Search - Free :: Molten Gold: Anthology

Free Fans Rejoice With This Anthology

J. E FELL | Carterville, Illinois United States | 11/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first picked up a copy of this set when I wanted some Free on compact disk. I have worn out copies of all their albums on vinyl. This 2 cd anthology betters the old "Free Story" compilation by almost doubling the amount of material. The set covers the years 1968-72. Free was perhaps one the most underappreciated bands of this time period. It may be as result of the commercial success enjoyed by Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke's later band Bad Company. The band was formed in 1968 by ex-Black Cat Bones members guitarist Paul Kossoff and drummer Simon Kirke along with vocalist Paul Rodgers and ex-John Mayall band bassist Andy Fraser. The band's material consisted of blues based numbers, rockers and moody acoustic oriented pieces. Although known primarily for the singles "All Right Now" and "Wishing Well" (both included here) the band composed a wealth of fine material. This band was driven by its rhythm section which was one the best of its time. Andy Fraser's bass playing is highlighted on the live version of "Mr. Big" while Simon Kirke's drumming chops are evident on "Fire And Water". Paul Kossoff's influential wailing guitar can be heard on cuts like "The Stealer", "I'll Be Creepin'" and "Catch A Train". Paul Rodgers bluesy vocals wring emotion out of songs like "Broad Daylight", "Be My Friend", "Heavy Load" "Oh I Wept" and "Sail On". It is no wonder the band was asked to play at such high profile gigs as Hyde Park opening for Blind Faith and the Isle of Wight. Other highlights include the catchy "Little Bit Of Love", "Walk In My Shadow" and "Songs Of Yesterday" among many others. Eventually Andy Fraser exited to be replaced by Tetsu Yamauchi later of the Faces. John "Rabbit" Bundrick augmented the band on keyboards and Paul Kossoff's drug habit caused him to be replaced by Wendell Richardson during the "Heartbreaker" sessions. The only quibble I have with this set is that neither disk is even 70 minutes long. A few more of my favorites like "Get Where I Belong", "Trouble On Double Time" and "Goodbye" could have been added. There was also enough room to add a few hidden gems like the non-lp single b-sides "The Worm", "Only My Soul" and "Let Me Show You". These non-lp sides appear on the excellent new "Songs Of Yesterday" import box set of Free rarities. However, this 2 cd set is probably the most representative and affordable compilation of Free's material which will be released. Fans of classic British blues based rock should pick this up immediately!"

The definitive Free collection

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 08/24/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This thirty-track double-disc anthology is really all that most fans will ever need. Hardcore fans will undoubtedly find that some or other album track is missing, but the compilers have made som excellent choices all the way through, managing to include virtually all the best of Free.Free, with their sparse arrangements and powerful rhythm section, virtually defined early British blues-rock, and they had a superb guitarist in the late Paul Kossoff and an equally fine lead vocalist in Paul Rodgers. Their musical approach is amazingly mature, considering that they were not even out of their teens when they cut their first couple of records.Most of the songs on this album are slow blues or mid-tempo blues-rock shuffles, driven by 16-year old phenom Andy Fraser's fluid bass lines and Kossoff's blend of crunchy rhythm guitar, single-string riffs and lead lines.
Among the best are "I'm A Mover", "The Hunter" and "Walk In My Shadow" from their 1968 debut "Tons Of Sobs", "I'll Be Creepin'" from their eponymous second album, the classic "All Right Now", the mournful "Be My Friend", the catchy "My Brother Jake" and "Little Bit Of Love", "Wishing Well" and "Come Together In The Morning" from their last album, and the live renditions of "Mr Big" and "Ride On A Pony" from the excellent "Free Live" LP. "Molten Gold", by the way, takes its name from Paul Kossoff's song of the same name, and includes two songs from Kossoff's brief solo career, the title track and "Time Away".Not everything is equally memorable, of course, but this is still a very good collection of music, displaying the excellent musicianship and fine songwriting skills of the Free boys.
Recommended."

The Best Free Collection Ever

Docendo Discimus | 09/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Free were another important band in the development of hard rock as we know it today. And what better way to collect their best recordings than on a two-disc anthology. They did some great stuff in their first couple of years, but really hit their stride in 1970 with the FIRE AND WATER album. There are plenty of gems in here, including the peace-for-all plea "A Little Bit Of Love", the cautionary "Wishing Well", the country tall tale "The Highway Song", the road rockers "Catch A Train" and "Travellin' Man", hot live versions of "Fire And Water" and "Mr. Big", and many others. Bad Company really packed a punch, but Free were even rawer in sound."