KOSSOFF... THE BAND PLAYS ON

Terry Slesser / John Buckton

The last two Paul Kossoff / Back Street Crawler Tribute shows of the year. Tickets available on the door.

Leo's Red Lion, Kent

Saturday 12th November

The Half Moon, Putney, London

Monday 14th November

TEMPLE OF THE DOG COVER 'I'M A MOVER'

It may have taken them almost thirty years but the combined talents of Mother Love Bone (Pearl Jam) and Soundgarden have finally managed to play some dates in support of the album they released as Temple Of The Dog in 1991 (currently available as a Deluxe 2CD set).

The Mini tour consists of concerts in five US cities and opened at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia where the band played two sold out shows on November 4th and 5th. I've known for a long time that bassist Jeff Ament is a big Free fan but I was surprised to be told they had played 'I'm A Mover' at both shows (and I guess they will play it at the rest!)

There is fan footage from various people on the nights in question to be found on 'Youtube' but here are versions of the track from the two shows. Thanks very much to the original uploaders 'areofan2007' (Nov 4 - top) and Jim Powers (Nov 5 -  bottom). Nice to see these tho' I do wonder how many at the shows actually knew what the song was! The set list also includes classic songs by Syd Barrett, Led Zeppelin, The Cure, Pink Floyd, David Bowie and Black Sabbath along with the material from the original album of course.

 

Mick Ralphs Recovering After Stroke

Sadly it has been reported this morning that Mick Ralphs is in hospital after suffering from a Stroke. There isn't much information at the moment but his family have issued a statement which says that Mick (who is 72 remember) is "receiving excellent medical care and is recovering in hospital".

The statement continues;

"Following the Bad Company UK tour that wound up last Saturday at London's 02 Arena, the family and representatives of the band's co-founder, guitarist and songwriter Mick Ralphs are sad to announce that Mick has suffered a stroke.

Mick is receiving excellent medical care and is recovering in hospital, although all his public engagements are necessarily on hold, pending his improvement.

Everyone is wishing Mick a speedy recovery, and further news will be announced at the appropriate time."

I know everyone in the FAS would like to wish Mick a speedy and complete recovery.

Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #137

'Playing Outside The Box'

The Paul Kossoff Sessions and Collecting Them

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #137

October 2016 

 

Now Available...

Simon Kirke 'All Because Of You', Bad Company 'Live 1977-1979', Free 2016 remasters reviewed along with 180g vinyl issues including Free's 'Vinyl Collection', 'Fire And Water' Abbey Road Half-Speed Master, and all the recent Bad Company re-issues. Bad Company's FIRST SHOW on 'Youtube'!!

28 Page article 'Playing Outside The Box'. This features details on Paul Kossoff's session work and collecting it. Information on Albums, Singles and Promotional items from Champion Jack Dupree, Martha Velez, Mike Vernon, Michael Gately, Ken Hensley, Uncle Dog, Amazing Blondel, Jim Capaldi and sessions not released. Full colour photographs of covers and label variations.

For subscribers this will be in the post on Thursday October 6th. 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.

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

Happy Birthday Paul Kossoff

These anniversaries do come around don't they. And with the new Free remasters and 180g vinyl set now out its a real reminder of what we lost when Paul Kossoff died 40 years ago. However, today it would have been Paul's birthday and the 66 year old Koss could have been coming down the stairs in his slippers to cards and good wishes from family, friends and fans. Well, sadly that's not the case so lets do the best we can and play some Kossoff today. 
A 'One From Each' recommended playlist below.
Happy Birthday Koss.
We miss you.

Today should include;
'I'm A Mover' -  Tons Of Sobs
'Trouble On Double Time' - Free
'Oh I Wept' -  Fire And Water
'The Stealer' - Highway
'Mr Big' - Free Live
'Catch A Train' - Free At Last
'Come Together In The Morning' -  Heartbreaker

'Time Away' - Back Street Crawler

'Long Way Down To The Top' -  The Band Plays On
'Blue Soul' - 2nd Street

Paul Kossoff Tribute Shows

Terry Slesser / John Buckton
Paul Kossoff Tribute Shows.
More Shows Confirmed And Announced.

http://www.kossoffthebandplayson.com/

Bad Company UK Tour Dates 2016

Bad Company UK Tour Dates 2016

October 15 - First Direct Arena, Leeds

October 17 - Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

October 19 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham

October 21 - Genting Arena, Birmingham

October 24 - Manchester Arena, Manchester

October 25 - The SSE Hydro, Glasgow

October 27 - Metro radio Arena, Newcastle

October 29 -  02 Arena, London.

Tickets for shows and 'Meet & Greet' available to the 'general public' from June 3rd

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Bad-Company-tickets/artist/734487#artist_table_focus 

FREE - The Vinyl Collection

FREE -  The Vinyl Collection
Release date 09 September 2016

 The blurb....


Formed in London in 1968, Free are regarded as one of the primary innovators of Blues rock. They hit mainstream global success in 1970 and played to over 600,000 people at the Isle of Wight festival that same year. By the time they had disbanded in 1973 they had released 6 studio albums, sold over 20 million albums and played over 700 shows. Their biggest and best known track All Right Now is reputed to be played somewhere in the world on radio every minute of the day and has been entered into ASCAP's ‘One Million’ airplay singles club.

Free are regarded as one of the innovators of Blues rock that went on to influence a host of bands throughout the following decades. Rolling Stone referred to the band as "British hard rock pioneers", ranking singer Paul Rodgers # 55 in its list of the ‘100 Greatest Singers of All Time’ and guitarist Paul Kossoff at #51 of ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’.

This 7-LP box set, housed in a sturdy box features the albums in their original form; they have been newly re-mastered from the original tapes by Andy Pearce to enhance the sound of these classic albums and will have original art work.

TONS OF SOBS
Released in the UK in 1969, it was legendarily recorded for only £800. The album failed to chart at the time but tracks remained in the band’s live repertoire for many years after.

FREE
Produced by the head of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, the band’s second album managed a respectable #22 in the UK charts.

FIRE AND WATER
Fire and Water is the bands third studio album The album became the band's breakthrough hit, reaching #2 in the UK charts and #17 in the US, making it the most successful Free album. The album contained the hit single "All Right Now".

HIGHWAY
Released in 1970 is a low-key and introspective album compared with its predecessors. From a writing point of view Highway continued in the same vein as previous albums, with Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser collaborating on seven of the nine songs. Paul Kossoff preferred the more serious, weighty songs on the album such as "Be My Friend", which he saw as an antidote to the "frivolity" of "All Right Now”.

FREE AT LAST
The fifth album was released in 1971 (1972 Actually) after the band had split up and reformed; it was the last album to feature Andy Fraser who left soon after the album was recorded.

HEARTBREAKER
Heartbreaker was the bands sixth and final studio album it provided them with one of their most successful singles, "Wishing Well". The album was, by Free's standards, a huge success. It became their third top-ten album in the UK (reaching #9), and reached No. 47 in America.

LIVE
Free Live! was released by Island Records to commemorate the band, who had broken up in April 1971. The album was a hit, reaching #4 in the UK album charts.

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

Remastered CDs are coming to but NO BONUS MATERIAL is included. You can find the vinyl to pre-order for about £85 at the moment. Links below but these may only work for a limited time.
Amazon 

Spin 

It may be available to pre-order elsewhere too -  so shop around for the best price.
Interesting to see that 'Highway' appears to have the German gatefold sleeve.

FINALLY! Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #136

Paul Kossoff 'In His Own Words' 1970 - 1976

 

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #136

April 2016 

 

Now Available...

Bad Company 'Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy' best of compilation reviewed along with 'Free At Last' in 96k (allegedly) and two early Free shows on 'Youtube'

33 Page article 'Paul Kossoff In His Own Words'. This features interviews with Paul in the press from 1970 to 1976 covering  Free, his solo album, the failed three piece, the abandoned 'Love Is The Lord' album, The 'Basing Street Band' and Back Street Crawler. Undoubtedly the biggest selection of interview material with Paul ever compiled in one place. He covers his early playing influences, the joys and frustrations of working with Free, his own demons and his drug addiction. It makes for fascinating reading.

"I couldn't understand why people wanted to listen to what I played, especially when I knew that there were so many other people around who could do it better..."

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 TRIBUTE WITH TERRY SLESSER

KOSSOFF... The Band Plays On..."

A series of gigs are planned to commemorate the life and music of FREE & Back Street Crawler guitarist Paul Kossoff this year...

Former Back Street Crawler band member and close friend of Koss singer Terry Slesser alongside John Buckton (guitar) feel it's important to keep the memory of Kossoff and his music alive and to mark the 40th anniversary of the stars untimely death on the red eye flight from Los Angeles to New York a series of special dates featuring songs from throughout Kossoff's career are planned.

The remainder of the line up is yet to be revealed but be prepared for some surprises! 

Confirmed dates so far for "The Band Plays On" are

15th July 2016 - Darlington Forum. 

19th July 2016 - The Stables, Milton Keynes.

28th July 2016 - Customs House, South Shields.

The bands website is at
http://www.kossoffthebandplayson.com/

BAD COMPANY? MICK RALPHS STAYS AT HOME...

Bad Company But Not As We Know it!

Bad Company will have a new guest guitarist with them for their upcoming summer tour after Mick Ralphs pulled out of the shows: Rich Robinson. As the co-founding member of The Black Crowes, Rich has released four solo albums and has a new album titled Flux due in June.

"I've decided to sit this upcoming US tour out," guitarist Mick Ralphs commented. "The travel required to do these dates is something I'm just not feeling up for at the moment. I'm glad the band found Rich to take my place for this run, I'm sure he'll be great. See you all again soon. Much love to Paul and Simon, and love to all our fans for supporting us over the years Thanks."

"I'm excited to be joining Bad Company as their special guest on tour this summer, Rich Robinson remarked. "One of my favourite bands growing up was Free. I've been a big fan of Paul Rodgers and his work throughout his career--from Bad Company and beyond--and Simon Kirke is one of my all time favourite drummers. To be able to play with Paul and Simon is such an honour. I'm really looking forward to it. See you out there!"

Bad Company lead singer, Paul Rodgers and Rich Robinson are no strangers to each other, having shared a stage late last year in Seattle at the EMP Museum to honour Rodgers' former band mate in The Firm - Jimmy Page.

Additional from Mick's own website...

"Thanks for all the messages. I'm fine & in good health, but long touring at 72 is hard! Sorry to disappoint all our great fans."

- Mick (http://mickralphs.co.uk)

 

Paul Kossoff - 40 Years Gone

Paul Kossoff
September 14, 1950 -  March 19, 1976
Sadly lack of an internet connection stopped me posting yesterday but I did play through 'Tuesday Morning', which I haven't done for a while and it still sounds magnificent.

Gone but not forgotten.

Coming soon FAS #136 featuring Paul Kossoff ' in his own words'...
 

BAD COMPANY LONG OVERDUE LIVE ALBUM.

BAD COMPANY - LIVE 1977 : LIVE 1979

Finally out of the Bad Company archive comes a 'live' album from the classic original line-up. Two shows have been selected for release and these feature the band at The Summit in Houston, Texas from May 23rd 1977 and Wembley Arena (Empire Pool) on March 9th, 1979. Additionally there's a version of 'Hey Joe' performed as a Jimi Hendrix tribute at the Capitol Center, Washington on June 29th 1979 added to CD2. The concerts will be available as two individual 180g vinyl sets a little later  in the year so I believe.

Both shows are sadly incomplete and have been edited so they fit onto single discs. However the sound is fantastic and the Wembley show, recorded by Martin Birch, is outstanding. No enhancements have been made to the original tapes, which have lain neglected in the Swan Song archive for decades, so what you have here is exactly what was recorded on the night. No more, no less.

‘Bad Company Live In Concert 1977 & 1979′

Track Listing.

CD 1 (1977)
“Burnin’ Sky”
“Too Bad”
“Ready For Love”
“Heartbeat”
“Morning Sun
“Man Needs Woman”
“Leaving You”
“Shooting Star”
“Simple Man”
“Movin’ On”
“Like Water”
“Good Lovin’ Gone Bad”
“Feel Like Makin’ Love”

CD 2 (1979)
“Bad Company”
“Gone, Gone, Gone”
“Shooting Star”
“Rhythm Machine”
“Oh, Atlanta”
“She Brings Me Love”
“Run With the Pack”
“Honey Child”
“Rock Steady”
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy”
“Hey Joe”
“Feel Like Makin’ Love”
“Can’t Get Enough”

Further to this activity the band have announced a long American tour alongside Joe Walsh headlined the 'One Hell Of A Night Tour' this begins on May 12th 2016. No European shows have been announced.

Joe Walsh and Bad Company Tour Dates:
May 12 -- Gexa Energy Pavilion, Dallas, TX
May 15 -- Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
May 17 -- Concord Pavilion, Concord, CA
May 18 -- Sleep Train Amphitheater, Chula Vista, CA
May 20 -- The Forum, Los Angeles, CA
May 22 -- Ak-Chin Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ
May 24 -- Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Woodlands, TX
May 26 -- Bold Sphere Music at Champions Square, New Orleans, LA
May 28 -- MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa, FL
May 29 -- Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, FL
June 7 --- Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien Lake, NY
June 9 --- Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA
June 11 -- PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
June 12 -- BB&T Pavilion, Camden, NJ
June 14 -- Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY
June 16 -- Klipsch Music Center, Noblesville, IN
June 18 -- Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO
June 20 -- Starlight Theatre, Kansas City, MO
June 22 -- DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkson, MI
June 23 -- FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Chicago, IL
June 26 -- Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
June 28 -- First Niagara Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA
June 30 -- PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC
July 1 ---- Chastian Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA
July 3 ---- Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheatre at Fontanel, Nashville, TN

NEW Bad Company Compilation CD & Vinyl

Bad Company, Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy:  

The Very Best of Bad Company

CD released October 2015

Ltd. Double 180g Vinyl released January 2016

If your rock 'n' roll fantasy is to own a 19-track compilation featuring the best tracks from the best-remembered period of Bad Company's back catalogue, then good news: it's just become a rock 'n' roll reality. 

Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy: The Very Best Of Bad Company covers the band's career from 1974 through 1982, which means that it features material from their 1974 self-titled debut all the way through 1982's Rough Diamonds. Naturally, all the big hits are here - “Can't Get Enough,” “Bad Company,” “Feel Like Makin' Love,” “Shooting Star,” and so forth - but for the hardcore fans, there's also a little bonus incentive to make this worth your while: there are alternate versions of “Easy on My Soul” and “See the Sunlight” that you've never heard before…or in other words, yes, they're different from the versions that are on the 2015 deluxe editions Bad Company and Straight Shooter, respectively. 

Sold yet? If not, maybe the full track listing will do the trick: 

1. Can't Get Enough (Single Edit)
2. Bad Company
3. Movin' On
4. Ready For Love
5. Easy On My Soul (Previously Unreleased Version)
6. Good Lovin' Gone Bad
7. Feel Like Makin' Love
8. Shooting Star
9. Weep No More
10. See The Sunlight (Previously Unreleased Version)
11. Live For The Music
12. Simple Man
13. Honey Child
14. Run With the Pack (Single Edit)
15. Burnin' Sky
16. Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy
17. Rhythm Machine
18. Gone, Gone, Gone
19. Electricland (Single Edit)

Tynemouth Free Convention 2016

Free Convention 2016 – Park Hotel, Tynemouth  

Saturday 19th March.

Tickets £17

For more information

Email; freeconvention@aol.com