The summer season of 1970 was a magic time for Free. They introduced themselves to a larger target market as one of one of the most emotional rock bands of the brand-new years with an all-pervading song called “All Right Now.”

Not just did the track reach No.2 as well as aid the moms and dad cd Fire as well as Water to the exact same runner-up area in the UK, yet “All Right Now” came to be a Top 15 hit two times extra in simply 8 years, as well as charted 4 times in overall in 12 years. After that came time for the follow-up cd Highway, that made its UK graph launching on January 23, 1971.

Free had confirmed their place in the top division of British rock at the Isle of Wight Festival at the end of August. Appearing on the closing Sunday bill, they performed that big hit among other originals, ending with a version of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads.” That Isle of Wight set also saw Free confidently introducing several songs that not only weren’t out, but hadn’t even been recorded yet.

“The Stealer,” “Be My Friend,” and “Ride On A Pony” were all about to be laid down in the September sessions at Island Studios that produced the Highway cd. Seven of the nine songs were collaborations between lead singer Paul Rodgers and bassist Andy Fraser, with guitar hero Paul Kossoff joining them on the credit for “The Stealer.” Drummer Simon Kirke co-wrote “Love You So” with Rodgers.

Highway is an album of gentle pleasures, more low-key and less rocky than much of Free’s trademark material. “Sunny Day,” “Love You So” and “Bodie” all exemplify the more thoughtful approach. But for whatever reason – the lack of a hit single doubtless a key factor – the stars weren’t aligned this time. Highway enjoyed much less of an endorsement than its predecessor, both from the media and the public. In the UK, it reached a mere No.41 and was off the graph in two weeks, as it was in America, with a No.190 peak.

Listen to uDiscover Music’s Free Best Of playlist.

The band fell into disharmony, their continuation together prolonged almost by chance, when they taped “My Brother Jake” early in 1971 before going their separate ways. They promptly saw it reach the UK Top 5, with which they resolved to work together again, happily for fans who snapped up both Free At Last as well as Heartbreaker.

Buy or stream the remastered as well as expanded Highway.

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