#andy fraser

[jt1674]

[britrockaholic2]

Free - I'll Be Creepin' (Doing Their Thing, 1970) Official Live Video

Paul Francis Kossoff (14 September 1950 – 19 March 1976)

FREE - Mr. Big (Doing Their Thing, 1970) Official Live Video https://youtu.be/uyle6hZLxRc

[blackros78]

Free

[rastronomicals]

1:54 AM EST February 2, 2025:

Andy Fraser - "Ain't No Substitute" From the album In Your Eyes (April 8, 1977)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

The second solo album from the Free bassist

[rolandrockover]

Hell's Alright

This one is about as overdue as finally dragging the withered, fir-less Christmas tree out of the house in mid-May and sneakily throwing it on another neighbor's doorstep in the middle of the night.

If someone is already capable of this, then it's certainly not a step too far to serve someone the eggs they found in the summer and forgot about at Easter as an egg salad. However, I'm drifting off.

So, what was it about again today, oh yes, Hotter Than Hell (1974). About Hotter Than Hell and about the fact that Paul took inspiration from his then go-to track All Right Now (1970) by Free (1) and incorporated a lot of it into Hotter Than Hell's build-up (2). So it's another one of those all-in-one-swipes, just like we had last time.

But this time Kiss put a little more of their own integrity into the scales, or at least that of Black Sabbath, which they probably tried to let flow into the rather unconventional production with a little more weight this time. And yes, the result does indeed sound more hellish, if you like, and more saturated, darker and punchier than Free's original All Right Now, but it also conveys its light-hearted good feeling in an almost overwhelming way.

And before you know it, the re-write is already done, and of course also another Kiss klassik. Now someone would just have to sweep up the dried, brown pine needles and throw them out of the window.

Although I haven't had a Christmas tree or any other such decorations in my house for decades.

Side Note:

(1) From their album… Attention Ace and Paul fans, Fire and Water.

(2) And well, in another song from Dressed to Kill (1975) which I would like to go into another time.

All Right Now (1970)

Hotter Than Hell (1974)

[longliverockback]

Free [45th Anniversary Edition SACD] 2014 Island ————————————————— Tracks: 01. I’ll Be Creepin’ 02. Songs of Yesterday 03. Lying in the Sunshine 04. Trouble on Double Time 05. Mouthful of Grass 06. Woman 07. Free Me 08. Broad Daylight 09. Mourning Sad Morning 10. Broad Daylight 11. The Worm 12. I’ll Be Creepin’ [single version / mono mix] 13. Sugar for Mr Morrison —————————————————

Andy Fraser

Simon Kirke

Paul Kossoff

Paul Rodgers

* Long Live Rock Archive

[vinylspinning]

Free: Tons of Sobs (1969)

The youthful members of Free had no way of knowing this when they chose it, but the title of their debut album, Tons of Sobs, wound up serving as a suitable summation of their oh-so-promising, oft-triumphant, but ultimately star-crossed career.

The original "Boy Band" (just kidding), vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke were 18, guitarist Paul Kossoff 17, and bassist Andy Fraser just 15 when they formed in the spring of 1968, and began gigging around London.

By year's end, they'd signed to Island Records, after impressing label head Chris Blackwell with their on-stage prowess, but the deal nearly fell through when he insisted they change their name to The Heavy Metal Kids -- good thing they stood their ground!

Crisis averted, Free entered Morgan Studios with producer Guy Stevens and engineer Andy Johns to record Tons of Sobs, which arrived in stores 55 years ago, in March of '69, and basically consisted of the young group's regular live set.

Which, at the time, found Free interpreting the blues as best as English boys could -- hence the "British Blues Boom" affiliation they shared with peers like Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack, Savoy Brown, and Ten Years After, among others.

And yet, ironically, album book-ends, "Over the Green Hills, Part 1" and "Part 2," married acoustic guitars with a haunting, foreboding, but folksy feel, in direct contrast with most all the music sandwiched in-between.

This included covers of Bobby Bland's "Goin' Down Slow" and "The Hunter" (the Booker T. & The M.G.'s classic made famous by Albert King), and semi-satisfying originals in "Worry," and "Wild Indian Woman," and the creepy, crawling "Moonshine."

But the foursome also showed they could build upon those blues fundamentals with more dynamic and inventive efforts like "Walk in My Shadow," "Sweet Tooth," and first single "I'm a Mover" which preceded the album in late '68.

Notably, so did Led Zeppelin's self-titled debut, in January of '69, likely stealing some of Free's thunder, as Tons of Sobs received positive reviews but didn't even chart in the U.K. and only skimmed the lower reaches of the U.S. chart at No. 197.

But after repeating that unimpressive performance with their self-titled sophomore LP, Free hit it big with 1970's Fire and Water, only to throw it all away amid dueling egos and then make a half-hearted return before crumbling yet again ahead of Kossoff's early death.

Tons of Sobs, indeed.

More Free: Free, Fire and Water, Highway, Free Live!, Free at Last, Heartbreaker.

[spoiledstrawberry]

signatures from Free members on their second album "Free"

[kdo-three]

Brian Eno - King’s Lead Hat (1978) Brian Eno from: “King’s Lead Hat” / “R.A.F.” (7" Single) “Before and After Science” (LP)

Art Rock | Experimental Pop | Avant-Pop

JukeHostUK (left click = play) (320kbps)

Personnel: Brian Eno: Vocals / Rhythm Guitar / Piano (Solo) / Percussion (Metallics) Robert Fripp: Guitar (Guitar Solo) Phil Manzanera: Rhythm Guitar Paul Rudolph: Bass / Backing Vocals Andy Fraser: Drums

Produced by Brian Eno / Rhett Davies

Recorded: @ The Basing Street Studios in London, England USA during 1977

Album Released: in December of 1977

Single Released: on January 27, 1978

Polydor Records (UK) Island Records U.S. (US) Virgin Records (2007 CD Reissue)

"King's Lead Hat" is an anagram of "Talking Heads".

[spilladabalia]

Free - Fire And Water (1970)

[essential-music]

In 1978, Robert Palmer released “Every Kinda People,” a soulful anthem that remains a powerful testament to human connection and diversity.

Written by Andy Fraser, the song transcends its era, blending a message of unity with technical brilliance that continues to resonate in today’s fractured world. Its lyrical plea for understanding and its masterful musical craftsmanship make it a beacon of hope and a reminder of music’s ability to bridge divides.

The song’s core message is elegantly simple: it takes “every kinda people” to make the world go ’round. Fraser’s original lyrics, which Palmer refined to emphasize human connection over political rhetoric, celebrate the rich tapestry of cultural and individual differences. Lines like “Whether yellow, black, or white / Each and every man’s the same inside” underscore a universal truth—that love and shared humanity are the only paths to peace. In an age of polarization, where division often drowns out dialogue, these words feel as urgent as ever. They urge us to embrace differences not as barriers but as the very fabric of a vibrant society.

Musically, “Every Kinda People” is a masterclass in balance and emotion. The song’s foundation is its unforgettable bass line, played by the legendary Bob Babbitt. Funky yet soulful, it drives the track with a groove that feels both grounded and uplifting. Palmer’s silky, emotive vocals weave through the arrangement, delivering each lyric with a sincerity that amplifies the song’s message. The instrumentation—saxophone flourishes, subtle strings, and a rhythmic interplay of clavinet and steel drums—builds to an emotional climax, creating a sound that is both timeless and distinctly of its late-1970s moment. This technical precision ensures the song’s accessibility, inviting listeners to feel its message as much as hear it.

The production, rooted in Palmer’s ability to transpose the bass riff across instruments, showcases an innovative approach that enhances the song’s universal appeal. Every element, from the crisp percussion to the layered harmonies, serves the greater purpose of unity. The result is a track that feels alive, its Caribbean-inflected rhythms and soulful undertones evoking a world where differences coexist in harmony.

“Every Kinda People” is more than a song; it’s a call to action. Its technical brilliance—Babbitt’s bass, Palmer’s voice, and the meticulous arrangement—amplifies a message that remains profoundly relevant. In a world grappling with intolerance and division, the song reminds us that our differences are our strength. It challenges us to listen, connect, and recognize that love, as Palmer sings, is “the only goal” worth pursuing. Nearly five decades later, “Every Kinda People” stands as a timeless plea for a better, more united world—one we still have the power to build.

Year: 1978

Composer/Lyricist: Andrew Fraser

Producer: Robert Palmer

[jt1674]

[morrisoxide]

Free - Mouthful Of Grass 1969.

[closertotheheart]

[rastronomicals]

2:49 AM EST December 13, 2024:

Andy Fraser - "Changed Man" From the album Andy Fraser Band (1975)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

The first solo album from the Free bassist

[longliverockback]

Free The Free Story 1974 Island ————————————————— Tracks LP One: 01. I’m a Mover 02. I’ll Be Creepin’ 03. Mourning Sad Morning 04. All Right Now 05. Heavy Load 06. Fire and Water 07. Be My Friend 08. The Stealer 09. Soon I Will Be Gone 10. Mr. Big

Tracks LP Two: 01. The Hunter 02. Get Where I Belong 03. Travelling Man 04. Just for the Box 05. Lady 06. My Brother Jake 07. Little Bit of Love 08. Sail On 09. Heartbreaker 10. Come Together in the Morning —————————————————

* Long Live Rock Archive