Free at Last (Free album): Difference between revisions
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'''''Free at Last''''' is the fifth studio album by [[England|English]] [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Free (band)|Free]]. The band had broken up in April 1971 due to differences between singer [[Paul Rodgers]] and bassist [[Andy Fraser]]. Some people have also claimed the drug problems of guitarist [[Paul Kossoff]] were a factor, but as both Simon Kirke and their record manager, John Glover have said, Kossoff's drug problems began when Free split up in 1971, and it seems clear that it was the break-up of the band that led him into serious drug use. The four members went their separate ways, but Fraser and Rodgers' projects were not immediately successful, although the Kossoff Kirke Tetsu Rabbit album has attracted some attention since its release. It was Kossoff's worsening drug problem that led members of the band to set aside their differences and re-form, with the intention of potentially saving the guitarist's life. |
'''''Free at Last''''' is the fifth studio album by [[England|English]] [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Free (band)|Free]]. The band had broken up in April 1971 due to differences between singer [[Paul Rodgers]] and bassist [[Andy Fraser]] {{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}. Some people {{who?}} have also claimed the drug problems of guitarist [[Paul Kossoff]] were a factor, but as both Simon Kirke and their record manager, John Glover have said, Kossoff's drug problems began when Free split up in 1971, and it seems clear {[opinion}} that it was the break-up of the band that led him into serious drug use. The four members went their separate ways, but Fraser and Rodgers' projects were not immediately successful, although the Kossoff Kirke Tetsu Rabbit album has attracted some attention since its release. It was Kossoff's worsening drug problem that led members of the band to set aside their differences and re-form, with the intention of potentially saving the guitarist's life {{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}. |
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==Personnel== |
==Personnel== |
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==Recording== |
==Recording== |
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All members of the band made a concerted effort to work smoothly and efficiently for Kossoff's sake. For example, in a symbolic gesture all tracks were credited to every member of the band regardless of who actually wrote them. However, Kossoff's input can best be described as erratic; to compensate either Rodgers or Fraser took to the [[piano]]. |
All members of the band made a concerted effort to work smoothly and efficiently for Kossoff's sake. For example, in a symbolic gesture all tracks were credited to every member of the band regardless of who actually wrote them. However, Kossoff's input can best be described as erratic {{opinion}}; to compensate either Rodgers or Fraser took to the [[piano]]. |
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The attitude to the songwriting was also vastly different; there are no outright [[rock (music)|rock]] songs at all, and the three songs that contain fast-paced moments all have slower, more introspective moments. Also, many fans have interpreted some of the melancholic lyrics (many of which concern people in some form of emotional distress) as referring to Kossoff.{{fact|date=November 2012}} |
The attitude to the songwriting was also vastly different {{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}; there are no outright [[rock (music)|rock]] songs at all, and the three songs that contain fast-paced moments all have slower, more introspective moments. Also, many fans have interpreted some of the melancholic lyrics (many of which concern people in some form of emotional distress) as referring to Kossoff.{{fact|date=November 2012}} |
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{{Album reviews |
{{Album reviews |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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The album was reasonably successful, peaking at #9 in the UK album charts making it their most successful studio album |
The album was reasonably successful, peaking at #9 in the UK album charts making it their most successful UK studio album since ''[[Fire and Water (Free album)|Fire and Water]]''. The single release "Little Bit of Love" reached #13; despite failing to enter the top ten it was still their third best selling single release (it would be beaten by "Wishing Well" the following year). The album fared less well in the US, reaching #69; this was still a significant improvement on all previous albums bar ''Fire and Water''. |
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However, problems began again when the band was then expected to tour to promote the album as Kossoff was faced with a task for which he was not physically capable. Gigs had been disastrous, with Fraser remembering that "you could see people in the audience crying for him, longing for him to be all right" (quoted in Phil Sutcliffe's liner notes). Unable to continue, Fraser left the band permanently, aged just 20. Kossoff also pulled out of the tour (although not technically leaving the band) in order to seek treatment for his [[drug addiction]]. |
However, problems began again when the band was then expected to tour to promote the album, as Kossoff was faced with a task for which he was not physically capable {{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}. Gigs had been disastrous, with Fraser remembering that "you could see people in the audience crying for him, longing for him to be all right" (quoted in Phil Sutcliffe's liner notes). Unable to continue, Fraser left the band permanently, aged just 20. Kossoff also pulled out of the tour (although not technically leaving the band) in order to seek treatment for his [[drug addiction]] {{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}. |
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During the period in late 1971 where the band had split, Kossoff and Kirke had formed a new band with [[Japanese people|Japanese]] bassist [[Tetsu Yamauchi]] and keyboard player [[John Bundrick|John "Rabbit" Bundrick]]; Kirke asked them to join the tour in place of Fraser. They accepted, and soon joined the band officially. |
During the period in late 1971 where the band had split, Kossoff and Kirke had formed a new band with [[Japanese people|Japanese]] bassist [[Tetsu Yamauchi]] and keyboard player [[John Bundrick|John "Rabbit" Bundrick]]; Kirke asked them to join the tour in place of Fraser. They accepted, and soon joined the band officially. |
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Revision as of 12:41, 29 June 2013
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2012) |
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Free at Last is the fifth studio album by English rock band Free. The band had broken up in April 1971 due to differences between singer Paul Rodgers and bassist Andy Fraser [citation needed]. Some people [who?] have also claimed the drug problems of guitarist Paul Kossoff were a factor, but as both Simon Kirke and their record manager, John Glover have said, Kossoff's drug problems began when Free split up in 1971, and it seems clear {[opinion}} that it was the break-up of the band that led him into serious drug use. The four members went their separate ways, but Fraser and Rodgers' projects were not immediately successful, although the Kossoff Kirke Tetsu Rabbit album has attracted some attention since its release. It was Kossoff's worsening drug problem that led members of the band to set aside their differences and re-form, with the intention of potentially saving the guitarist's life [citation needed].
Personnel
- Paul Rodgers – vocals, piano
- Paul Kossoff – guitar
- Andy Fraser – bass guitar
- Simon Kirke – drums
Recording
All members of the band made a concerted effort to work smoothly and efficiently for Kossoff's sake. For example, in a symbolic gesture all tracks were credited to every member of the band regardless of who actually wrote them. However, Kossoff's input can best be described as erratic [opinion]; to compensate either Rodgers or Fraser took to the piano.
The attitude to the songwriting was also vastly different [citation needed]; there are no outright rock songs at all, and the three songs that contain fast-paced moments all have slower, more introspective moments. Also, many fans have interpreted some of the melancholic lyrics (many of which concern people in some form of emotional distress) as referring to Kossoff.[citation needed]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   link |
Reception
The album was reasonably successful, peaking at #9 in the UK album charts making it their most successful UK studio album since Fire and Water. The single release "Little Bit of Love" reached #13; despite failing to enter the top ten it was still their third best selling single release (it would be beaten by "Wishing Well" the following year). The album fared less well in the US, reaching #69; this was still a significant improvement on all previous albums bar Fire and Water.
However, problems began again when the band was then expected to tour to promote the album, as Kossoff was faced with a task for which he was not physically capable [citation needed]. Gigs had been disastrous, with Fraser remembering that "you could see people in the audience crying for him, longing for him to be all right" (quoted in Phil Sutcliffe's liner notes). Unable to continue, Fraser left the band permanently, aged just 20. Kossoff also pulled out of the tour (although not technically leaving the band) in order to seek treatment for his drug addiction [citation needed].
During the period in late 1971 where the band had split, Kossoff and Kirke had formed a new band with Japanese bassist Tetsu Yamauchi and keyboard player John "Rabbit" Bundrick; Kirke asked them to join the tour in place of Fraser. They accepted, and soon joined the band officially.
Track listing
All tracks written by Rodgers/Fraser/Kossoff/Kirke unless otherwise stated.
- Side one
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Catch a Train" | 3:32 |
| 2. | "Soldier Boy" | 2:51 |
| 3. | "Magic Ship" | 5:22 |
| 4. | "Sail On" | 3:05 |
| 5. | "Travellin' Man" | 3:23 |
- Side two
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Little Bit of Love" | 2:34 |
| 7. | "Guardian of the Universe" | 5:32 |
| 8. | "Child" | 5:18 |
| 9. | "Goodbye" | 5:05 |
Extra tracks
- "Burnin' (Molten Gold)" (Kossoff) (Alternative take) – 5:57
- "Honky Tonk Women" (Jagger/Richards) – 3:13
- "Magic Ship" (Alternative mix) – 5:28
- "Little Bit of Love" (Alternative mix) – 2:37
- "Guardian of the Universe" (Paul Rodgers solo version) – 6:07
- "Child" (Early mix) – 5:20
References
- Strong, Martin C. The Great Rock Discography, 6th edition. Edinburgh: Canongate Books 1994, 2002. pp. 392–3.
- Sutcliffe, Phil. Notes to Free at Last by Free. Universal Island Records Ltd. 1972, 2002.