Search - Free :: The Best of Free: 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

The Voice and His Master Guitar!

chris meesey Food Czar | The Colony, TX United States | 10/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before there was Bad Company, before there was The Firm, The Law, or even a Paul Rodgers solo career, there was Free, the soulful hard rock band led by Paul back in the sixties. Utilizing rock-steady drummer Simon Kirke, bass guitar phenom Andy Frasier, and the very lyrical Paul Kossoff, Free released half a dozen great albums, an equal number of singles, and one anthem for the ages before finally dissolving for good in the early 70's. The anthem, of course, is "All Right Now", a four-minute masterpiece of not-so-subtle seduction that has been a staple of classic rock stations for many years. A great number, to be sure, but far from Free's only classic number: "Fire and Water" is the perfect metaphor for many relationships and showcases Rodger's passionate, understated vocals to perfection. "I'll Be Creepin'" features a clever little wah-wah intro by Kossoff, while "The Stealer" is arguably Free's best and certainly most underrated number, with Paul's funky strut offset perfectly by Frasier's fine bass. Paul and Andy have their most memorable duel in the live "Mr Big" (a name later borrowed by a hard rock supergroup of the early 90's), as both artists achieve climax after climax. It's unforgettable!Unfortunately, "Heavy Load," featuring an endless, meandering piano figure, is quite forgettable, thank you. Luckily, that song is the album's only low point. Rodgers has said that Paul Kossoff was the perfect foil for his playing, and tried again and again to get him rehabilitated from the drugs that eventually took his life in 1976. Buy this album, and you will no doubt share his enthusiasm for this master guitarist."

Why are they so short?!

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 04/26/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the better Millennium Collections, but I can't help but wonder why they don't take advantage of the fact that a cmpact disc holds 80 minutes of music.
But having said that, this 11-track compilation does manage to include many of early British blues-rock outfit Free's best songs, from the radio staple "All Right Now" and a live version of "Mr Big" to the majestic "Come Together In The Morning" and the band's last hit "Wishing Well". There's a lot of great songs missing, however, and the double-disc anthology "Molten Gold" remains the best Free retrospective by far.
3 1/4 stars."

The Original And Still The Best!!!RIP Paul Kossoff

John Baranyai | 02/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really can't speak highly enough of this album. It seems like once in every generation a band comes along that gets it just right and Free would have to be that band. This CD contains the classic "Allright Now" as an extended 6 minute version which sounds as fresh today as it did 36 years ago. The Late, Great Master Axeman Paul Kossoff send his guitar riffs and solos into the stratosphere where he is now with the Angels.Also on this album is the track "Wishing Well' which I have not heard in over 30 years and hearing it again was like running into an old friend. RIP Paul. Only the good die young."