Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #151

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #151

June 2020

Free - 'The Northern Heat Pt. 1'

The opening of our 'Fire And Water' issues finally makes its way safely out to you.  The first of four magazines working through our continuing history of the band to mark the 50th anniversary of the albums from the period. This 56 page issue picks up the story of the band where we left off with issue #149, and we move from the release of the 2nd album into the events from January 1970 to July 1970.

Here we deal with the recording of all the material that made up the forthcoming album, first performances on 'Beat Club', the live recording in Sunderland on February 6th, the rejection of Free's original mix of the new record and a track by track analysis of it, a look at the unusual 'Reps Sampler' featuring 'Heavy Load', Chris Blackwell's 'All Right Now' single mix, and the beginnings of the new album artwork. All of this comes with a comprehensive look at the gigs, BBC sessions and the steady rise of the band through press from the period.

The magazine is full of new information, and a  few weird revelations, along with information from the album sessions and photographs from the period.

This is the most in depth look at this period of the Free history EVER and begins the series of issues running through until the end of August over #151, #152, #153, #154 (which is a double issue!)

56 pages packed with FREE!

 

Posted out to overseas subscribers on Friday and Monday, to UK subscribers today.

Not got a subscription?

Details are in the blog further back or you can simply email and ask about getting this and other issues.

fasarticle@aol.com 

Free's 'Fire And Water' (ILPS 9120) 50 Years Old - Released: June 26th 1970

So... 'Fire And Water' is 50 years old TODAY. How about that! If you bought it when it came out I've just made you feel very old. Half a century. It's just mind boggling! Get it out and give it a play, today.

It was hoped that today issue #152 would be hitting your doormat, having optimistically got #151 out in May! ...But sadly due to the current and somewhat ongoing situation we've dropped a little behind, simply unable to complete the printing and finishing (collating, stapling, cropping) process. HOWEVER, things are now moving again and it is hoped that the first of our 'Fire And Water' issues (#151) will be ready to go out shortly, likely within a couple of weeks.

The FAS has finally lost its mind and this album history comes in over four issues, the last actually split into two parts due to its mammoth size! So, how do they pan out.

#151 (Coming very soon)

This picks up just after the release of 'Free' and works through the recording of the album, recording 'live' in Sunderland, the rejected mix, Chris Blackwell's single edit and hidden surprises on the album cover as it was compiled by Mike Sida. Loads of historical press, gig ads, tape boxes etc.

56 pages

#152 (Due in July)

Here we deal with Hiroshi and the LP front cover photograph, the re-mixing of the album, the rise of 'All Right Now', 'Top Of The Pops', 'Freemania', Granada TV's 'Doing Their Thing' and the rush release of 'Fire And Water'. Loads more historical press, gig ads, tape boxes etc.

56 pages.

#153 (Due early August)

After an exclusive introduction by Simon Kirke, we deal with 'Bumpers' and 'All Right Now' worldwide. Demos, test pressings, picture sleeve singles, release information, different labels worldwide with additional historical press, and a great photograph of Paul Kossoff's 'All Right Now' gold disc award courtesy of Simon Kossoff.

56 pages

#154 (Pts. 1 & 2) (Due late August)

'Fire And Water' exposed. A second exclusive introduction by Simon Kirke for this issue! World releases of both mixes, covers, labels. Sensory overload alert! Vinyl, cassette, 8-track and CD. Also the day to day diary covering January to July 1970 with gig dates, recording information, press dates, adverts and more!

Part 1 - 40 pages

Part 2 - 44 pages

This monster 84 page madness comes priced as one issue to subscribers.

For this ludicrous extravaganza it is recommended that you will need;

·        Infinite snacks! Crisps or Pringles, Wotsits, onion rings, biscuits, Maltesers, Big tub of Celebrations Chocolates MMMmmm (other brands are available).

·        Liquor and Ice! (Southern Comfort is always worthwhile but try Cointreau Noir as a special treat for these special times (and issues). Pricey but worthwhile. Have a nice glass chilled in the fridge ready.

·        A really comfortable chair and good reading glasses (small print alert!). Put your feet up, relax and enjoy!

·        A copy of the original 'All Right Now'[single edit] to play in the format of your choice. Bob Clearmountain re-mix abominations will NOT be tolerated!

·        A copy of 'Fire And Water' to play in the format of your choice. 2001 'Extended Remaster' or 2008 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' perfectly acceptable.

The only decision then is, do you read them as the come through the door -  or do you wait until you have all of them! I can't help you there, but of course you can do BOTH!

 

Back Street Crawler: Atlantic Years 1975-1976

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all well. Sorry for the silence. News about the FAS coming soon. We are working away in the background and hope to get things back on track once the world starts moving again!

In the meantime there's no need to send me any more emails about this (below). Nothing to do with me, but I am aware of it. "The story of Back Street Crawler is a sadly short one, but also a tale of what might have been." Rather like this unbearably disappointing CD set then. Probably best I keep my mouth shut and not point out the missing tracks and other stuff. I hope the sleeve and the notes are good! Cherry Red Blurb below.

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

Back Street Crawler: Atlantic Years 1975-1976, 4CD

£19.99

Released August 28, 2020.

**LIMITED EDITION SIGNED POSTCARD AVAILABLE WITH PRE-ORDERS WHILE STOCKS LAST**

Featuring plenty of rare, contemporary memorabilia, this collection comes with the full involvement of Back Street Crawler front man and singer, Terry Wilson-Slesser.

• The story of Back Street Crawler is a sadly short one, but also a tale of what might have been.

• After forming in 1968, the British blues rock legends Free finally called it a day after 1972’s “Heartbreaker”, just as the band was on the verge of cracking America. Free guitarist Paul Kossoff’s first move was to record his solo album “Back Street Crawler” for Island Records in 1973. Joining forces with Terry Wilson (bass), Mike Montgomery (keyboards) and Tony Braunagel (drums), who had played together in Bloontzfrom, plus singer Terry Wilson-Slesser, Kossoff’s “Back Street Crawler” solo record gave the new band their name, who were then signed by Ahmet Ertegun to Atlantic Records. Released in 1975, “The Band Plays On” (CD1) featured ‘Jason Blue’, ‘Train Song’ and ‘Rock & Roll Junkie’. Prior to the release, the band performed a handful of UK shows, including a gig at Croydon’s Fairfield Hall on 15th June 1975, captured here on CD3, and featuring ‘The Band Played On’, ‘It’s A Long Way Down To The Top’, ‘New York, New York’, ‘Train Song’ and ‘Survivor’ from the band’s debut, as well as Kossoff’s ‘Molten Gold’ and the blues rock classic, ‘The Hunter’.

• Further touring was curtailed by Kossoff’s ill-health, but he regained enough strength to record on second album, “2nd Street” (CD2). Now featuring the keyboards of former Free and future The Who member, John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick, the album includes ‘Blue Soul’, ‘Stop Doing What You’re Doing’, ‘Raging River’ and ‘Leaves In The Wind’. Kossoff tragically passed away before the album’s release, which was “Dedicated To Koss” on the posthumously issued LP. Prior to the release, the band played a series of shows at the famed Starwood club in Los Angeles, a regular venue for up and coming rock acts. Sadly, this 3rd March 1976 show would be Paul Kossoff’s final ever performance, but fortunately a fan was present to illicitly record the show, seven tracks of which are reproduced on the fourth CD. The fourth disc is completed by studio outtakes of ‘Jason Blue’ and ‘It’s A Long Way Down To The Top’, plus the unreleased ‘Evening Time’ and ‘She’s Gone’.

• Featuring plenty of rare, contemporary memorabilia, this collection comes with the full involvement of Back Street Crawler front man and singer, Terry Wilson-Slesser.

• Whilst every effort has been made to produce the best possible audio, limitations in the material drawn from non-standard and unofficial sources means that the quality on CD 4 may not be up to the standard usually expected. All tracks have been included for their historical importance, including Paul Kossoff’s final performance.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE

THE BAND PLAYS ON (1975)

1. WHO DO WOMEN
2. NEW YORK, NEW YORK
3. STEALING MY WAY
4. SURVIVOR
5. IT’S A LONG WAY DOWN TO THE TOP
6. ALL THE GIRLS ARE CRAZY
7. JASON BLUE
8. TRAIN SONG
9. ROCK & ROLL JUNKIE
10. THE BAND PLAYS ON

DISC TWO

 2ND STREET (1976)

1. SELFISH LOVER
2. BLUE SOUL
3. STOP DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING
4. RAGING RIVER
5. SOME KIND OF HAPPY
6. SWEET, SWEET BEAUTY
7. JUST FOR YOU
8. ON YOUR LIFE
9. LEAVES IN THE WIND

DISC THREE

 LIVE AT FAIRFIELD HALL, CROYDON (1975)

1. THE BAND PLAYED ON
2. SIDEKICK TO THE STARS
3. IT’S A LONG WAY DOWN TO THE TOP
4. NEW YORK, NEW YORK
5. TRAIN SONG
6. SURVIVOR
7. STEALING MY WAY
8. ALL THE GIRLS ARE CRAZY
9. JASON BLUE
10. ROCK & ROLL JUNKIE
11. MOLTEN GOLD
12. THE HUNTER
13. WE WON
14. BIRD SONG BLUES

DISC FOUR

FINAL PERFORMANCE (1976)

LIVE AT THE STARWOOD CLUB, LOS ANGELES: 3rd MARCH 1976

1. WHO DO WOMEN
2. STEALING MY WAY
3. CHEAT ON ME
4. COMMON MORTAL MAN
5. TRAIN SONG
6. JUST FOR THE BOX
7. IT’S A LONG WAY DOWN TO THE TOP
BONUS TRACKS
8. JASON BLUE (OUTTAKE)
9. EVENING TIME (UNRELEASED)
10. IT’S A LONG WAY DOWN TO THE TOP (OUTTAKE)
11. SHE’S GONE (UNRELEASED)

How To Get The Free Appreciation Society Magazine

 

Despite the fact that in the margin on the right it does say (in the second paragraph above the current issue photograph) 'email for details' I still get people asking about magazines and subscriptions via the 'comments' - which are, incidentally, turned 'off'.

If you are interested in obtaining the magazine here is a rough guide.

The Free Appreciation Society (FAS) magazine email is

fasarticle@aol.com
Simply email and say you want to subscribe and let me know where you are in the world.

Single issues are available via Ebay just search 'Paul Kossoff Society' in the Ebay 'search' bar and those key words should bring the issues available there up to browse - or you can get them directly here if you request them, by email (above). Payment information will be provided when I know what you want and where you are on our large planet. However;

By Paypal:

In the UK a single issue is £5.85, which includes postage and packing.

For Europe its £7.15

Everywhere else its £7.85

An FAS subscription runs for three issues and can start with the current issue if you wish, or the next one to be printed. I am quite happy to add back issues to a new subscription -  just let me know what you want.

In the UK a three issue subscription is £14.85

For Europe its £21.13

Everywhere else is £22.16

Payments for individual issues or a subscription can easily be made with any credit card via Paypal -  whether you have an account with them or not. Once I know what you want I will send you a 'Paypal payment request' (Invoice). PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT to pay for ANYTHING without me sending you the invoice. If you do your payment will be returned, wasting my time, and yours. If you don't have a Paypal account the invoice will guide you painlessly through the payment process.

Back issues are also available at any time and I currently have

(subject to availability as they can, and do, sell out):

50, 51, 53, 54, 

63, 64, 65, 66, 68,

70, 71. 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77,

81, 84, 87, 88, 89,

90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99

Colour Issues

100, 101. 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109,

110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119,

120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129,

130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137,138, 139,

140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149,
150, 151