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Middlesbrough-born Free frontman Paul was 20 when he co-wrote All Right Now, a swaggering blues-rock smash on both sides of the pond in the summer of 1970.<\/p>\n
He then formed and fronted Bad Company, another remarkable British blues-rock band who notched up multi-platinum album sales, before lending his distinctive vocals to Queen.<\/p>\n
It seemed an odd match but Queen called Free\u2019s Fire And Water album \u201cour Bible\u201d in their early days. And, hallelujah, after a 24-year wait, this feels like a second coming for the singer who turns 74 in December.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> James Arthur tickets are about to drop, get yours before they sell out<\/strong><\/p>\n It opens with the cocky bounce of Coming Home with bluesy lead guitar breaks from Keith Scott and Ray Roper, and a slower, emotion-drenched middle eight.<\/p>\n Bassist Todd Ronning (ex-Bad Company) and drummer Rick Fedyk \u2013 both from Rodgers\u2019 touring band \u2013 anchor the sound adeptly throughout, with Johnny Ferreira\u2019s sax and Chris Gestrin\u2019s keys adding texture to the mix.<\/p>\n Ronning and Fedyk co-penned mid-paced blues rocker Living It Up with Rodgers, who wrote the other seven tracks solo and plays acoustic guitar on three numbers.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Rob Dewar adds a classical guitar flourish to the summery Dance In The Sun \u2013 Paul\u2019s grandchildren add the laughter \u2013 and Rolling Stones\u2019 pianist Chuck Leavell pops up on the achingly soulful title track.<\/p>\n Other highs include the prowling blues-rock of Photo Shooter and the slower closer Melting which sweeps us to \u201cIconic\u201d is a word used too freely in music circles. Paul Rodgers deserves it and that genuinely iconic voice has lost none of its power to engage.<\/p>\n There might be just eight tracks here but there\u2019s not a duff song among them.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/35\/590x\/secondary\/4973409.jpg?r=1695397488882\")
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the finish.<\/p>\n