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Songs and Samples
It Goes By Fast
Before The Separation
Stand Up
You Don't Have To Live This Way
A Soldier At War
The Beauty Of Life
Soul Mates
To The Light
We Are All One People
The Freedom Wall
Some Nice Things People Have Said
Before the Separation flows with a compassionate spirit rooted in '60s ideals, but packing a gently urgent relevancy.
- Nick Cristiano,
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Before the Separation deftly transports the listener into the eye of a hurricane to quietly observe, while Freebo calmly describes the spiritual storm that rages on all sides.
- Bill Thames,
Shake Magazine, Nashville
Freebo draws on his love of blues, rock, soul and the spirit of classic folk music to create a provocative and haunting landscape, which beautifully balances biting criticism, strong patriotism and a sense of whimsical optimism.
- Jonathan Widran,
Music Connection, Los Angeles
About Freebo
Freebo's success in rock'n’roll has been well documented over the years. From bass player/band member with Bonnie Raitt for a decade to countless studio sessions and tours with artists ranging from John Mayall, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Maria Muldaur and Ringo Starr, to T.V. appearances on Saturday Night Live, Midnight Special, and Muppets Tonight, as well as tuba performances with Dr. John and the legendary Spinal Tap, Freebo has achieved status and respect in a creative and highly competitive field.
Not satisfied with simply resting on his laurels as a top sideman, Freebo has continued to push his creative envelope, and now has evolved into an acclaimed singer/songwriter, with three well received solo CDs to his credit; 1999's The End Of The Beginning, 2002's Dog People (songs about the human/canine connection), and his new CD, Before The Separation.
Released in October 2005, Freebo's latest CD shows his complete arrival and comfort as a singer/songwriter, with thoughtful and insightful lyrics sung with soul and passion, framed by his acoustic guitar and signature fretless bass, and supported by tasty drums, electric guitar, and harmonica, played by some of rock music's finest musicians.
Freebo's songs span styles from folk, blues, and country to R&B, reggae, and rock 'n' roll, and incorporate themes of love, struggle, triumph, peace, and the journey of life.
His live performances, mainly on acoustic guitar, take you on a musical and lyrical ride. Freebo creates an intimate unity with his audience and will likely leave you with a tear in your eye, but with a smile on your face.
News and Reviews
Reading legendary bass player Freebos resume is like tearing a page out of a Rolling Stone Magazine. Backing up all-star musical icons like Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, it's hardly a stretch to say this guy is a highly respected sideman. Making the shift from sideman to front man is a whole other ballgame. Very few make the leap with any grace, but if they do the results are usually gratifying.
Many of the songs on "Before The Separation" have a retrospective longing to them. Here's a successful middle age guy who has probably seen and done it all, who still believes that peace is possible. And therein lies the beauty to this record.
With an almost conversational singing style, Freebo shares his yearning for the simplistic innocence he vividly recalls. A viewpoint that seems spiritual yet grounded, he shares with us in songs like "It Goes By Fast, The Beauty Of Life" and "To The Light," that in spite of all the heartaches life most certainly brings to us, we learn our lessons and evolve. "A Soldier At War" and "You Don't Have To Live This Way," are a plea for a more peaceful co-existence. In the song Stand Up, he tells us 'an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind'. We see by this statement the essence of this artist's heart. And that's what makes "Before The Separation" so compelling. Lyrics with no artifice, singing with no posturing. What a joy it is to come across a record like this in our musical era of image and clever song titles.
Although this record may not suit those whose tastes run to the commercial extreme, it will satisfy those of us who have an appreciation for music that doesn't fit into any marketing play lists, and yes, who still believe that peace is possible.
"Before The Separation" is a disc that will unite many of us who are looking back at our own life's journey, and recognizing that nobody ever really grows up. We just grow into kinder and hopefully, more understanding people like Freebo. Nancy's Rating: 4 out of 5 guitars.
- Nancy Montgomery
Every once in a while, when the stars are set just right and the moon shines in exactly the proper way, someone will create a work so honest and beautiful it takes our breath away.
It takes someone who has a wonderful and sincere nature to create a set of music this magical. Someone who feels for the world; who wonders why things have gone so wrong and someone who feels the hurt and can honestly express the pain and suffering plus the joy of living. The ability to be able to combine this integrity into one set of ten songs is a gift to us all.
Now maybe I'm just a soft touch when it comes to friends. And Freebo is a friend; a true friend. I am not one however; to let friendship override my musical judgment so on this particular CD, I had to listen over and over again. I can now honestly say that I haven't heard a CD that has touched my heart this way in many, many years.
Lyrically, "Before The Separation" is topical in that it speaks precisely to what is occurring in our world today. But....unlike so many others which are vitriolic, this CD makes it's many points in a soft and gentle way. This is a CD which tells it's truths without screaming and without being brutal in any way. Freebo has made a collection of beautifully written pieces combined with articulate melodies guaranteed to have you pushing the replay button over and over again.
- John Rhys-Eddins
BluePower.com