Cold Chisel kicked off an astonishing career with their 1978 self-titled debut album. It yielded the classic single “Khe Sanh”, songwriter / keyboard player Don Walker’s heartfelt lament for disenchanted Vietnam vets, with its instantly recognisable piano introduction, cruising beat and bluesy harmonica work. Banned from radio airplay back in the day because of controversial lyric content, the track has nevertheless resided in every “Top Ten Australian Rock Songs of All-Time” list ever since. In fact, Walker established his reputation for emotional depth and range right here by penning all eight tracks (including only one co-write). The album captured the very essence of Chisel's blues ‘n’ pub-rock roots with its balance of power and melody, showcasing maniacal front-man Jimmy Barnes in hearty voice on tracks like the driving opener “Juliet.” The ballad “Rosaline” allows guitarist Ian Moss to share vocal duties with Barnes, to telling effect, but it’s on the final track “Just How Many Times”, that Moss nailed his nascent guitar hero status with consummate ease, with a beautifully realised solo that lifts the song to a whole other level.
Other Versions
Music Videos
- 2019
- Australian Crawl
- The Screaming Jets
- James Reyne
- Johnny Diesel & The Injectors