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Free At Last is the sixth album (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, 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.
Free at Last (Free album)
Line up
Recording
Reception
Track listing
Original tracks
Extra tracks
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Line up
Paul Rodgers - Vocals, piano
Paul Kossoff - Guitar
Andy Fraser - Bass
Simon Kirke - Drums
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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; 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.
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Reception
The album was reasonably successful, peaking at 9 in the UK album charts making it their most successful studio 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.
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Track listing
All tracks written by Rodgers/Fraser/Kossoff/Kirke unless otherwise stated.
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Original tracks
1. 'Catch A Train' 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. 'Soldier Boy' 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.
3. 'Magic Ship' 5.23
One of the album's more popular tracks, 'Magic Ship' is a slow-burning song with an anthemic chorus.
4. 'Sail On' 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'.
5. 'Travellin' Man' 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.
6. 'Little Bit Of Love' 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.
7. 'Guardian Of The Universe' 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.
8. 'Child' 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.
9. 'Goodbye' 5.15
A fairly complex arrangement of piano, organ and rhythm section, 'Goodbyes 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.
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Extra tracks
1. 'Burnin' (Molten Gold)' (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.
2. 'Honky Tonk Women' 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.
3. 'Magic Ship' (Alternative mix) 5.28
This is an early mix of the album track that is rather quieter than that version.
4. 'Little Bit Of Love' (Alternative mix) 2.37
This is an early mix of the album track that features less guitar overdubs and more piano.
5. 'Guardian Of The Universe' (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.
6. 'Child' (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.
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