Swingshift

Last updated

Swingshift
Swingshift.jpg
Live album by
Cold Chisel
Released23 March 1981
Genre Pub rock
Length1:31:06 (2011 Remaster)
Label WEA Records
Producer Mark Opitz
Cold Chisel chronology
East
(1980)		Swingshift
(1981)		 Circus Animals
(1982)

Swingshift is a live album released by Australian band Cold Chisel in 1981. It was their first album to reach No. 1 on the Australian chart, debuting there in its first week. [1] It peaked at number 9 in New Zealand. [2] A press release said the title referred to, "the midnight to dawn shift that the staff in asylums dread: the hours when the crazies go crazy." [3]

Contents

Details

The performances on Swingshift were taken from concerts at Sydney's Capitol Theatre and Melbourne's Festival Hall from the "Youth in Asia" tour in the winter of 1980. Don Walker said compared to the studio versions of the songs, "Generally the feel's a lot better, and the band plays a lot better." [4] The songs are as recorded live, but studio remixing took 125 hours. [5]

Barnes said, "Most of the album was recorded at Sydney's Capitol Theatre on the last night of our Youth In Asia tour. It was a really hot night. Everything just happened, you know? Everyone fired." [6] The opening acts for this night were Mental as Anything and INXS. Guest musicians were saxophonist Billy Rodgers (a one-time member of Dragon) and David Blight on harmonica, who is introduced by Barnes saying, "David Blight nearly cut his hand off the other day but he thought he'd come up and play anyway."

"I remember the show very well," Don Walker said. "It was pretty much the highlight of that tour. By the time we did that show, we'd played the East album all over the country and this was bringing everything home. Our chance to play all the East songs live to our home crowd." [7]

Producer Mark Opitz said of the recording process, "I just turned up at gigs with recording equipment. Half the band didn’t know I was gonna do it. I didn’t want them to know too early because I didn’t wanna get them gun-shy." [8]

There are covers of "Knocking on Heaven's Door", Creedence Clear Water Revival's "Long as I Can See the Light", and Jesse Stone's "Don't Let Go" on the album. Barnes introduces the latter song by saying he prefers the version done by Jerry Lee.

The picture on the cover of the album is taken from a still of a video recording from when the band played the Manly Vale in April 1980. [9] The cover was almost entirely created by Phillip Mortlock. [10]

Cold Chisel re-released their catalogue in 2011, with Swingshift re-entering the Australian charts for one week at number 42. [2] This new remaster contains four additional tracks.

Reception

Adrian Zupp at allmusic gave the album a score of four and a half out of five, noting, "The band was at the peak of its powers and launching from all silos, and it shows." [11] He noted there are many highlights, including, "the band's signature number "Khe Sanh," the dark and frantic "Conversations," the beefed-up rockabilly of "Rising Sun," and the rock & roll meteor "Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye)." [11] He went on to praise the performances of support players Billy Rodgers and David Blight, but questioned the inclusion of the cover of "Knocking on Heaven's Door". Rip It Up, however, praised the cover and added, "listen to Jesse Stone's "Don't Let Go" which has been butchered by everybody from Manhattan Transfer to Isaac Hayes. Stand to be reconverted." [12]

Upon release, the album was also highly praised in RAM, one of the leading Australian music magazines of the time. Reviewer Greg Taylor said, "The result is four sides of high rock and roll, brilliantly played, well recorded, and definitely worth taking home - especially if you're finding Chisel gigs a bit crowded for comfort these days." [5] However, he does note, "The very fact that a live gig demands more up rockers than anything else precludes Swingshift from being a Very Best of Cold Chisel." [5]

Critic Toby Creswell said of Swingshift, "the amazing thing was the way they fitted together. Jimmy and Mossy deliver spade loads of emotion. As much as Jimmy has been criticised for screaming, if you listen to that record what he's doing vocally is really amazing." [13] Roadrunner said, "Fan-bloody-tastic. That's about the best way I can sum up my reaction to this magnum opus. There's no fuss, no frills, just the hottest live band in the country (the world?) captured in all their naked glory." [14]

In the Sydney Morning Herald, the album was described as, "Hard music carrying politically aware lyrics, forced home with hammer-like backgrounds." [3] The Canberra Times said, "to see a group sweating and roaring and squealing and stomping brings joy to the soul. If there is a top Australian group right now, it has to be Cold Chisel." [15]

Track listing

All songs written by Don Walker, except where noted.

Side one
  1. "Conversations"
  2. "Shipping Steel"
  3. "Breakfast at Sweethearts"
  4. "Rising Sun" (Jimmy Barnes)
  5. "Choirgirl"
Side two
  1. "Khe Sanh"
  2. "My Turn to Cry" (Barnes)
  3. "Four Walls"
  4. "One Long Day"
Side three
  1. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan)
  2. "My Baby" (Phil Small)
  3. "Star Hotel"
  4. "Don't Let Go" (Jesse Stone)
Side four
  1. "Long as I Can See the Light" (John Fogerty)
  2. "The Party's Over"
  3. "Cheap Wine"
  4. "Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye)" (Walker, Barnes)

2011 Remaster

Disc one
  1. "Conversations"
  2. "Juliet" (Walker/Jimmy Barnes)
    • Bonus Track
  3. "Shipping Steel"
  4. "Breakfast at Sweethearts"
  5. "Rising Sun" (Barnes)
  6. "Never Before" (Ian Moss)
    • Bonus Track
  7. "Choirgirl"
  8. "Khe Sanh"
  9. "My Turn to Cry" (Barnes)
  10. "Four Walls"
  11. "One Long Day"
Disc two
  1. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan)
  2. "My Baby" (Phil Small)
  3. "Ita"
    • Bonus Track
  4. "Star Hotel"
  5. "Don't Let Go" (Jesse Stone)
  6. "Long as I Can See the Light" (John Fogerty)
  7. "The Party's Over"
  8. "Merry-Go-Round"
    • Bonus Track
  9. "Cheap Wine"
  10. "Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye)" (Walker, Barnes)

Notes:

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1981)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [16] 1
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [17] 9

Year-end charts

Chart (1981)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [18] 23

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [19] 3× Platinum210,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Personnel

Related Research Articles

Cold Chisel Australian rock band

Cold Chisel are an Australian pub rock band, which formed in Adelaide in 1973 by mainstay members Ian Moss on guitar and vocals, Steve Prestwich on drums and Don Walker on piano and keyboards. They were soon joined by Jimmy Barnes on lead vocals and, in 1975, Phil Small became their bass guitarist. The group disbanded in late 1983 but subsequently reformed several times. Musicologist Ian McFarlane wrote that they became "one of Australia's best-loved groups" as well as "one of the best live bands", fusing "a combination of rockabilly, hard rock and rough-house soul'n'blues that was defiantly Australian in outlook."

Khe Sanh (song) 2022 single by Cold Chisel

"Khe Sanh" is the debut single by Australian rock band Cold Chisel, released in May 1978 as a 45 rpm single, and named after the district capital of Hướng Hóa District, Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam. Written by pianist Don Walker, "Khe Sanh" concerns an Australian Vietnam veteran dealing with his return to civilian life. According to Toby Creswell's liner notes for the band's 1991 compilation album Chisel, the song is also a story of restless youth.

<i>Breakfast at Sweethearts</i> 1979 studio album by Cold Chisel

Breakfast at Sweethearts is the second studio album by Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel, released in February 1979. It spent 32 weeks in the national charts, reaching a peak of number 4.

<i>Cold Chisel</i> (album) 1978 studio album by Cold Chisel

Cold Chisel is the self-titled debut album of Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel. Released in April 1978, it spent 23 weeks in the Australian charts, peaking at number 38.

<i>Chisel</i> (album) 1991 compilation album by Cold Chisel

Chisel is a compilation album by Australian pub rocker band Cold Chisel, released in September 1991. It features a selection of their best songs from previous albums, including live versions of the tracks "Merry-Go-Round", "Star Hotel" and "Goodbye ". The track "Misfits" was previously a B-side and was removed from later re-issues of this album. A limited edition release of this album included the long-deleted 1978 live EP "You're Thirteen, You're Beautiful, and You're Mine".

<i>Youre Thirteen, Youre Beautiful, and Youre Mine</i> 1978 EP (Live) by Cold Chisel

You're Thirteen, You're Beautiful, and You're Mine is a live EP by Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel, recorded at the Regent Theatre in Sydney in October 1978, and released in November. After a long period of unavailability, the EP was re-released as a bonus disc with the second pressing of the compilation album Chisel (1991). The EP was later made available digitally, as well as reissued on disc in 2011.

<i>East</i> (Cold Chisel album) 1980 studio album by Cold Chisel

East is the third studio album by Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel, released in June 1980. The album peaked at No. 2 and spent 63 weeks on the national chart. It was the biggest-selling Australian album release of the year. It was the only Cold Chisel album to chart in America, reaching 171 on the Billboard 200. It also reached number 32 on the New Zealand charts.

<i>Circus Animals</i> 1982 studio album by Cold Chisel

Circus Animals is the fourth studio album by Australian band Cold Chisel, released on 8 March 1982. It was recorded and mixed at Paradise Studios and EMI Studios 301, Sydney. It reached number one on the Australian charts, remaining in the charts for 40 weeks, and also topped the New Zealand charts. The working title for the album was "Tunnel Cunts".

<i>Twentieth Century</i> (Cold Chisel album) 1984 studio album by Cold Chisel

Twentieth Century is the fifth and final studio album by Australian band Cold Chisel until the group reformed in 1998. The album was written and recorded over various sessions during the period of the band's break-up and during breaks in their final tour. It was released in early 1984 and peaked at No. 1 on the Australian albums chart, their third consecutive album to do so. It charted for a total of 46 weeks.

Last Stand is a documentary film of the final concert appearances by Australian rock band, Cold Chisel, prior to their first disbandment. It was filmed on 13 and 15 December 1983 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and released to cinemas in July 1984. It featured the group performing two of the four final concerts of their national Last Stand Tour, from 12 to 15 December 1983. It is interspersed with short interviews from members of the band, their managers, audience members and Midnight Oil front man, Peter Garrett. A DVD version featuring extra footage was issued in October 2005.

Don Walker (musician) Australian musician and songwriter (born 1951)

Donald Hugh Walker is an Australian musician and songwriter who wrote many of the hits for Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel. Walker is considered to be one of Australia's best songwriters. In 2012 he was inducted into the Australian Songwriter's Hall of Fame.

Choirgirl (song) 1979 song written by Don Walker performed by Cold Chisel

"Choirgirl" is a 1979 single by Australian rock band Cold Chisel. A ballad with an R&B influenced melody, the single was released months before the album East that it featured on. It was the first time the band had recorded with producer Mark Opitz. It peaked at number 14 in Australia

Cheap Wine (song) 2022 single by Cold Chisel

"Cheap Wine" is a 1980 single from Australian rock band Cold Chisel. The second single from the album East, the single was released in May, a month before the album. It reached number 8 on the Australian charts, the band's first top-ten single, and would eventually remain the band's second highest chart performance. It has been described as, "one of Don's finest commercial songs."

"Goodbye " is a 1978 single from Australian rock band Cold Chisel. Written by keyboardist Don Walker and vocalist Jimmy Barnes, it was released as a single in 1978, peaking at number 65 on the Australian charts. It appeared as a track on the 1979 album Breakfast at Sweethearts.

<i>The Live Tapes Vol. 1</i> 2013 live album by Cold Chisel

"The Live Tapes Vol. 1" is a 2 disc live album by Australian rock band Cold Chisel. A deluxe edition also came with a bonus DVD. The album was recorded in Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on 18 April 2012 and released on 22 November 2013. The album was the first new live Cold Chisel release in over 10 years. The album peaked at number 27 in Australia.

<i>The Studio Sessions 1978–1984</i> 1999 box set by Cold Chisel

The Studio Sessions 1978–1984 is seven-disc, limited edition box set by Australian rock band Cold Chisel, released in Australia in December 1999. The box set contained five original studio albums, all remastered, restored and repackaged with bonus tracks, video clips, posters and photos from the era. Also includes a 2CD live album set entitled Swingshift.

<i>Radio Songs: A Best of Cold Chisel</i> 1985 greatest hits album by Cold Chisel

Radio Songs: A Best of Cold Chsiel is the second greatest hits collection by Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel, and first compilation released in Australia. The album was released in 1985. It included tracks from their first five studio albums, Cold Chisel, Breakfast at Sweethearts, East, Circus Animals and Twentieth Century.

<i>The Live Tapes Vol. 3</i> 2016 live album by Cold Chisel

The Live Tapes Vol. 3 is a live album by Australian rock band Cold Chisel. The album was recorded at The Manly Vale Hotel in Sydney on 7 June 1980, the same week the band's third studio album, East was released.

<i>The Live Tapes Vol. 4</i> 2017 live album by Cold Chisel

The Live Tapes Vol. 4 is a live album by Australian rock band Cold Chisel. The album was recorded at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 17, 18 December 2015, which ended their One Night Stand tour. The band dubbed the performances 'The Last Stand' of the Sydney Entertainment Centre, prior to the venue's demolition. Upon announcement of these 2015 shows, over 20,000 tickets were sold in 10 minutes. The album was launched on the grass of Hobart's Wrest Point Hotel Casino on 22 November.

<i>The Live Tapes Vol. 5</i> 2020 live album by Cold Chisel

The Live Tapes Vol. 5 is a live album by Australian rock band Cold Chisel, released on 11 December 2020. The album was recorded at the Bondi Lifesaver on 29 February 1980. The recording were captured on two multitrack tapes, after 43 shows over 56 days. It was recorded three days before band began recording their landmark album East, and just six months prior to the closure of the club itself.

References

  1. ↑ David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. p. 72. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  2. 1 2 "COLD CHISEL - SWINGSHIFT (ALBUM)". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  3. 1 2 Madeleine D'Haeye (5 April 1981). "Australian rock in world class". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  4. ↑ Greg Taylor. "Chisel Working the Swingshift in Paradise". RAM. Sydney, NSW: Soundtracts Publishing Pty Ltd (1 May 1981): 13–15.
  5. 1 2 3 Greg Taylor. "Cold Chisel Swingshift". RAM. Sydney, NSW: Soundtracts Publishing Pty Ltd (1 May 1981): 25.
  6. ↑ Michael Lawrence (1998). Showtime: The Cold Chisel Story. Belmont, Victoria: Michael Lawrence. p. 108. ISBN   1-86503-118-6.
  7. ↑ Mark Opitz; Luke Wallis; Jeff Jensen (2012). Sophisto-Punk. North Sydney: Ebury Press. p. 93. ISBN   9781742757933.
  8. ↑ Doug Wallen. "Icons: Mark Opitz Pt 1". Mess + Noise. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  9. ↑ Michael Lawrence (1998). Showtime: The Cold Chisel Story. Belmont, Victoria: Michael Lawrence. pp. 164–165. ISBN   1-86503-118-6.
  10. ↑ Donald Robertson (April 1981). "Cold Chisel: An encounter with Don Walker". Roadrunner . pp. 16–17.
  11. 1 2 Adrian Zupp. "Swingshift". allmusic . Retrieved 10 October 2008.
  12. ↑ AnnLouise Martin (1 May 1981). "Records". Rip It Up . No. 46.
  13. ↑ Toby Creswell (12 October 2011). "Toby Cresswell on Cold Chisel". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  14. ↑ Donald Robertson (April 1981). "Swingshift". Roadrunner . p. 18.
  15. ↑ Garry Raffele (13 April 1981). "The Best in the Land". Canberra Times. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  16. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 68. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  17. ↑ "Charts.nz – Cold Chisel – Swingshift". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  18. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 433. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  19. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.