The Free Design
A harmonic folk band of the 60s and 70s
by freedesign
The Free Design stopped recording together in 1974.
The sound of Free Design can be described as modern, rich orchestration with a choral approach to pop, simultaneously nostalgic and bracingly fresh. Although the band remained obscure and unnoticed by the media, it is not strange that nowadays bands such as Cornelius, Stereolab, Pizzicato Five, Blueboy, Gentle People, Louis Philippe and Tomorrow’s World, have found a source of inspiration in the prolific career of the Dedricks.
by freedesign
Released 1972
There is a Song (Ambrotype) was the last Free Design record the group made until 2001’s Cosmic Peekaboo. It was recorded during a time of change for the group and the Dedrick family, as the group had parted with its label, Project 3, and Chris Dedrick moved to Canada. The album was released on the tiny New York label Ambrotype. Luckily for fans of the band, Light in the Attic rescued it from its fate and put the album out on CD, because it is definitely worth hearing. The group moved away from the big arrangements and orchestras of its past releases; most of the album is anchored musically by simple acoustic guitars and colored in subtly by just a few horns and strings. Their rich vocal harmonies hadn’t changed at all, however, as Chris and sisters Ellen and Sandy sound as innocent and star-struck as ever. Despite its obscurity, the album holds some of the group’s finest compositions and performances, like the relentlessly upbeat “Canada in Springtime,” the sweetly spiritual “Peter, Paul and Mary,” the bouncy “I Wanna Be There,” and the breathtakingly clear-and-cool title track. The album may be the group’s most fully realized and rewarding endeavor.
by freedesign
Released 1971
One By One is more muted and more emotional. The songs seem a bit more personal (“One By One”, “Friendly Man”), and the harmony arrangements are less ornate, grayer. However, I was initially surprised at how much I was digging the “Light My Fire” cover. For the Free Design, it’d become this jazzy, psych-lounge odyssey that should have been playing during the love scenes in all the bizarre sci-fi think pieces big at the time. Another oddity: what are A-list jazz guys Billy Cobham, Randy Brecker and Bob Mann doing on a Free Design record? “Felt So Good” (and the less convincing “Go Lean on a River”) is kind of a clean version of the big band rock made infamous by Blood, Sweat & Tears, given a kick by the heavyweight ringers. My faves are the title track, “Friendly Man” and “Going Back”, the latter of which should probably be copied and branded by Rufus Wainwright ASAP. — Dominique Leone, April 06, 2005
by freedesign
Despite the almost unbelievable lack of chart success they had keen followers and made numerous appearances on TV Shows like The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Mike Douglas Show, Merv Griffin, Captain Kangaroo and others and toured around the country playing at universities and clubs. However, with the contemporary rock air of the late 1960s early 1970s thick with the textures and attitudes of Led Zeppelin, Zappa, David Bowie and Sly Stone together with the arrival of the disco, a brother and sister act who struck no poses but sang melodic popular music never made it high on the charts. The craftsmanship of the Free Design’s productions, the intricate arrangements, the timelessness of the songs and the purity and natural beauty of their voices were in contrast with the trends being set by their contemporaries.
by freedesign
Released 1970
Sing For Very Important People is something of a children’s album, replete with songs about cowboys, Sesame Street, familiar Free Design pastimes of kites, bubbles and even a short lullaby at the end. According to Bruce Dedrick (who would leave the band following this record), the album was partially inspired by Mary Travers becoming a mother (she of big folk-pop players Peter, Paul & Mary)– if that seems twee, just remember Belle & Sebastian named themselves after a French kid’s show. Chris Dedrick’s opener “Don’t Cry, Baby” uses lightly melancholy, but just as exquisitely placed vocal harmonies to impart its message of perseverance and love. Again, if the message matters to you, you might find yourself balking at the total lack of irony or edge. Yet, as on “Children’s Waltz” and “Lullaby”, the wave of pastel, hymnal harmonies are hard to deny on aesthetic grounds. About half the record contains previously released songs, which could take steam out of its impact for fans (or collectors), but even then, songs like “Kites Are Fun” and “Bubbles” are some of the best the band produced. — Dominique Leone, April 06, 2005
by freedesign
Released 1970
Sing For Very Important People is something of a children’s album, replete with songs about cowboys, Sesame Street, familiar Free Design pastimes of kites, bubbles and even a short lullaby at the end. According to Bruce Dedrick (who would leave the band following this record), the album was partially inspired by Mary Travers becoming a mother (she of big folk-pop players Peter, Paul & Mary)– if that seems twee, just remember Belle & Sebastian named themselves after a French kid’s show. Chris Dedrick’s opener “Don’t Cry, Baby” uses lightly melancholy, but just as exquisitely placed vocal harmonies to impart its message of perseverance and love. Again, if the message matters to you, you might find yourself balking at the total lack of irony or edge. Yet, as on “Children’s Waltz” and “Lullaby”, the wave of pastel, hymnal harmonies are hard to deny on aesthetic grounds. About half the record contains previously released songs, which could take steam out of its impact for fans (or collectors), but even then, songs like “Kites Are Fun” and “Bubbles” are some of the best the band produced. — Dominique Leone, April 06, 2005
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