Free's albums ranked 

This is so frustrating - not a single word could I disagree with. Wonderful, Mal. Who doesn’t associate, often involuntarily, times, places and music? Free embody this for me and so many others. When Paul Kossoff lost his final battle, it was a tragedy and, most of all, for his father, David. David compiled a collection of his own poems titled ‘You have a minute Lord’ not long after Paul died and, amongst that collection, are a couple of beautiful, heartfelt tributes to his son. Absolute ‘must reads’.

sorry, at 30seconds, I should say"their star shone briefly' not "brightly"

Hello there, Brian here, I've just seen your video and so glad I did, not many reactors feature Free, a very underrated band, I was delighted with your top two, their mine as well! I remember buying Fire & Water when it came out, I was 19! And being blown away by Andy Fraser's Bass solo in mr big, I'd heard nothing like it before, and nothing like it since! It just takes you on a trip, its hypnotic! And more than 50 years later it still has the same effect! Thanks for this video, I'm definitely going to subscribe to your channel!

I love heartbreaker. The title track and Wishing well are powerful enough but it's the two Bundrick tracks that consolidate the album, these being Muddy water and Common mortal man. It's fantastic throughout with no weak tracks anywhere. Very few bands make a final record as good as this.

Very good

When you give us your favourite song or songs from the different albums it really strikes a chord in the memory. So much so that I've ordered a couple of this great band's CDs! I don't have a record player now, sadly, otherwise I'd go for the vinyl. Shame that - we should be preserving these old technologies as much as possible, in my humble opinion. Thank you for the interesting content :)

Every single album is top-notch.. I can't decide if Fire and Water or Heartbreaker is my number one.. I enjoyed your review it was very heart felt.

An excellently thought out review of the ranking of the legendary Free’s albums compilation. Yes, an extremely hard task - something I’m not sure I could have delivered in the eloquence you managed; perfect. Agree, largely, with your ranking order (especially Fire & Water) but would probably had Tons of Sobs higher given it was their debut album, produced on a shoestring and the band’s youth.

thanks for this video.. I realised i got the 'chronicles' compilation and the 'songs of yesterday' box set and listened to then again the last few days. Free was indeed a great band. Some of the slow blues tracks sounds a bit repetitive but still very enjoyable

I haven't listened to some the albums for a good few years but I'd probably put Heartbreaker as my favourite because I think the songs are strong followed by Tons of Sobs as no 2 for its energy. Anything with Paul Rogers singing is worth listening to.

Thanks for a wonderful ranking Vinyl Monkey. So little between these beautiful albums. Can't argue with anyone's choice but some fans do overlook Heartbreaker. For me it's perhaps even number one. Fire and Water is the definitive Free album though.

I first heard Free when I found two of their albums for free just leaning against a tree. True story.

Great ranking, VM. Might be a little different than my ranking, but really cool stuff.

It's all right now, the best ever track of the 70's & still holds up today, not a mention. ?

I think Highway was their songwriting peak.

I hear lots of great things about Free but I can't say I'm a huge fan. I've wanted to be for ages, ever since I shared a flat with a chap who had a copy of Free, their 2nd album from 1969. That cover amazed me when I first saw it. Somebody actually sent me a copy of it as VCLT a few years back. I finally bought a copy of their first album Tons Of Sobs on CD in the 1990s. It's probably my favorite by them. Raw and rocking. I have Free At Last and Fire And Water but they haven't inspired me yet. I've also got The Free Story compilation. Maybe I have expectations that are too high. Heartbreaker should probably be my next record by them. It may be down to Paul Roger's vocals. He just sounds lazy to me. I'll keep checking in with them now and again to see if the penny drops for me. I hope it does one day. I'd be interested to hear your ranking of Bad Company albums. I've got quite a few of those too but they do little for me either. Cheers.

so ironic. that the Free album that turned out to be their most popular was also their last and the only one without Andy Fraser

Bonnie lad, did you ever see Free at Redcar jazz club? Saw them there lots in the early days . Paul Rodgers the man , was then still is. 👌

and did you know no less than Wilson Pickett covered "Fire And Water"? Three Dog Night covered "Woman".

You forgot Tons of sobs l.p

also, my copy of "Free Live" has strong performances but bad sound quality. As for "Free At Last", the band did that album under pressure and I consider it their weakest.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on Free John. I think they brought a soulful subtlety to the British Blues rock scene. I seen Bad Company at Newcastle City Hall on their first ever tour and they were absolutely fantastic. I did have their first two albums on vinyl but lost them over the years, and I didn't really listen to much of their later stuff so couldn't attempt a ranking. Thanks for taking the time to comment

Never no5 sorry mate cant watch