Simon Cotton

As others have stated it was going to be near impossible to achieve the same accolades the debut received, with their second album, but it is certainly a great follow up. Morrison’s vocals are so good on this album, especially on “Love Me Two Times”, “Moonlight Drive” and “When. the Music’s Over”. Jim is remembered mostly for his eccentricity, his outlandish performances and his personal excesses, but let us not forget what a great voice he had. His vocal range wasn’t as varied as it could have been on the recordings, but it could achieve some quite memorable moments like “You’re Lost Little Girl”, which is a very fine song sung well.

“The Free Story” is a really good place to start if you are not familiar with Free’s albums. The album was released in 1973 after their final breakup and after the “Heartbreaker” last album. The 1970 hit single (shorter version) of “All Right Now” is here, the version on the “Fire And Water” album has an additional guitar solo. Also included is the 1971 single “My Brother Jake”, which isn’t found on any of their original studio, or the live album. “The Free Story” also includes a few tracks recorded by individual members with other artists. On the original vinyl addition there was an extra track “Heartbreaker” recorded live, but it was left off the CD version. The original vinyl double album was index numbered on the sleeve, but didn’t achieve the same collectable status as “The Beatles/White Album”. Unlike some of the British bands in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Free were a tight, well crafted, good musicianship, with no gimmicks, British band playing good self written blues rock songs, who were constantly touring to perfect their act. “The Free Story” captures their five short years together perfectly.

Their 1970s albums were raw, not so polished as the 1980s more commercial records and this in my opinion is one of their best. Having first heard it in vinyl format, nearly 50 years ago, this is still a very listenable record in 2023. The three Atlantic records are real gems. Some people say this is not real Hall and Oates, more Todd Rundgren, but it’s just different to the first two albums that were heavily ballad oriented, plus everything that followed after War Babies. Different, but brilliant.

I actually bought this album after hearing Rick’s solo on the Yessongs live vinyl album. The Yessongs video/DVD is slightly different towards the end of the solo. I had to explore this flamboyant keyboardist other than his role in Yes. I think this album was so well made that it has survived the years and musical style changes and is still free and easily playable today. This was his purest playing of piano, organs, moogs and synthesisers for me. I couldn’t get into “Journey……” and “The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And…..” is more dated and only two tracks shine, whereas there is something for everyone on “The Six Wives…”. Good mix of musicians, some more famous than others, some no longer with us. A&M records certainly got their money’s worth from their low budget agreement, even without a full colour photograph.