Customer Reviews

Studio Sessions 1978-1984

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This collection is the absolute top collection for Cold Chisel fans - even though the bonus tracks does not follow the albums. A complete collection of all the studio albums.

It's a shame Cold Chisel never hit in the U.S. They got some airplay of "Khe Sahn" from East and the followup to East, Circus Animals was available here, too, but as far as I know - and I've looked around - that's it. They are a great rock band - charged playing and smart writing in a style of their own.

Amnerican fans may want to know that East and Circus Animals are clearly Cold Chisel's two best albums (I'd put their second, Breakfast at Sweetheart's next), and especially that the version of "Khe Sahn" on the U.S. version of East is not only not on that album in this set but in fact is not here at all. Instead, a very different, faster, less intense version of "Khe Sahn" is on Cold Chisel's first album. Each disc here contains bonus tracks, so it's a mystery to me as to why they did not include the "American" version as a bonus on East.

That said, this is a worthy batch of big ol' '80s style rock, the guitar-driven style of stuff that Springsteen and U2 were doing with at least as much artistic vision and a much tougher attitude. The early in-concert videos included here show why they caused such a commotion in Australia.

If there is a defining moment in life, mine was when I first heard the hallowing voice of Jimmy Barnes matched by the tight rhythym section of Prestwich, Walker and Small and the haunting guitar playing of Ian Moss. Make no mistake the lyrics, music and blood sweat and tears of their live shows are only matched by 2 of the best albums ever (the Mark Opitz productions of East and Circus Animals). Yet outside these classics came some awesome album tracks which made into even better live music (songs such as Dresden, Star Hotel, Ita, Hound Dog, the heart wrenching Letter to Alan, One Long Day, My Turn to Cry, Flame Trees and Mossys beautiful live "Georgia"). The irony of the brilliance and timeliness of these uniquely Australian songs is that my 3 year old now cranks up the stereo with some Chisel classics, and his dad is the one banished to another room.

Check out the solo stuff as well particularly Ian Moss' classic Match Book and World's Away, my 2 most played CDs..

in all a classic act......BUY this it is a steal, the only thing better is a live Moss or Chisel performance, memorable stuff

I have all of the Chisel CD's that this collection is comprised of, and it cost me a LOT more than what this is going for...if you really like great rock and roll, and are not concerned about whether or not if it is 'in style' - open 1 ear and check it out.
This is a BARGAIN - so if you are inclined, press BUY now!

Jimmy Barnes and friends created one of the best rock groups ever, but the problem is that the rest of the world never got a chance to hear them...now is your chance. Don't question it - CC were Aussies, and the idea of having 'world fame' was rather secondary to just plain old 'local fame' - it just may happen someday - and in the meantime I will be a yank flying the flag of CC in the ole USA (as much as I know that JB hates it - why jimmy? we love ya!)

SO, Cold Chisel fan or not, this is essential stuff.