Free - Highway

Free - Highway
Island Records, 1970
Record at Island Studios September 1970
Produced by Free

Free were one of the more soulful rock bands to come out of England in the late 1960s. Formed in 1968, Free consisted of future Bad Company members, vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, alongside 16 year-old bassist Any Fraser and guitarist Paul Kossoff.

Their first two records, Tons of Sobs and Free were released to little fanfare on both sides of the Atlantic. Although great albums in their own right, the band were yet to define their sound and were in the shadow of more prominent British groups such as Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, and Humble Pie. By 1970, the bands dwindling career was given a much-needed lifeline. After a disappointing show in Durham, the band decided they needed to write songs that people could sing along to. The band wrote 'All Right Now' to hopefully remedy the lack of audience interest. 'All Right Now' was a instant hit, reaching #4 in the US and #2 in the UK, and topped the charts in twenty different countries around the world. The album Fire and Water followed a month later and was a good seller and contained other standout tracks, such as 'Heavy Load', 'Remember' and the epic 'Fire and Water'.

In order to continue the momentum of their sudden hit single and album, the band were rushed back into Island studios to work on the followup. Things weren't steady for the group and cracks were beginning to appear. Guitarist Paul Kossoff was grieving the loss of his hero Jimi Hendrix and was becoming more drug dependent - plus friction between songwriters Rodgers and Fraser were growing. The tensions combined with the pressure of following up 'All Right Now' resulted in a more personal and introspective album than its predecessor.

The album Highway was viewed by many fans and critics as a big disappointment. Released in December 1970, many fans were frustrated at the LP's low key and country-rock looseness - a far cry from the powerful blues rock of Fire and Water. Furthermore, the plain cover artwork (which I actually really like!), strangely did not feature the bands name. This, alongside the uncommercial music contributed to the albums poor sales. The album stalled at #41 in the UK, and only reached #190 in the US charts. Despite Highway's commercial and critical disappointment, the LP remains one of my all time favorites and one of the more curious and undervalued releases in British rock music.

The album opens with the groovy piano-led number, 'The Highway Song', which tells a tale of a young man seducing a farmer's daughter. The song showcases Kossoff's smooth rhythm playing - which, in my opinion, is one of his finest attributes. Next is the 'All Right Now' followup, the blues rocking 'The Stealer'. With its strutting riff and raunchy lyrics, the song should have been the hit the band needed. Unfortunately, the song only reached #49 in the US and failed to chart in the UK at all. Island Records boss Chris Blackwell had initially wanted to release the groovy 'Ride On A Pony' as the single, however, the band persuaded him to release the unsuccessful 'The Stealer' instead.

My favourite song on Highway (and probably favourite Free song  - and maybe of all-time?!) is the meandering 'On My Way'. This summery, reflective song was a far cry from the power blues of Fire and Water. With its plodding rhythm, 'On May Way' was one of the more groovy, more laid back, and more infectious pieces of music they ever wrote! Lead by Andy Fraser's wandering bass line, and Kossoff's smooth rhythm playing, the song epitomizes the often used term 'feel'. The feel that Free are often credited for because of the excellent drummer Simon Kirke. Kirke has a natural swing in his beats and forms a tight, yet-loose (If that makes any sense?) rhythm section with Fraser. Moreover, the song captures the imagery of a lazy summers day with great lyrics such as:

"I'm on my way, 

and I might be late, 

I don't worry, 

Everything can wait"

'On May Way' has never been considered a top Free song, a fact that frustrates me! The band sound happy and content (something Free are not often known for) which may have something to do with its lack of critical respect.
                               
One of the standout songs is the somber 'Be My Friend'. Considered by fans and critics these days as a Free classic, 'Be My Friend' is the band at their most reflective and moody. This soulful ballad, with its heartbreaking lyric concerning loneliness and isolation, is reminiscent of the terrific 'Heavy Load' from the previous album. Throughout their career, Free were able to 'pull of' ballads with such conviction. They were not afraid be mellow and tuneful, or rely on flashy virtuosity to enhance their music. The band were undoubtedly the most soulful group around, with a sense of melody and feel, both things contemporaneous bands like Deep Purple (don't worry - i'm a fan!) often struggled with.

On side B is the rocking 'Ride On A Pony', which has a terrific guitar solo - up there with Kossoff's best and the melancholy ballads, 'Love You So' and 'Sunny Day' along with the country-influenced 'Bodie'. The album closes with the brilliant 'Soon I Will Be Gone' - another classic Free song. The dark acoustic ballad showcases Paul Rodgers tremendous vocals and lyrical ability. With rising strings, distorted guitars, and pulsating hand claps which rise, 'Soon I Will Be Gone' is a perfect, climactic end to the LP.

After having a surprise UK hit with 'My Brother Jake', the band broke up in early 1971. Kossoff's drug problems, tensions between Fraser and Rodgers, and inconsistent record sales were probably the causes of the break. Although the band were to reform in 1972 for the albums Free at Last and Heartbreaker, the music they created in 1970-71 is undoubtedly their finest. I believe that it is imperative that Highway is revisited by fans and critics and recognized as one of the best Free albums. I understand the public's disappointment at the time as it is not as immediately powerful as Fire and Water. However, with the wonder of hindsight, the album should be now viewed as a natural transition for a band still finding their musical calling. Free are one of the finest groups to ever come out of the late 1960s, and their album Highway is an intriguing outlier in their back catologue.

Key Tracks:

Be My Friend
On My Way
The Stealer
Soon I Will Be Gone

If you enjoyed this album, also check out:

Faces - First Step 1970
Humble Pie - Town and Country 1969
Thin Lizzy - Shades of A Blue Orphanage 1971