Artist: Freedom
Title: Is More Than A Word
File: Rock/Blues
Available for streaming and download now via this link
London-born drummer/vocalist Bobby Harrison was a founder member of Procol Harum, playing on their anthemic hit “A Whiter Shade of Pale”, 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),
Its consequent output was characterised by a winning meld of hard rock and r ‘n b harnessed to tight three-part harmonising that won audiences on the live circuit and tours with Black Sabbath, Curved Air and Jethro Tull.
With Monaghan leaving, 1972’s ‘Is More Than a Word’ took in support from Steve Jolly on second guitar and Pete Dennis (bass) to deliver a progressive hard rock styling, with blues elements, wind instruments and a complex melodic framework.
It was to be their last album.
Freedom had recorded a total of five albums in its career.
Harrison went on to form SNAFU in 1973 with future-Whitesnake guitarist Mickey Moody, scoring a further three acclaimed releases.
Tracks:
- Together
- Miss Little Louise
- Sweaty Feet
- Brainbox Jam
- Direction
- Going Down
- Dream
- Ladybird