FREEBORNE

Second Harvest version of Peak Impressions

I never knew of Freeborne back in the day. As time has gone on they have attracted attention and critical raves from the aficionados. The LP has been rereleased many times but never officially, until now. Erik Lindgren of Arf Arf records has the CD out with some good liner notes and extra tracks. (The photo above is of the Second Harvest label released in 2007.)
This in conjunction with a local Boston MIT radio show called Pipeline! brought about a live performance at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA in 2014.

First one has to get the idea in one's head that the members are still around and then the question, can they play? It turns out that most still live in the area and many still play their instruments although they hadn't played together in 45 years. One sad note is that the drummer died this year (2014).
At the Regent, Erik introduced the group. The guitar player also gave some initial comments. He then introduces the bass player who was off stage. The bass player walks out in a large dark blue cape. That was dramatic. The drummer was the grandson of the original drummer. Later they brought out a drummer that used to play with The Temptations. Both drummers were better than good. They had a keyboard player. Next, the lead singer was brought forward and they were off.

The music immediately transported me back to the Boston Tea Party days. They all played excellent and had that dynamic and the sensibilities of a group from the 60's. They had a blues influence and played a few blues oriented songs. Their own songs had the feel of being a pastiche with them co-opting different music styles amidst the shifting rhythms. This is all understandable to me now but back in the 60's I'm sure it would have thrown me for a loop.
Others I talked to complained that it wasn't psychedelic enough. To them it seemed the blues was the defining sound. I didn't think of that as they were playing but that did seem true. Bob Margolin the lead player worked with Muddy Waters for many years and plays in blues bands to this day.

Here's an interview on the Rat Tales podcast with rhythm guitarist Nick Carstoiu.

   They brought out two horn players for a few songs.
   They played Wake Me, Shake Me. I think they said they used to cover that back in the day. That was the most straight ahead rock tune.
   They played Land of Diana and it was a highlight.
   They very much seemed a group with group dynamics. I guess you never lose that.

Good interview with Freeborne.

Bob Margolin is a very interesting and busy musician. BOB MARGOLIN website.

You couldn't have predicted this. The Arf Arf version of the CD you can get here.

These are some photos of Freeborne playing the Regent Theater in Arlington Ma on September 12, 2014.