"Who Can I Be Now? [1974-1976]" by DAVID BOWIE [feat John Lennon, Luther Vandross, Roy Bittan (of The E-Street Band), Tony Kaye and David Sanborn] (September 2016 Parlophone 12CD Box Set – Ray Staff , Tony Visconti, John Webber and Cicely Balston Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Wild Is The Wind..."

Back when I pre-ordered this 2nd Bowie Box Set covering 1974 to 1976 - I looked at the track list and thought - where's my ton's worth? There seemed to be a lot of filler and unnecessary duplication for a hundred quid - and with his incredibly sad and untimely passing – the taking of the monetary Michael.

But having living with 'DBX 2' a week or so now - I'm way more impressed that I thought I'd be. And not just with the beautiful presentation and the spiffing new Ray Staff remasters - but with the 'content' which has made me reassess this whole period completely – a phase in his ongoing changes that always seems to be maligned and poo-poo'd compared to the classic early Seventies and the Berlin period to come. There's a lot to wade through - so lets once more celebrate the Thin White Duke becoming the Cool Soul Boy...

UK and US released 24 September 2016 - "Who Can I Be Now? [1974-1976]" by DAVID BOWIE on Parlophone DBX 2 - 0190295989842 (Barcode 0190295989842) is a 12CD Cube Box Set with an 84-Page Hardback Book and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "Diamond Dogs" (38:33 minutes)

1. Future Legend

2. Diamond Dogs

3. Sweet Thing

4. Candidate

5. Sweet Thing (Reprise)

6. Rebel Rebel

7. Rock 'N' Roll With Me

8. We Are The Dead

9. 1984

10. Big Brother

11. Chant Of The Ever Circling Skeletal Family

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 8th studio album "Diamond Dogs" - released 31 May 1974 in the UK on RCA Victor APL1 0576 and in the USA on RCA Victor CPL1 0576. Written, Arrange and Produced by DAVID BOWIE with TONY VISCONTI - it peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 5 in the USA on the LP charts. CD Newly Remastered by RAY STAFF at Air Mastering with TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 2 "David Live - At The Tower Philadelphia":

CD1 (39:43 minutes)

1. 1984

2. Rebel Rebel

3. Moonage Daydream

4. Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)

5. Changes

6. Suffragette City

7. Aladdin Sane

8. All The Young Dudes

9. Cracked Actor

CD2 (41:35 minutes):

1. Rock 'N' Roll With Me

2. Watch That Man

3. Knock On Wood

4. Diamond Dogs

5. Big Brother

6. The Width Of A Circle

7. The Jean Genie

8. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide

Disc 1 and 2 are the double live-album "David Live" - released 29 October 1974 in the UK on RCA Victor APL2 0771 and in the USA on RCA Victor CPL2-0771. Produced by TONY VISCONTI - it peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 8 in the USA. CD Newly Remastered by RAY STAFF at Air Mastering with TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 3 "David Live (2005 Mix)":

CD1 (49:11 minutes)

1. 1984

2. Rebel Rebel

3. Moonage Daydream

4. Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)

5. Changes

6. Suffragette City

7. Aladdin Sane

8. All The Young Dudes

9. Cracked Actor

10. Rock 'N' Roll With Me

11. Watch That Man

12. Knock On Wood

CD2 (53:39 minutes):

1. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

2. Space Oddity

3. Diamond Dogs

4. Panic In Detroit

5. Big Brother

6. Time

7. The Width Of A Circle

8. The Jean Genie

9. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide

Released November 2005 on EMI 874 3042 - CD Newly Remastered by RAY STAFF at Air Mastering with TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 4 "The Gouster" - Previously Unreleased As An Album (40:08 minutes):

1. John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) - 7:02 minutes

2. Somebody Up There Likes Me - 6:31 minutes

3. It's Gonna Be Me - 6:30 minutes

4. Who Can I Be Now? - 4: 42 minutes [Side 2]

5. Can You Hear Me - 5:24 minutes

6. Young Americans - 5:17 minutes

7. Right

The original version of what would become the "Young Americans" LP was to be called "The Gouster" and was mastered as such (one of the pages in the booklet shows Bowie's handwritten track list and mixing instructions). Produced by TONY VISCONTI except for "Right" and "Somebody Up There Likes Me" - done by TONY VISCONTI and HARRY MASLIN - CD Remastered by RAY STAFF with TONY VISCONTI

Disc 5 "Young Americans" (40:52 minutes):

1. Young Americans - 5:14 minutes

2. Win - 4:48 minutes

3. Fascination - 5:48 minutes

4. Right - 4:23 minutes

5. Somebody Up There Likes Me - 6:36 minutes [Side 2]

7. Across The Universe - 4:34 minutes

8. Can You Hear Me - 5:10 minutes

9. Fame 4:20 minutes

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 9th studio album "Young Americans" - released 7 March 1975 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1006 and in the US on RCA Victor AQL1-0998.  It peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 9 in the US LP charts. CD 2016 Remastered by RAY STAFF and TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 6 "Station To Station" (38:24 minutes):

1. Station To Station

2. Golden Years

3. Word On A Wing

4. TVC 15 [Side 2]

5. Stay

6. Wild Is The Wind

Tracks 1 to 6 are his 10th studio album "Station To Station" - released 23 January 1976 in the UK and USA on RCA Victor APL1 1327 and in the USA - it peaked at No. 5 in the UK and No. 3 in the US LP charts. CD 2016 Remastered by RAY STAFF and TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 7 "Station To Station (2010 Harry Maslin Mix)" (38:16 minutes):

1. Station To Station

2. Golden Years

3. Word On A Wing

4. TVC 15 [Side 2]

5. Stay

6. Wild Is The Wind

First released 20 September 2010 as part of the "Station To Station" Deluxe Box Set on EMI BOWSTSD 2010.

Disc 8 "Live Nassau Coliseum '76"

CD 1 (42:23 minutes):

1. Station To Station

2. Suffragette City

3. Fame

4. Word On A Wing

5. Stay

6. Waiting For The Man

7. Queen Bitch

CD 2 (40:38 minutes):

1. Life On Mars?

2. Five Years

3. Panic In Detroit

4. Changes

5. TVC 15

6. Diamond Dogs

7. Rebel Rebel

8. The Jean Genie

First released 20 September 2010 as part of the "Station To Station" Deluxe Box Set on EMI BOWSTSD 2010.

Disc 9 "Re: Call 2" (47:25 minutes):

1. Rebel Rebel (Original Single Mix) - 15 February 1974 UK 7" single on RCA Victor LPBO 5009 (mastered from an original 45 as mastertape is lost)

2. Diamond Dogs (Australian Single Edit) - 14 June 1974 Australian 7" single on RCA Victor 102462

3. Rebel Rebel (US Single Version) - the 'Phased' version released in the USA and Canada only as a 7" single on RCA Victor APBO-0287

4. Rock 'N' Roll With Me (Live - Promotional Single Edit) - October 1974 US 7" single on RCA Victor JB-10105 (stock copies are PB-10105)

5. Panic In Detroit (Live) - non-album B-side to the October 1974 US 7" single of Rock 'N' Roll With Me (Live)" on RCA Victor PB-10105 and the non-album B-side to "Knock On Wood (Live)" in the UK on RCA Victor RCA 2466 (released 13 September 1974)

6. Young Americans (Original Single Edit) - 21 February 1975 UK 7" single on RCA Victor RCA 2523

7. Fame (Original Single Edit) - 18 July 1975 UK 7" single on RCA Victor RCA 2579

8. Golden Years (Single Version) - 21 November 1975 UK 7" single on RCA Victor RCA 2640

9. Station To Station (Original Single Edit) - February 1976 French 'Factory Sample' 7" single on RCA Victor 42549

10. TVC 15 (Original Single Edit) - 30 April 1976 UK 7" single on RCA Victor RCA 2682

11. Stay (Original Single Edit) - July 1976 US 7" single on RCA PB-10736

12. Word On A Wing (Original Single Edit) - B-side to the July 1976 US 7" single of "Stay" on RCA PB-10736

13. John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (1975) (Single Version) - 7 December 1979 UK 7" single on RCA BOW 4 (1972 song using the 'Gouster' soul mix from 1975)

VISUALS:

The visuals for this box are gorgeous - the 84-Page Hardback Book is a thing of fan-pleasing beauty and must have taken some serious proofreading (Compilers NIGEL REEVE and JO BLAIR will surely be up for awards). Others involved are HARRY WRENN-MELLECK and AISHA COHEN. Each album is given a full run-down by Original Producers Tony Visconti and Harry Maslin who add invaluable anecdotes on the recording process to the liner notes. In-between the text is wads of period photos, trade adverts, magazine repro's, album artwork and full musician/recording credits as well as release details. The individually pictured rare 7" single from around the world on the "Re: Call 2" CD compilation are given a page each and in-depth fan-obsessed detail provided.

The Repro Artwork for each album is crisp and all original inserts are present (even if the white paper sleeves for "Gouster" and "Re:Call 2" seem a tad superfluous). Each CD has a Japanese plastic protective which is a smart move - "David Live" comes with its two inners - the second "David Live" offers different inner sleeves - "The Gouster" has a lyric insert - "Young American" has its 'Fascination' insert advert for Bowie's RCA catalogue - the original white sleeve and withdrawn colour artwork for "Station To Station" are used for those two variants - the "Nassau Coliseum '76" double has no inners which is a bit of a cop out and the "Re:Call 2" set has both an inner and artwork from the 'YA' period. It’s all very tastefully done. Let's get to the music...

AUDIO:

RAY STAFF - who received such praise for the "Five Years" first box - is back again - aided in Transfers and Mastering by JOHN WEBBER and CICELY BALSTON at Air Mastering. I'd have to say that the aural results very much depend on the album you're listening too. You can't argue with the Disco-Rock wallop of "1984", the Glam Boogie of "Rebel Rebel" and the backwards guitars of "Sweet Thing" - but "Rock 'N' Roll With Me" still sounds strangely lacking and weedy. There's also a marked difference between "The Gouster" unreleased-album as opposed to the clearer polish that came with "Young Americans". But the live stuff sounds way better than I had expected it too - and I'm loving that cover of The Velvet's "Waiting For The Man" on the recently unearthed "Nassau" double.

MUSIC:

After the collective yawn that greeted the cover versions project "Pin Ups" in 1973 – I can recall the same applying to the decidedly patchy "Diamond Dogs" for 1974. The obvious winners "Rebel Rebel" and "1984" showed he still had it - but stuff like "Big Brother" and "Chant..." felt strangely devoid - like Bowie was reaching for change but not quite knowing what that direction was in.

I love his Soulful period and it's now obvious from this Box Set that the "Young Americans" album as released was a smarter move both visually and musically than the slightly odd "Gouster" line-up. I can't imagine David Bowie would ever have signed of on the rather dull mock artwork Parlophone present us with here - even though it's clever to have the lyric insert in the same typeface as the released "Young Americans" version. And three of the mixes are Previously Unreleased - "Right", "Can You Hear Me?" and "Somebody Up There Likes Me".

But it's also obvious that Bowie's allegiance to John Lennon gave us the unconvincing cover of The Beatles' "Across The Universe" when we could have had the magnificent "It's Gonna Be Me" from the "Gouster" sessions. This song alone has to be the best unreleased Bowie gem ever - stunning Soulfulness ably helped by the mixed backing singers which included Luther Vandross amongst their numbers. There’s also a better crispness to the YA released version of "Right" that The Gouster lacks while the seven-minute "John, I’m Only Dancing (Again)" is more Disco than edgy-funk and for me - too long and weedy (he was right to think that less was more when the single was eventually released as a Soulful cut in 1979). "Fame" was a co-write with John Lennon and Carlos Alomar and great Bowie single - here sounding like Talking Heads before the event. Another factor that should be acknowledged is the guitar of CARLOS ALOMAR whose sheer funkiness lifts every track.

That other forgotten LP nugget in Bowie's cannon is surely "Station To Station" - an album that seems to grow in stature as the years pass. "Stay" and the Johnny Mathis/Nina Simone cover of "Wild Is The Wind" are magnificent stuff - as are both the extended LP version of "Golden Years" (wah wah wah) and the Side 1 finisher "Word On A Wing". I'm not sure I needed the 2010 Harry Maslin Mix of the LP but I'm digging the live double "Nassau" and as a 70ts singles freak - finally getting all those 7" single edits and promo versions together in once place on the rather cool "Re: Call 2" exclusive CD set is a blast.

The 3rd Box Set will deal with his Berlin period - "Low", "Heroes", the live "Stage", "Lodger" and possibly "Scary Monsters" - the mere thought of which is liable to make many DB fans combust on the spot - or lose even more hair - or both.

In truth I find this second Box Set a strange mixture of the sublime and the superfluous - but that hasn’t stopped my admiration for this extraordinary artist – if anything DBX 2 has only deepened it. Chameleon, innovator, ahead of so many curves - what a loss his talent was... 

"Second Birth" by GRAVY TRAIN (2016 Esoteric Recordings CD Reissue - Mark Powell Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Fields And Factories..."

Lancashire's hard rocking Progressive Rock act GRAVY TRAIN managed four albums across two labels between 1970 and 1973 including their debut "Gravy Train" on Vertigo 6360 023 in December 1970 (a listed £400 rarity), the follow-up "(A Ballad Of) A Peaceful Man" on Vertigo 6360 051 in November 1971 (now a £900 listing) and their final studio effort "Staircase To The Sky" in July 1974 on Dawn Records DNLH 1 (yours for a paltry £125.00).

This superb-sounding 2016 British CD reissue deals with their 3rd outing "Second Birth" from March 1973 - their first with England's second home to all things Prog Rock - Dawn Records. In fact excepting dodgy bootlegs and a rare deleted 2003 Japanese issue - this rather dull-looking album has long been unavailable on an official CD remaster - until now.

'Esoteric Recordings' (part of Cherry Red in the UK) have gained an enviable reputation amongst Prog, Avant and Electronic fans when it comes to quality remasters of long-forgotten but criminally overlooked goodies - as hip as say Ace Records or Rhino. And they've done the audio business on this one yet again. Here are the tales of fields and factories and Tolpuddle episodes...

UK released 30 September 2016 (7 October 2016 in the USA) - "Second Birth" by GRAVY TRAIN on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2562 (Barcode 5013929466241) is a straight CD transfer/remaster of their 3rd studio album from 1973 and plays out as follows:

1. Morning Coming

2. Peter

3. September Morning News

4. Motorway

5. Fields And Factories [Side 2]

6. Strength Of A Dream

7. Tolpuddle Episode

8. Second Birth

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 3rd studio album "Second Birth" - released March 1973 in the UK on Dawn Records and in the USA on Bell Records 1121. Produced by JONATHAN PEEL (not the British DJ) - all songs written by Barratt, Davenport, Hughes and Williams - it didn't chart in either country.

BONUS TRACK:

9. Good Time Girl - non-album B-side to the February 1974 UK 7" single of  "Starbright Starlight" on Dawn Records DNS 1058 - a track from their 4th LP "Staircase To The Sky"

GRAVY TRAIN was:

NORMAN BARRATT - Lead Guitar and Vocals

J.D. HUGHES - Keyboards, Flute and Saxophones

GEORGE LYNON - Guitar

LESS WILLIAMS - Bass Guitar

BARRY DAVENPORT - Drums and Percussion on "Morning Coming", "Fields And Factories" and "Tolpuddle Episode"

RUSSELL CALDWELL - Drums and Percussion on all other tracks 

The striped-lines inner sleeve that graced the original Dawn Records gatefold is used as the centre-pages to the 16-page booklet - with the rear-sleeve images of three train carriages used as silhouettes behind the new MALCOM DOME liner notes. Featuring quotes from key band members Hughes and Williams and older quotes from founder member Norman Barratt – it’s an entertaining and enlightening read. But while the info is good - visually the booklet is dull like the naff artwork of the album over which it seems the band had no control. Looking as cheesy as it did with the stream-train puffs emanating from the 'i' in Gravy Train (spelt Gravytrain on the cover and on the sleeve but Gravy Train on the label) - is it any wonder the LP tanked. But the good news is a MARK POWELL Remaster that really rocks. The electric guitars in "Peter" and the Acoustic Guitars and Flute in "Fields And Factories" are all really clear and full of presence.

Sounding not unlike a less strangulated version of Roger Chapman from Family - Barratt takes the lead for "Morning Coming" - a typical Prog Metal number with layered vocals and clever breaks. "Peter" comes roaring at you with several guitars thrashing about the speakers - Gravy Train sounding like Uriah Heap having a Les Paul wig-out.  The acoustic "September Morning News" slows things down and you can hear how (like everyone else) they'd soaked up Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. "Motorway" ends Side 1 on a screaming '...one hundred horse power of engine...' vocal where clever guitar, flute passages and harmony chorus have them sound like "This Was" Jethro Tull as they warn that endless construction will turn every meadow into endless criss-crossing highways. "Fields And Factories" opens Side 2 with more Acoustic vs. Electric interplay and you can get why Dawn thought "Strength Of A Dream" might make a decent single. Released June 1973 in the UK, Dawn DNS 1036 came with "Tolpuddle Episode" on the B-side but you'd have to say (as Dome does) that its slide guitar sound and those chunky 12-string strummed acoustics sound not unlike George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" from 1970. Prettier and more affecting is "Tolpuddle Episode" even if there is a slight harshness to the lead vocal - a tale of ordinary folk chucked into darkened cells to be deported to Australia's Van Diemen's Land. Back to Prog with the seven-minute title track "Second Birth" - probably the album's strongest showing of player virtuosity. The almost Ronnie Lane and Slim Chance English Jug Band shuffle of the non-album B-side "Goodtime Girl" comes as a pleasant surprise after all that laboured Prog and I'd swear that's Maggie Bell on the second female vocal?

You wouldn't call "Second Birth" anything other than ordinary (even plodding in places) - but if you've a penchant for GRAVY TRAIN and Seventies Progressive Metal - at least this 2016 Esoteric Recordings CD reissue sounds good and comes with expanded presentation...

"Heartbreaker" by FREE (2016 Universal/Island Remasters CD Reissue - Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Wishing Well..."

Another decade, another version and another sound - FREE fans will know that the February 2002 CD reissue campaign of all seven of their albums (six studio and one live) came with great Peter Mew remasters, decent bonus tracks and expanded booklets to match - and were mid-price at the time.

But here we are in September 2016 with another reissue campaign of all seven albums accompanied by "The Free Story" compilation (a 2LP set onto 1CD) that strips away those brilliant bonuses entirely – and unwisely substitutes their hugely informative liner notes for booklets with only band photos.

But (and this is a big but) – these new 2016 reissues do offer us one genuinely worthy consolation prize - 2016 ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM Remasters that breath wonderful naturalistic vitality back into the albums. On buying and reviewing "Highway" and "Free At Last" and loving their audio – I splashed out on four more and the results are equally magical.

Also with most of the eight being offered on Amazon at less than five pounds including P&P – you can of course argue that the price is right - and with their generic 'Island Remasters' see-through side panelling on the jewel case – they look good too. Bottom line - what fans are essentially getting here is great new sound but lesser discs (one step forward, two steps back etc). That said - here are the wishing wells...

UK released Friday, 9 September 2016 - "Heartbreaker" by FREE on Universal/Island Remasters 473 182-6 (Barcode 602547318268) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 8-track 1973 UK LP and plays out as follows (35:52 minutes):

1. Wishing Well

2. Come Together In The Morning

3. Travellin In Style

4. Heartbreaker

5. Muddy Water [Side 2]

6. Common Mortal Man

7. Easy On My Soul

8. Seven Angels

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 6th and final studio album "Heartbreaker" - released January 1973 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9217 and in the USA on Island SW-9324. Produced by FREE and engineered by Richard Digby-Smith - it peaked at No. 9 on the UK LP charts and No. 47 in the USA.

The six missing bonus tracks on the 2002 Island Remasters IMCD 288 version are: "Wishing Well (US Mix)",  "Let Me Show You" (non-album B-side to the November 1972 UK 7" single for "Wishing Well" on Island WIP 6146), "Muddy Water (Alternate Vocals)", "Hand Me Down/Turn Me Round (Prospective Album Track)", "Heartbreaker (Rehearsal Version)" and "Easy On My Soul (Rehearsal Version)". As you can see from this list of missing extras - your loss is considerable - every one of these bonus tracks adding huge punch to the overall vibe of the 2002 reissue.

The new booklet is 12-pages and shows a Tape-Box Photo of the Entire Side 2 'Master Reel' on Page 2 (dated 21 Nov 1972) as well as other black and white photos of the band (now a five-piece with the loss of Kossoff). Although the band was now Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick and Tetsu Yamauchi – Paul Kossoff played guitars on all tracks except "Muddy Water" and "Easy On My Soul". There's a photo of PK on Page 5 and the other four on the remaining pages (you also get the lyrics that were on the white inner sleeve). Beneath the see-through CD tray are pictures of the seven reissued albums with the eight being "The Free Story" double-album compilation from 1974 (for catalogue numbers see notes below) and the CD label repro's the UK 'pink rim palm-tree' label logo of Island Records in early 1973. There's no liner notes giving history, details etc.

But a fabulous new remaster from ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM – who did such great work on Pentangle, Frankie Miller, Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, the 2012 Rory Gallagher CD remasters and most recently the 2016 Budgie 3CD Box Set for their MCA LPs and the 'Deluxe Editions' of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Island catalogue (see reviews for them all) - resoundingly compensates for all of that distasteful compromise. 

I've had the 2002 remaster and the Japanese 2008 SHM-CD reissue – both of which rock – but this version is way better to my ears. There's suddenly staggering naturality and presence to the whole LP. Pearce let things breathe (it's a trademark of his) – and their last self-produced studio album "Heartbreaker" has always had a bit of an aural beastie – far heavier than their previous efforts. Like the CD Remasters of "Highway" and "Free At Last"  – Pearce and Wortham’s version is muscular and meaty. This is not loudness for loudness sake – not shrill so to speak – just in your face – huge power and presence - like an original tape should be. In short this CD sounds fabulous...

The presence of long-time sessionman and songwriter John "Rabbit" Bundrick (filling in for PK) is felt in his decidedly Led Zeppelin heavy tracks "Muddy Water" and "Common Mortal Man". And along with Rodgers, Kossoff, Kirke and Yamamuchi – he also had a hand in their hugely popular single "Wishing Well" which eventually peaked January 1973 in the UK at No. 7 (Island WIP 6146 with the non-album "Let Me Show You" on the B-side – one of the bonus cuts on the 2002 CD Remaster). "Wishing Well" opens proceedings on Side 1 with an aggressive FREE getting lippy with your living room. Rodgers gives us the more languid "Come Together In The Morning" which gets Soulful come the sing-a-long chorus (it’s a wee bit hissy but you really can now hear those Kossoff guitar fills). Maybe the British public was bored with Free by March 1973 explaining why such a cool little single like "Travellin' In Style" on Island WIP 6160 didn’t chart originally or as a reissue on Island WIP 6223 in March 1974 (both versions had the ballad "Easy On My Soul" on the B-side). Rodgers then stumps up a heavy-heavy hitter in the title track "Heartbreaker" – ending Side 1 on a hard-rocking note.

Side 2 opens with the Soulful "Heartbreaker" – a '...the first time you deceive her...you’ve broken her spell...' warning about lying to your woman and afterwards forever walking in the rain with your emotional shoes untied. I love the way the piano interplays (Bundrick working his own song) with Rodger’s great vocal on this forgotten song - an underrated Free classic. Bundrick supplies again with "Common Natural Man" - another mid-tempo keyboard song with a Soulful feel - but this time about drugs where our weary man is buying/selling his future for 'three bucks a share' - just another sucker 'standing in line...for a fantastic time'. Rodgers gives us the final two - the lovely sway of "Easy On My Soul" and the huge even menacing "Seven Angels" where he gets all Biblical on us with '...in my right hand is the sword of truth...in my left hand is the fire of love...' - fantastic guitar work from Kossoff - for me amongst his inspired best...

Across the seven new 2016 reissues we probably loose thirty to thirty-five genuinely cool bonus tracks of old and all that enlightening info in the booklets too - so buying their catalogue yet again may become a chore for some fans (docked a star for less instead of more). But they’re cheap at a fiver and we do gain fabulous new audio - and for many that's probably going to be the deciding factor. And how good is to hear them sound so awesome again after all these decades...

PS: FREE titles in the 9 Sept 2016 Island Remasters CD Reissue Series are:

1. Tons Of Sobs (March 1969 debut UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 181-5 (Barcode 602547318152)

2. Free (October 1969 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-1 (Barcode 602547318718)

3. Fire And Water (June 1970 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-4 (Barcode 602547318749)

4. Highway (December 1970 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 181-9 (Barcode 602547318190)

5. Free Live! (June 1971 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-6 (Barcode 602547318763)

6. Free At Last (June 1972 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 183-9 (Barcode 602547318398)

7. Heartbreaker (January 1973 UK Final Studio LP) - Island Remasters 473 182-6 (Barcode 602547318268)

8. The Free Story (March 1974 UK 2LP Compilation) - Island Remasters 472 262-9 (Barcode 602547326294)

There is also a VINYL Box Set "FREE - The Vinyl Collection" on Universal/Island 473 187-9 released 9 September 2016 with seven LPs (Barcode 0602547318794)

PPS: Amazon have typically lumped the 2002 and 2016 issues into the same review and it would appear - the same product entry. Even if you use the correct Barcode 602547318268 it will bring you to the 2002 entry - so if you're specifically after the 2016 reissue with its different remaster - ask the supplier you're buying from what version it is they're selling.

"Free At Last" by FREE (2016 Universal/Island Remasters CD Reissue - Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Little Bit Of Love..."

Another decade, another version and another sound - FREE fans will know that the February 2002 CD reissue campaign of all seven of their albums (six studio and one live) came with great Peter Mew remasters, decent bonus tracks and expanded booklets to match - and were mid-price at the time.

But here we are in September 2016 with another reissue campaign of all seven albums accompanied by "The Free Story" compilation (a 2LP set onto 1CD) that strips away those brilliant bonuses entirely – and unwisely substitutes their hugely informative liner notes for booklets with only band photos.

But (and this is a big but) – these new 2016 reissues do offer us one genuinely worthy consolation prize - 2016 ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM Remasters that breath wonderful naturalistic vitality back into the albums. On buying and reviewing "Highway" and "Heartbreaker" and loving their audio – I splashed out on four more and the results are equally magical. Also with most of the eight being offered on Amazon at less than five pounds including P&P – you can of course argue that the price is right - and with their generic 'Island Remasters' see-through side panelling on the jewel case – they look good too. But what real fans are essentially getting is great new sound - but lesser discs (one step forward, two steps back etc). That said - here are the little bits of love...

UK released Friday, 9 September 2016 - "Free At Last" by FREE on Universal/Island Remasters 473 183-9 (Barcode 602547318398) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 9-track 1972 UK LP and plays out as follows (36:02 minutes):

1. Catch A Train

2. Soldier Boy

3. Magic Ship

4. Sail On

5. Travellin’ Man

6. Little Bit Of Love [Side 2]

7. Guardian Of The Universe

8. Child

9. Goodbye

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 5th studio album "Free At Last" - released June 1972 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9172 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4349. Produced by FREE and engineered by Richard Digby-Smith - it peaked at No. 9 on the UK LP charts and No. 69 in the USA.

The six missing bonus tracks on the 2002 Island Remasters IMCD 287 version are "Burnin' (Molten Gold) (Alternate Take)",  "Honky Tonk Women", "Magic Ship (Alternate Mix)", "Little Bit Of Love (Alternate Mix)", "Guardian Of The Universe (Paul Rodgers Solo Version)" and "Child (Early Version)". As you can see from this list of missing extras - your loss is considerable - every one of these bonus tracks adding huge punch to the overall vibe of the 2002 reissue.

The new booklet is 12-pages with a March 1972 Tape-Box Photo of "Little Bit Of Love" on Page 2, other black and white and colour photos and reissue credits on the centre colour spread (the band looking very much like the archetypical hairy-rockers they were) - but there's no liner notes giving history, details etc. Beneath the see-through CD tray are pictures of the seven reissued albums with the eight being "The Free Story" double-album compilation from 1974 (for catalogue numbers see notes below) and the CD label repro's the UK 'pink rim palm-tree' label logo of Island Records in 1972.

But a fabulous new master from ANDY PEARCE – who did such great work on Pentangle, Frankie Miller, Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, the 2012 Rory Gallagher CD remasters and most recently the 2016 Budgie 3CD Box Set for their MCA LPs and the 'Deluxe Editions' of the Emerson, Lake & Palmer Island catalogue (see reviews for them all) - resoundingly compensates for all of that distasteful compromise. 

I've had the 2002 remaster and the Japanese 2008 SHM-CD reissue – both of which rock – but this version is way better to my ears. There's suddenly staggering naturality and presence to the whole LP. Pearce let things breathe (it's a trademark of his) – and their self-produced "Free At Last" album has always had a hugely accomplished sound. Like the CD Remaster of "Highway" – Pearce and Wortham’s version is muscular - not loudness for loudness sake – not shrill so to speak – just in your face – huge power and presence - like an original tape should be. In shirt this CD sounds fabulous...

I have to admit that I’m taken aback by June 1972’s "Free At Last" – I’d forgotten how good it is and remembered it in a less than favourable light – but just for Side 2 alone it gets five stars. And like "Highway" – I’d argue "Free At Last" is a bit of an overlooked gem. It opens with the hooky riffage of "Catch A Train" and you're walloped with huge Production values - Kossoff screaming out those notes and the band sounding very close to early Bad Co. The slow drum march of "Soldier Boy" builds into a guitar tale of a kid 'standing on the battlefield' hearing that bugle call to destiny (Drums and Bass are amazing on the new Remaster). I've always loved the swagger of "Magic Ship" - that wicked interplay between guitar and piano. Island Records used the wonderful "Sail On" as the B-side to the May 1972 UK 7" single for "Little Bit Of Love" (Island WIP 6129). Side 1 ends with the groovy "Travelling Man" - another sexy Rock slink from Free.

I know people rave on about "All Right Now" and "The Stealer" and "Wishing Well" and so many more - but for me the single "Little Bit Of Love" that opens Side 2 is FREE at their brilliant Rock-Soul best - and here it sounds just incredible - gorgeous clarity (don't deny your feeling inside indeed). "Guardian Of The Universe" still seems unfinished or something - like they were trying for something but never quite getting there. No such problems with the fabulous acoustic Rock of "Child" - a really great FREE ballad. And again I'd dismissed "Goodbye" before as just another mid-tempo ballad - but here the Remaster has brought out those drums and Kossoff notes that punctuate the song. "Free At Last" is not a masterpiece - but it's a damn good Seventies Rock record and brother that's good enough for me...

Across the seven new 2016 reissues we probably loose thirty to thirty-five genuinely cool bonus tracks of old and all that enlightening info in the booklets too - so buying their catalogue yet again may become a chore for some fans (docked a star for less instead of more). But they’re cheap at a fiver and we do gain fabulous new audio - and for many that's probably going to be the deciding factor. And how good is to hear them sound so awesome after all these decades...

PS: FREE titles in the 9 Sept 2016 Island Remasters CD Reissue Series are:

1. Tons Of Sobs (March 1969 debut UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 181-5 (Barcode 602547318152)

2. Free (October 1969 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-1 (Barcode 602547318718)

3. Fire And Water (June 1970 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-4 (Barcode 602547318749)

4. Highway (December 1970 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 181-9 (Barcode 602547318190)

5. Free Live! (June 1971 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-6 (Barcode 602547318763)

6. Free At Last (June 1972 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 183-9 (Barcode 602547318398)

7. Heartbreaker (January 1973 UK Final Studio LP) - Island Remasters 473 182-6 (Barcode 602547318268)

8. The Free Story (March 1974 UK 2LP Compilation) - Island Remasters 472 262-9 (Barcode 602547326294)

There is also a VINYL Box Set "FREE - The Vinyl Collection" on Universal/Island 473 187-9 released 9 September 2016 with seven LPs (Barcode 0602547318794)

PPS: Amazon have typically lumped the 2002 and 2016 issues into the same review and it would appear the same product entry. Even if you use the correct Barcode 602547318398 it will bring you to the 2002 entry - so if you're specifically after the 2016 reissue - ask the supplier what version it is they're selling.