Mick Ralphs Dies

I was sad yesterday to hear that Mick Ralphs had died. This comes almost ten years after he'd had a brutal stroke (November 4th, 2016), shortly after Bad Company had completed touring. Bad Company it seems will be inducted into the 'Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame' in the 'Performers' category this year. While I'm pretty certain Mick would have frown upon this somewhat, as just industry backslapping, I'm sure he would also have been quite proud to see the work of the group he started with Paul Rodgers, by playing him songs that Mott The Hoople couldn't make work, including of course 'Can't Get Enough', get that recognition. I'm also positive that when Simon and Paul get to play together on November 8th, this loss will make that performance particularly charged with the emotions of losing another member of the original gang.

I really enjoyed Ralphs' work with Mott The Hoople. The version of 'Ready For Love' with the 'Afterlights' section on 'All The Young Dudes' is great, but it was the version of 'Thunderbuck Ram' on the 'Bumpers' set that really made me sit up and listen to them. It's different to the version on 'Mad Shadows', where Guy Stevens had Andy Johns mix the Hammond down, and much heavier sounding, which I like.

In Bad Company there are missed treats like 'Too Bad' hidden on the often neglected 'Burnin' Sky', but I always really loved 'Simple Man'. It has such a lovely opening and closing motif, along with that superb Rodgers vocal. Both 'Thunderbuck Ram' and 'Simple Man' can be found below to enjoy, in memory of the man who wrote them. It's also Mick singing on 'TR'.

 

Rest easy. Gone now, but not forgotten. Mick was 81.

FAS #178 Addendum

Okay, here's the Addendum from page 27 of the current issue, where all the information relating to these two cover verions of 'Travellin' In Style' can be found.

Just a bt of fun really, but I rather like them both, and they certainly aren't as offensive as some of the 'METAL' covers of 'Wishing Well' I've heard over the years!

'Travellin' in Style' - Kiki Dee

 

 

 

 

'Travellin In Style' - Herbs

Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #178

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #178

June 2025

 

All issues are now in the mail for subscribers.

Finally shifting away from the turbulent history of the group dynamic, as they move from the early '73 US tour into dissolution, here we deal with the record releases of the final assemblage... well semi-final actually, as Wendell was on the final tour, but not on any of the recordings!

This issue looks at the world releases of the 'Wishing Well', and 'Travellin' In Style' singles, as well as the 'Heartbreaker' LP, which continues into issue #179. All the pressing information is included, along with matrix numbers, and label variations from around the globe. Label and cover photographs are plentiful and come from the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Japan, USA, Austria, Spain, Brazil, Venezuela and Canada. So really pretty comprehensive.

Lots of information here on what was really quite a complicated release schedule, as Island Records pretty much took over the distribution of the on-going Free catalogue world-wide, and dealt with the on-going vinyl shortage for pressing records. A few surprises, and some really quite bizarre twists and turns in this one. This is all particularly helpful for those collecting the records.

48 pages crammed with information and images on this period of the Free catalogue.

 

 

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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 almost £8 in the UK, and way more overseas as they now add taxes to the total. So;

UK single issue £7.50 (via Paypal)

Overseas single issue £9.80 (via Paypal)

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

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

 

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)