song written by Booker T. and the MGs. This is what a producer is supposed to do—give the artist the tools to bring out their best.
Although the album garnered great critical reviews, it sold very poorly. In fact it was not until the release of the far more polished third album, Fire and Water, with massive leadoff single ‘All Right Now’ that commercial success came in and then took over, laying the band to waste.
But in 1968/9, the world was young and enthusiastic to these fledgling musos.
The music is unbridled. Paul Kossoff rips into his guitar at every opportunity. He could, if the situation required, shred the notes as fast as anybody but would normally just make every note count, playing with true passion.
Paul Rodgers’ voice has often been voted the best British rock/blues vocalist of all time! He had that power then; he has it now.
During his time with Free, Andy Fraser revolutionized the role of the bass player in a band. He played all the notes not as a rhythm player but as a lead player, and very effective it was too. His place in the band was crucial as his songwriting partnership with Paul Rodgers was essential.
Andy Fraser came up with ‘All Right Now’ when the band decided they needed a song of their own to finish the set rather than ‘The Hunter.’ Written backstage in a matter of minutes, not bad for a song that has received over three million radio plays in America alone.
Simon Kirke was an awesome drummer, always nailing each song.
The album consists of nine songs, seven originals and two covers. Topping and tailing the album is ‘Over the Green Hills,’ a Paul Rodgers composition, leading you down the Free path—some lovely work from each member of the band.
Then things get brewing with three potboilers, ‘Worry,’ ‘Walk In My Shadow’, and ‘Wild Indian Woman’, all pure class.
But then ‘Goin’ Down Slow’ composed by St Louis Oden comes in. Always the centrepiece of the band’s live set, it’s a moderately slow tempo twelve bar blues which gives the band room to dazzle. It’s not one individual that is on fire; the whole band is. But Kossoff’s Les Paul is mesmerizing. Beautiful agony.
This is followed by ‘I’m a Mover,’ an all-time rock classic and something that moves your whole body. The knockout punch is delivered by ‘The Hunter,’ when again Paul Kossoff rips up the solo. People said he couldn’t shred a guitar. Listen to the second solo at the end.
The following two songs, ‘Moonshine’ coupled with ‘Sweet Tooth’, are pieces that many bands would give their eye teeth for as their musical standard bearers.
The rereleased album has eight wonderful bonus songs tacked on, making it excellent value for money.
Of course success, such overwhelming fame and fortune was impossible to keep under control. Rodgers and Fraser quickly grew to hate each other; Kossoff took himself down the road of substance abuse resulting in death at twenty-five. Simon Kirke simply followed Paul Rodgers into Bad Company.
But while it lasted, there was no finer band.
Free broke up in 1971. Efforts were made to put the band back together, mainly to try and get the ailing Kossoff back on the road to recovery, but when this failed, it was over for good.
Such a shame.
Written by Mott the Dog from the Doghouse on the Darkside.
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