Back Street Crawler, despite being
Paul Kossoff's first post-
Free album, contains contributions from all members of that band. "Molten Gold," the most accessible song on the album, features the talent of
Free vocalist
Paul Rodgers, and is an overlooked shoulda-been hit. Otherwise, the album is highlighted by
Kossoff's blues- and rock-based guitar. "Time Away" is a haunting, atmospheric instrumental duet with avant folk-jazz guitarist/singer
John Martyn that originally registered 18 minutes in length. The full version was eventually released on the
Free box set
Songs of Yesterday, but here is edited down significantly in favor of the 17-minute A-side track "Tuesday Morning," a more upbeat but less interesting choice. Regardless of this fault, this is one of those albums that deserves a place in the pantheon of classic rock. ~ Rob Caldwell