A snapshot of the beginning of the end
01/08/2002
(2 out of 5 stars)
"This, unfortunately, was Free on the wane. By this time, drug use had taken a big toll on Kossoff (This in conjunction with the death of Hendrix in '70 and the breakup of the original lineup in '71) An effort mas made to reform the band - to a great degree for Kossoff's benefit - and "Free at last" is the result. There are some stand out tracks like "Little Bit of Love" and "Soldier Boy" but most of the album feels like loose jams assembled into very skeletal songs. Kossoff's playing and vibrato is a pale shadow of the first 4 albums. Fraser's tight song construction, discipline and wildly inventive bass playing aren't evident here. I have to disagree with Kirke's and Kossoff's assessment that this represented a renaissance for Free. Free Mark I-A is a different animal from Mark I-B and this album demonstrates that. If you want to hear Free ascend Mount Olympus seek out "Ton of Sobs","Free","Fire & Water","Highway" and the live album. This is the stuff legends are made of."
Free at Last - The complete Free Album
George McIrvine | New Zealand | 11/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Growing up in the UK Free became one of my favourite bands. In my very early teens I saw them live at one of their concerts some time after Free at Last was released. This concert was unfortunately after Andy Fraser had left the band and had been replaced with Rabbit and Tetsu who were included in the line-up by that stage. While the music was still great Free at that point were heading into the final era for the band.
Free at Last was released when Free as a band were at their zenith. The title itself is perhaps fitting for a band at its peak and this comes through in the quality of this album. Even today the sound of each track, its place in the album and the total album sound is fresh and exciting.
Free at Last is, I believe, a complete work of a band at the height of its powers and ability to produce a complete album. By the time it was released Free had harnessed that raw energy and creativity of their early albums with their characteristic tightness so as an album it is tight, together and totally Free. Earlier albums like Tons of Sobs and Free had great heights but had perhaps a few lower points as Free found its unique place in music history.Free at Last, kicks off with "Catch a Train," "Catch a Train,
to my place,
call me when you get into town,
just a week since I saw you
why are you crying so," Paul Rodgers is in absolute command, with his superb vocals on this track which still sounds so fresh and tight. Then Free build the poignant "Soldier Boy," to recreate the atmosphere and feeling of a young soldier in battle; "Soldier Boy standing on a battlefield,
and I hear the bugle call,
calling me to my destiny
and all around me people falling down." Having secured your complete attention then Free let you catch your breath as they journey on with "Magic Ship," and "Sail On," before ramping the power back up on "Travelling Man," the late Paul Kossoff getting a unique sound on this track as I listen to it now, it still sounds great.This pace continues through "A Little bit of Love," I don't think this reached No 1 when it was released as a single in the UK only reaching something like 20, I have no idea why it did not go higher, but then commercial success was achieved by the likes of later bands such as Bad Company. After "Little bit of of Love," the album again lets you back to earth as it meanders skyward through "Guardian of the Universe." and "Child."Finally, "Goodbye," an anthem to the good times of life, your friends and Free. In the words of some of this great song "Goodbye, I hope we met again,"
"The good times will always remain," Free, and the good times will always remain,
Free at Last, a great band, Free, at its peak producing a complete album."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1