Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Respected as one of the finest blues rock bands of their time, The Free Story reminds us that there is much more to them than standard classics like "Alright Now". This compilation, spanning all six of their albums, opens in true form with the swaggering groove of "I'm A Mover" taken from Tons Of Sobs. Singer Paul Rodgers' soulful wailing and the band's inventive playing brings the blues to life with their own brand of traditional folk and sultry rock. The parade ends with a single track from their final album, Heartbreaker. By this time, founder guitarist Paul Kossoff had left the group, to be replaced by Rodgers on guitar; this accounts for the complimentary song writing on "Come Together In The Morning". Often shadowed by the legendary supergroups of the early 1970s, Free hold a quiet authority as the masters of understatement and pure musical passion. --David Trueman.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This was the first, and in my humble opinion best, Free compilation, originally put out in '73 (at the same time as a reissued Alright Now single) as a sort of confirmation that they'd finally split. The only difference in the track listing from the original, limited edition, release is the unfortunate deletion of the final track, a live version of Heartbreaker recorded from the mixing desk at Portsmouth Guildhall on their last UK tour. Presumably it was deleted due to space constraints (the original was a double LP), which is a shame 'cause although it was a pretty rough, unbalanced mix (with Rabbit's keyboards the worst culprit), it's got a hell a lot of energy and Kossoff really lets rip.
Anyway, apologies for reviewing a track which isn't actually on the LP (although it is on the Songs of Yesterday box set)and back onto the album itself: It's basically a good, balanced, chronological "best of" featuring all six studio LPs plus the live album. It adds a bit of spice by including tracks from the band member's solo projects during the first split, ie "Lady" from Rodger's Peace and "Just for The Box" from Kossoff & Kirk's KKT&R. The one band member not featured in this section is Fraser, although one of the mid-seventies German imports did feature "Travellin' Man" by Toby in place of the Free "original", so maybe the Toby version was originally intended to be included (it would certainly fit in with the other non-Free tracks included).
My only complaints regarding track selection (apart from the omission of Heartbreaker)is the strange absence of Wishing Well, one of my favourites, and the inclusion of "Get Where I Belong", which I always thought was a bit of a lightweight.
Apart from that, it's a brilliant summary of the work of my all-time favourite band. Buy this, then buy all the other albums, then buy anything else with Kossoff in it. Well, that's basically what I've done over the years!
Anyway, apologies for reviewing a track which isn't actually on the LP (although it is on the Songs of Yesterday box set)and back onto the album itself: It's basically a good, balanced, chronological "best of" featuring all six studio LPs plus the live album. It adds a bit of spice by including tracks from the band member's solo projects during the first split, ie "Lady" from Rodger's Peace and "Just for The Box" from Kossoff & Kirk's KKT&R. The one band member not featured in this section is Fraser, although one of the mid-seventies German imports did feature "Travellin' Man" by Toby in place of the Free "original", so maybe the Toby version was originally intended to be included (it would certainly fit in with the other non-Free tracks included).
My only complaints regarding track selection (apart from the omission of Heartbreaker)is the strange absence of Wishing Well, one of my favourites, and the inclusion of "Get Where I Belong", which I always thought was a bit of a lightweight.
Apart from that, it's a brilliant summary of the work of my all-time favourite band. Buy this, then buy all the other albums, then buy anything else with Kossoff in it. Well, that's basically what I've done over the years!
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After seeing Paul Rodgers perform All Right Now on channel 4's UK music hall of fame final with Queen members Roger Taylor and Brian May it reminded me of what a fantastic song it is. But Free are much more than just one song and this album provides the best of Free's work (Fire and Water, Mr Big and The Hunter to name a few). The album sums up the essence of Free from the "solid" Simon Kirke on drums to the awesome voice of Paul Rodgers, which got him noticed by Kossoff and Kirke when singing at The Fickle Pickle. All in all this is a must for anyone just discovering Free or current fans alike, it is one of the bands best albums along with their Live album. Definitely worth buying!
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Spare, stripped down, passsionate rock and blues - that for me sums up Free's music. Not a spare note or a note out of place. I can't remember waiting for the postman with such anticipation as when I bought this CD from Amazon - and this despite the fact that I already have the album on vinyl. There has beeen no band to compare with Free since 1968 when Alexis Korner gave them their name. Paul Kossoff is the guy who Eric Clapton wanted to have him teach him some techniques, and this in the days when people went around with "Clapton is God" badges. Say no more. I like the review that compares them with Led Zeppelin, compared to Free, Led Zeppelin were definitely a triumph of marketing over talent. Free were just the opposite. Buy this album! Now. Then buy Free Live! Then all the rest of their stuff.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
free the best
being a free, bad co ,classic rock fan,have watched this over and over kossoff working his usual magic, paul that great voice, the rest of the band keeping that bass tone... Read more
Published 1 month ago by woodygibson
Music with a soul
I first purchased this album in the mid to late 70's and I've loved it ever since. If you have no Free in your collection try this, it wont disappoint. Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. Curston
A Useful Introduction to a Cult Band
As a band, Free didn't last very long, but still managed to put down quite a blues rock marker before the cracks between the members became too big to fix. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Dash Riprock
the good old days
I had this on vinyl and tape years ago and lost them along the way and it;s great to relive hearing the best vocalist in the world [paul rodgers] in his early career with an equaly... Read more
Published 16 months ago by William Gibb
The Free story
It's great to re-visit some classic British Rock and remember those great live gigs that they did. The sound level on the CD is a little low - but doesn't spoil some old... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Andy Scullard
One of the greatest rock compilations
I can't speak highly enough about this album. Originally a double album in the days of vinyl, but lacking just one track from the double, that being a powerful live version of... Read more
Published 23 months ago by C. S. Grant
from past to furture
from being young listening to my sisters boyfriends music i fell deeply for outstanding free which took you to another place . Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2010 by Mrs. J. Chamberlin
A huge hole in The Free Story
Incredibly, Free was born in the summer of 68, a couple of months or so before Led Zeppelin, although they were so young you wonder how they were even allowed out after nine, let... Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2009 by J. A. Harvey
Perfect Basic Rock.
There is little to say about this album which hasn't already been said by my fellows here, other than to say that having to select tracks for a 'Best Of Free' album must have been... Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2008 by Alan Burridge
Not the best way to remember the band
When 'The Free Story' was originally released in 72/73, the ads claimed this was a strictly limited release and the masters had been thrown away. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2008 by Gavin Wilson
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
