I imagine there will be many tributes in the rock and roll world mourning the loss of Free bassist and songwriter Andy Fraser. What could I say that won't be said a thousand times?
If "All Right Now" was his only contribution to music, it would have been enough. While that song defines Free, the band that featured Fraser on bass along with Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff, and Simon Kirke, their output in their brief time together--6 stellar records in 5 five years--goes much deeper than one timeless rock anthem and Andy Fraser had more than a little to do with their unique blend of blues, rock and soul.
And he wrote this gem...
7 comments:
"Free Live!" is my go-to record for Free, and it's Andy's bass "solo" on "Mr. Big" I keep coming back to.
Just what I was going to say! On the "Fire and Water" studio album the bass solo got me the first time I heard it but on "Live" it is so on the money & always blows my socks off (which is a pretty neat trick). And a fine songwriter to boot. RIP Mr Fraser.
Wow! I love "Every Kinda People." Rest in peace, Andy.
I swear Sting stole all of his loopy bass lines from Fraser. I can still remember Freemania, with our local dj incredulously telling listeners that this band was bigger in England than Led Zeppelin.
was his tone a product of his SG-looking bass? my dad came into the room once while the Mr. Big solo was playing and asked, "is that a tuba?" dig the hat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ6ClSZV5Eg
What buzz said. Totally.
The SG bass is a factor. Our band, The Smoove Sailors, has a '68, and it is the bomb.
I'm embarrassed that I never knew that Andy wrote "Every Kind Of People" Fine bass player, he will be sorely missed. Now he's with Paul Kossoff.
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