Free (Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff, Andy Frasher, and Simon Kirke)

But really, John Mayall's band had more musicians in and out than Carmen Electra at a kegger.

SpectreFate wrote:

But really, John Mayall's band had more musicians in and out than Carmen Electra at a kegger.

SpectreFate wrote:

But really, John Mayall's band had more musicians in and out than Carmen Electra at a kegger.

Wasn't it a requirement for every British musician that played blues to do a stint with the Bluesbreakers at some point? They were the British version of London.

I'm guessing that you guys are familiar with Ten Years After? If anyone is looking for that missing link between John Mayall's Bluesbreakers...and Ted Nugent...look no further.

This is a pretty good single disc introduction:



Any band that would release an album called "Stonedhenge" and have a song titled "50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain" is just fine with me.

detuned wrote:

I'm guessing that you guys are familiar with Ten Years After? If anyone is looking for that missing link between John Mayall's Bluesbreakers...and Ted Nugent...look no further.

This is a pretty good single disc introduction:



Any band that would release an album called "Stonedhenge" and have a song titled "50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain" is just fine with me.

Their first few albums were classic, my favorite being 'SSSSHHHH' , great band.

Quote :

Their first few albums were classic, my favorite being 'SSSSHHHH' , great band.

It's ok, you can tell us your favorite. No need to be secretive about it.

detuned wrote:

I'm guessing that you guys are familiar with Ten Years After? If anyone is looking for that missing link between John Mayall's Bluesbreakers...and Ted Nugent...look no further.

This is a pretty good single disc introduction:



Any band that would release an album called "Stonedhenge" and have a song titled "50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain" is just fine with me.

I've been outbid on this a few times on ebay. I'll get it someday.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I've been outbid on this a few times on ebay. I'll get it someday.

Amazon has a ton of used copies for sale, starting at around $4.

detuned wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I've been outbid on this a few times on ebay. I'll get it someday.

Amazon has a ton of used copies for sale, starting at around $4.

Hmmmm, you don't say? If I didn't just place a big order yesterday, I'd add this. Poop.

I absolutely love FREE. Every member is top notch! Not only is Paul Rodgers an incredible vocalist and Paul Kossoff a highly underrated guitarist, but Andy Fraser wrote some of the best bass lines ever within an extremely unique style and Simon Kirke held it all together with tight and solid beats. Free indeed!

TrogDawn wrote:

I absolutely love FREE. Every member is top notch! Not only is Paul Rodgers an incredible vocalist and Paul Kossoff a highly underrated guitarist, but Andy Fraser wrote some of the best bass lines ever within an extremely unique style and Simon Kirke held it all together with tight and solid beats. Free indeed!

The bassline on the song 'Mr. Big' is so badass and thick sounding that Billy Sheenan and his gang of merrymen named their band after this song.

Here is a link to Free playing at the Isle of Wight, a concert that featured the mighty Doors, The Who, Jethro Tull and Jimi Hendrix, anyway here they are live and they held more then their own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJnFv38z1rY

I got Tons of Sobs in the mail today and I absolultely love it. I must've played it 4 or 5 times already. I love that early British blues. I'll be investing in some more Free albums for sure, but if I understand correctly, after their debut, they went for a more traditional rock sound and toned down the bluesier aspect. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I got Tons of Sobs in the mail today and I absolultely love it. I must've played it 4 or 5 times already. I love that early British blues. I'll be investing in some more Free albums for sure, but if I understand correctly, after their debut, they went for a more traditional rock sound and toned down the bluesier aspect. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

They did start going toward a more tradition rock sound, but thankfully they didnot abandoned their blues roots. Next album I would recommend Metalguy is 'Fire and Water'

manny wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I got Tons of Sobs in the mail today and I absolultely love it. I must've played it 4 or 5 times already. I love that early British blues. I'll be investing in some more Free albums for sure, but if I understand correctly, after their debut, they went for a more traditional rock sound and toned down the bluesier aspect. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

They did start going toward a more tradition rock sound, but thankfully they didnot abandoned their blues roots. Next album I would recommend Metalguy is 'Fire and Water'

Love it that i may, i think Fire & Water is a little overrated in the brill Free catalogue.......i've always put Highway, Tons Of Sobs and Free S/T ahead of it.......but that's just me.

I like them all about equally, but I prefer Fire & Water to Highway (although the BBC tracks from Highway sound great).

Free never really changed their sound, they just distilled it to the essence. That's why I love the band so much...if you aren't paying attention you'll miss how incredibly hip it is.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

SpectreFate wrote:

But really, John Mayall's band had more musicians in and out than Carmen Electra at a kegger.

Wasn't it a requirement for every British musician that played blues to do a stint with the Bluesbreakers at some point? They were the British version of London.

Ha! The band I've listened to almost constantly lately is the Keef Hartley Band. A great blues band built around one of John Mayall's former drummers.

[quote="SAHB Healer"]

MetalGuy71 wrote:

SpectreFate wrote:

But really, John Mayall's band had more musicians in and out than Carmen Electra at a kegger.

Wasn't it a requirement for every British musician that played blues to do a stint with the Bluesbreakers at some point? They were the British version of London.

Ha! The band I've listened to almost constantly lately is the Keef Hartley Band. A great blues band built around one of John Mayall's former drummers.

Keef Hartley Band rocks!!! I have Halfbreed,The Battle Of North West Six and The Time Is Near, all great albums IMO.

rattpoison wrote:

manny wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I got Tons of Sobs in the mail today and I absolultely love it. I must've played it 4 or 5 times already. I love that early British blues. I'll be investing in some more Free albums for sure, but if I understand correctly, after their debut, they went for a more traditional rock sound and toned down the bluesier aspect. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

They did start going toward a more tradition rock sound, but thankfully they didnot abandoned their blues roots. Next album I would recommend Metalguy is 'Fire and Water'

Love it that i may, i think Fire & Water is a little overrated in the brill Free catalogue.......i've always put Highway, Tons Of Sobs and Free S/T ahead of it.......but that's just me.

Since their entire discography is relativley small and inexpensive, I'll probably eventually get them all. I just sold some baby clothes on ebay, so I got me some Paypal money burning a hole in my pocket.

I had a baby clothes fetish for a little while as well.

SpectreFate wrote:

I had a baby clothes fetish for a little while as well.

Once I sell it and ship it off, it's none of my business what folks to do with it. I'd like to think that some if it gets used to dress performing monkeys. Or midgets.

manny wrote:

The bassline on the song 'Mr. Big' is so badass and thick sounding that Billy Sheenan and his gang of merrymen named their band after this song.

Oh HELL YEAH it is! Andy Fraser is WAY underrated as a bass player, and he was still in his teens while with FREE!

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I got Tons of Sobs in the mail today and I absolultely love it. I must've played it 4 or 5 times already. I love that early British blues. I'll be investing in some more Free albums for sure, but if I understand correctly, after their debut, they went for a more traditional rock sound and toned down the bluesier aspect. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Tons of Sobs is SO righteously cool! Def one of my personal faves. They did start moving away from straight blues after that one, but there is still some VERY strong material to be heard on the later releases. You can even hear Paul Rodger's songwriting style that he would perfect later with BAD CO. starting to show itself in places. Such an incredible but highly underrated/unerappreciated band, IMO.

I haven't heard "Free At Last" yet, but my favorites right now are "Ton of Sobs" and "Heartbreaker", the bookends of their catalogue. TOS for the excellent execution of blues rock and Heartbreaker for it's pre-Bad Company, Bad Company sound. The only one that hasn't grabbed me yet is "Highway". That one is a bit mellow for me.

manny wrote:

SpectreFate wrote:

Lord, I hope this thread doesn't make me go broke. I've been trying to forget how much I liked Tons of Sobs, so I don't go and buy their discography.


I was blown away by Tons of Sobs, BTW.

Great band have most of their discography on vinyl and reminds me I need to upgrade my collection, I am glad you liked it I knew you would, just a killer killer band

When you decide to unload the Free vinyl in favor of CDs, let me know - I'll snap them up from you! I have "All Right Now" on 45, but that's all so far...

MetalFRO wrote:

manny wrote:

SpectreFate wrote:

Lord, I hope this thread doesn't make me go broke. I've been trying to forget how much I liked Tons of Sobs, so I don't go and buy their discography.


I was blown away by Tons of Sobs, BTW.

Great band have most of their discography on vinyl and reminds me I need to upgrade my collection, I am glad you liked it I knew you would, just a killer killer band

When you decide to unload the Free vinyl in favor of CDs, let me know - I'll snap them up from you! I have "All Right Now" on 45, but that's all so far...

I can mail you 'Heartbreaker' if you want it, the cover is beat up, but I'll send it to you if you want it just PM your address and I'll send it out in a week or two. It is still playable but it is not great condition, thanks to my twins.