'' is the sixth album (fifth studio album) by
British Rock band
Free . The band had broken up in April
1971 due to differences between
Singer Paul Rodgers and
Bassist Andy Fraser , the drug problems of
Guitarist Paul Kossoff , and inconsistent record sales. The four members went their separate ways, but solo projects failed in all cases. Also, with the loss of the band, Kossoff degenerated further into severe
Depression ; he felt guilty for, as he saw it, destroying the band, and this guilt only made the problem worse. It was this factor that led members of the band to set aside their differences and re-form, with the intention of potentially saving the guitarist's life.
Paul Rodgers - ''Vocals, piano''
Paul Kossoff - ''Guitar''
Andy Fraser - ''Bass''
Simon Kirke - ''Drums''
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 Rodgers took to the
Piano . Unfortunately Rodgers was not a particularly accomplished pianist, resulting in an album that is nowhere near as musically accomplished as others by the band.
The attitude to the songwriting was also vastly different; there is none of the swagger and braggadocio that was present when a more youthful band had assembled in
1968 . In fact 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.
The album was reasonably successful, peaking at #9 in the
UK album charts making it their most successful album there 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). As usual though the album fared less well in
America 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 that he was not physically capable of. Gigs had been disastrous, with Andy Fraser remembering "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 .
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 and Kossoff. They accepted, and soon joined the band officially.
''All tracks written by Rodgers/Fraser/Kossoff/Kirke unless otherwise stated.''
' 3.32
One of the album's three songs to contain actual elements of rock music, this follows the same pattern as 'Travellin' Man' and 'Little Bit Of Love' of containing driving choruses but slow verses. Its lyrics, which are an offer of help to someone in need, are often interpreted as being about Kossoff.
' 2.51
'Soldier Boy' is not apparently specifically directed at any particular topic concerning war (although the album was recorded during the
Vietnam War ); it is a slow song that deals with death and destruction in general, and features one of Kossoff's most notable performances of all the tracks on the album.
' 5.23
One of the album's more popular tracks, 'Magic Ship' is a slow-burning song with an anthemic chorus.
' 3.06
Another popular track, this song is yet another statement of comfort and security and is led by an
Organ as much as a piano. This was the B-side to 'Little Bit Of Love'.
' 3.23
Another of the album's faster tracks, this is rather more lighthearted and happy in tone than many of the other tracks. Nevertheless it's lyrics do not contain the sex-oriented bravado of some of the band's previous songs.
' 2.35
The single release, this is very similar stylistically to 'Travellin' Man'. Despite being the band's fourth-biggest hit it is not a particularly well known song, although it does occasionally surface on rock compilation albums.
' 5.32
Possibly the only song to have a clear meaning and specific intention not concerning Kossoff, 'Guardian Of The Universe' was Rodgers's dedication to his unborn child. It is a piano-led song, most other instruments being overdubbed separately.
' 5.19
A relaxed ballad arguably in the style of many of the songs on ''
Highway '', 'Child' features many
Fantastical elements. Again, its running theme of someone in trouble possibly directs it at Kossoff.
' 5.15
A fairly complex arrangement of piano, organ and rhythm section, 'Goodbye''s sentiments made it the obvious song to close the album. It is unlikely to be a reference to the future break-up of the band but may have been influenced by recent troubles.
' (''Kossoff'') (Alternative take) 5.57
This is a guitar driven track written by Kossoff. It features all members of Free playing; a different version was a notable track on Kossoff's solo album ''Back Street Crawler'' in December
1973 . It gave its name to a compilation anthology of Free songs released in
1994 .
' 3.14 (''Jagger/Richards'')
This piano-led version of the
Rolling Stones song was performed as a jam to warm up for the album's recording sessions.
' (Alternative mix) 5.28
This is an early mix of the album track that is rather quieter than that version.
' (Alternative mix) 2.37
This is an early mix of the album track that features less guitar overdubs and more piano.
' (Solo version) 6.07
This is the album track before the rhythm section and other instruments were overdubbed; it is simply Rodgers and a piano.
' (Early mix) 5.20
This is an early mix of the album track that features no guitar overdubs; Kossoff only features playing the basic acoustic track.
- 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.
