F̰r̰ḛḛ-̰T̰o̰ns Of Sobs Full Album 1968 Plus

[manescsali]

Over the Green Hills (Pt. 1) – (Paul Rodgers) 00:00
Worry – (Paul Rodgers) 00:51
Walk in My Shadow – (Paul Rodgers) 04:18
Wild Indian Woman – (Paul Rodgers, Andy Fraser) 07:49
Goin' Down Slow – (James B. Oden) 11:30
I'm a Mover – (Paul Rodgers, Andy Fraser) 19.52
The Hunter – (Booker T. Jones, Carl Wells, Donald Duck Dunn, Al Jackson Jr., Steve Cropper) 22:49
Moonshine – (Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff) 27:04
Sweet Tooth – (Paul Rodgers) 32:09
Over the Green Hills (Pt. 2) – (Paul Rodgers) 37:03

I'm a Mover – (Paul Rodgers, Andy Fraser) – Bonus Track - BBC Session 39:11
Waitin' on You – (B.B. King, Ferdinand Washington) – Bonus Track - BBC Session 42:16
Guy Stevens Blues –(Paul Rodgers, Andy Fraser, Simon Kirke, Paul Kossoff) – Bonus Track - Blues Jam 44:33
Moonshine – (Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff) – Bonus Track - Alternate Vocal 49:18
Sweet Tooth – (Paul Rodgers) – Bonus Track - Early Take & Alternative Lyrics 54:30
Visions of Hell – (Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers) – Bonus Track - Unreleased Master Mix 59:26
Woman by the Sea – (Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers) – Bonus Track - Alternative Version 1:03:16
Over the Green Hills – (Paul Rodgers) – Bonus Track - BBC Session 1:06:39


Paul Rodgers – vocals
Paul Kossoff – lead guitar, rhythm guitar
Andy Fraser – bass guitar, piano
Simon Kirke – drums, percussion

Additional personnel
Steve Miller – piano (thumping)
Guy Stevens – producer
Andy Johns – engineer
Mike Sida – front cover photograph
Richard Bennett Zeff – inside cover photography


Free were a new band when they recorded Tons of Sobs, and they were extremely young; none of them were yet twenty and the youngest, Andy Fraser, was just sixteen years old. They had achieved a following through constant touring, and their debut album consisted for the most part of their live set-list.

With the band signed to Chris Blackwell's Island Records, Guy Stevens was hired to produce the album (he later became notable for producing early albums for Mott the Hoople and The Clash's legendary album London Calling [1979]). He opted for a minimalist attitude to production, due to the extremely low budget of about £800, [4] creating a very raw and raucous sound – although it may have been that the relative inexperience of the band was also a contributing factor to this.[5] As such the album is a marked contrast in production terms from the band's later albums. The simple nature of the recording meant that many tracks translated well into a live setting and several songs from this album were still performed even when the band had written and recorded many more for subsequent records.

The majority of the album was recorded over the course of a few days in October 1968. Originally slated for a November release, the album was delayed to early 1969 due to the late addition of their cover of "The Hunter". This track was a mainstay in their live sets and was recorded in a December 1968 session at Stevens' insistence.[6]

[andrijajovanovic]

Andrija, Srbija
Slušam puno godina posle.
Predivno.

[Suradi-sf]

Sejak usiaku(20th)1972' Aku suka Freeband*& lalu ke Bad Company*❤❤ Sampai detik ini aku❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Dari Indonesia

[UFOIST]

My first ever album purchase as a school kid in '68 after working for a week cleaning factory windows. Well worth the effort 🤣

[davidedryd]

Such a tight outfit, great songs. Takes me back to when I was 19, record player, few chairs, ounce of hash. Good days

[Tom-vtts]

That album cover was way ahead of its time, looks like something out of the 90’s. Very cool

[FuzzyDancingBear]

One of my favorite debut albums of all time. SO GOOD.

[marybrowning]

Paul Kossoff is one of my all time favorite guitarist. I always thought either Paul Kossoff or Rory Ghallagher collaborating with Steve Marriott would have been great

[robertseavor]

They were only kids but they wiped the floor with other, older musicians,

[alanshearn]

Koss unchained! If anyone asks you why Paul Kossoff is rated so highly as a guitarist, tell them to listen to this album. My favourite Free album.

[philipdecatanzaro]

I bought this album in 1969 (not knowing anything about them) and got hooked. None of my friends knew them and it had no airplay. I was 15. I remember doing acid the first time I heard the album. I had a band at the time. I loved the bass playing the most. The guitar was good but there were lots of holes in the overall sound so I played it loud. I had bought the first Taste album the same way - knowing nothing, never hearing or being influenced. Another one was Happy Trails by Quicksilver Messenger Service.

[johnmitchelljr]

A most perfect album. Rock lovers dream come true. Thank you for timeless music.

[RC-ytsw]

The most influential band that's ever been . period.

[Olegstuff]

So happy to have discovered this proto-Sabbath band at the record store (out of random, the CDs were on the display rack and the cover looked cool). That's what happens when there are people with good taste there! This is excellent, vintage, hard/heavy blues. It's a shame that this band is largely overlooked!

[frankstecker]

FREE.. einer der besten Rock Band..seiner Zeit weit vorraus.. habe alle VINIL..CD Box .. von FREE....

[vaneipontes]

Paul Francis Kossoff 😢
Andy Fraser Rip 😢

[davidmonaghan]

I cannot believe Moonshine, it must be the best music I have ever heard.

[stuartfishman]

Tons Of Sobs is about as good as heavy blues gets, but Fire And Water set them apart from everyone. On that album, they developed an economic, powerful hard rock sound that left nearly every rock or blues cliche coughing on its own dust. Frasier's bass sound was completely unique. The rhythm section itself purred like veterans. And Kossoff became a master of economy and sustain. The way he able drag out a line on his solo from the title track should be considered legendary. Even a post-punk band like Gang Of Four took notes.

[midtwpw]

Super album, first time I listened this album in 1996. Since this year I’m listening Free always. I’m have all Free albums. Great band. Bad Company, The Firm, Law. Paul Rodgers. Best regards from Caucasus!!!

[coach]

A catchy debut LP title by FREE. Though cannot imagine any "Tears" after this fine 1969 creation.