Middlesbrough-born Free frontman Paul was 20 when he co-wrote All Right Now, a swaggering blues-rock smash on each side of the pond in the summertime of 1970.

He then fashioned and fronted Bad Company, one other exceptional British blues-rock band who notched up multi-platinum album gross sales, earlier than lending his distinctive vocals to Queen.

It appeared an odd match however Queen known as Free’s Fire And Water album “our Bible” of their early days. And, hallelujah, after a 24-year wait, this seems like a second coming for the singer who turns 74 in December.

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 center eight.

Bassist Todd Ronning (ex-Bad Company) and drummer Rick Fedyk – each from Rodgers’ touring band – anchor the sound adeptly all through, with Johnny Ferreira’s sax and Chris Gestrin’s keys including texture to the combo.

Ronning and Fedyk co-penned mid-paced blues rocker Living It Up with Rodgers, who wrote the opposite seven tracks solo and performs acoustic guitar on three numbers.

Rob Dewar provides a classical guitar flourish to the summery Dance In The Sun – Paul’s grandchildren add the laughter – and Rolling Stones’ pianist Chuck Leavell pops up on the achingly soulful title observe.

Other highs embrace the prowling blues-rock of Photo Shooter and the slower nearer Melting which sweeps us to
the end.

“Iconic” is a phrase used too freely in music circles. Paul Rodgers deserves it and that genuinely iconic voice has misplaced none of its energy to have interaction.

There is likely to be simply eight tracks right here however there’s not a duff track amongst them.