The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, 20 February 2010

We went to see a tribute band called Freeway at the Brewery Arts Centre on Saturday 20 February. Freeway, as you might guess from the name, are a Free Tribute Band featuring drummer, guitarist, bassist and vocalist. The all hail from the NE of England and rarely make it over to our side of the country.

The gig was brilliant. They really do the Free numbers a great deal of justice. They all clearly are big Free fans and make their sound as authentic as the originals. That is not an easy thing to do from the vocals - where Paul Smith fills the vocal slot with a big voice and personality; John Buckton on a very Kossoff-style Les Paul; Rob Dunn on drums and my personal favourite - seeing a very Andy Fraser-style bass playing from Rick Hunt. It just reminded me of the full nature of his playing in Free. They played all the songs that you will remember and a few more including Mr Big, The Hunter, My Brother Jake, and of course All Right Now.

So if they come back to Kendal, and you like Free then go and see them play.

Thanks to Vince at www.southlakesguitarclub.co.uk for this great review - Ed.

The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth, 18th September 2009

I've been a massive fan of Free since the inception of the group, and appreciated the huge talents of each of the band members. I've seen Paul Rodgers live several times (us too - Ed.), and his vocal talents are still awesome (we agree - Ed.). I appreciated that to capture the raw sound of the original band would be a tall order, so I went to the gig in our (tiny) local theatre with an open mind.

This band is awesome, absolutely brilliant, and the set they played was hugely enjoyed by everyone.  Paul Smith is an extremely talented singer, and the talents of the band members gelled perfectly. Thank you for a memorable evening!

- Geoff Seccombe

Thanks for sending in your review, Geoff. Hope to see you at another show soon! - Ed.

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The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth, 18th September 2009

From the opening line to the encore I was blown away by how good and authentic the sound was; looked good too! - I am 28 and enjoyed it almost as much as my dad, who saw Free at the Isle of Wight festival. If it wasn't a seated venue, then I'm sure everyone would have been on their feet from the off, rather than just for the last few songs, it was a top night........The bass player (Rick - Ed.) added a lot of presence and the guitarist (John - Ed.)was top notch.......Not to mention the mind-blowing vocals from Paul Smith! Paul Rodgers would be impressed, I'm sure.
Definitely up there with the best tribute bands I've seen....and it's obvious how much all of the members love the music of Free.
 
See you soon in a standing venue,
Cheers for a great night

- Ross Teasdale

Thanks for your kind review, Ross, and for supporting the band at this excellent small venue - Ed.

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The Free Convention, Tynemouth, 11th April 2009

Enjoyed set enormously! Novel way to organise the set! (for those who weren't there, we went through the albums chronologically playing selected tracks off each one - Ed.)  First time I've ever heard Over The Green Hills live. Keep it going!

- David Snaith

Thanks as ever for your support and feedback, Dave. Always much appreciated - Ed.

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The Woodcutter, Hartlepool, 27th March 2009

FREEWAY- gobsmackingly good at everything they did, and as far as FREE are concerned, they need have no worries about this band carrying their brand of smouldering blues/rock and passing it on to future generations (Simon Kirke and Andy Fraser are in complete agreement with you! -Ed.) - far and away the best FREE tribute band we have come across and brought back a few memories for those fortunate enough to have seen FREE live all those years ago.

They must have been good judging by the amount of people that were dancing at the front!

These lads played every popular number that FREE ever made and then some. All Right Now  is one of those song's we've heard over and over and over again, but when it's played to the standard that this band achieves, then it's an absolute pleasure to listen to. Keep it going, lads - you deserve some success at what you do and you'll certainly return to the Woody at some time in the future. (We'll be there on 18th December - bring your Santa hats! -Ed.)

Anyone who likes smouldering blues/rock have got to go and see this band - they will not disappoint you. Just for now, all of us here at the Woody are "All Right Now".

- Tommy Wormald

Thanks for this lovely review, Tommy - we look forward to seeing you in December - Ed.

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There was magic in the air tonight! (Dunelm - Ed.)  Took my daughter along and she was mighty impressed - I've brought her up properly!
Great gig. Sound and atmosphere was first class. Superb singer - best yet!

- David Snatih

Thanks for your kind comments, Dave - your support of the band is, as always, much appreciated. Ed.

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The lads put on a top class show tonight.  (Dunelm - Ed.) I am so impressed with all of them.

- Bryan "Jake" Jackson

It was a pleasure to have you there - so glad you enjoyed the show!! Ed.

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Had a great time. Simon and Larry were terrific. It's the first time we've seen Freeway (you picked a bloody good night, then - Dunelm! Ed.) and they were brilliant. Looking forward to the reviews (you've written your own - brill. Ed.) and pics on the website. Good luck with the tour, punters going to the other shows are in for a treat.

- Graham

Thanks for the very positive feedback. We look forward to seeing you at future shows!

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The concert was sensational (Dunelm - Ed.). I've seen a few very good tribute bands; tributes to Queen, Pink Floyd, and some other Free tributes. Freeway are the best I've seen by a street. Just like the original Free, where each member could hold his own in their own special way, Freeway were the same (what a compliment! - Ed.). Drums, bass, guitar and vocals were just sensational.

Another thing that separates Freeway from other tributes I've seen is their committment. They believed in what they were doing, it didn't seem to be any kind of an act (you're right - it's not - their enthusiasm for the music and desire to recreate it as authentically as possible knows no bounds - Ed.). Whereas other tributes appear to be going through the motions, Freeway were totally committed and that was infectious; the audience believed in them. Their authenticity has to be seen to be believed (very true - the term "tribute band" is bandied about far too lightly these days - there are "cover" bands and "tribute" bands and they are two completely different things - Ed.).

For me, it was very nostalgic, being a huge Free fan all those years ago and now continuing with the help of Freeway. The set was excellent, all the favouries were played with one or two nice surprises....brilliant!! (glad you liked it - it's always difficult to know what to include / leave out when they're only playing half a set - Ed.).

Simon Kirke was excellent, both in his own set and drumming with Freeway. Although for obvious reasons, it would be great to see him as the permanent drummer in Freeway, Freeway's drummer was brilliant also (hooray for Rob - Ed.). I wouldn't hesitate to come and see Freeway again,and because of their quality I'd be prepared to travel.

- Maurice Knox

Thank you so much for taking the time to write and send this smashing review, Maurice.  We really appreciate it.

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I only found out from my son at 8.50pm last Thursday that you were on at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood. I spoke to a guy in the audience who was wearing a 1971 Free tour t-shirt (available from the Free Appreciation Society - email us at info.freeway@yahoo.co.uk for details - Ed.). I'm so glad I made the gig.
I saw Free 5 times in total, starting with the Arts Ball in Blackpool (1970), supporting Deep Purple; a concert I should never have gone to coz I had gastroentritis, but I'd have had to have been dead to miss that show. (I'm jealous beyond all reason - Ed.)
The first track I ever heard from Free was I'm A Mover, on the Island Rcords sampler You Can All Join In, and after that I was hooked. I still think of Paul Kossoff as the greatest guitarist of all time (everyone here agrees with you - Ed.). I have been listening to Tons of Sobs (my favourite - Ed.) and the second album in the car since the show. I walked in when you were doing Oh I Wept and, By Christ, I nearly did!
I can honestly say you made one 57 year old very happy. Keep up the good work.

- Dave Stirzaker

Thank goodness you made it to the show, Dave. And thanks for the feedback!