Tynemouth FREE Convention 2015

Saturday 14th November.

Tickets £17

For more information

Email; freeconvention@aol.com

FREE - 'Fire And Water' Vinyl Half-Speed Master Coming In 2016

The Sound Of Vinyl are thrilled to present a superior listening experience with Half Speed Mastering from Abbey Road .Six iconic album releases have been exclusively re-mastered for vinyl at the world famous Abbey Road Studios to bring you a new level of depth and clarity. These records have never sounded so good!

The limited edition launch range come in deluxe packaging and includes a certificate of authenticity from Abbey Road.The initial releases are from

The Rolling Stones, The Police, Cream, John Martyn, Simple Minds and Free.  

Make sure to order yours now as we are sure they will go fast!

 

PRE ORDER NOW & HEAR THESE ALBUMS LIKE NEVER BEFORE!

 

 https://thesoundofvinyl.com/*/Mastered-At-Half-Speed/Fire-And-Water/4ZB7063N000

Fire And Water

Free

• £25.00  

• Release Date 25 March 2016

Product code

ARHSLP002

Format

Vinyl LP

Label

UMC-Island

180gm vinyl, replica VERY LIMITED first pressing packaging with additional ‘obi strip’.

This artisan process results in cuts that have superior high frequency response (treble) and very solid and stable stereo images. In Short, a very high quality master that helps to create a very high quality record.

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

Its worth noting that this pre-order information gives absolutely NO INDICATION of how 'limited' an edition this actually is. The albums don't appear to be numbered and the 'Certificate Of Autheniticity' doesn't appear to feature any number either -  nor even which album it actually pertains to! Limited to how many they can sell perhaps? However if you hanker after vinyl this should be considered for your shopping list.

'Free Forever' 2DVD Set - Hidden Content.

FREE FOREVER 2DVD Set (2006)

'Hidden Footage'.

Andy Fraser promo films.

A number of people have asked me exactly where these tracks are hidden on the ‘Free Forever’ DVD, so, here goes… I know this works on the original 2DVD set but I'm not sure about any re-issues.

Load disc one of the set.

Go to ‘The Freelist’ from the first menu, then press ‘Play All’ from the ‘Freelist’ menu. You’ll find the promotional film for ‘Healing Hands’ and concert footage of ‘Standing At Your Window’ both from Andy’s ‘Naked… And Finally Free’ album right at the end. These can only be accessed from this ‘Play all’ menu. You will also find the complete Ealing College footage here unedited and uncut. A joyous 20 minutes even without sound! Hope you enjoy them.

This information was originally printed on page 2 of FAS issue #113.

BONHAMS OFFER GUITAR OF LEGENDARY FREE ROCKER, PAUL KOSSOFF

http://www.bonhams.com/press_release/20207/

"ALL RIGHT NOW": BONHAMS OFFER GUITAR OF LEGENDARY FREE ROCKER, PAUL KOSSOFF

Entertainment Memorabilia

10 Dec 2015

London, Knightsbridge

"There she stood in the street, smilin' from her head to her feet," the famous opening lyrics to one of the most well-known tracks of the 1970s, 'All Right Now'. Penned by Free, the song launched the band straight into the rock and roll legend hall of fame.

Paul Kossoff was their guitarist, his axe a 1959 Gibson Les Paul. Thirty years on, Kossoff's personal guitar is now offered at auction for the first time as part Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia sale, taking place 10 December at Bonhams Knightsbridge.

Kossoff owned the Gibson Les Paul from 1970-1976. This was the height of the band's success, with their classic rock anthem, All Right Now, soaring to number one in music charts across 20 territories.

Hampstead-born Kossoff was an immensely skilled musician. His signature talent was the ability to unleash an incredible vibrato on his guitar, a skill that so impressed fellow musician, Eric Clapton, that it prompted him to ask Kossoff, "How do you do that?".

Kossoff performed with vigour, so much so that during one performance he threw his Gibson Les Paul guitar in the air, snapping the neck. Arthur Ramm, guitarist of support group, Beckett, lent his instrument to Kossoff after he broke his guitar. Later offering a trade, Kossoff declined to barter the guitar he held dear, despite it being broken.

In 1973 Free disbanded, sending Kossoff in a downward spiral. In 1975 he formed the band Back Street Crawler, but in March 1976, at the age of 25, he died from what's believed to have been a drug-related heart-attack whilst on board a flight from Los Angeles to New York.

Several years after Kossoff's tragic death, Ramm acquired the guitar from the late-musician's family. Some thirty years on, the guitar will now feature at auction for the first time.

Natalie Downing, Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia Specialist, said: "Kossoff is one of the generation of rock stars who lost their life to the excesses of the industry. His incredible musical talent continues to be recognised, heralded by Rolling Stone magazine in their top 100 list of the greatest guitarists of all time.

"Musical instruments with celebrity provenance can often reach a higher premium at auction, bolstered by fans and musicians keen to take home instruments that bore witness to some of rock and roll's greatest moments. Bonhams has conducted several highly successful auctions throughout the year, including the sale of Eric Clapton and Chris Martin's guitars at our June sale."

 

Free Appreciation Society - Magazine Issue #135

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #135

August 2015 

 

Now Available...

Andy Fraser Obituary and large article about Andy -  his involvement with the FAS, Heavy Load and the Free re-issues... 

Large feature on BB King 'Live At The Regal' and The Band 'Music From Big Pink'. Two albums often mentioned by Free as a major influence are examined and clues to their impact revealed! 

Press round up with pieces about King King, Chris Spedding and Kossoff's 1975 Kidnapping!
Yup, really.... Suspects included promoter Geoff Docherty and Terry Wilson-Slesser. They tell all. Read all about it.

For subscribers this will be in the post early next week. If you don't subscribe you can get a copy via the email on this site (See the 'Welcome' section in the right margin). Just let me know which issue you want and where you are and I'll send a Paypal invoice. This issue can also be found on Ebay along with some older ones where they can be purchased from anywhere in the world.

44 pages all in full colour -  Don't miss it.

Paul Kossoff / Arthur Ramm Les Paul Std.

Paul Kossoff Les Paul Guitar Feature.

Lovely article on Paul Kossoff's old Les Paul in the August 2015 edition of 'Guitar And Bass' (Vol26. No. 11) £4.99. Written by the excellent Steve Clarke, himself a Kossoff fan, it goes deep into the specifications and technical aspects as the guitars current owner Arthur Ramm let Steve have a really good look at the instrument. For the guitar collector / fan there are plenty of close up pictures and a quite revealing text. Thanks to Steve and 'Guitar And Bass' magazine for letting me include a link to the feature below. Check it out!!

Paul Right Now: Paul Kossoff’s 1959 Gibson Les Paul up close

Additional...
Steve has told me there was actually a small piece of information about the guitar edited out of the article so for blogspot readers here's the exclusive...

The neck pickup is 8.52k and the bridge 7.43k. For better balance they should be swapped around but that's how Koss had it and that's okay by me!! 

Bad Company Deluxe editions 2015 Reviewed

Edited review from FAS #134

REVIEWS…

BAD COMPANY

Bad Co. (Rhino/Warner Music R2-547485)

Straight Shooter (Rhino/Warner Music R2-547485)

Released April 3, 2015 (April 8, 2015 Japan).

Bad Co. 

CD1: Can't Get Enough / Rock Steady / Ready For Love / Don't Let Me Down / Bad Company / The Way I Choose / Movin' On / Seagull.

CD2: Can't Get Enough (Take 8) / Little Miss Fortune (Demo Reel 1) / The Way I Choose (Demo Reel 1) / Bad Company (Session Reel 2) / The Way I Choose (Version 1 Inc. F/S) / Easy On My Soul (Long Version) / Bad Company (Session Reel 8) / Studio Chat / Dialogue / Superstar Woman (Long Version) / Can't Get Enough (Single Edit) / Little Miss Fortune (B-Side Version) / Easy On My Soul (B-Side Version) / Can't Get Enough (Hammond Version)

Straight Shooter - 

CD1: Good Lovin' Gone Bad / Feel Like Makin' Love / Weep No More / Shooting Star / Deal With The Preacher / Wild Fire 

Woman / Anna / Call On Me.

CD2: Good Lovin' Gone Bad (Alternate Vocal & Guitar) / Feel Like Makin' Love (Take Before Master) / Weep No More (Early Slow Version) / Shooting Star (Alternate Take) / Deal With The Preacher (Early Version) / Anna (Alternate Vocal) / Call On Me (Alternate Take) / Easy On My Soul (Slow Version) / Whiskey Bottle (Early Version) / See The Sunlight (Unreleased Song) / All Night Long (Unreleased Song) / Wild Fire Woman (Alternate Vocal & Guitar) / Feel Like Makin' Love (Harmonica Version) / Whiskey Bottle (B-Side Version)   

It has to be said so far as these releases go... And about time too! I wasn't a particular fan of the original remastered set of these albums by George Marion and Todd Jensen at Sterling Sound back in the mid 1990's (1994?). They sounded a bit brittle to me, and didn't have enough thump. Since then we're had Steve Hoffman remasters of the first two albums and the Japanese mini albums in 2006! They were nice. Also there were the original CD issues back in the late 80s and the vinyl's in the 70s. So I've bought these albums at least five times before -  in fact, pretty much once a decade since they came out!

SO... Now we have newly remastered versions as 2CD 'Deluxe Editions' and also as 2LP 180g sets for those who still bleat on about how vinyl is the only way to listen too music... blah blah blah... These are all new for 2015 and not simply repackaged versions of previous digital masters. Everything has come from the original tapes, nothing from any other source than the Warner archive (who now own the SwanSong catalogue). I don't feel the need to review the original albums again as we did that pretty comprehensively recently in FAS #105 (Bad Co.) and FAS #108 (Straight Shooter). I guess for the record I just need to say that these original albums do sound very good indeed this time around - both on CD and vinyl. Rhino do have a reputation for high-quality mastering and these are no exception.  I found them nicely rounded at the bottom and not having that nasty glass scratching high end that sometimes slipped through in the 1990s particularly. To my ears these sound excellent and I've had them on quietly, loudly (very loudly actually!) and also in headphones. I'm satisfied and hopefully I won't have to buy them again sometime in 2020!

The packaging here is without doubt the best so far. Hugh Gilmore has done a fine job and the sleeve notes are great. There's always been a problem with the artwork for these two Bad Company (re)issues as both the UK and US sleeve inners were different. That problem is resolved here as you get both sets of original Hipgnosis design work. These albums have previously been badly (actually VERY badly) packaged. That is finally resolved. With sound and product wrapping covered and coming in with top marks I know that its the bonus material here that's really going to have you reaching into your pockets. The vinyl issues, due to format constraints of space and time (Yeah Man!) don't have as much extra material but there is nothing on the vinyl that isn't on the CD issues, so if you want one format go for compact disc and you get everything that has been released.

The bonus material covers a wide spectrum and uses the some of the singles (where they are noticeably different to the album versions) and their B-sides along with brand new material from ¼ tapes mixed at the time and completely original mixes for this set from the multi-track tapes by Richard Digby Smith in 2014. The majority of the recordings here are previously unavailable in any form. Bearing that in mind it makes buying the original album again less of a pain. Consider it a freebie with the new material if it makes you feel better when you get your money out.

Lets start at the very beginning (as Julie Andrews says)! Okay, Bad Co, disc 2 track 1. Booting open the bonus disc on the set from the debut album is a brand new alternative version of 'Can't Get Enough'. This is actually a weird one. The box dates it June 4, 1974 - which is AFTER the album came out, and there are mixes of the song (the single) that go back to February 19, 1974. Those mixes come from these tapes (as the master is on these reels) so something went wrong somewhere. This is also a reel from Island Studios in Basing Street, not the Ronnie Lane Mobile which also throws a bit of a spanner into the wheels of research, but what can you do. Regardless of the date issue its a solid run at the track with the band playing it live in the studio. Rodgers is singing and he's also playing one of the dual lead parts in the solo. This was the last recorded take and there are three other complete versions including the master on another reel (take 1 is the master!). This is the best of the two complete unreleased takes from the session that day. Its good that the band were recording as a unit rather than doing backing tracks without vocals as it gives us complete performances,

and this is very good.

'Little Miss Fortune' follows, and this comes from 'demo reel 1' which is undated but looks like it probably comes from Island Studios too. The title and track sheet is stuck to the box rather than a label giving more information. This appears to be another live performance with Paul playing through the Leslie (Hammond Organ Speaker Cab) with a cleaner tone while Mick puts in the solos. I've always liked this track and its interesting to hear Paul sing it in a lower register and without the piano. Great playful lyric and I've no idea why this song didn't make the cut for the album. 'The Way I Choose' comes from the same reel as the band simply record versions of the material they are considering for the record. This is again quite stripped down and actually a little faster than the final master used on the album. There's a really nice relaxed vocal here to enjoy.

'Bad Company' comes from the sessions at Headley Grange and the reels have the LMS (Lane Mobile Studio) labels.  This early version is an initial attempt to get the song onto tape and doesn't feature Mick at all. Recorded November 6, 1973 it shows the band still working out the arrangement and this is highlighted when at the end Paul says "Si... You know that beat you were just doing. That's the one..." Even with just Paul, Simon and Boz this sounds great and its really moody. Already the song has its 'Epic' quality and you can tell its a bit special.

Another version of 'The Way I Choose' follows and this comes from 'demo reel 3' where it is actually listed as 'Question' - which is strange when its correctly titled on 'demo reel 1' but there you go. Here Paul sings an octave up which really changes the feel of the tune and makes it sound much more urgent. I like this version, and you can hear how the song has tightened up from the previous one. This seems much more muscular and confident. The false start has been left on here for your enjoyment, there's a bass boob that stops the song and Paul's reaction is great. Very funny.

'Easy On My Soul' left me with a real dilemma. It was featured on the B-Side of 'Movin' On' in the USA but was actually recorded when the band started work on the second album (November 6, 1974). Also there are lots of REALLY good versions of it -  far to good to be left 'in the can'! The flipside was always going to be included on this disc and bearing that in mind I decided to include also the original full version of the B-side as the vamped section by Paul at the end is fantastic. This was faded on the released version due to the length but its just too good not put out in its longer form. I was never a fan of this when they did it live as they stretched it for far too long but here its great. I really like this.

A second version of 'Bad Company' comes from 'session reel 8'. Now its sounding much tighter and is taken at a slightly faster tempo. Full band in performance here with Mick playing some really good rhythm chops like some kind of ghost rider. Nice atmospheric stuff. There's a really great vocal here too.

The studio chat was just a piece of messing around that Digby liked. Its a shame Simon didn't actually whack the snare so it sounded more like a gun shot but its just a bit of fun. Its not something I choose to use. 'Superstar Woman' made its first appearance on the 'Anthology' 2CD set in 1999 but strangely there are two mixes of this from that time. The one previously released is actually an edit of a longer mix, so that's what you have here -  the unedited version.

Then we round up the single edit of 'Can't Get Enough' and the two single flipsides -  'Little Miss Fortune' and 'Easy On My Soul'. Nice to have 'Little Miss Fortune' mastered properly. I love this song. It was in the live set for quite while and always a surprise it never made the album.

To end this disc of surprises is a version of the 'Can't Get Enough' master with the unused Hammond track mixed up. The Organ really changes the texture of the song and actually lightens the chorus. I can see why they didn't use it on the final mix but I thought it was interesting enough to include. This second disc offers a nice selection of the outtake material available and its a good companion to the original album for fans that wanted to hear a bit more. Hopefully you will enjoy it. I do.

The bonus disc for 'Straight Shooter' really is a little treasure trove with an abundance of bounty for all. With alternate performances from the master tapes, unused takes, B-sides and completely new songs this is a fine companion to the original album. Only one previously released track on here so it does offer an awful lot of new audio for you to enjoy. It opens with a new version of 'Good Lovin' Gone Bad' (by far my favourite Bad Company single) and here there's an alternative vocal take and guitar from the master multi-track. Paul always delivered the vocal on this song really well and there's lots of grit in the performance.  I think its a fabulous way to start the disc. This is followed by an alternate take of probably the best known song on the album. Still gathering huge amounts of airtime in the USA 'Feel Like Makin' Love' really cemented the bands reputation in America and this version (the take before the one used as the master) shows them playing through it live in the studio. No overdubs here, just Bad Company recording as a 3-piece with a singer. Its always interesting to hear the songs stripped back like this and its really a sketch of the song that was to come on the album when they'd enhanced it a bit.

'Weep No More' comes from the sessions at 'The Kitchen' in London during March 1974. The biggest surprise is how slow the early versions were and how much more 'dark' the song sounds. The track we are used to is quite 'bouncy' but this has a very different feel. Its about as slow as a shuffle can ever get but has a really fine vocal from Paul and some really good Hammond padding the song out.

The alternate take of 'Shooting Star' comes from the sessions at Clearwell Castle with Ronnie Lane's mobile studio on Oct 3, 1974. Again its just the band working the song live in the studio. There are no overdubs and its just the three-piece with Paul at the mic singing. Interesting bass tone here. It could almost be described as 'sticky' as it has a kind of 'boot being pulled out of mud' consistency going on. No guitar solo as Mick holds the rhythm down but another really good vocal from Paul who truly was on fire during these sessions.

Its always been the more rocky tracks on this album that have appealed to me and this early version of 'Deal With The Preacher' from 'The Kitchen' on March 13, 1974 is really interesting as its showing the bones of the song before they really stuck the 'heavy' onto it. The song still has the 'skipping' little groove but is much lighter and the middle section here is really nice.  Some great bass playing here from Boz too.

From the master tapes comes a really nice alternate vocal for 'Anna'. I've always liked the KKTR version myself but I can see why Simon would want to save it from the black hole of 'overlooked', as that album still sadly is to this day. Paul does give the track a much more 'soul' feel and you can hear those Otis Redding / Al Green tones coming through as influences here, also in the phrasing of the lyric.

Personally I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with 'Call On Me'. It was briefly in the proposed set list of a band I was with and while I love the electric piano lick and the middle section the lyrics always used to wear me out - Care/There - Cold/Hold etc. This studio live take is nice enough. The band jangle through it and Paul sings it far better than I ever could while he keeps that tricky little piano motif going. With that in mind its actually the end section I really like here where they just circle the refrain over and over. There's something quite hypnotic and comforting about it. Paul was getting good with these interesting piano riffs, and 'Electricland', from much later in their career, is another good example of that repetitive type pattern used to great effect.

'Easy On My Soul' was something the band seemed to enjoy playing. Its curious as the version on the 'Heartbreaker' album is perfectly good and while it was used on the B-side of 'Movin' On', released late in 1974 from the previous album, the band played it quite a bit in the studio while they were working on the 'Straight Shooter' songs. They'd been playing it live, and 'The Stealer' too. Both of these helped them fill a set while new material filtered in but it seems they were quite serious about 'EOMS' -  and they were good at it! This version is from Clearwell Castle. Its long, has a great vibe and a nicely relaxed jamming feel. Bad Company are definitely having fun here and its become something of a favourite. Its at a slightly slower tempo, features a superb vocal and some very cool bass playing.

Next up there's an early version of 'Whiskey Bottle' recorded at Basing Street with Richard Digby Smith on April 27, 1974. This is actually marked 'Master' on the box and they've been working at it as this is pretty much done, overdubs and all. The 'busy' piano gives the track quite a different feel to the one used as the B-side to 'GLGB' and I really like it. There's yet another great vocal here too.

Now something completely new! 'See The Sunlight' was also recorded during sessions at Island Studios with Digby the day after 'Whiskey Bottle' (April 28, 1974). Finding this really was exciting. Great Beatlesque song from Paul and Mick with the Island Studio Leslie making its presence felt.  Its a real surprise this was just left in the can but then perhaps its not quite fitting with the rest of the 'Straight Shooter' material. Its a big bright song, very 'up' and along with The Beatles there's a good dose of Traffic influencing the arrangement. Besides another fine vocal from Paul there's good performances throughout. Simon keeps the groove light and Boz is fantastic as he slips around the beat with some really exceptional playing. The Leslie guitar (as always) has a great sound and Mick's use of slide is both unexpected and inspired. These elements make the song sound like absolutely nothing else from these sessions. It seems everybody had taken a happy pill! I'm glad Paul let this one out as it would have been criminal to have left it unheard. There's lots on this disc I like but if I had to pick one thing this is it. Superb!

The unreleased 'All Night Long' is very much a quick sketch of a song idea. Undoubtedly it would have made an interesting B-side but its not up to the standard of the rest of the material and there's certainly an air of 'Movin' On' about it. Given that something as strong as 'Whiskey Bottle' ended up on the flipside of a single and that 'See The Sunshine' wasn't used at all this tune never stood a chance. Nice to finally let it see the daylight nonetheless.

'Wild Fire Woman' comes from the master tape (where its still actually titled 'Drive My Car') and is a new mix featuring an alternate vocal and guitar track. Great song and it really pushes along. Nothing not to like here. Paul should put this song into his live set for a change, its somewhat overlooked and a fabulous little song.

Following this is a new mix of the 'Harmonica Version' of 'Feel Like Makin' Love'. This was originally used on the promo video but sadly the master for that original mix couldn't be found. Still, Digby did a fine job here with a nice new mix and Paul's 'harp' playing can now be heard. I wonder if US radio will find this new version and air it? I've always liked this and its a good addition especially as it now runs right to the end and I think that guitar reprise as it closes is magical. This bonus disc finishes with the original single B-single version of 'Whiskey Bottle', and that's as good a way to close the set as any.

It has to be said that these deluxe editions (like the Led Zeppelin ones) are LONG overdue. It seems that generally Atlantic/Atco were always slow off the mark but now Warners have taken over there appears more of a drive to get things out (and make money of course). The Bad Company catalogue really has been neglected for a long time and its nice to see these sets out as hopefully the first in a run that will work through all the albums. I think both these now offer not only seriously upgraded packaging but also very good quality remastering and a substantial amount of additional material all at a good price considering what I paid for the first CD issues back in the 1980s. The option of 180g 2LP sets with bonus material should also keep the vinyl lovers happy so the bases have been well covered. In the end you are buying the album yet again but I think on this occasion its a good option, and if you love the band you are getting more for your money this time around. Its a choice, you don't have to invest but personally I'm all for it. Both sets are FAS Recommended.

Free Appreciation Society - Magazine Issue #134

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #134

April 2015 

 

Now Available...

Slightly delayed due to the usual 'powers beyond my control' scenario but finally ready to mail out and be enjoyed.

Large article and reviews of the Japanese HQCD re-issues of the Back Street Crawler Atlantic / Atco albums 'The Band Plays On' and '2nd Street'. Also reviews of the Bad Company Deluxe issues of 'Bad Co' and 'Straight Shooter' along with an extensive feature about them.

There's also an exclusive interview with Paul Rodgers about the two albums. 

Everything you wanted to know about the Back Street Crawler and Bad Company albums now some 40 years old!! Blimey!!

For subscribers this will be in the post early next week. If you don't subscribe you can get a copy via the email on this site (See the 'Welcome' section in the right margin). Just let me know which issue you want and where you are and I'll send a Paypal invoice. This issue can also be found on Ebay along with some older ones where they can be purchased from anywhere in the world.

44 pages all in full colour -  Don't miss it.

New Paul Rodgers Interview

Check out the Paul Rodgers interview at Classic Rock

http://classicrock.teamrock.com/features/2015-03-30/paul-rodgers-talks-bad-company

Andy Fraser Memorial Donations Information

Andy Fraser's family has announced that his funeral and memorial services will be privately held in California, where he had been living for over 30 years. An organized tribute celebration for his loyal fans is being considered for later this year in his homeland of England.

Andy's family has requested that anyone who wishes to show their appreciation for him can donate to a cause that he was passionate about. Please choose something that touches your heart. You can honor Andy and his legacy by following his example, which was to choose to live your life in service, to the best of your ability, in the care and love of one another.

The following is a list of charities that Andy Fraser was actively involved with.

Rock Against Trafficking
http://rockagainsttrafficking.org/
Andy Fraser was a Board Member and Partner of this non profit whose purpose is to abolish sex slavery and human trafficking. He had donated his song “Every Kind of People” to the cause in 2014 and was a huge part of the music project "Set Them Free", a compilation album of Sting and Police songs, along with many of his musician friends. His cover song “Every Breath You Take” is set for posthumous release this year.

Blue Sphere Foundation
http://www.bluespherefoundation.org
BlueSphere Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support and production of artistic projects that raise awareness, foster education, and inspire action to address pressing conservation issues in the global marine environment. Andy was outspoken about his concern for the environment and had a deep love of the ocean. He was passionate about supporting his daughter Hannah 'Mermaid' Fraser’s ocean conservation activism.

Avaaz – The World In Action
http://www.avaaz.org
Avaaz empowers millions of people from all walks of life to take action on pressing global, regional and national issues, from corruption and poverty to conflict and climate change. Andy Fraser wrote his song “This is the Big One” after being inspired from communication reports he had received from Avazz regarding global warming.

Discovery Arts
http://www.discoveryarts.org
Andy Fraser was an official “Celebrity Ambassador” of this non-profit that brings music, art and dance to children who are in the hospital undergoing treatment for cancer or life threatening illness. He had donated his song “Healing Hands” to the charity in 2008. http://www.discoveryarts.org/celebrity-ambassadors.html

Operation of Hope
http://operationofhope.org/
Operation of Hope provides life-changing surgical care, healthcare & medical training programs in under-served areas of the world through international collaboration among medical & non-medical volunteers. Andy Fraser had met 16 year old Blessing Makwera and was deeply touched by his circumstance. He had a personal friendship with President Jennifer Trubenbach, whom he had great admiration for. Read Blessing’s story here > http://operationofhope.org/transformations/blessing/

Legacy of Hope
http://legacyofhope.org/
Nelson Mandela's last wish was to build a children's hospital in Zimbabwe. Legacy of Hope Concert Events supports the building of children's hospitals in South Africa. Andy Fraser had tremendous respect for Nelson Mandela, and felt compassion for Mandela’s grief, who had lost his son to AIDS.

Elton John's Aids Foundation
http://london.ejaf.org/
EJAF funds frontline programmes that help to alleviate the pain - whether physical, emotional or financial - of those living with, affected by or at risk of HIV/AIDS, and to continue the fight against this worldwide pandemic so that no one is left behind. Andy Fraser was very transparent about his having to live with AIDS, he knew first hand the debilitating effects of this disease.

International Justice Mission
https://www.ijm.org/
Rescuing Thousands & Protecting Millions Worldwide. IJM is a global organization that protects people from violence.

Andy Fraser Dies Aged 62

It is with deep regret I have to report the passing of Andy Fraser.
July 3rd 1952 - March 16, 2015

Our condolences go to daughters Hannah, Jasmine 

and Andy's brothers and sister.

Andy fought both AIDS and cancer and in recent years showed a strong spirit and uncomplaining resilience to his ongoing health problems. What a sad, sad day it is today  
"I’ve never really thought of myself as a bass player. It’s just, okay, it needs that low end and I’ll do that part, that’s easy. But, you know, I would write a lot of the guitar riffs or lyrics, or if you needed me to play tambourine, I was just as happy. My job was to make it work, to bring unity. Okay, this space is yours to work in, do whatever you like in this space, this space is yours. Do anything you like in that space. And in such, I sort of become an arranger. And if it was appropriate for me not to play bass, say for example most of “All Right Now” doesn’t have any bass in it. The bass comes in the chorus a little bit but that was appropriate cause that was all that was needed. So my job was just to be appropriate and when people talk to me as a bass player, I find it strange because, well, actually it was one of the things I do, and luckily enough it’s one of the things I could do sort of in my sleep, and people have spoken of 
me as a bass player ever since." 
Andy Fraser March 5th, 2015

That's because Andy, you were a superb bassist. 
Just stunning. Sail On my brother.

Bad Company Deluxe Editions 2015 - Press Release & Track Listings

BAD NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD

Bad Company Release Rare And Previously Unreleased Tracks As Part Of  Remastered Deluxe Editions Of Their First Two Multi-Platinum Albums

Available On April 7 From Rhino

LOS ANGELES – Bad Company has influenced bands from Bon Jovi to Five Finger Death Punch, who recently had a #1 hit with their cover of the song “Bad Company.”  They have also helped shape the sound of an entire rock era with iconic powerhouse rock anthems  “Can’t Get Enough,” “Rock Steady,” along with the ever popular ballads “Ready for Love,” “Seagull,” and Grammy^®-nominated “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” The British rockers  recently unearthed the original multi-track tapes from their first two albums and discovered  previously unreleased tracks, takes, and mixes from those sessions.

For the first time ever, the band has remastered Bad Company (1974) and Straight  Shooter (1975)  using the original tapes to create new Deluxe Editions. It was paramount to founding member Paul Rodgers that the CD and LP be copied from the original tapes to guarantee the best sound possible.  Each set includes a newly remastered version of the original album, along with a number of rare and unreleased recordings. The CD versions of these Deluxe Editions include all of the newly discovered  bonus tracks, while their 180-gram vinyl counterparts offer a selection of the bonus material.

Deluxe Editions of BAD COMPANY and STRAIGHT SHOOTER will be available on April 7 at retail outlets for a suggested list price of $19.98 (2CD) and $38.98 (2LP). The titles will also be available digitally.

Singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist Rodgers, along with guitarist/songwriter Mick Ralphs,  bassist Boz Burrell, and drummer Simon Kirke recorded the band’s eponymous debut in November 1973 using Ronnie Lane’s mobile studio at Headley Grange, the former poorhouse where Led Zeppelin recorded frequently. When Bad Company was released the following year, the album went to #1 in America during the band’s first U.S. tour and was eventually certified 5x platinum thanks to hits like “Can’t Get Enough,” “Bad Company,” “Ready for Love,” and “Movin’ On.”

The second disc of the Deluxe Edition features 12 tracks, including eight previously unreleased  recordings such as the demo for the ballad “The Way I Choose,” a take of “Bad Company” recorded right before the album version, and an unedited version of “Superstar Woman,” a song that Rodgers later recorded in 1983 for his solo album Cut Loose. Also featured is the single edit of “Can’t Get Enough,” and the b-sides “Little Miss Fortune” and “Easy On My Soul.”

The band released its second album Straight Shooter in April 1975,40 years to the month of the new deluxe edition. The album rose to #3 on the U.S. album chart and was certified 3x platinum behind the hit singles “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” as well as the rock radio staple “Shooting Star.”

Of the 14 bonus tracks, all are previously unreleased except the b-side “Whiskey Bottle.” Among the standouts is a stripped-down version of “Shooting Star,” a remix of “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” with alternative guitar and vocals tracks, as well as two lost gems, never released before: “See The Sunlight” and “All Night Long.”

Bad Company Deluxe Editions

Track Listings

Bad Company (1974)

Disc One

1.   “Can’t Get Enough”

2.    “Rock Steady”

3.   “Ready For Love”

4.   “Don’t Let Me Down”

5.   “Bad Company”

6.   “The Way I Choose”

7.   “Movin’ On”

8.   “Seagull”

 Disc Two

1.   “Can’t Get Enough” (Take 1)*

2.   “Little Miss Fortune” (Demo Reel 1)*

3.   “The Way I Choose” (Demo Reel 1)*

4.   “Bad Company” (LMS Studio Reel 2-73 Session)*

5.   “The Way I Choose” (Version 1 Inc. F/S)

6.   “Easy On My Soul” (Long Version)

7.   “Bad Company” (LMS Studio Reel 8-73 Session)*

8.   Studio Chat/Dialogue

9.   “Superstar Woman” (Long Version)*

10.  “Can’t Get Enough” (Single Edit)

11.  “Little Miss Fortune” (B-side of “Can’t Get Enough”)*

12.   “Easy On My Soul” (B-side of “Movin’ On”)*

Straight Shooter (1975)

Disc One

1.   “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad”

2.   “Feel Like Makin’ Love”

3.   “Weep No More”

4.   “Shooting Star”

5.   “Deal With The Preacher”

6.   “Wild Fire Woman”

7.   “Anna”

8.   “Call On Me”

   Disc Two

1.   “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” (Alternate Vocal & Guitar)*

2.   “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (Take Before Master)*

3.   “Weep No More” (Early Slow Version)*

4.   “Shooting Star” (Alternate Take)*

5.   “Deal With The Preacher” (Early Version)*

6.   “Anna” (Alternate Vocal)*

7.   “Call On Me” (Alternate Take)*

8.   “Easy On My Soul” (Slow Version)

9.   “Whiskey Bottle” (Early Slow Version)

10.  “See the Sunlight”

11.  “All Night Long”

12.  “Wild Fire Woman” (Alternate Vocal & Guitar)*

13.  “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (Harmonica Version)

14.   “Whiskey Bottle” (B-side of “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” )

* Tracks featured on Deluxe Edition LPs

UK CDs should be around £12. I've seen them on Pre-order for £10.99 including delivery.
Best advice as always is shop around.

Bad Company Remastered 2CD Sets 2015

Coming Soon To A Store Near You!!

(Unless you buy from the internet!)

Bad Company -  Bad Co (1974)
2CD Remaster with Previously Unreleased Material

Bad Company - Straight Shooter (1975)
2CD Remaster with Previously Unreleased Material

Deluxe Edition 2CD Sets with expanded artwork and new sleeve notes
CD1 newly remastered audio of the original album, 
CD2 completely new, recently discovered alternate takes and mixes and new mixes based on recently unearthed original multi-track tapes.

Projected Release: April 3rd, 2015
Released In Japan:  April 8th, 2015

Pre-order is already available from places like Spincds.com & cdjapan.co.jp

More info once the official press release is made with track listings.

Interactive Guitar PAUL KOSSOFF TRIBUTE EDITION #31

Interactive Guitar #31

Wonderful to see this. You can read it online or download it.
Fabulous magazine. Check it out here http://www.iguitarmag.com/
Check out the Kossoff issue here Interactive Guitar #31 (Paul Kossoff)

Spike Live with Andy Fraser & Simon Kirke

SPIKE'S FREE HOUSE UK

featuring Simon Kirke & Andy Fraser from Free!

S.R.F are privileged to play host to a very special appearance. The face and founder of The Quireboys, Spike, delivers the first ever live performance of his eagerly anticipated '100% Frankie Miller album.

This lauded release is comprised of previously unissued material by legendary Scot Frankie.

Following an episode of serious ill health, Frankie retired in 1994 leaving a wealth of original recorded but unpublished demos. At Frankie's request, Spike became the voice of these unheard gems, recording with collaborations from such industry stalwarts as Ronnie Wood, Bonnie Tyler, Ian Hunter, Luke Morley, Simon Kirke and Andy Fraser.

We are delighted to announce that alongside Spike, guest artists feature Free's own Simon Kirke and Andy Fraser. This landmark show at S.R.F 2015 marks the first time in 40 years that the original Free rhythm section have collaborated live .The set will incorporate Free classics plus both new and timeless Frankie Miller material as a tribute to a songwriting genius spanning four decades.

Further exciting guest artists will be added to the band lineup, so watch this space for continuous updates.

This impressive collective is sure to deliver. Could this be THE classic rock event of the year? Don't miss out!

More info and tickets: www.swedenrock.com