Customer Reviews

Freight Train Heart

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Something of an Australian folk hero, although originally from Glasgow, Jimmy Barnes is the original 'working class man', the title track and signature tune from his first US release. Having come to prominence with Australian band Cold Chisel, 1987's `Freight Train Heart' was Barnes' second album for Geffen. Mixed for an American audience and recorded with American musicians with some notoriously top flight song-writers-for -hire enlisted during the writing process, `Freight Train Heart' was, if we're being honest here, one of the albums of the eighties and should be in every discerning AOR-fan's Top 30. An Australian Number 1 album, several times platinum, FTH actually flopped in the US, despite being chock-full of absolute classic AOR-radio friendly rock songs.

Barnes' voice kinda resembles that of Sammy Hagar's and just oozes cool; it has been described as one part pure AC/DC rasp, one part eternal romantic, and one part master storyteller. The musical accompaniment is faultless; Journey-like in terms of sheer quality. Hardly surprising given that most of the songs were co-produced by ex-Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain in tandem with `Escape' producer Mike Stone. Some of Cain's usual cohorts (Neal Schon, Randy Jackson) provide backing here and have co-write credits with Barnes. With Desmond Child and Jim Vallance also contributing, of course the record sounds highly commercial, but Barnes' commanding voice keeps proceedings rooted in rock. The vocals have a huge emotional quality without ever being overwrought, even on "Waitin' For The Heartache", a balladic anthem co-written by Desmond Child. As usual Neal Schon provides a stunning array of biting solos throughout. Other highlights are the blues-ballad "Too Much Ain't Enough" and the epic "Last Frontier".

This album had a sizeable budget behind it, and it shows. Hook-laden although never syrupy. A huge accomplishment. An album for everyone and a classic. Probably as mainstream as AOR ever got. If you missed it first time, it's due for re-release in 2003!

If you can imagine a singer with a nastier voice than John Fogerty (which is pretty hard to do)then you have an idea what Jimmy Barnes sounds like. Having said that, you might think this guy must sound like a surface grinder, but you'd be wrong. Jimmy Barnes is one of the great Hard Rock singers of all time. After the first listen I figured, Too Much Ain't Enough(the CD's only hit) was the only high point, but, since CD's cost so damn much, I rarely pass judgment one until it does time in my car. First impressions sometime suck and this was one of them. The CD starts out with David Lindly playing what can only be discribed as slide guitar from hell then never lets up until the end. Listening to Freight Train Heart is like getting paid to wreck your Math teacher's house while he's on vacation. It's great traveling music. I pop it in everytime I cross the George Washington Bridge going into New York City just to get into that New York State of Mind Billy Joel sings about. You know, Music to Loot Pilage and Run People Over By. Freight Train Heart is a must have for every hard rock lovers car stereo. WARNING: Should be played only while steering wheel is in your hand and gas pedal is on the floor.

Excellent CD. This is a fast and hard driving album with a great musicians backing Jimmy's powerful awesome singing voice. It kind of has a Journey-like sound because Jon Cain co-produced and plays keyboards along with Neal Schon on guitar. Tony Brock of The Babys and Rod Stewart fame lays down a solid drum beat. TOO MUCH AIN'T ENOUGH is a great ballad and the rest of the CD are hard rocking songs that are top notch such as WAITING FOR THE HEARTACHE, SEVEN MORE DAYS, and LAST FRONTIER. Every song is great and once you start listening you won't be able to stop. Jimmy's voice is one of best singing voices I've heard.

Jimmy Barnes' "Freight train heart" from 1988 might not be that well known and that's a real shame because this album rocks! It is not heavy metal or hard rock, but more in the musical line of Tom Cochrane. Barnes is an energetic and enthusiastic singer and his rocking version of Bob Dylan's "Seven days" blow away any other attempts (like Joe Cocker's) as well as the original. Other standouts are the attractive pair "Driving wheels" and "Last frontier", together with the melodic and catchy "I'm still on your side".

"Freight train heart" is absolutely Jimmy Barnes' finest release and should be of interest to anyone who claims to be a rock fan. If you like the mentioned Tom Cochrane, the rockiest stuff from Tom Petty, John Cougar Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen, I would say that the chance of liking this album is very high.

This may well be the best cd by an artist you never heard of. Great songs written by the artist performing them and a moving cover of a Dylan deep cut. Very upbeat, driving rock with unique vocal talent-Jimmy Barnes has such a strong voice with great range. I lokked for this cd a long time before I finally found it on Amazon.

If you are wanting an introduction to Australian rock then you should look no further than this release. The CD opens with the classic Driving Wheels (which was written by Schon and Cain from Journey fame) and also contains the classic Too much aint enough and Waitin for the heartache. The closing track, Walk on should make it as part of a movie score - truely classic. If you have heard of Cold Chisel - they were and are still regarded as one of Australias premier bands, and liked what they did then this should make a part of your CD collection

Take Journey mix in AC/DC & add John Waite & you get Jimmy Barnes. There is not a bad song on this cd. Just put in the CD & press play & listen all the way through. My favorites are Driving Wheels, Too Much Ain't Enough, Waitin' For The Heartache and Walk On. If you like Journey, Starship, Bad English, Foreigner or The Storm then get this CD. It is worth it.

This is quintessential driving music that is simply second to none. Every song expresses a different emotion, starting on the awesome epic opener "Driving Wheels" with its story of the road. The moment the slide guitar intro comes onto the speakers, it just oozes unspeakable coolness. The other tracks are equally good: the furious, righteous rock of "Do or Die"; the straight ahead classic road-rock of "Lessons in Love"; the smooth & laid back feel of "Still On Your Side"; the upbeat summertime stomp of "Wanna Get Started With You"; and naturally, the overblown heartbreak ballad in "Walk On".....not a bad song on the disc. Every song is just tailor made for driving down the road, wind in your hair as the world whips by. Perfect for scenic highway drives.

This album had a sizable budget behind it, and it shows. It's a classic kind of rock, boasting top flight songwriters and session players such as Jon Cain and Neal Schon (of Journey and Bad English fame), Jim Vallance (Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, etc), Randy Jackson, Desmond Child, et al. That fact, coupled with an impeccable production courtesy of Mike Stone and Jimmy's rough powerhouse vocals, means this is for everyone. Definitely one of my top ten discs of all time.

Jimmy has since mellowed out, I hear he's just doing soul nowadays, but he thankfully left behind some great discs like this one. The first time I heard it, I didn't like it so much, I don't know what I was thinking...

Like a master chef or a wizard, Jimmy Barnes manages to mix 1 part pure rasp a'la AC/DC, 1 part romantic sensitivity, 1 part master storyteller and 1 part pure musical genius that can't be beat. The combination of Barnes with Journey regulars Jonathan Cain and Neil Schon is the ultimate supergroup - I'm sad that they only made one album together. The blend of rockers like 'Do or Die' and ballads like 'Waiting for the Heartache' will make this one rapidly a favorite, or in my case, my absolute favorite album.

The guy who wrote the above review has NO idea. Not only has not listened to this album enough to be able to review it, but he also has not heard of any of the other albums Jimmy Barnes and Cold Chisel have released. Basically if you want exposure to Aussie culture; this is it.

The songs on this album vary a lot; from themes of passion (Still on your side) to anger (Do or Die). Yes some say Jimmy Barnes 'screams'...he sings with passion and he does have a good voice. For many of us Aussies, Jimmy Barnes represents nostalgia; memories of those hot summer nights out the back with a beer, contemplating life love and friendship.