FREE 

THE FREE STORY

12" VINYL STEREO LP RECORD DOUBLE ALBUM

GATEFOLD SLEEVE COMPLETE WITH INNER FOLD OUT INSERT

COVER IN VERY GOOD CONDITION

VINYL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION

LIMITED NUMBERED EDITION

LIMITED TO 50000 COPIES PRODUCED

THIS IS #42571 0F 50000

A GREAT COPY OF THIS ALBUM ON ISLAND RECORDS WITH EXCELLENT CONDITION VINYL

FROM MY OWN PERSONAL COLLECTION

I DO NOT USE MISLEADING STOCK PHOTOS

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THANKS FOR LOOKING

 ISLD 4

Format:

2 × Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo

Country:

UK

Released:

Jan 1974

Genre:

Rock, Blues

Style:

Blues Rock, Classic Rock

TracklistHide Credits

Companies, etc.

• Phonographic Copyright (p) – Island Records Ltd.
• Made By – MacNeill Press Ltd.
• Pressed By – A.R.E.A.C.E.M.
• Printed By – MacNeill Press Ltd.
• Published By – Blue Mountain Music
• Published By – Warner Bros. Music
• Published By – Keepers Cottage Music
• Published By – Socks Music
• Published By – Rondor Music
• Designed At – Musgrave House Limited

Credits

• Liner Notes – Billy Walker (3)
• Written-By – Fraser* (tracks: A1 to B5, C2, C3, D1 to D3), Kossoff* (tracks: B3, B5, C3, C4, D2, D3), Rodgers* (tracks: A1 to B5, C2 to D5), Kirke* (tracks: B5, C3, D2, D3)

Notes

Originally scheduled for release October 12th 1973 but delayed until January 1974 due to vinyl shortages.

Limited to a numbered edition of 50,000 copies. Promotional and advertising material indicated that plates/film used to make the sleeves would be destroyed following completion of the limited run. Nevertheless unnumbered copies continued to be available after the 50,000 run.

The gatefold sleeve was printed with incorrect catalogue number: ISL D3 on the back cover and the spine. Later copies include a small sticker on the back of the gatefold covering the incorrect catalogue number with the correct number: ISLD 4. This copy however has the correct catalogue number printed. The incorrect catalogue number on the spine remained unaltered. Inner sleeves however, were printed with the correct catalogue number from release.

Both inner sleeves are the same providing the album's track listing and a Free discography. They indicate that:
Side 3 track 4 (C4) is performed by Kossoff, Kirke, Tetsu and Rabbit
Side 3 track 5 (C5) is performed by Peace (previously unreleased)
Side 4 track 4 (D4) Heartbreaker is recorded live at Portsmouth Guildhall, October 7th,1972 (this is also previously unreleased although not stated on the inner sleeve)

Initially the inner sleeves were square cut across the top. Later copies have a 20cm thumb notch.

Stapled inside the gatefold is a 4 page insert that provides a history of Free. It commences on the left-hand inside gatefold, continues across the insert, and concludes on the right-hand inside gatefold.
Bottom centre of back cover states, "THE FREE STORY" IS A LIMITED EDITION. THIS ALBUM IS NUMBER ******

? 1973 Island Records Ltd.

Labels have smooth edges, but also pressed with ridged labels.

Another version of this release reportedly exists where track D4 – the live version of Heartbreaker - is replaced with the studio version of Heartbreaker. The matrix number has been quoted as ISL042 A-L

AREACEM pressing includes part of Paul Rodgers stage introduction: 'It sounds like this' - which opens track C1: The Hunter. This is absent on other versions.

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Matrix / Runout (A side label, upside down): ISLD 4.1 A
• Matrix / Runout (B side label, upside down): ISLD 4.1-B
• Matrix / Runout (C side label, upside down): ISLD 4.2-A
• Matrix / Runout (D side label, upside down): ISLD 4.2-B
• Matrix / Runout (Cat# disk 1): ISLD 4.1
• Matrix / Runout (Cat# disk 2): ISLD 4.2
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 1, A side stamped): ISL041 A-L
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 1, B side stamped): ISL041 A/B-L
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 1, C side stamped): ISL042 A-L
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 1, D side stamped): ISLD41 B-L
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 2, A side stamped): ISLD41 A-L AREACEM
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 2, B side stamped): ISLD41 B-L AREACEM
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 2, C side stamped): ISLD42 A-L AREACEM
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 2, D side stamped): ISLD42 B-L AREACEM
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 3, A side stamped): ISLD4-1A-1U
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 3, B side stamped): ISLD4-1B-1U
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 3, C side stamped, etched KIP): ISLD4-2A-4U KIP
• Matrix / Runout (Variant 3, D side stamped): ISLD4-2B-1U

"MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and / or creasing.

VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

FAIR: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and / or defaced.

POOR: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

BAD: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection filler."