“Wild and Free” features Akers’ simple echo bass under the vocal on the slippy-dippy verses, with a straight-ahead overdriven chorus that sticks in your head.  A studied dynamic sets “I Believe” in motion. With Will McFarlane guesting here on lead and slide (he has played with Bonnie Raitt and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section), the tune rises to quite an inspiring top, again with Hale kicking the chorus out of the park.