FAS #178 June 2025

Hello everyone,

 

While it usually takes a week or so to get the issue back from the printers, when I put it in for running, due to a space in their schedule this one was ready in 24 hours! Nice. Like I said last time, when we were also about a week early, I don't see any point in just holding on to this, and so I'm getting them all packed up, and they'll be going into the mail shortly. Packing them all is the worst bit! 

 

Far far away issues (USA, Australia, Japan) went out today in fact (about 15 minutes ago). 

 

Far away (Europe) will go out later in the week. Maybe Thursday. 

 

Not so far away (UK) will all go out on Monday 19th. 

I'll get all the full info, and addendum, up here once all are mailed. This is just to give those that do come to the blog and have a look a 'heads up'. Following this, the issue for August is well under way. The one after that is proving to be a tricky bugger, but it's slowly getting sorted out! So at least two more to come this year, after this June mail drop.

I hope all in the UK are enjoying the nice weather.

It's about time!!

Paul Kossoff - 1950 - 1976

 Paul Kossoff

September 14^th 1950 - March 19^th 1976

Very close now to 50 years since Paul died. That's quite a sobering thought. Half a century. It is interesting to see all the videos on Youtube of people chasing his tone, or claiming they have it. Often people who play in a far too aggressive way, thinking that's how it's done. Actually, Paul was pretty restrained and thoughtful regards what he added to a song. I think sometimes people miss that, but it is always nice to see so many people still talking about him. That's the whole point, the fact that he's still inspiring musicians, and that his playing is still relevant.

Make sure you spare a bit of time for him today, play something you like, and enjoy the legacy of music left to us. Below are two pieces I've always rated highly. Jim Capalid's 'You and Me' with its extended solo, and 'It's A Long Way Down To The Top' from Back Street Crawler. Mike Montgomery's song is excellent, but the restraint Koss shows in the solo is stunning, saying just enough, and then not blasting over the end section - where in fact most guitarist's would have added more. The fact Paul doesn't solo there at all really adds to the pathos of the lyric, and the atmosphere of the song. Absolutely magical. 

 

FAS #177 - April 2025

 Just back from the Post Office.

FAS #177 is now out and in the mail for all UK subscribers.

About 30 minutes ago acually!

 

Andy Fraser - 1952 - 2015

Andy Fraser

July 3^rd  1952 - March 16^th 2015

It's now ten years since Andy died. The years pass, and it's sad that he's no longer around. I miss the random phone calls, and the occasion cassettes, or music files that used to turn up from him. Make sure you play a few things of his today, and maybe enjoy the 'live' versions of 'Mr Big', where he and Kossoff just roar at the end.

Here's something a little different for you to hear. Below is the original mix of the song 'Fine Fine Line'. The whole album had originally been mixed by John Eden, before the track listing was changed a bit, and Hugh Padgham was employed to do a re-mix (the one released). The original record plan didn't include 'Do You Love Me' either! 'Palm Of Your Hand', later used as a single B-side, was included. 'Do You Love Me' was recorded and added when Chris Blackwell decided that there wasn't a single! Oh well. Andy once told me that he felt recording 'Do You Love Me' was a bad move, but I think it's okay. I do actually find the video hilarious. Of it's time, but funny nonetheless.

Anyway, for you enjoyment, and to remember Andy today, here's John's original mix. Turn it up!

 

 

You can find the whole John Eden album mix here,

complete with information and his story of what happen.

Andy Fraser - Fine Fine Line (John Eden Mix)

Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #177

 

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #177

April 2025

Well, it's always nice to be a little way in front, and like the last issue this one is really a bit earlier than expected. But, as it's ready to go, and I don't see any rational reason to hold on to it, when I could get it into the mail and out to you (before the postage prices go up again on April 7th!). So, overseas issues have gone out today, and UK issues will go out early next week - most probably on Monday.

Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #177

In this issue we start in February 1973, and the final three weeks of the Traffic, Free & John Martyn tour of America. This is really the last 17 days in the life of Free as a working unit. Things here in the US seem to be unravelling somewhat. Paul Rodgers manages to knacker his ankle, and Free have to miss two shows. Then Wendell decides he wants more money to do the extra shows that are being added (some places now have two shows a day, due to ticket demand), and Rabbit opts to destroy a dressing room, to add along with the hotel room he wrecked during a sword fight with Chris Wood earlier in the tour!

In New York, Wendell has his favourite guitar stolen, along with some others, from the gear trailer, and he's getting tired of the pranks that are being played on him by others. It's all becoming a bit of a mess, not helped by the fact that they just haven't pulled together to crack it on-stage every night. It's been a long tour. There's been a lot of drunken partying, and everyone is ready to go home. They just haven't realised yet that Free is over. 'Heartbreaker' and 'Wishing Well' are doing fine, but this isn't the same group that made those recordings!

In other news, as Free go quiet after their return to the UK, Andy Fraser has decided to jump overboard, and abandon Sharks literally as their debut album comes out. Meanwhile Paul Kossoff is pulled up by the police on Hammersmith Broadway, and gets busted for 'driving under the influence of drink or drugs', eventually finding himself in court. Paul Rodgers meanwhile is being named as the replacement for Ian Gillan in Deep Purple...

Really, you just couldn't make this up! FAS #177 covers it all, blow by blow. 48 pages dealing with the end of the tour, the end of Free, Fraser splitting Sharks, and Kossoff appearing in court, while Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke keep quiet. Complete with reviews, press articles, interviews, tickets, gig adverts, chart positions and photographs. Phew! Dig in, and hang on, as it's a very bumpy ride.

---------------------------------------------

 

It is cheaper to buy directly here (from the FAS itself) than it will be on Ebay, where there are other fees involved for both UK and overseas buyers. ALL payments are via Paypal, so it's all very easy and secure.

Casual buyer? Want the magazine cheaper? Get a subscription!

A subscription is the cheapest way to get the FAS magazine.

 For subscription information email: fasarticle@aol.com

You can buy this individual issue from the email address above.

Total is £7.50 via Paypal for the UK, a three issue subscription is £19.10

Overseas it's £26 (via Paypal). Buying from the FAS directly should save you on customs charges, and fees, now levelled directly via Ebay, which will not be added here as items will be sent as 'letters'.

Drop me a mail giving your location and a Paypal money request will be sent to you. It's cheaper than buying them on Ebay where the fees add 12.5% + 30p making this issue £8 in the UK

A subscription for three issues (UK) is £18 (£19.10 via Paypal)

A subscription for three issues  overseas is £26 (via Paypal).

 

FAS #176 'Addendum'

Free Appreciation Society

Issue #176 (February 2025)

Video Addendum

As mentioned on P39 from FAS #176 here is Free on the 'Top Of The Pops' chart rundown for 1973-01-25. 'Wishing Well' is sitting at at No.8. Free didn't appear to promote the single, nor was there any promotional film made at the time. I can't confirm if Pan's People 'danced' to the song at any point or not, but after seeing them jiggle about 'interpretively' to 'Little Bit Of Love' it would be an interesting proposition! This is very short, Blink and you'll miss Free. The complete chart run down is included, it's quite interesting, the variation of things in there, and I managed to fade out before Saville is featured. I always thought he was basically weird, and not unlike 'The Child Catcher' from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! Seems I was right on that one!

Addendum #1 (Page #39)

Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #176

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #176

February 2025

 

Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #176

January 19th, 1973 Free move into Fort Worth for the third show on a long American tour with John Martyn and Traffic. That was 52 years ago today. Blimey!!

First issue of 2025, and even a couple of weeks early! A belated Happy New Year to everyone. Here we go, the beginning of the finale, or 'Free - The End'.

Issue #176 picks up in January 1973. Free have the 'Wishing Well' single in the shops, an album due out in a few weeks, a looming American tour - and no current guitarist! Kossoff is gone. So here we pick up with Wendell Richardson joining them JUST before they fly to the USA, and we follow the tour through January. Lots of press, reviews, photographs and reviews of tapes available from the shows. Lots of material I've never used before in this issue, as we cover the final section of Free's existence.

48 pages absolutely packed with FREE.

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Coming out to all UK FAS subscribers tomorrow, January 20th (when Free would have moving on to play in El Paso).

Overseas issues mailed out last week.

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It is cheaper to buy directly here (from the FAS itself) than it will be on Ebay, where there are other fees involved for both UK and overseas buyers. ALL payments are via Paypal, so it's all very easy and secure.

Casual buyer? Want the magazine cheaper? Get a subscription!

A subscription is the cheapest way to get the FAS magazine.

 

For subscription information email: fasarticle@aol.com

You can buy this individual issue from the email address above.

Total is £7.50 via Paypal for the UK, a three issue subscription is £19.10

Overseas it's £26 (via Paypal). Buying from the FAS directly should save you on customs charges, and fees, now levelled directly via Ebay, which will not be added here as items will be sent as 'letters'.

Drop me a mail giving your location and a Paypal money request will be sent to you. It's cheaper than buying them on Ebay where the fees add 12.5% + 30p making this issue £8 in the UK

 A subscription for three issues (UK) is £18 (£19.10 via Paypal)

A subscription for three issues  overseas is £26 (via Paypal).