Andy Fraser (July 3, 1952 — March 16, 2015) was an English bassist and songwriter who rose to prominence as one-fourth of hard-rockers Free, releasing five studio albums with the band between 1969 and 1972. Immediately thereafter, he appeared on the first of two albums by hard-rockers Sharks. In 1975, Fraser released two albums on CBS: the first recorded with his namesake trio featuring keyboardist Nick Judd (Audience) and drummer Nick Turner; the second, In Your Eyes, recorded with house musicians at Alabama’s Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. In 1984, Fraser reemerged with the album Fine Fine Line on Island Records.

Andy Fraser

Andy Fraser (July 3, 1952 — March 16, 2015) was an English bassist, singer, and songwriter who co-founded Free at age fifteen. He played on five Free studio albums and co-wrote “All Right Now,” “The Stealer,” and “My Brother Jake.” Following brief periods with Toby and Sharks, he formed Andy Fraser Band for two 1975 CBS albums. His later solo work includes the Island release Fine Fine Line and the McTrax albums Naked… and Finally Free and On Assignment.

Background

Andrew McIan Fraser was born on July 3, 1952, in Paddington, London. He studied classical piano from age five until his early teens, then switched his attention to guitar. Between ages twelve and fifteen, he played in bands that covered Motown, Stax, and blues material.

Fraser met Alexis Korner through Korner’s daughter Sappho. Korner introduced him to music-business contacts and directed him toward John Mayall, who hired the fifteen-year-old Fraser for the Bluesbreakers. Guitarist Mick Taylor was the nearest member to Fraser in age during this period.

Guitarist Paul Kossoff approached Fraser after the Bluesbreakers engagement. Fraser joined Kossoff, singer Paul Rodgers, and drummer Simon Kirke for rehearsals at the Nag’s Head in Battersea. Korner named the quartet Free and helped secure its management and Island contract. Fraser remained through the 1969–72 albums Tons of Sobs, Free, Fire and Water, Highway, and Free at Last.

Free split during 1971, and Fraser formed Toby with guitarist Adrian Fisher and drummer Stan Speake. The trio recorded unreleased material before Fraser rejoined Free in December. He left again in June 1972 and formed Sharks with singer Snips, guitarist Chris Spedding, and drummer Marty Simon. Fraser appeared on the 1973 debut First Water but departed before the follow-up album.

Fraser next assembled Andy Fraser Band with Audience keyboardist Nick Judd and drummer Kim Turner. The trio signed with CBS and prepared its first album during 1975.

Andy Fraser Band

Andy Fraser Band released its self-titled album in April 1975 on CBS.

The trio pairs Fraser with keyboardist Nick Judd and drummer Kim Turner. Judd also operates bass pedals, allowing the group to work without a guitarist. Fraser wrote all nine songs.

“Ain’t Gonna Worry” drives on Fraser’s lead-bass runs as repeated figures tighten its charge. “Keep On Loving You” settles into a measured sway while Fraser stretches each phrase across sparse accompaniment.

A1. “Don’t Hide Your Love Away” (3:22)
A2. “Changed Man” (4:03)
A3. “Ain’t Gonna Worry” (3:48)
A4. “I Wanna Be There” (3:10)
A5. “Bring It On Home” (2:50)

B1. “Double Heart Trouble” (4:02)
B2. “Keep On Loving You” (6:06)
B3. “Love Is All Around” (5:20)
B4. “Baby Forever” (4:50)

Fraser, Judd, and Turner self-produced the album at Farmyard in Chalfont St Mary with Ronnie Lane’s Mobile Studio. Recording engineer Keith Harwood entered the sessions after work on David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs and the Rolling Stones’ It’s Only Rock ’n Roll; his concurrent credits included Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti. CBS engineer Douglas A. Bogie mixed the recordings.

Photographer Ruan O’Lochlainn supplied the front-cover portrait for the metallic silver sleeve. Robert Ellis photographed the back cover.

CBS issued “Don’t Hide Your Love Away” in March 1975 (b/w “Ain’t Gonna Worry”).

…In Your Eyes

Fraser released his first solo album, …In Your Eyes, in November 1975 on CBS.

Fraser recorded with the Muscle Shoals studio team of keyboardist Barry Beckett, drummer Roger Hawkins, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Johnson, and lead guitarist Pete Carr. Percussionist Tom Roady and the Muscle Shoals horn section complete the ensemble. Fraser wrote all ten songs.

“Be Good to Yourself” packs its recurring refrain into compact form and ends before an extended resolution. “Ain’t No Substitute” raises intensity through firmer accents and a more forceful delivery.

A1. “Train of Love” (4:15)
A2. “Let Your Love Come Out” (3:55)
A3. “Ease On Out” (4:00)
A4. “Be Good to Yourself” (3:25)
A5. “Gotta Steal Away” (3:37)

B1. “Listen to the Rain” (6:02)
B2. “Leave Your Love-Light Shine” (3:50)
B3. “Talking ’Bout My Baby” (3:20)
B4. “Ain’t No Substitute” (4:15)
B5. “Need Someone to Love” (5:01)

Fraser recorded …In Your Eyes at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama, with producer Brad Shapiro and engineers Jerry Masters and Steve Melton. Shapiro selected the material from Fraser’s demos before the sessions and arrived from his work with Millie Jackson on Caught Up and Still Caught Up. Masters and Melton also worked on the latter album. Melton’s other 1975 credits included Bob Seger’s Beautiful Loser and Rod Stewart’s Atlantic Crossing. Shapiro mixed Fraser’s tapes at Criteria Studios in Miami.

CBS art director Rosław Szaybo designed the sleeve around portrait photography by Paul Wakefield.

CBS issued “Be Good to Yourself” in November 1975 (b/w “Gotta Steal Away”). “Listen to the Rain” followed in February 1976 (b/w “Train of Love”).

BGO paired Andy Fraser Band and …In Your Eyes on a 2010 compact disc.

California and Songwriting

Fraser moved to California following the CBS albums and concentrated on songwriting. Robert Palmer recorded “Every Kinda People” for the 1978 album Double Fun. Fraser also wrote or co-wrote material recorded by Frankie Miller, Joe Cocker, Chaka Khan, Rod Stewart, and Paul Young.

Fine Fine Line

Fraser released his second solo album, Fine Fine Line, in 1984 on Island.

Fraser concentrated on singing and left the bass parts to Davey Faragher. Keyboardist Bob Marlette, guitarist Michael Thompson, and drummer Tony Braunagel form the studio band. Marlette shares most of the original-song credits; Jim Vallance appears on two songs and Graham Lyle on one. Fraser wrote “Knocking at Your Door” alone, while Berry Gordy Jr. supplied the added Motown cover “Do You Love Me.”

“Fine Fine Line” surges through broad production as Fraser belts each return. “Branded by the Fire” rises from a measured entrance before a precise solo tightens its second half. “Chinese Eyes” threads dense electronic detail through a taut pulse. “Knocking at Your Door” skims across an offbeat verse, then breaks into a harder refrain.

“Do You Love Me” bounces through programmed accents and echoing figures. “Night to Last Forever” builds toward an expansive refrain and exits on saxophone. “Danger” drives through compact turns before brief symphonic expansions widen its form.

A1. “Fine, Fine Line” (3:41) – Fraser, Marlette
A2. “Branded by the Fire” (4:06) – Fraser, Marlette
A3. “Chinese Eyes” (3:33) – Fraser, Marlette, Jim Vallance
A4. “Knocking at Your Door” (3:06) – Fraser
A5. “Million Miles Away” (4:09) – Fraser, Graham Lyle

B1. “Do You Love Me” (3:38) – Berry Gordy Jr.
B2. “Night to Last Forever” (3:38) – Fraser, Marlette
B3. “Danger” (3:22) – Fraser, Marlette, Vallance
B4. “One Night Love Affair” (3:16) – Fraser, Marlette
B5. “Living This Eternal Dream” (4:45) – Fraser, Marlette

Fraser recorded the original nine-song program at Skyline Studios in Topanga, California, with keyboardist-songwriter Bob Marlette and engineer-producer John Eden. Eden recorded the band live and completed the initial mixes after Fraser finished his parts at home and Skyline.

Island founder Chris Blackwell requested an additional single. Fraser returned to the studio with Marlette and produced “Do You Love Me,” which Island inserted into the completed sequence. Producer-engineer Hugh Padgham then remixed the album following his work on the Police’s 1983 release Synchronicity.

Art director Paula Greif built the package around photography by Steven Meisel. Greif and Meisel also shared 1984 visual credits on Madonna’s Like a Virgin.

Island issued “Do You Love Me” in February 1984, backed with “Palm of My Hand,” a non-album Fraser–Marlette–Vallance exclusive. The A-side reached No. 82 on the Billboard Hot 100.

B. “Palm of My Hand” (3:48)

“Fine, Fine Line” followed in May, backed with “These Arms of Mine,” a non-album Fraser exclusive.

B. “These Arms of Mine” (3:20)

Later Activity

Fraser played bass with Paul Rodgers at Woodstock ’94. He subsequently established McTrax as a vehicle for his recordings and publishing interests.

Naked… and Finally Free

Fraser released Naked… and Finally Free in 2005 on McTrax.

Fraser wrote all thirteen songs and assembled a studio cast around his own singing and production. Guitarists Michael Landau, Heitor Pereira, and Tariqh Akoni appear across the program. Keyboardist Bobby Lyle plays piano and Hammond organ; percussionist Luis Conte handles congas, bata, djembe, timbales, and shakers.

1. “Healing Hands” (3:54)
2. “Yours Faithfully” (4:02)
3. “Stand Ready” (3:56)
4. “Too Far to Turn Back Now” (3:53)
5. “Don’t Leave” (4:26)
6. “All I Want Is You” (4:16)
7. “Jungle” (5:27)
8. “Hands of Time” (4:22)
9. “Deliverance” (3:27)
10. “Someone Watching Over Me” (3:39)
11. “Family” (5:19)
12. “The Night” (4:44)
13. “Standing at Your Window” (3:42)

Fraser recorded the album at House of Blues Studio in Encino, California. He produced and mixed the recordings himself, while Johnny Potoker engineered the overdubs. John Eden had begun “Yours Faithfully,” “Jungle,” and “All I Want Is You” with Fraser at Topanga Skyline Studios during 1989, before the facility closed and suspended the project.

Fraser’s daughters designed the CD artwork and related video material.

Final Recordings

McTrax released On Assignment in 2012. The program includes “Ghetto Bus,” “Time to Face the Music,” “Carnival,” “Totally Yours,” “This Is the Big One,” “Beautiful,” “Thank You,” “Reggae Boy,” “Oh Yeah,” “I Found God,” and “Witness.” Guitarist Christoph Lindner and backing singer Wes Quave appear on “Ghetto Bus.” A UK compact disc followed during 2014.

Fraser died at his home in California on March 16, 2015, at age sixty-two.

Discography

Andy Fraser Band (1975 • Andy Fraser Band)
…In Your Eyes (1975)
Fine Fine Line (1984)
Naked… and Finally Free (2005)
On Assignment (2012; UK CD 2014)

Discography: