If Cold Chisel had only ever sung and recorded one song - 'Khe Sahn' - I would have been OK with that. In fairness to them they did other memorable tracks, 'Cheap Wine', 'Forever Now', 'When the War is Over', but 'Khe Sahn' was and is and will remain my favourite.
The story of a Vietnam vet struggling with civilian life, drugs, work and sex - a Shakespearean tragedy in a 4 minute song. After radio station DJ's pleaded for the track to be released as a single, it eventually was - only for the censors to classify it 'not suitable for airplay' because of the very essence of the song, references to sex and drugs. Jimmy Barnes on lead vocals and Ian Moss on backing, Don Walker working a Hammond organ in just the right places and Dave Blight with the exact phrasing the harmonica needs.
Jimmy Barnes, a Scottish immigrant who came to Australia in 1962 when he was 5 years old, gives the vocals his signature edge and rawness, developed in no small part by being the lead singer for what was basically a pub band. Originally called Orange, in the early-mid 70s the group changed their name to Cold Chisel and by 1980 were the biggest band in Australia.
Barnsey was pretty volatile though, and unpredictable, and boozy, and had a habit of leaving the group repeatedly. In 1977 on one of his 'farewell' performances, the show went so well he decided to stay !!
Anybody reading this in Australia needs no further rambling from me. They know Cold Chisel, they know Jimmy Barnes, they probably have a love/hate relationship with one or the other or both, but nobody who is an Australian, or became one, or flew over the place at a low enough altitude can escape the influence that these boys had on Australian popular music.
If you were not one of the above people, and lived anywhere else in the world, you probably haven't a clue who they are. In that case, do yourselves a favour. Listen to the link I've put at the bottom of this review, then seek out at least the other songs I've mentioned.
You'll be glad you did.
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