British guitarist reacts to Paul Kossoff jamming out some Mr Big with Free! 

It's Andy Fraser's bass solo in this track that is truly revolutionary.

What a staggering talent Paul Kossof was I adored this band right from their birth, a great band that burned brightly for a tragically short time 😢

Paul kossoff is the best technical guitar player ever his picking was so economical, and at 5’4 all he needed was a les Paul and a Marshall stack, no crazy effects needed he had it all in his fingers, rip koss

Fraser is the real solo here whilst Kossoff provides the underpinning. Just amazing from them both and Simon Kirke is relentless too. Rodgers vocals are the icing on the cake. Superb.

We lost one of the greats when Paul Kossoff passed on. He was so genuinely talented & had his own individual sound. This band Free was one of the best..& perhaps under-appreciated. Every member here all worked together to create the awesome whole..hands down. 🙂🙂🍁🍁❤❤

Andy Fraser was a totally under-rated player . He was so unique and his style had so much personality !

Paul Kossof was just so melodic as a guitarist and i love that.

The energy and talent of Free was so raw and powerful. All their albums still sound amazing.

Nice piece - thank you. Nearly 50 years after I first saw Free, I still adore the sound, the feel and the quality of their music - and I listen to them every week at some point. No-one else did exactly what Free could do in the 69-72 era - and that was to give "proper" Blues a raw 60's Brit feel. Just one of those marvellous, miraculous (if short-lived) pieces of synchronicity which brought together the best Blues singer (of any ethnicity) of his time, with the under-stated master of slow-blues guitar technique, a new funky blues bass style feted to this day , and (remember back to the first time you heard All Right Now) a ground-breakingly simple but dominant front-of-house drum style, which kick-started an entire genre. This was the definitive Live band, a bunch of boys who loved what they were doing, played for each other, and captivated Town Hall/University venues the length and breadth of this country, and others. Never a mega-venue plastic band with light-shows and special effects, just a fucking awesome quartet of mates who almost never put a musical foot wrong. Not a weak link in sight. It was one of the privileges of my life to have seen them several times. Modern audiences cannot begin to relate to the atmosphere of a 3-piece band + singer absolutely tearing up 2000 seater venues - but it was something that those of us who were there will never forget.

The rhythm section never gets it's due this band was kick ass front to back.....outstanding!

Andy was a great bass player . The story of Free is rather tragic . They were only kids really , at the time . They should have been bigger than Led Zeppelin .

Kossoff’s solo sounds like he is ripping his tortured soul out of his body with every note.

I still get chills when listening Free. Their sound....Oi! They know their places and don't step all over each other creating a "Hey Look at Me" mess. They were so young at the time too and showed a lot of musical maturity. Outstanding!

Such a soulful band . Each member genius . Kossof bit like bb king , one note and you know it’s him .

I'm in the UK and I grew up listening to Free, for me looking back its amazing to think these guys were only 16, 17 and 2 x 18 years old when they were making their first album Tons of Sobs, all four guys were top class at what they did, and to think they were only together as a band for 5-6 years, they left such a rich heritage for others to follow.

The best way to dig this band is to listen to the whole Fire and Water album. It's a whole experience. Maybe one of the most underrated bands of the early 70s. Most people just know All Right Now, there was so much more going on there. Notice the bass lead at the end and how the guitar and bass switch roles. Pretty awesome.

I love the way that Kossoff fills out the sound with arpeggios to support the (magnificent) bass solo. What a truly great band they were.

Paul was an amazing player when he wasn't playing lead he filled the song with a great rhythmic feel & after Free he formed Back Street Crawler up until his drug abuse & drinking took its toll . I seriously doubt had he lived he would have wanted any part of Bad Company as he was not a commercialistic type of player. His work with Back Street Crawler was top notch in the few records they did put out before his passing. The future for him was coming back around & he was happy within that band . Sadly we know the outcome of his terrible abuse & what it took from him. Even before Free he played some very cool stuff with his own band The Black Cat Bones & he was only 15. On top of his great songwriting & blistering axe work he was one hell of performer with awesome stage presence. I was lucky to have grown up in the 60's early70's when all this was still brand new. Of course these are just my view points on Paul Kossoff but they are first hand .

Kossoff is just killing it here but the first time I heard this track on Fire and Water it was Fraser's Bass that was the standout for me.

Nice guitar. Worth about a million dollars now. Though he would sound good with whatever he played. What a group. Rodgers might be the greatest rock singer ever.

Such a great band. Paul Rogers has the greatest blues/rock vocals out there. Even today.

RIP another guitar idol of mine...His sound his style whole package is first class I just love Paul....He is one of my favorite guitar player, thank you for your music...✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️

I was very lucky to have seen Free back in the day. They were the first major band who were roughly my age - Saw them first at the 1970 Isle of Wight, when I was 18 and they were 18 to 20. It was utterly remarkable what they could achieve at such a young age and Mr Big was an epic example of a band being restrained and on fire at the same time. Unique and wonderful 👍

What always blew my mind about Free, was the fact that three of the members were teenagers at this point. Such talent and innate feel for the blues and how it should be played. I have always modeled my playing after musicians like Free, and others from this era. Just killer, man..🔥🔥🔥

Free were unique...Once asked to Paul Rogers.." Who do you miss the most "?...Rogers answered "Paul Kossoff". ..this was many years after Kossoff died. That band meant the world to Kossoff..and suddenly they dissolved. Ofcourse lets not forget Alright Now..was the classic rock anthem of the 70s... The Ile of White concert says it all...check it out Fil. Nuff said. Great feature as always Fil...thanks Sel.

Paul Kossoff...... One of my favorite players. I've been pushing my students to find their own voice on the instrument. Everyone who is serious has it in there somewhere.Thanks for showcasing Free. They where a must see every-time they came to Detroit way back in the day.😎 T

Yep, Andy Fraser was THE immense bass player, bass playing melody, good stuff! RIP the both of 'em.

I am still playing jazz and blues at 78 years old, and I have played with some of the worlds greats, and forgive my presumption, but I know good from mediocre. I went to the London Colosseum in 1978 to see the Keef Hartley Big Band in an "Allnighter" which started at 1100pm. and went on until dawn. The warm up band was Free, and I had never heard of them, although I was working every night in London, playing music mostly in the West End. I was knocked out by the whole group, and my lasting memories are of listening to Kossof playing with his head thrown back, eyes closed, mouth wide open, whilst Rogers moved around the stage holding the mikestand, and moving sensuously to the music. The bass player was wearing knee length tight fitting brown boots, and walking around soloing where the music allowed, and the whole ensemble left a deep impression on me to this day, I can't describe the quality of Rogers' singing, it was the best voice in rock and blues music that I have ever heard to this day, just pure soul. There were no fireworks from the band, they played their own music, and each piece was crafted and unique, showing that each member of the group were playing as a collective identity with each other. I came away from the Colosseum at daybreak, not remembering anything about the Keef Hartley band except the singer /guitarist Miller Anderson, who was a good player, and Barbara Thompson playing alto saxophone like nobody else in the UK at that time, the event was historic for me.

Paul Kossoff, one of the greatest. So emotionalluy driven, he played magic. My all time favorite guitarist

I've heard several different versions of this song by these guy & never heard them do it the same - especially Kossoff & Frasier. So emotional & exciting! I'm pretty sure this is my favorite songs by Free.

Thanks so much for taking this suggestion. I appreciate it!

I was around in the 70s. I was young but I was there. Old enough to remember some of it. Paul kossoff and Paul Rodgers made a great team. The stuff Paul kossoff did after free was good. The stuff Paul Rodgers did after free was great. But they never had that magic again that the two of them had when they were very young playing together

Kossoff was such an amazingly passionate, committed and soulful player and also musical .

It’s almost impossible to believe how good these four guys were, and so incredibly young as well. This was from a short concert at the Granada TV studios in July 1970, where they played 5 songs, Ride on Pony, Mr Big, Songs of Yesterday, I’ll be Creeping and All Right Now. There was a fairly small but extremely fortunate audience watching, absolutely brilliant band!!!

I think what Kossoff does during the bass solo is quite interesting. He could have been content to play 'block' or 'power' major chords (E-D-E, or A-G-A, not quite sure), but actually adds arpeggios/single note picking into it while not distracting from the bass solo, and actually enhances the whole tune. Thanks for posting!

Like in my previous comment about "the spaces in between and the notes you don't play"....I had Koss in mind. Listen to "My Brother Jake" (1971) where Koss plays 2, 3 & 4 note fills and not a note is wasted ....... .... a note to remember here is that Paul Kossoff was schooled as in classical guitar as a youngster which is why you'll see him play the full "A-shape" in some footage....... .........and a mention for one of the greatest bass solos of all time ... courtesy of Andy Fraser.....who excels here....

Great Band...great solos....feelings...feelings solos...thanks for share

Thanks for taking my suggestion, Fil, loved your analysis! Paul and Andy’s playing on this song puts a big smile on my face every time I hear it. :)))

Wow! Thx so much 4 this one, Fil. I just love this genuinely awesome band. The most amazing thing is their ages when they first got 2gether in '68..they were all still teenagers! So much raw talent..individually & collectively..4 sure. So sad that we lost P. Kossoff so early. RIP, Paul.. Paul Rogers sure has the moves..& struts them here.. 🙂🙂☮☮✌✌💕💕

If you see a lady pensioner strolling down a street in Warwickshire England with a spring in her step and a smile on her face, it'll be me humming Andy Fraser's bass solo on this, one of my favourite of their very many wonderful songs. Saw Paul Rogers' Free Spirit tour and he performed nearly all of their back catalogue. What a privilege and man, he's still got that voice.

Such an incredible band. Love the unique vibrato...so difficult to copy! Their Isle of Wight performance was out of this world!👍😎🎸🎶

Terrific video and analysis. Great job of giving Paul and Andy their due. Free was one of the great shooting star bands of the late sixties and early seventies. They were way ahead of their time.❤

Paul Kossoff’s Tuesday Morning track From his Back Street Crawler album I still find amazing and his lazy bluesy tones that he produced will never be forgotten...absolutely epic player.

An underappreciated player. Spot on review!

You just can’t duplicate the raw talent of 70’s rock music. I loved the way Kossoff played FREE was lightning in a bottle!!☮️

Paul's playing was channeled straight through his soul. He played with such intense feeling. The band laid down the groove and the were like a finely tuned machine.

Ace musicians and an individual sounding band. Their music is still so strong today. ❤

As a youngster I really “digged” (common phrase at the time), this band. Full of building energy and energising - taking you on a musical journey. Upon taking-off in an aircraft; I loved to play “Mr Big” on my Walkman - something about the plane’s acceleration, being pushed back into my chair and this music. Perhaps, also feeling as "Free" as a bird? Weird I know (particularly as my ears would play-up), but very memorable :)

Every member of Free was a master of their craft. Free were a band that should have been superstars up there with the best.

Paul Kossoff is the best!!!

Great comments! I am old and lucky enough to have seen Free live three times and I have loved them since 1970. I love when younger people appreciate such great music and the musicianship of Free. For me, they are peerless. Thank you.

That 'guitar' just oozes PERSONALITY!!!

What a performance! Don't forget they were still young kids here.

Thank You Fil for doing this song by Free, I was going to request you to take a look at it! Free was a super group all fantastic! One of my all time favorite bands...

that was UNBELIEVABLE PLAYING only real players can appreciate how hard it is to actually make the guitar talk weep moan like that...one of the best ever

Paul Kossoff, what can we say, such feel, such passion - such a tragic loss, his Heroin use was the death of him.

His Vibrato is up there with BB Kings, Peter Green's and Stevie Ray Vaughn's for me, you can hear where Angus Young got his inspiration from, Always preferred guitarists with proper "feel" rather than speed

What a band it was !!! It still sounds so fresh even today.

Fil, a great analysis as always. I dont know why the name Paul Kossof always brings a degree of sadness to mind. Folks, if you have the time please take a moment to look up Mr David Kossof's euology of his son Paul Kossof. RIP Paul Kossof, a talent that will never be forgotten.

One of the most underrated band ever, and they were so young! Fraser was 18 here, Koss 19 or 20. They were so good! Good analysis Fil!

Was privileged to see them twice and still have my original copy of FIRE and WATER - still miss them 😢

Great comments!Koss was best slow guitarist..with incredible EMOTION to every note..unbelievable!!!

Paul Kossoff was a total monster in Free. Great feel and tone. . Thank you for posting this. Loved your take on sound. Les Paul was a man of great wit and something he'd ask players starting out was "That sounds great, kid, but could your Mom know it was you if she heard you on the radio?'. Anyone into Classic rock would know it was Mr Kossoff straight away. Every one here's probably heard this but a jam fave for me for years is Gov't Mules cover of this tune. Free Live rips as well. Part of why i bought an Epi LP Std +.

I'm a Yank who was born after Free broke up, and Koss is one of my biggest influences. One guy even said that my vibrato was similar to Koss' after he heard one of my takes of the solo to "All Right Now." I'll take that all day, everyday.

That vibrato of Paul's! I love it. Whenever I cover "Alright Now", I have to really focus on my vibrato. I want his tone not just to more accurately cover the tune, but I also because I love it! My 'burst into my plexi doesn't hurt either! Thanks for another awesome vid installment!

No one played with as much emotion as Paul did, and is the most underrated guitarest ever. Clapton was blown away when he saw him, and that speaks volumes in itself. Yeah the 70s photographers weren't very good, and failed to focus on each instrument. I'm old enough to remember when all right now came out and was on the radio constantly, although I was only 10 but still remember all those great bands well

Paul Kossoff once said that he knew he would never be able to scream around like Alvin Lee so deliberately developed his own style. I've heard a story that one day Eric Clapton asked Paul Kossoff how he did his famed vibrato. Free were the band of the early 70's. I saw them play in Sunderland in a packed Locarno ball room - a sea of denim and long hair. When they launched into The Hunter the roof just about came off. Even now young bands still learn their songs. Well I'm only 78 and play Alright Now and Wishing Well.

Bloody great,Guitarist & band,R.I.P KOSSOFF

Paul kossoff was a beast

Andy Fraser's composing skills were crucial to Kossoff's greatness.

Amazing, just amazing. Another great guitarist who was inspired by Kossoff and also came from a British-Jewish background was Danny Kustow of the TRB.

My favorite is " Heartbreaker" off " Songs Of Yesterday" live Portsmouth '72...emotional playing sends shivers up my spine..

Great band all of them pauls playing was great the note bender and at perfect pitch lovely sound sadd loss so young rip Paul and Andy my mates favourite bass player and he.s a good bass player 👍

From my perspective Mr. Big was always about the bass solo. And yes you were spot on as the cameraman concentrated on the wrong soloist!

I saw Free twice in my home town of Sunderland in ‘69 and’70 and they were unbelievable. Apart from their technical excellence the energy they created was unique. All so young as well, quite remarkable.

And Andy Fraser!! There has never been his 'equal'.

Andy Frazier was an absolutely amazing young bass player…as in very, very young. He’s what, 18 years old in this performance? What a great band.

My own favourite album is 'Tons of Sobs' snatches of which are interpolated here. I'd love to have seen them as their live act was bloody marvellous. Best version of this is on 'Free Live' and also 'The Story of Free.' Glad to see them flourish on RU-vid as they were a great band.

My heart was broken when Paul suddenly died. Still one of my Favorites ever. His playing is surreal.

Nice review Fil, Thank you

I was lucky enough to see Free play live in 1969 shortly before the release of their debut album ‘Tons of Sobs’. Andy Fraser was just sixteen years old and incredible. In fact I regard him as one of the best bassists ever that most people today have probably never heard of!!! RIP Paul and Andy what you left us with will never die.

How, hum! Paul K playing his heart out, and we get to see a close-up of Paul R pulling faces. Top marks to the direct/cameraman (as per usual).

paul puts more emotion in one note than other guitarists in a lifetime,

Free was and still is one of my favorite bands of all time. Paul Kossoff is one of my favorite guitarist's that ever lived. I agree that his vibrato technique is one if not the very best. It's so very sad that his drug addiction is what ended his life at such a young age. He was such a great talent

I'm 50 and decided to stream some Free from my Google play app. I grew up on 70/80s rock, never heard a lot of Free. Needless to say, the past few months I've been blown away by what I missed out on! Paul was a minimal player but soooooo effective.

1973... rocking "free" every morning before school!

Love Paul's voice.

Paul Kossoff and Angus Young have the best vibrato. They were a huge influence on me and my playing.

This is the only reaction I've seen for Mr. Big. I've suggested it for a reaction here and there. Andy Fraser steals the show.

I love the album Highway. Every song is great and it is packed with great guitar playing.

Just the best British blues/rock band ever!

One of my favourite solos of all time…

Thanks fil. It just tears my heart out when I think about koss and the what those evil ,wicked people did to him. No one quite like him .what a great loss to rock music when he passed away at 25. Favorite song of him playing is be my friend. Lord bless you brother.

That awesome bass from Andy Fraser just backs up Pauls cool lead work it is a wonderful combination. Had the good fortune to see these boys back in the day.

the bass and drums are perfect too.

Awesome thanks for posting!

For me the best power trio with a singer ever.

Paul is the Best vocal and front man ever..IMO...WHAT A COMBO...INCREDIBLE...WORKING TOGETHER..YAAAAA

Best 2 solos of all time.

Paul was an absolute "Monster" ...It's a crying shame he couldn't tame his demons.