Artist: Freedom
Title: Freedom At Last
File: Blues/Rock/Pop
London-born Bobby Harrison was a founder member of Procol Harum before leaving to form his first own band Freedom in 1968 with Procol Harum guitarist Ray Royer.
A pop/psych start with a debut release in the band’s original soundtrack to Dino de Laurentis’ film ‘Nero Su Bianco (Black On White’) was to see the band take a harder edge with a line-up review as a power trio made up of Harrison (drums/vocals), Roger Saunders (guitars/keyboards) and Walt Monaghan (guitars/keyboards).
A winning meld of hard rock, r ‘n b with a nod to psych,1969’s ‘Freedom At Last’ set out the band’s heavy blues rock approach with a tight three-part harmony vocal which won it audiences on the live circuit and US tours with Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull. Bonus tracks constitute A and B sides of 1969 single, “Kandy Kay”.
Freedom recorded a further three albums (including two for Vertigo Records).
Harrison went on to form SNAFU with future-Whitesnake guitarist Micky Moody, scoring a further three acclaimed releases.
“… probably the missing link between 60s bands like Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and more experimental outfits like Led Zep, Deep Purple and the harder edge that The Who developed.”
Classic Rock Society
“… strong blues-rock with influences of Groundhogs and Savoy Brown with some Captain Beefheart-esque vocals”.
Record Collector
Tracks:
- Enchanted Wood
- Down In The Bottom
- Have Love Will Travel
- Cry Baby Cry
- Time Of The Season
- Hoodoo Man
- Built For Comfort
- Fly
- Never Loved A Girl
- My Life
- Can’t Stay With Me
- Dusty Track
BONUS TRACKS
- Kandy Kay
- Escape While You Can