Free at Last
Tribute to Free/Bad Co
Chestnut Tree Pub
Sheldon
15/4/04

Mr Big can’t get enough!

Well who said the 70’s sound was gone as tonight it’s ‘Free at Last’ at the Chestnut’s.

One of the seventies most influential bands along with Zeppelin!  They changed the sound of rock with their solid sounds.

After a couple of pints and a listen to ‘Keith’s’ classic rock disco its time for the band to start, who we’re told are doing the gig tonight in two sets!

‘Little bit of love’ starts off proceedings nicely along with ‘The Stealer’ and a real dig from the vaults ‘Walk in my Shadow’ one of the first and oldest of the free tracks ever recorded!

Next up ‘Trouble on Double Time’ backed with an emotional ‘Be my Friend’. 
I noticed that the singer Jack Dunn (who does an excellent job!) was playing an extra rhythm guitar which compliments the Gibson ‘Big’ sound and the ‘Gretsh’ bass guitar with its 70’s rumbley solid sound very well.

Next up ‘I’m a Mover’ and ‘Ride on Pony’ plus ‘Songs of Yesterday’ all old album tracks ‘Woman’ followed nicely by ‘Fire and Water’ goes down well with a good crowd at ‘The Nuts’ with Jack strutting his stuff not looking unlike ‘Lemmy’ with a red strat!

Next up is an interesting and refreshing acoustic ‘mini’ set whilst  the rest of the band have a breather, running through ‘Seagull’ , ‘Shooting Star’ then ‘Muddy Water’s Blues’ by Paul Rodgers and the band are back in time to fly through ‘Feel like makin’ love’ and ‘Can’t get Enough’!  The two guitarists working well together both following each other with an almost ‘Thin Lizzy’ feel at times.

Then launch back into the ‘Free’ set closes with ‘I’ll be creepin’ and ‘Mr Big’ during which the hold and feel of the middle solos section is impressive as both guitar and bass solo next to each other.  Dave Poole was particularly impressive with the big bass ‘fuzzy’ sound on the solo!

Next up the song that relives the 70’s and sold loads of chewing gum too ‘Alright now’! Brings the set almost to a close but after a short break we’re treated to a great ‘Wishing Well’ then after much crowd abuse and wanting for more one last version of ‘The Hunter’ brings things to an end nicely.

I’ve seen the guys before at ‘The Old Mill’ a while back and enjoyed it but this gig was even better! – Could it have been the ‘Isle of Wight Festival’ of 1970 all again?

Ta

Lee
07773 969411

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