Raw power explodes in this version of the Robert Johnson song. Word has it that even Eric Clapton was impressed by Kossoff's take on this song. Enjoy everyone..
Absolutely brilliant the whole band it really grabs your soul and tares it apart wonderful singer wonderful drummer definitely a wonderful guitarist and a wonderful bass player what more could you ask for this is the best version of crossroads I have ever heard it's March 6th 2024 and I'm just now getting to hear this? Where have I been? RIP to those who didn't make it!😢 Amen to God for letting me hear this today!❤❤❤
I try to write comments about how amazing this young band is at all musical instruments and vocals... and I get lost in words. Free was an Amazing Band at an amazing period of rock and roll. They all went on to further music as we know it.... just ask a vocalist, bassist, guitarist or drummer and they will know Free !!!
There is no better sound than Paul Kossoff letting rip. So raw, with a sound and a vibrato to kill for - and he was a kid when this was recorded. God knows how good he'd have become if fucking drugs hadn't killed him. Paul Rodgers was the best rock singer in the world even then and he has just got better over the years. Free were the PERFECT band. By the way, the bass playing on this is off the scale good also.
As great as Free was, we keep forgetting that they were all kids. That's the scary part. Hard to believe, Fire and Water was written by a 16 year old Fraser and Rodgers also in his teens. They were Bad Company, before Bad Company. Kossoff? one of the best one note players that ever landed on this planet. Simon was killer on the drums.
When you think about it, they had the talent and sound of a Supergroup, similar to Bad Company, but I think Kossoff's personal and substance abuse problems kept these individuals from becoming Bad Company. Kossoff is probably a superior guitarist to Mick Ralph's.
Whoa! I was at this gig in 1970, i lived in Newcastle so it was just a quick train ride of 25 mins to Sunderland, at the Locarno Dance Hall! It was buzzing! Free were always my fave band, still are, i listen to them 6 out of 7 days a week. The Sunderland gig was great because you could get right up to the stage & really see & feel the bass, drums & guitar going right thru yr body.. Bliss
Remember the place well. Used to drive a taxicab 1972 as a part-time gig and whenever a big act was appearing we were busy, busy all night. The name Locarno changed though sometime later and now the whole place is no longer an entertainment venue.
Best guitar solo ever. Even Clapton couldnt do better than that o his own record. R.I.P.paul Kossoff and allthe other rockstars who died long before their time.
The very fast players can't hold a note and killer vibrato like Kossoff. I would take listening to Kossoff's one notes over any gymnastic guitar player.
a new one for me, but in my opinion the best cover I've heard of this, I wonder what the original was like, Koss was my favourite guitarist in my teenage years and I have to say that he still is. Each note said something and he could really give it emotion. RIP Koss
Paul Rogers, Robert Plant and Freddie mercury....My 3 favourite lead singers of all time (not saying they're the best.....well they are to me but each to their own) Outstanding raw cover of the Johnson Blues classic.. we need to be thankful for Robert Johnson, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker and many more for the inspiration to some of the greatest bands of all time
Free was a great band. I think they might have gone on to big things were it not for Paul Kossoff's drug problem. They had a very distinctive sound and a lot of charisma.
Wow , I've never heard this before , and I have been a Free fan since 1972 . Andy is obviously influenced by Jack Bruce , but is , dare I say it , more funky . In Cream Jack was still very much under his classical and modern Jazz influences and did not get really funky until he started playing with African / American musicians like Billy Cobham a few years later . Andy was funky straight from the off . Great sound , and they were only kids !
When Free were at their best ... they were the best. There seemed to be a special relationship between them and Sunderland. Paul Rogers said they loved playing there.
OK, well it's near Newcastle in NE England, and there is a lot of rivalry between the two cities, mostly football-related. People from Newcastle don't usually say anything positive about Sunderland and vice versa. Paul Rodgers was born in the northeast but the other 3 all came from the southeast. Why the city of Sunderland received them so warmly I don't know.
@@mikeholmes2566 Cream formed almost 2 years before Free did, so I doubt that Jack Bruce copied Andy Fraser's style, unless he'd seem him playing previously in another band. Fraser would have just turned 14 when Cream played their debut gig.
@@arlosdad Read 'A Promoter's Tale' by Geoff Docherty (AKA the doc of the Bay) to learn more. Geoff promoted Free at the Bay, the Mecca Locarno, and the Top rank.
@@mikeholmes2566 I think Free also played The Argus Butterfly pub in Peterlee. I know plenty of big bands did, including led Zeppelin, Family, The Nice...
what a great bass riff also,, FREE was so underrated . alright now was darn good but lets look at the heartbreaker album there was not a bad song on that record ... thanx for postin ..
@@paulmatschull1923 His birthday hadn't come that year so he was still 25. He would have been 26 in about 6 months from the time he died. Seriously crazy how good he was already. Charlie Christian was also 25 when he died and he also had an incredible impact on the instrument.
Fact is Clapton just didn't have the raw energy and sublime vibrato of Koss. There's a story that Clapton went to Free's dressing room after a gig and asked Koss how he got such a great vibrato.
Interesting to compare this Rock and Roll, funky, groovy, futuristic version with Cream's old school swing shuffle interpretation. I personally prefer Cream.
Makes Cream's version look pedestrian. Free was one of those bands where every member was as good it gets. In any other band any one of them would be the star of the show. Kirk's drumming gets overshadowed by the greatness of Rodgers, Koss and Fraser but he's asgood as any drummer of any era.
I believe Free were influenced by the Cream version of Crossroads, but they pretty much made it their own afterwards. Free were a real band, whereas Cream were 3 virtuosos playing different solos simultaneously on the same stage, as EC himself has admitted.
Absolutely brilliant the whole band it really grabs your soul and tares it apart wonderful singer wonderful drummer definitely a wonderful guitarist and a wonderful bass player what more could you ask for this is the best version of crossroads I have ever heard it's March 6th 2024 and I'm just now getting to hear this? Where have I been? RIP to those who didn't make it!😢 Amen to God for letting me hear this today!❤❤❤
Thank you so much for liking my comment❤️🙏❤️🎶🌍✌️💯☺️🤗
Wow. No effects pedals. Just a Les Paul, Marshall Amps and a gifted guitarist who died way before his time. Andy Fraser was also a superb bass player.
Stuff of immeasurable legend
I try to write comments about how amazing this young band is at all musical instruments and vocals... and I get lost in words. Free was an Amazing Band at an amazing period of rock and roll. They all went on to further music as we know it.... just ask a vocalist, bassist, guitarist or drummer and they will know Free !!!
There is no better sound than Paul Kossoff letting rip. So raw, with a sound and a vibrato to kill for - and he was a kid when this was recorded. God knows how good he'd have become if fucking drugs hadn't killed him. Paul Rodgers was the best rock singer in the world even then and he has just got better over the years. Free were the PERFECT band. By the way, the bass playing on this is off the scale good also.
As great as Free was, we keep forgetting that they were all kids. That's the scary part. Hard to believe, Fire and Water was written by a 16 year old Fraser and Rodgers also in his teens. They were Bad Company, before Bad Company. Kossoff? one of the best one note players that ever landed on this planet. Simon was killer on the drums.
When you think about it, they had the talent and sound of a Supergroup, similar to Bad Company, but I think Kossoff's personal and substance abuse problems kept these individuals from becoming Bad Company. Kossoff is probably a superior guitarist to Mick Ralph's.
One of the best versions of the crossroads I have ever heard R.I.P. Andy & Koss !
Best version of Crossroads. Koss smashed it.
Fantastic band! The Best guitar Paul Kossof & The Best vocalist Paul Rodgers! Monsters of the history rock!
3 kossoff solos in one song. Moneys worth or what
One of the very best bands ever to walk this earth.
I am 62. I watched Kossoff play in a village hall in Suffolk.He was not underrated,he was special.
Whoa! I was at this gig in 1970, i lived in Newcastle so it was just a quick train ride of 25 mins to Sunderland, at the Locarno Dance Hall! It was buzzing! Free were always my fave band, still are, i listen to them 6 out of 7 days a week. The Sunderland gig was great because you could get right up to the stage & really see & feel the bass, drums & guitar going right thru yr body.. Bliss
So was I but f… can I remember
The mecca
Remember the place well. Used to drive a taxicab 1972 as a part-time gig and whenever a big act was appearing we were busy, busy all night. The name Locarno changed though sometime later and now the whole place is no longer an entertainment venue.
Best guitar solo ever.
Even Clapton couldnt do better than that o his own record.
R.I.P.paul Kossoff and allthe other rockstars who died long before their time.
Clapton isn't in the same league as Koss was.
Clapton different league to Kossof
Apart from his vibrato ,Kossof bit limited
@@rocksteady9115 Yes, Clapton is - a lower one.
Moss the boss!!
Best version I've heard. Kossoffs screaming and moaning guitar sound. Does more with one note and bending it, than most can do with six
Our kossoff
Never forgotten Koss ❤️ best guitarist ever
The very fast players can't hold a note and killer vibrato like Kossoff. I would take listening to Kossoff's one notes over any gymnastic guitar player.
Love this song. Kossoff at his best. Paul Rodgers voice powerful and raw.
a new one for me, but in my opinion the best cover I've heard of this, I wonder what the original was like, Koss was my favourite guitarist in my teenage years and I have to say that he still is. Each note said something and he could really give it emotion. RIP Koss
Kids choking the damn strings off of that les Paul. God what a player
Jeez what a sound from that guitar!
Listening to this again Kossoff's giving me goosebumps 😀
The Best version of "Crossroads" ever!!!
I took these guys for granted in the 60's, saw Paul R with Queen & it's re-ignited me as a fan, the lovely Koss, x
Koss, still one of the best ! What a loss to the music world !
Wow, Lordy have mercy, please.
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Free was a amazing badass band! Kossoff was a fabulous guitarrist! rest in peace!
One of the best guitarists EVER!
Free - just knew how to rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul Rogers, Robert Plant and Freddie mercury....My 3 favourite lead singers of all time (not saying they're the best.....well they are to me but each to their own) Outstanding raw cover of the Johnson Blues classic.. we need to be thankful for Robert Johnson, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker and many more for the inspiration to some of the greatest bands of all time
Free was a great band. I think they might have gone on to big things were it not for Paul Kossoff's drug problem. They had a very distinctive sound and a lot of charisma.
What a great one, Tom! Thank you again!
You're quite welcome!!
Superb. Koss was King !! Great recording!
First time I have ever heard a "FREE" version of this tune. This really rocks! I put it right up there with Cream.
This should be for adults only, absolutely brilliant!
Koss was that good even EC was a fan
Koss was.a.huge fan of EC
Was actually at that gig at the Top Rank suite in Sunderland, mega!!
So was I mate, great days !
Also saw The Who and Deep Purple amongst others at the Rink !
Was this the same night they were on with Deep Purple - I was only 15 at the time - Great night as far as can remember.
@@DBLuba me wife lynne was there ,they were on a few times i think at the rink and the mecca,vinegar joe with elkie brookes were support
act
That bass!!!
Great song. Photos are amazing!
Only one version worth listening to has to be FREE.
This and skynyrd versions smoke!!
Despite what has been written this was definitely recorded at the Sunderland Empire not the Locarno .
It was the Empire, I was lucky enough to be there, even got to meet them after the gig and get their autographs on my copy of 'Tons of Sobs'
Wow , I've never heard this before , and I have been a Free fan since 1972 .
Andy is obviously influenced by Jack Bruce , but is , dare I say it , more
funky . In Cream Jack was still very much under his classical and modern
Jazz influences and did not get really funky until he started playing with
African / American musicians like Billy Cobham a few years later .
Andy was funky straight from the off . Great sound , and they were only
kids !
up date. 2 tracks were recorded at sunderland locarno fillmore north and the other tracks in croydon 1970
fabulous!!!!!
When Free were at their best ... they were the best. There seemed to be a special relationship between them and Sunderland. Paul Rogers said they loved playing there.
where is Sunderland?
Er, Tim - are you from Newcastle?
***** not quite😄west coast USA. But I know British geography,I do know where newcastle is,my friend has family a 15 minute train ride from Brighton.
OK, well it's near Newcastle in NE England, and there is a lot of rivalry between the two cities, mostly football-related. People from Newcastle don't usually say anything positive about Sunderland and vice versa. Paul Rodgers was born in the northeast but the other 3 all came from the southeast. Why the city of Sunderland received them so warmly I don't know.
***** that's cool! I know a little about the football rivalrys in England,isn't man u. And Liverpool like a death match every time 😄
for me it's easy to hear guitarists influenced by other guitarists but bass...not so much...yet here I hear Jack Bruce ALL OVER this cover.
Jack Bruce copied Andy Fraser
@@mikeholmes2566 Cream formed almost 2 years before Free did, so I doubt that Jack Bruce copied Andy Fraser's style, unless he'd seem him playing previously in another band. Fraser would have just turned 14 when Cream played their debut gig.
Perfect .
Que Cruce de Caminos-una de las mejores versiones.
Didn’t like this song till now holy shit
Godzilla is out-stomped by that guitar
They played The Bay Hotel Hotel in Sunderland in 1969 or 1970, supporting Tyrannosaurus Rex. I was there!
arlosdad Free, a support act.. Incredible.
But true!
@@arlosdad Read 'A Promoter's Tale' by Geoff Docherty (AKA the doc of the Bay) to learn more. Geoff promoted Free at the Bay, the Mecca Locarno, and the Top rank.
@@mikeholmes2566 I think Free also played The Argus Butterfly pub in Peterlee. I know plenty of big bands did, including led Zeppelin, Family, The Nice...
what a great bass riff also,, FREE was so underrated . alright now was darn good but lets look at the heartbreaker album there was not a bad song on that record ... thanx for postin ..
You're quite welcome! !
+bbooz Didn't Jack Bruce make this bassline? Chris Squire (I think) seems to have changed it in some parts though.
saw them at the rink about this time, but i think they did the live recording at the laccarno
This might have been recorded at the Mecca, Sunderland - They used two tracks recorded there on the Free Live LP.
Well, it being a Robert Johnson song, both Cream and Free did it...This version was recorded prior to Cream's live performance.
Thought Creams was 1968, Free 1969 or 1970?
Frees version Jan 1970 I think. Creams before that.
Thanks Tony, yeah, I love this raw version..
there are no words to do justice to Paul Kossoff's guitar on this, didn't he die age 27 ?
1950- 1976 making him 26
@@paulmatschull1923 His birthday hadn't come that year so he was still 25. He would have been 26 in about 6 months from the time he died. Seriously crazy how good he was already. Charlie Christian was also 25 when he died and he also had an incredible impact on the instrument.
Good stuff
Soulful version, better version.
R.I P KOSS.
if free had stayed together they would have been bigger and by miles better than lead zep
Pure
gee. i wonder if Angus Young liked Mr Kossoffs playing.
I would guess Malcolm was just as big a fan.
No this version is much better than Cream and should have been on the Free Live album.
I disagree. This is good but not as warm and full as Cream, not quite as ‘groove’. And I like Bruce’s singing better.
Formidable. Sin comrntarios
Soooo much better than the weak cream version, the definitive version my arse. This track is so badass
Fact is Clapton just didn't have the raw energy and sublime vibrato of Koss. There's a story that Clapton went to Free's dressing room after a gig and asked Koss how he got such a great vibrato.
Interesting to compare this Rock and Roll, funky, groovy, futuristic version with Cream's old school swing shuffle interpretation. I personally prefer Cream.
Makes Cream's version look pedestrian. Free was one of those bands where every member was as good it gets. In any other band any one of them would be the star of the show. Kirk's drumming gets overshadowed by the greatness of Rodgers, Koss and Fraser but he's asgood as any drummer of any era.
Any idea when this was? I saw Free play pub gig in Sunderland in about 66?
1970 Locarno Ballroom, Sunderland, England
Not sure, I am not aware of which venue this was recorded in, but I'm sure another viewer may know...
Not sure, but you may want to go to allrightnow(dot)com (Free fansite) and post up your question..People there may know.
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MFN MUZAK SON !
Sounds like Savoy Brown?
was this from the boilermakers club in sunderland?
mattskins26 no you have to be joking
@@kevinpearson3920 Locarno 👍
@26bitesize Remember that place well, had all the acts there!
was this before Eric Clapton?
its the same
I believe Free were influenced by the Cream version of Crossroads, but they pretty much made it their own afterwards. Free were a real band, whereas Cream were 3 virtuosos playing different solos simultaneously on the same stage, as EC himself has admitted.
Interesting that the lyrics are almost totally different to the official Robert Johnson song.
Blistering version of a classic song
😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉
If Gary Moore was ever a tenth as great as Kossoff then I could understand some of the praise. But he wasnt
Shame Rogers never bothered learning the words.
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