22 Dreams

(This review is to be published in a local magazine, the Songsmith. I hope it attracts attention to the album. Cheers, r.) When Cold Chisel disbanded in 1983, most of its members fashioned either solo careers or stints with other bands. It was only the band’s principal songwriter, keyboardist Don Walker , who retired from the scene completely. Walker was to spend those four or five years after Chisel’s demise travelling throughout Australia and Europe and taking care of other personal matters, in his own words, “detoxing” from the music industry. He finally came to back to music in 1988 to record a new album under the moniker Catfish . Chisel guitarist Ian Moss, producer/guitarist Peter Walker, harmonica player David Blight, and drummer Ricky Fataar were some of the album’s guest musicians. The album was titled Unlimited Address and was released in 1989. It seems an absurdity that one of Australia’s most gifted songwriters, responsible for penning those anthems such ...

An article on Chisel I got published in 2003 by Ross B ©2003 Cold Chisel have reformed once again, to headline a series of ‘Ringside’ concerts Elvis-style at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, amongst other dates & venues including one of their favoured stomping-grounds, Newcastle. The date is 3 June 2003 and that’s exactly thirty years ahead of the time this 5-piece formed in Adelaide, Australia. Since forming as ‘Orange’ in Adelaide 1973 – to change their name to ‘Cold Chisel’ at the end of that year – the band have endured only one line-up change, and that’s when founding member / bassist Les Kaczmarek was replaced in 1975 on bass by Phil Small. And along with Jim Barnes (vocals), Ian Moss (guitar), Steve Prestwich (drums), & Don Walker (keyboards), these guys set out to become an enduring Australian success story. What’s particularly astonishing about Chisel’s formation is the fact that, aside from founding member / bassist Les Kaczmarek and his replacement Phil Small, non...