Free Live!


Free Live! is the first live album by English rock band Free. It was rush-released by Island Records to commemorate the band, who had broken up in April 1971. Possibly because of the publicity caused by their breakup the album was a hit, reaching No. 4 in the UK Albums Chart. It fared less well in the US Billboard 200 however, reaching No. 89.

Recording

The album was recorded from gigs played in the UK at both The Locarno, Sunderland and Croydon's Fairfield Halls, both places where Free had strong followings. Engineer Andy Johns could only use two tracks from the Sunderland gig, but used crowd noise from it frequently to create seamless links between tracks. With increased re-mastering technology available it has been possible to make others ready for the CD reissue, along with some alternate takes of tracks recorded at the second of the two Croydon sessions that were recorded. Many of the tracks on the album are from their debut Tons of Sobs, as that album's rock-oriented ethos and uncomplicated production values made its material ideal for performing live.

Track listing

  1. "All Right Now" – 6:24
  2. "I'm a Mover" – 3:46
  3. "Be My Friend" – 5:56
  4. "Fire and Water" – 3:56
  5. "Ride on Pony" – 4:30
  6. "Mr. Big" – 6:13
  7. "The Hunter" – 5:29
  8. "Get Where I Belong" – 4:19
With the exception of one song, Get Where I Belong, all performances are versions of album tracks.

Extra tracks

The CD reissue contains tracks not featured on the original 1971 LP release. These include "Woman" and a more rock-based version of "Trouble on Double Time" both of which are from Free, nothing of which was featured on the main album itself. There are also live versions of "Walk in My Shadow" and "Moonshine", which lasts for over nine minutes. The extra tracks also contain alternate live takes of "All Right Now" and "Mr. Big".
The album closes with an alternative studio version of "Get Where I Belong", which is notable for Rodgers forgetting a line and having to hum a later one in order to regain his correct place.
Extra track listing:
09. "Woman" – 4:32

10. "Walk in My Shadow" – 4:15

11. "Moonshine" – 9:08

12. "Trouble on Double Time" – 3:57

13. "Mr Big" – 5:26

14. "All Right Now" – 4:43

15. "Get Where I Belong" – 4:22

Personnel