Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #144

AVAILABLE NOW

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #144

March 2019 (#1)  

Free - Green Hills Pt. 1

From the first rehearsal to 'Tons Of Sobs'

Extra Large 56 page issue covering the complete history of the band from April 1968 to March 1969. This includes releases by Champion Jack Dupree and Martha Velez up to the eventual release of the debut FREE album, 'Tons Of Sobs'. Featured are press releases, adverts, foreign issues, albums, singles and compilations. This history runs the day to day life of the band - including gigs and recording. The most in depth look at this period of the FREE history EVER. This is the first part of a trio of issues that look at this specific period of the band evolution over #144, #145 and #146.

Back cover features the original shop poster advertising the release of the 'Sobs' album in March 1969. Much more memorabilia, photographs. press and cuttings inside.

56 packed colour pages. Get it now!!

Email address in the right hand column for enquiries

Or buy on Ebay. Search  : Free Appreciation Society #144

Andy Fraser. Four Years. 1952 - 2015

March this year is certainly busy. With the other two 'Tons Of Sobs' anniversary issues all due to go out in the next couple of weeks I don't think I've ever done so much at one time.

Its very sad Andy didn't live to celebrate 50 years of the FREE debut. Certainly it was only in the final couple of years he really came to terms with how much FREE meant to people after a long time of dismissing what he did 'then' for what he was doing 'now'. He's been gone four years today, and while that makes me rather sad lets not dwell on it and celebrate something he did. 'Train Of Love' actually featured on Andy's second solo album, 'In Your Eyes', where it is given a very 'soul lite' treatment. Nothing wrong with that. I like the album. However the song was actually originally covered by the much more bombastic fantastic Andy Fraser Band. Fuzz Wah Bass indeed !!

I love this band. They rocked! Nick Judd and Kim Turner were great in this tough little unit and the single album they released still sounds like nothing else. They didn't record the 'Train Of Love' track in the studio but they did perform it on the tour and also here on the John Peel BBC session from April 1975. Enjoy.

Below that you'll find one of Andy's final pieces, 'The Big One'. I didn't like 'Naked.. And Finally Free' at all. I still don't. Andy knew that. We had talked about it and had a conversation about where he was then (Free) and where he was now, musically. When 'The Big One' came out, I loved it, and I still love it. Great groove, and a bit of a return to form I thought. I sent an email telling him. He shot an email back. "Yeah Dave, I knew I'd get ya!". I think that was perhaps the last time I heard from him. I'm so pleased we ended our friendship on a positive note -  because Andy was a positive guy.

Turn it up!

 

 

Tons Of Sobs - 50 Years Old Today.

Just Gone Into The Post For Subscribers - #144

Okay, here's a look at FAS #144. The first of three issues dealing with the release of, and period leading up to, 'Tons Of Sobs'. If you are a subscriber this should be dropping onto your doormat around the 14th in the UK (the actual official 1969 'TOS' release date). For those who don't subscribe the magazine will be available from the email on the right as of the 14th and on Ebay shortly thereafter.

This issue also features information on the releases of 'When You Feel The Feeling' by Champion Jack Dupree and 'Fiends And Angels' by Martha Velez, along with a blow by blow account of Free's journey from the first rehearsal up to 'Sobs' hitting the shops. Pretty Awesome.

This magazine is a monster. It has 56 colour pages and is packed with information and curiosities. Its a great read. Secure your copy now with a subscription!

In Flight Entertainment Essentials!!

Flying abroad?

You could do much worse than flying with Emirates.

Get in, put your bag in the overhead... Rest those legs...
Turn on the screen in the seat back facing you... And then...
Check out the 'Essential Albums' on the in flight entertainment.
Yeah... that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!
Cool selection indeed.

Thanks to Russ for the snapshot.

50 Years Ago Today... Sounds like a good night out for five shillings!

Tons Of Sobs 50th Anniversary

Tons Of Sobs turns 50...

Yes its creeping ever closer. March 14th 1969 - 2019. Fifty years since the debut album from FREE officially hit the stores and made... well not that much of an impression at the time really. However, we know it's a great album and of course the FAS is celebrating that. Three BUMPER 56-page issues are coming and we are just about ready to go to print. Just a few more adjustments and finding those bloody typos! Here's a teaser for you. Looking good eh!

Not subscribed...? Well, maybe now is the time.

  

Subscriptions/donations to the FAS run for three issues

The magazine is full colour and between 44 and 56 pages

From issue #144 onwards (March 2019)

UK £14.00 (Paypal £14.85)

Saving of around £2.65 on buying individual issues

Europe

£18.80 (Paypal £21.13)

Saving of around £2.65 on buying individual issues

Rest Of the World

£20.90 (Paypal £22.16)

Saving of around £2.65 on buying individual issues

The issues can also be found individually on Ebay but subscriptions always go out before any new magazine is made available elsewhere.