The fact that 40 years down the road from the origins of Chisel, that their songs and musicianship still stand up against whoever decides anything or anyone is better … we’re all still playing and singing their tunes, that won’t happen to the dross that is out there these days ❤
It’s not massively dated either. That basic format of drums/bass/guitar/keys may not always be the flavour of the day, but it’s real and not coloured to a particular decade. I’m sure this will be just as listenable and relatable and enjoyable in another 40 years.
I love 80s music but some of it is dated. Even INXS great singer in MH but some of the songs pretty average. Chisel nailed it every time and the music is timeless
Yes mate..... totally agree.... I mean besides Jimmy is a legend... had his troubles but he is a lovely man.... my mum was the Adolescent Clinical Nurse Consultant at the adolescent ward of Westmead Hospital in the 80's.... and Jimmy used to turn up to see the kids... she'd come home and tell me and I was so jealous lmao....
Their finest moment. Absolutely brilliant. I could listen to this one over and over again. The line "Do you remember nothing stopped us on the field in our day" brings tears to my eyes nearly 40 years after I first heard it.
As a lover of good writing, this song really impresses me. It's storytelling at it's finest. The opening lyrics establish that a young man has come back to his hometown after some time and then we're hit with these lines : Number One is to find some friends to say 'You're doing well, after all this time you boys look just the same.'. Number two is the Happy Hour of one of two hotels and settle in to play 'Do you remember so and so....?' Number Three is never say her name..... I mean, man...those last lines really paint a picture of where the narrator's head is at.
Actually when they met back stage in NY after Springsteen's Broadway show, she told Jimmy that Flame Trees was 1 of her 2 favourite songs ever, not just Chisel songs, but all songs.
This song became the anthem of those perfect moments singing hard around a backyard bbq with good friends, beer and mosquitoes. As a bulletproof twenty something Aussie in the 80's, it was our patriotic duty to worship Cold Chisel in good or bad times. Thank you for sharing these reactions.
This is without a doubt the quintessential chisel song. It would top every poll of 'best chisel song' and pretty clearly defines WHY they are held in such high esteem. Their song writing is phenomenal and their subject matter is relatable to almost everyone. All backed up by superb musicianship and vocals
Quintessential Chisel songs: Khe Sanh, Flame Trees, When The War Is Over, Bow River, Goodbye Astrid, & Cheap Wine. (Really just too many). Edit: fark, forgot Saturday Night.
I think of Cold Chisel as a tough, energetic, thoughtful & passionate rock n' roll band, and I see all of those qualities reflected in the song "Letter to Alan". Not only are all these things articulated so clearly in the lyrics, you can feel the anger, passion and sadness in the music.
At the emotional peak of the song, he's trying not to remember the girl he left but on seeing the young couple... 'And I'm wondering if he'll go or if he'll stay' ...realises he's projecting his situation - it's too much so he goes back to 'telling the biggest lies' with friends, 'Do you remember nothing stopped us on the (sports) field in our day?' It's superb songwriting.
Shout out to Don Walker, the writer of so many brilliant lyrics... this is why Chisel still hits so hard. The lyrics are timeless, and the energy mixed with a mish-mash of styles just makes them stand forever. I wish more channels did Chisel. They are world-class...... "oh, who needs this sentimental bulls*it anyway"...
I've tried listening to all of the members of Chisel separately with their outside projects. It never has the same energy as all of them together. And I think they all have a tendency to curb the other's bad musical tendencies as well.
@@redward13 I once danced with a girl who danced with a Roady who heard from a drummer that when Ian Moss came to Don Walker with the line, "strap my knee bones to the ground" Don said OK..... and filled in the rest of the song and shared the royalties etc with Mossy.😊
G'Day Thamesmen. It's 26.6.24 here in Sydney ... bedtime ... time to boil the jug for my Earl Grey and the hot water bottle. Countdown-Clock is on! 107 sleeps before 12.10.24 when I will see the Chisel live '50 years the best of tour'. 20 dates, sold out in under three hours. (Waiting list for the GA, paddock gigs in the vineyards, no thanks). I can walk to the venue. Bow River once more before I 'pop me clogs'.
In response to your comments on Chisel not being recognised outside of Australia, they did try to break into the US market about 1980 or 81. The US record labels didn't treat them with much respect. When they came back to Australia, Jimmy Barnes wrote the song "You've got nothing I want" in response to their treatment.
Until you have seen that band in full flight, with Barnesy swilling a half empty bottle of vodka, perched atop one of the PA speakers, singing with the entire crowd transfixed, your late teens haven't been nearly as rich. St Kilda Town Hall, 1981. Memories.
"Oh, the flame trees will blind a weary driver." I believe that Grafton, where Don Walker grew up, had an annual jackaranda festival, but instead of the spectacular violet of those trees he went with the red of the Illawarra Flame Trees. The Illawarra region is south of Sydney while Grafton is well north of it.
@@waynekasmar4401 thanks Wayne for that info as I always thought they were from South Africa. Just googled and found this "Jacaranda mimosifolia is regarded as an invasive species in parts of South Africa and Queensland, Australia, where it can out-compete native species"
Flame trees is my favourite chisel song, always brings back memories of my home town back in Australia and occasionally visiting, catching up with mates, people who never left and those like me who couldn't wait to leave. And never say her name, there is always that one person.
Why was is so important to make it in US, these guys were worshiped in Australia and are still such a well respected band. This band knew exactly what they were prepared to do and how they wanted to live.
I suppose it's the fact we knew they were brilliant. I was reading the motley Crue book and in it they mention that they thought they were pretty good but there was whispers of a couple of other great bands out there. The band's were U2 and Chisel. Imagine what could have been..m
Cold Chisel did go over to the U.S but at the time the record producer that was going to sign them was more interested in going to a dogs funeral or birthday, but that was that flew back to Oz nothing ventured nothing gained.😢
I love this song, it is one of their finest, right up there with Bow River, Khe Sanh & Saturday Night. Thanks again for giving some homage to our beloved Chisels'
This is a special song, everyone has a flame tree of some kind. Perfect reaction fellas 👌, it is sad that people around the world didn't get to enjoy this band as us Aussies did growing up.
Selfishly glad they were never discovered. I've got to see Barnesy dozens of times and Mossy in small venues. JB used to tour the NZ beach pubs almost every summer and at one stage we saw in 3 or 4 New Year's Eves in a row at a Barnesy gig. Small enough also to meet him and his wonderful family. And Chisel shows were just on another level. The world's loss has been our gain, the music of our youth and still love it 40 years later
Grow up working poor in a regional Australian town. You reach the age of somethingteen and know that you have to leave everything you have ever known and simultaneously know you can never know again. That is Flame Trees.
Thanks Chris another great version of this song. I just sat and listened to it again and concentrated on the words Jimmy was singing, you realise how great a singer he is, and what a great songwriter Don is, the emotion that Jimmy produces singing those words gave me goosebumps. Jimmy is a natural brilliant harmoniser and loves to sing with other singers and he does the harmony and he blends in so well. Jimmy and Mossy sing and blend smoothly, I used to think Jimmy did the higher harmony with Ian but he doesn’t always sometimes they switch and Ian does the higher harmony. There are lots more songs so you could easily do a 2nd or 3rd week. So far you have done songs between 1978-1983, they have been writing songs up until 2019.
I do love this one, I say that every day don’t I. Flame trees is a lovely song. One does wonder, if they had cracked the world market would they be the same? They were pretty hard living. Jimmy has calmed down a lot now. Would he have survived the world. I don’t mind that we kept them to ourselves .
Illawarra Flame Trees. I live in the Illawarra (in a city called Wollongong) and there is something to be said for a combination of Flame Tree red in amongst the blue of the Jacaranda. Beautiful.
Jimmy Barnes is an amazing performer. He's about to have a back operation and then he reckons he's going back touring again. No stopping this Aussie Legend. Cold Chisel are simply the best 👌 👍
I agree with both of you fine, upstanding 🤣😂 gentlemen that the rest of the world that hasn’t heard Chisel are poorer for it. Every day needs some Chisel! Thank you gents for taking the time to honor such legends
Chisel great Aus group. This song is probably my most favourite one, I have nothing against any of their songs but this one has a special place. ❤️🤘🎸🎻🇦🇺
As a huge fan of Classic Aussie Rock living in the UK I often asked myself the same question..the Aussies have produced world class rock music, much of which is rarely heard outside of Australia. The official video of Flame Trees is worth a watch..it tells the story of the song very well. So, how about an Angels week. They have a great catalogue of massive Australian hits. Fronted by Doc Neeson. Also the video of Paul Kelly's 'How to Make Gravy' should be featured by you in the run up to Christmas. Aussie sentimentality at its best.
@@amygone2pot If you're talking about 'How To Make Gravy' I prefer the original official video. Speaking as a pom the sight of an Aussie band playing in the heat surrounded by Christmas decorations is a big contrast to the dark and the damp we experience in the UK around Christmas time.
I love this. I remember the very first time I ever heard this. I was too young to really appreciate them at the time, but this was an instant classic. I have loved it ever since that very first hearing. It would have been their signature song if Khe Sanh didn't exist. So many gorgeous covers of this.. My favourite is Sarah Blasko's. It's one of the saddest songs. I think it really speaks to men in a way that many songs don't. That sense of relationship breakdown and longing. The US record execs did not know what to do with them. They ended up the opening act for bands that were so middle of the road that they were barely rock. The record execs also wanted to 'smooth' out their sound (ie. make them more middle of the road). I always think that they wanted another Little River Band or Air Supply. Don't get me wrong - they are great in their own way, but a very different market in the US. They were also told to tone down their live act. It was endlessly frustrating for the band. They fought with each other, fought with the record execs and Jimmy fought with excess. It all went south... Jimmy did have a couple of big hits in the US later (Working class man being the biggest). Apparently, Khe Sanh was fairly well known with returned Vietnam Vets in the US after it's release but it was too explicit to be played on radio there. Choir Girl probably still wouldn't get radio play now. Chisel did end up with something of a cult following in the US with those who 'got' them.
My maternal Grandfather was born in Grafton, NSW and my Mum's side of the family love putting this song on and singing this song to the top of their lungs..
Well now the world has the opportunity to listen to ALL of our great Aussie musicians via You Tube. I also love watching such people 'go down the rabbit hole' of ALL out great artists.
Chris, if there's another Aussie week, I think it's time for The Triffids "Wide Open Road", Go-Betweens "Streets of Your Town", Gangajang "Sounds of Then", Goanna "Solid Rock" and Moving Pictures "What About Me"". The very best of Aussie sentimental music.
Flame Trees of Thica was part of the inspiration of the song. This song runs through the mind of any Aussie as they drive back into their old town of their youth - and if you think of a place of your youth and visist it, you will see the nostalgia hitting home with this song. This is a fitting bookend to their original decade run [although 'The Party's Over' is also very telling]. The official video has the band members as Extras in and around town, and Barnes [as he had totally split from the band by it's release] only shows up in the clip through the window [the clip is from Wild Thing from the Last Stand concert].
Often, Aussie bands were working against not only having limited radio exposure in other countries, but record companies doing shite deals that meant they were indifferent to Aussie music, I suspect often because it would overshadow US or UK artists on their roster. It wasn't just Chisel that were criminally ignored. There were dozens. Midnight Oil had some o/seas success, as did INXS. But brilliant Australian acts like Divinyls, Rose Tattoo, Models, The Black Sorrows, Hunters & Collectors, so many more. All deserved to be way bigger.
I'm Aussie, love and grew up listening to Cold Chisel, one of the all time greats, and I struggle to understand Jimmy sometimes, new listeners must struggle.
Hi from NZ. They are my favourite band for 35 years. Thanks for that it's Awesome to see other people get Chisel. Some people will never get the opportunity to. I have put many family and friends onto them. And Jimmy and moss on their solo stuff
Absolute kudos to you Alex & George… for spreading the Word on Cold Chisel….if one NEW person goes and purchases a Cold Chisel Album Through your reactions , you’ve helped get them to the wider world….. they are definitely World Class….IAN Moss will be touring The UK June 2023… with his band…. June 1-10….Letter to Alan…. ( live in Germany)… about 2 Chisel roadies that died in a road accident.
I feared-up listening, the sentimentality is humongous. Looking back, you appreciate how good these guys were/are. Keep going lads, there are soo many cherries, Standing on the Outside, is another… uniquely Aussie as well.
Absolutely correct gents in your assumptions. So very underrated, one of the very best of their time. I'm so fortunate to have seen them many many times growing up in South Australia where they formed. We were so fortunate to have so many great Australian bands in that era, earlier and it continued on - The Masters Apprentice's, The Easybeats, Daddy Cool, Spectrum, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, AC/DC, Supernaut, The Angels, Skyhooks, The Divinyls, INXS, Midnight Oil, The Choirboys, Noiseworks, Nick Cave, The Church, The Saints, The Triffids, and they kept coming through the 90s - Spiderbait, Powderfinger, Silverchair, You am I, Regurgitator and on.... You should really check out The Easybeats and their members profound involvement in the music industry, Stevie Wright and in particular Harry Vanda and George Young (older brother to Malcolm and Angus Young from AC/DC), and their duo Flash and the Pan with their songs Hey St Peter and Down among the dead men, and the songs they wrote and bands and acts they managed after, thats worth a few weeks on its own, and again how screwed the Easybeats were by their management and record label. Also Powderfinger, worth a couple weeks, and again so underrated internationally
Great reaction again fellas. Thanks for your interest in Aussie bands and artists. FYI Cold Chisel are known as "The Chisels", well in Melbourne anyway. Keep up your great humour and reactions gents 🙂
I’ll drop a comment on the next A&A video - I think it’ll drop here the day after tomorrow. As for chisels Week 2, that’s an absolute yes from me. I would even advocate a full album run through of either East or Circus Animals (or both). And which song to do with A&A as a collaboration, my suggestion would be the studio version of either Bow River or Saturday Night or Standing On The Outside.
@@TheThamesmen Don't disrespect The Proclaimers please. They got me through 5am breakfast news desk duties at a rock station cranked to 20! That's 500 miles I will never walk again ....
😊On 1 of Bruce’s tour’s in Australia, I think it was somewhere around the Hunter region and I think it was somewhere around around 2014, but Jimmy joined Bruce and E Street on stage and it was epic in every way.Love your Channel guy’s.❤️🇦🇺
Grafton is my hometown. Don Walker lived there for a while. It's famous for the jacaranda tree l, which has purple flowers. He hose flame trees because he couldn't ryhme anything with jacaranda trees hahahah
Possibly their best song in terms of pure songwriting. Check out the Jessica Mauboy cover version sometime because it works surprisingly well with female vocals. Alex & Andy are fun to watch.
No gun shyness with the band in America. The industry in America wanted to change their style and they said no. Australia loved and loves them to this day. They knew it and wrote You've Got Nothing I Want referring to making it big in USA and an up yours to USA cos they had it all in OZ. There are mega amount of Chisel tracks to keep you 'two occupied reacting to for months and months. 'Cheap Wine', 'Breakfast at Sweethearts' and 'Too Much Ain't Enough Love' are three good songs to introduce anyone to Chisel.
So hard to pick a favourite Chisel song but this is it for me. It takes me back, so many memories attached to it. Hits me right in the feels & still gives me goosebumps ❤️
You could do a second week and only do the hits. 1. Water into Wine, 2. Four Walls, 3. Things I love in you, 4. Ita, 5. Standing on the outside. 6. Shipping Steel, 7. Star Hotel, 8. You got nothing I want, 9. Chior Girl, 10. Good bye, 11. Merry-go-round 12. No sense, 13. Last days of summer. 14. Yakusa Girl, 15. Rising Sun.
Steve Prestwich was a vastly underrated songwriter. He wrote a few of their best known songs, either alone or collaborating with the genius Don Walker. A couple of other songs I'd suggest are worth hearing are earlier, hard hitting rock songs like "Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye)" "Shipping Steel" and "Don't Let Go."
100% agree that it's not a shame for Chisel that they weren't picked up internationally. It's a bloody shame for the world that they missed a huge part of the 80s Aussie culture. But they're getting it now via RUclips. And Chisel definitely made the right decision for themselves in not bowing to the US label pressures. And honestly they kind of set the tone for many Aussie bands moving forward not to have to capitulate and "accept terms". The Aussie market was a valid entity unto itself.
You take for granted (when growing up) what you already have on your doorstep. Thanks to the Thamesmen for reviving my interest in Cold Chisel. Looking at the songs not reacted to so far, you should definitely get around to doing the following songs; Star Hotel, Breakfast at Sweethearts and Shipping Steel.
I met Barnsey once and tried to ask what it's like with a song like "Flame Trees" two concerts apart albeit 16 years between. The first concert it's an untried song and the very next concert it's an all time classic. But I was standing in front of Barnsey and completely fucked up the question. But this is my favorite song world wide.
Very happy to hear this song in Chisel week. Use to play at the pubs regularly in my day (and that was years after it was released). There was always a chorus of people singing. For me Chisel’s musicianship has always stood out, as well as the harmonies. Every member of that band contributed. If you would like an extra bonus track, check out Knocking on Heavens Door from Jimmy’s page, from a memorial concert for Andy Durant. It is a Bob Dylan song but my favourite version and you may get to know other artists from Oz including Renee Geyer, Matthew Broderick, Richard Clapton and of course band members from Stars, Mick Pearling and Mal Eastick (of which Andy was part of that group, but cut down in his prime with melanoma at around 25 years of age). We can tell you really appreciate Chisel….Jimmy and Mossy. With class, Jimmy can adapt to anyone he sings with. Mossy does the same, not to mention he can mimic sounds he hears on guitar. Jimmy’s solo career is still going strong about 30 years later, not to mention that Mossy too had solo hits. We do live in a lucky country. Can’t wait for what Chris has in store…. Bring on Friday!
Hey Kazz - Matthew Broderick? Isn't he an American movie actor? What about Broderick Smith, great Aussie bluesman; and Mick Pealing shits all over Mick Pearling.
@@kazz3956 No worries Kazz. I just like to keep things neat out of respect for the artists. Get some ZZZZZs and keep up the good work...just watch out for the swooping Mocky.
@@TheThamesmen U guys are great & Cold Chisel & Jimmy Barnes are a HUGE PART OF AUSSIE PUB MUSIC...I'm so glad they're finally getting some recognition overseas...as an Aussie I've listened 2 them all my lyf..
Jimmy is playing his last concert for a while here in Adelaide this weekend, at the Clipsal 500 car race. He has recently announced that he has to have hip and back surgery that will put him out for quite a few months. Thanks for the Chisel respect!!
Probably my favourite Chisel song of so many. Great to hear your appreciation of the band. Don Walker is a brilliant song writer. Someone yesterday mentioned Jimmy Barnes' books which are definitely worth the read. Also the Last Stand documentary is worth watching. Can't wait to see and hear which song you finish the week with.
Yours were great words of accolade for this great band. I was never much of a fan back in the day, but I feel now that maybe I took music of this calibre for granted. Watching your video made me search for other recordings of Flame Trees and I implore* you guys to look at Jimmy’s “Music from the Home Front 2021” version. Nice clear sound quality lets you appreciate how his voice has matured and he with it. *Not a reaction request…I just think you guys should hear it.
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" ... and number 3 is never say her name". There's a whole backstory written in those few words. Genius songwriting.
The fact that 40 years down the road from the origins of Chisel, that their songs and musicianship still stand up against whoever decides anything or anyone is better … we’re all still playing and singing their tunes, that won’t happen to the dross that is out there these days ❤
It’s not massively dated either. That basic format of drums/bass/guitar/keys may not always be the flavour of the day, but it’s real and not coloured to a particular decade.
I’m sure this will be just as listenable and relatable and enjoyable in another 40 years.
I love 80s music but some of it is dated. Even INXS great singer in MH but some of the songs pretty average. Chisel nailed it every time and the music is timeless
Quality lasts whilst pop bursts
Yes mate..... totally agree.... I mean besides Jimmy is a legend... had his troubles but he is a lovely man.... my mum was the Adolescent Clinical Nurse Consultant at the adolescent ward of Westmead Hospital in the 80's.... and Jimmy used to turn up to see the kids... she'd come home and tell me and I was so jealous lmao....
@@noone6559 lucky kids…lucky mum! 💜
No road trip is complete without Flame Trees with everyone singing along.
Yep, you can't do any country driving in Aust without Chisel's Flame Trees on the play list. 😄
Their finest moment. Absolutely brilliant. I could listen to this one over and over again. The line "Do you remember nothing stopped us on the field in our day" brings tears to my eyes nearly 40 years after I first heard it.
Evocative line! Always gets to me too.
It was only 40 years later I realised how great that line is. I feel it every time I hear it.
Best chisel song!
Need to go listen again. Thanks
yep, every time.
As a lover of good writing, this song really impresses me. It's storytelling at it's finest. The opening lyrics establish that a young man has come back to his hometown after some time and then we're hit with these lines : Number One is to find some friends to say 'You're doing well, after all this time you boys look just the same.'. Number two is the Happy Hour of one of two hotels and settle in to play 'Do you remember so and so....?' Number Three is never say her name..... I mean, man...those last lines really paint a picture of where the narrator's head is at.
Nice synopsis. Thank you
Fun fact when Springsteen's wife met Jimmy Barnes she told him Flame Trees was her favourite Cold Chisel song.
Nice. Small world stuff
Actually when they met back stage in NY after Springsteen's Broadway show, she told Jimmy that Flame Trees was 1 of her 2 favourite songs ever, not just Chisel songs, but all songs.
Don Walker: genius. And actual rocket scientist
@@NickJewlachow-of3yh Don't forget Steve, who wrote the music.
Steve Prestwich too
Possibly their most powerful song. "Number 3 is NEVER SAY HER NAME" is one of the most powerful lines in Aus Rock History.
This song became the anthem of those perfect moments singing hard around a backyard bbq with good friends, beer and mosquitoes. As a bulletproof twenty something Aussie in the 80's, it was our patriotic duty to worship Cold Chisel in good or bad times. Thank you for sharing these reactions.
This is without a doubt the quintessential chisel song. It would top every poll of 'best chisel song' and pretty clearly defines WHY they are held in such high esteem. Their song writing is phenomenal and their subject matter is relatable to almost everyone. All backed up by superb musicianship and vocals
From the beginning to later days, a fave and classic live chisel song is Merry Go Round, check it out.
Definitely in the top 5, with Bow River and Saturday Night
Quintessential Chisel songs: Khe Sanh, Flame Trees, When The War Is Over, Bow River, Goodbye Astrid, & Cheap Wine. (Really just too many).
Edit: fark, forgot Saturday Night.
I think of Cold Chisel as a tough, energetic, thoughtful & passionate rock n' roll band, and I see all of those qualities reflected in the song "Letter to Alan". Not only are all these things articulated so clearly in the lyrics, you can feel the anger, passion and sadness in the music.
At the emotional peak of the song, he's trying not to remember the girl he left but on seeing the young couple...
'And I'm wondering if he'll go or if he'll stay'
...realises he's projecting his situation - it's too much so he goes back to 'telling the biggest lies' with friends,
'Do you remember nothing stopped us on the (sports) field in our day?'
It's superb songwriting.
It may take more than just a memory to make me cry…but this song’ll do it every time.
Shout out to Don Walker, the writer of so many brilliant lyrics... this is why Chisel still hits so hard. The lyrics are timeless, and the energy mixed with a mish-mash of styles just makes them stand forever. I wish more channels did Chisel. They are world-class...... "oh, who needs this sentimental bulls*it anyway"...
Hi I totally agree, but Steve Prestwich wrote that track.
They are best band in the world as far as I'm concerned. 👍
@redward13 I thought Walker did the lyrics while someone else did the music? Eh, I'm most likely wrong but the point still stands lol
I've tried listening to all of the members of Chisel separately with their outside projects. It never has the same energy as all of them together. And I think they all have a tendency to curb the other's bad musical tendencies as well.
@@redward13 I once danced with a girl who danced with a Roady who heard from a drummer that when Ian Moss came to Don Walker with the line, "strap my knee bones to the ground" Don said OK..... and filled in the rest of the song and shared the royalties etc with Mossy.😊
Steve wrote the music, Don the lyrics. @@redward13
G'Day Thamesmen. It's 26.6.24 here in Sydney ... bedtime ... time to boil the jug for my Earl Grey and the hot water bottle. Countdown-Clock is on! 107 sleeps before 12.10.24 when I will see the Chisel live '50 years the best of tour'. 20 dates, sold out in under three hours. (Waiting list for the GA, paddock gigs in the vineyards, no thanks). I can walk to the venue. Bow River once more before I 'pop me clogs'.
In response to your comments on Chisel not being recognised outside of Australia, they did try to break into the US market about 1980 or 81. The US record labels didn't treat them with much respect. When they came back to Australia, Jimmy Barnes wrote the song "You've got nothing I want" in response to their treatment.
Totally agree with you. We were very happy to keep our musical treasures close to home.
Until you have seen that band in full flight, with Barnesy swilling a half empty bottle of vodka, perched atop one of the PA speakers, singing with the entire crowd transfixed, your late teens haven't been nearly as rich. St Kilda Town Hall, 1981. Memories.
"Oh, the flame trees will blind a weary driver."
I believe that Grafton, where Don Walker grew up, had an annual jackaranda festival, but instead of the spectacular violet of those trees he went with the red of the Illawarra Flame Trees. The Illawarra region is south of Sydney while Grafton is well north of it.
Over where I live in Los Angeles we have a lot of Jacaranda trees and I guess originally imported from Oz?
@@TheThamesmen think they are native to South Africa and thrive in Australia
I remember hearing that he was going to use jacaranda trees but it wouldn't work so went with flame trees
@@mickthornton8440 My encyclopedia says they are native to tropical America.
@@waynekasmar4401 thanks Wayne for that info as I always thought they were from South Africa. Just googled and found this "Jacaranda mimosifolia is regarded as an invasive species in parts of South Africa and Queensland, Australia, where it can out-compete native species"
Flame trees is my favourite chisel song, always brings back memories of my home town back in Australia and occasionally visiting, catching up with mates, people who never left and those like me who couldn't wait to leave. And never say her name, there is always that one person.
Why was is so important to make it in US, these guys were worshiped in Australia and are still such a well respected band. This band knew exactly what they were prepared to do and how they wanted to live.
To be fair, the intro to it says Jimmy Barnes didn't want international stardom. He wanted to go to his farm and spend time with his family.
I suppose it's the fact we knew they were brilliant. I was reading the motley Crue book and in it they mention that they thought they were pretty good but there was whispers of a couple of other great bands out there. The band's were U2 and Chisel. Imagine what could have been..m
Cold Chisel did go over to the U.S but at the time the record producer that was going to sign them was more interested in going to a dogs funeral or birthday, but that was that flew back to Oz nothing ventured nothing gained.😢
And Cold Chisel didn't get gun shy , they didn't want to play those games .
I love this song, it is one of their finest, right up there with Bow River, Khe Sanh & Saturday Night. Thanks again for giving some homage to our beloved Chisels'
My fav Chisel song ever. It makes me cry 😢
My sister was obsessed with Jimmy Barnes and Cold Chisel. We played this song and 'When the War is Over' at her funeral.
Bsst pub band ever! Prob my fav chisel song ever! So much emotion.. and soooo down to earth!
Yup
This is a special song, everyone has a flame tree of some kind.
Perfect reaction fellas 👌, it is sad that people around the world didn't get to enjoy this band as us Aussies did growing up.
Selfishly glad they were never discovered. I've got to see Barnesy dozens of times and Mossy in small venues. JB used to tour the NZ beach pubs almost every summer and at one stage we saw in 3 or 4 New Year's Eves in a row at a Barnesy gig. Small enough also to meet him and his wonderful family. And Chisel shows were just on another level. The world's loss has been our gain, the music of our youth and still love it 40 years later
I have arranged for this song to be played at my funeral. It is the story of life to me....
Grow up working poor in a regional Australian town. You reach the age of somethingteen and know that you have to leave everything you have ever known and simultaneously know you can never know again. That is Flame Trees.
And she's wondering if he'll go or if he'll stayyyyy.
That line gives me goosebumps every frking time ❤
Expecting "Breakfast at Sweethearts" tomorrow... in saying that, it can be part of Chisel Week 2 because it's an easily filled week!
I'm hoping for Saturday Night tomorrow. Then again, there's Choir Girl., or Cheap Wine, or Forever Now...... You're right, Chisel week 2 is needed.
Thanks Chris another great version of this song. I just sat and listened to it again and concentrated on the words Jimmy was singing, you realise how great a singer he is, and what a great songwriter Don is, the emotion that Jimmy produces singing those words gave me goosebumps. Jimmy is a natural brilliant harmoniser and loves to sing with other singers and he does the harmony and he blends in so well. Jimmy and Mossy sing and blend smoothly, I used to think Jimmy did the higher harmony with Ian but he doesn’t always sometimes they switch and Ian does the higher harmony. There are lots more songs so you could easily do a 2nd or 3rd week. So far you have done songs between 1978-1983, they have been writing songs up until 2019.
I do love this one, I say that every day don’t I. Flame trees is a lovely song.
One does wonder, if they had cracked the world market would they be the same? They were pretty hard living. Jimmy has calmed down a lot now. Would he have survived the world. I don’t mind that we kept them to ourselves .
Great band that is all about the music. Just straight forward rock and roll.
Illawarra Flame Trees. I live in the Illawarra (in a city called Wollongong) and there is something to be said for a combination of Flame Tree red in amongst the blue of the Jacaranda. Beautiful.
Jimmy sings with so much power, but it's the emotion & feeling in his voice that you connect with...it's what draws you in & holds you.
Jimmy Barnes is an amazing performer.
He's about to have a back operation and then he reckons he's going back touring again. No stopping this Aussie Legend.
Cold Chisel are simply the best 👌 👍
I agree with both of you fine, upstanding 🤣😂 gentlemen that the rest of the world that hasn’t heard Chisel are poorer for it. Every day needs some Chisel!
Thank you gents for taking the time to honor such legends
Chisel great Aus group. This song is probably my most favourite one, I have nothing against any of their songs but this one has a special place. ❤️🤘🎸🎻🇦🇺
jimmys brother swannee is something to behold. the cover if i was a carpenter a must listen to a cross between jimmy and brian johnson a must hear
As a huge fan of Classic Aussie Rock living in the UK I often asked myself the same question..the Aussies have produced world class rock music, much of which is rarely heard outside of Australia. The official video of Flame Trees is worth a watch..it tells the story of the song very well. So, how about an Angels week. They have a great catalogue of massive Australian hits. Fronted by Doc Neeson. Also the video of Paul Kelly's 'How to Make Gravy' should be featured by you in the run up to Christmas. Aussie sentimentality at its best.
The 2021 version!
@@amygone2pot If you're talking about 'How To Make Gravy' I prefer the original official video. Speaking as a pom the sight of an Aussie band playing in the heat surrounded by Christmas decorations is a big contrast to the dark and the damp we experience in the UK around Christmas time.
Their music is timeless
I love this. I remember the very first time I ever heard this. I was too young to really appreciate them at the time, but this was an instant classic. I have loved it ever since that very first hearing. It would have been their signature song if Khe Sanh didn't exist. So many gorgeous covers of this.. My favourite is Sarah Blasko's. It's one of the saddest songs. I think it really speaks to men in a way that many songs don't. That sense of relationship breakdown and longing. The US record execs did not know what to do with them. They ended up the opening act for bands that were so middle of the road that they were barely rock. The record execs also wanted to 'smooth' out their sound (ie. make them more middle of the road). I always think that they wanted another Little River Band or Air Supply. Don't get me wrong - they are great in their own way, but a very different market in the US. They were also told to tone down their live act. It was endlessly frustrating for the band. They fought with each other, fought with the record execs and Jimmy fought with excess. It all went south... Jimmy did have a couple of big hits in the US later (Working class man being the biggest). Apparently, Khe Sanh was fairly well known with returned Vietnam Vets in the US after it's release but it was too explicit to be played on radio there. Choir Girl probably still wouldn't get radio play now. Chisel did end up with something of a cult following in the US with those who 'got' them.
Loved your discussion post reaction! The rabbit hole is quite deep lads. Good luck emerging from it! 😉👍🏼👍🏼
My maternal Grandfather was born in Grafton, NSW and my Mum's side of the family love putting this song on and singing this song to the top of their lungs..
Well now the world has the opportunity to listen to ALL of our great Aussie musicians via You Tube. I also love watching such people 'go down the rabbit hole' of ALL out great artists.
We have covered a few and will do more!
Gives me great memories of Saturday mornings with my mum cleaning the house and chisel blaring at full volume and great times in my childhood
Chris, if there's another Aussie week, I think it's time for The Triffids "Wide Open Road", Go-Betweens "Streets of Your Town", Gangajang "Sounds of Then", Goanna "Solid Rock" and Moving Pictures "What About Me"". The very best of Aussie sentimental music.
geez, thats a murderer's row of songs right there. legitimate all-time classics
Absolutely agree with that list!
this song never gets old
Flame Trees of Thica was part of the inspiration of the song. This song runs through the mind of any Aussie as they drive back into their old town of their youth - and if you think of a place of your youth and visist it, you will see the nostalgia hitting home with this song. This is a fitting bookend to their original decade run [although 'The Party's Over' is also very telling].
The official video has the band members as Extras in and around town, and Barnes [as he had totally split from the band by it's release] only shows up in the clip through the window [the clip is from Wild Thing from the Last Stand concert].
Often, Aussie bands were working against not only having limited radio exposure in other countries, but record companies doing shite deals that meant they were indifferent to Aussie music, I suspect often because it would overshadow US or UK artists on their roster.
It wasn't just Chisel that were criminally ignored. There were dozens. Midnight Oil had some o/seas success, as did INXS. But brilliant Australian acts like Divinyls, Rose Tattoo, Models, The Black Sorrows, Hunters & Collectors, so many more. All deserved to be way bigger.
I'm Aussie, love and grew up listening to Cold Chisel, one of the all time greats, and I struggle to understand Jimmy sometimes, new listeners must struggle.
Star Hotel is a classic song bout a riot at The Star Hotel back in the day. Also the TV week award show night when Chisel went berserk😮
Hi from NZ. They are my favourite band for 35 years.
Thanks for that it's Awesome to see other people get Chisel.
Some people will never get the opportunity to.
I have put many family and friends onto them.
And Jimmy and moss on their solo stuff
Has somebody else has said-you blogs absolutely fantastic-so respectful and appreciative you are-just love your comments and reactions.
Wow, thank you!
Didn't know if I should post this here but Jimmy and Mossy and the backup singers absolutely nail this! (live at the Basement in Sydney)
Absolute kudos to you Alex & George… for spreading the Word on Cold Chisel….if one NEW person goes and purchases a Cold Chisel Album
Through your reactions , you’ve helped get them to the wider world….. they are definitely World Class….IAN Moss will be touring The UK June 2023… with his band…. June 1-10….Letter to Alan…. ( live in Germany)… about 2 Chisel roadies that died in a road accident.
I feared-up listening, the sentimentality is humongous. Looking back, you appreciate how good these guys were/are. Keep going lads, there are soo many cherries, Standing on the Outside, is another… uniquely Aussie as well.
Absolutely correct gents in your assumptions. So very underrated, one of the very best of their time. I'm so fortunate to have seen them many many times growing up in South Australia where they formed. We were so fortunate to have so many great Australian bands in that era, earlier and it continued on - The Masters Apprentice's, The Easybeats, Daddy Cool, Spectrum, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, AC/DC, Supernaut, The Angels, Skyhooks, The Divinyls, INXS, Midnight Oil, The Choirboys, Noiseworks, Nick Cave, The Church, The Saints, The Triffids, and they kept coming through the 90s - Spiderbait, Powderfinger, Silverchair, You am I, Regurgitator and on....
You should really check out The Easybeats and their members profound involvement in the music industry, Stevie Wright and in particular Harry Vanda and George Young (older brother to Malcolm and Angus Young from AC/DC), and their duo Flash and the Pan with their songs Hey St Peter and Down among the dead men, and the songs they wrote and bands and acts they managed after, thats worth a few weeks on its own, and again how screwed the Easybeats were by their management and record label. Also Powderfinger, worth a couple weeks, and again so underrated internationally
Don Walker is probably the best song writer Australia has produced.
Don't forget Paul Kelly
Tim Rogers
Ivor Davies
Harry Vanda and George Young deserve a mention too.
Don Walker is great, but nobody this side of Dylan is better than PK.
Great reaction again fellas. Thanks for your interest in Aussie bands and artists.
FYI Cold Chisel are known as "The Chisels", well in Melbourne anyway.
Keep up your great humour and reactions gents 🙂
Thanks for the info!
I’ll drop a comment on the next A&A video - I think it’ll drop here the day after tomorrow.
As for chisels Week 2, that’s an absolute yes from me. I would even advocate a full album run through of either East or Circus Animals (or both).
And which song to do with A&A as a collaboration, my suggestion would be the studio version of either Bow River or Saturday Night or Standing On The Outside.
I am happy that I was listening to them for 40 years before they were discovered. Incidentally the proclaimers were a short lived novelty here.
As they should be!
@@TheThamesmen Don't disrespect The Proclaimers please. They got me through 5am breakfast news desk duties at a rock station cranked to 20! That's 500 miles I will never walk again ....
@@choos6919 ha😂👍
His daughter Mahalia is now one the backup singer with Joe Bonamassa and dhe is an amazing singer. And still damn cute!
This is my favourite track of theirs I reckon. Very well constructed and resonates well with listeners.
Nearly fell off my seat with the Proclaimers statement. LOL
😊On 1 of Bruce’s tour’s in Australia, I think it was somewhere around the Hunter region and I think it was somewhere around around 2014, but Jimmy joined Bruce and E Street on stage and it was epic in every way.Love your Channel guy’s.❤️🇦🇺
Grafton is my hometown. Don Walker lived there for a while. It's famous for the jacaranda tree l, which has purple flowers. He hose flame trees because he couldn't ryhme anything with jacaranda trees hahahah
Brilliant! Loved this week and really enjoyed hearing your take on Chisel. Well done to all who put this week together.
Thanks for your support
Possibly their best song in terms of pure songwriting. Check out the Jessica Mauboy cover version sometime because it works surprisingly well with female vocals. Alex & Andy are fun to watch.
No gun shyness with the band in America. The industry in America wanted to change their style and they said no. Australia loved and loves them to this day. They knew it and wrote You've Got Nothing I Want referring to making it big in USA and an up yours to USA cos they had it all in OZ. There are mega amount of Chisel tracks to keep you 'two occupied reacting to for months and months. 'Cheap Wine', 'Breakfast at Sweethearts' and 'Too Much Ain't Enough Love' are three good songs to introduce anyone to Chisel.
So hard to pick a favourite Chisel song but this is it for me. It takes me back, so many memories attached to it. Hits me right in the feels & still gives me goosebumps ❤️
You could do a second week and only do the hits. 1. Water into Wine, 2. Four Walls, 3. Things I love in you, 4. Ita, 5. Standing on the outside. 6. Shipping Steel, 7. Star Hotel, 8. You got nothing I want, 9. Chior Girl, 10. Good bye, 11. Merry-go-round 12. No sense, 13. Last days of summer. 14. Yakusa Girl, 15. Rising Sun.
The quintessential story of living in an Australian country town.
Four walls is a great song too. To many good Chisel songs. You need 2 weeks for sure.
Ohh I forgot about that one! Going to have a listen after this :)
the bathurst races "riot" and subsequent incarceration. brilliant track. Don Walker>Paul Kelly, which is the highest of praises
Chisel's " Saturday night" or " Rising Sun" but I think you've done them both..... maybe " Cheap wine" Thanks maties.... from Melbourne
Lovin' this. Also the Thames TV intro brings back a lot of childhood memories of 70s British Comedies.
Steve Prestwich was a vastly underrated songwriter. He wrote a few of their best known songs, either alone or collaborating with the genius Don Walker. A couple of other songs I'd suggest are worth hearing are earlier, hard hitting rock songs like "Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye)" "Shipping Steel" and "Don't Let Go."
100% agree that it's not a shame for Chisel that they weren't picked up internationally. It's a bloody shame for the world that they missed a huge part of the 80s Aussie culture. But they're getting it now via RUclips. And Chisel definitely made the right decision for themselves in not bowing to the US label pressures. And honestly they kind of set the tone for many Aussie bands moving forward not to have to capitulate and "accept terms". The Aussie market was a valid entity unto itself.
You take for granted (when growing up) what you already have on your doorstep. Thanks to the Thamesmen for reviving my interest in Cold Chisel. Looking at the songs not reacted to so far, you should definitely get around to doing the following songs; Star Hotel, Breakfast at Sweethearts and Shipping Steel.
I met Barnsey once and tried to ask what it's like with a song like "Flame Trees" two concerts apart albeit 16 years between. The first concert it's an untried song and the very next concert it's an all time classic. But I was standing in front of Barnsey and completely fucked up the question. But this is my favorite song world wide.
Very happy to hear this song in Chisel week. Use to play at the pubs regularly in my day (and that was years after it was released). There was always a chorus of people singing. For me Chisel’s musicianship has always stood out, as well as the harmonies. Every member of that band contributed. If you would like an extra bonus track, check out Knocking on Heavens Door from Jimmy’s page, from a memorial concert for Andy Durant. It is a Bob Dylan song but my favourite version and you may get to know other artists from Oz including Renee Geyer, Matthew Broderick, Richard Clapton and of course band members from Stars, Mick Pearling and Mal Eastick (of which Andy was part of that group, but cut down in his prime with melanoma at around 25 years of age). We can tell you really appreciate Chisel….Jimmy and Mossy. With class, Jimmy can adapt to anyone he sings with. Mossy does the same, not to mention he can mimic sounds he hears on guitar. Jimmy’s solo career is still going strong about 30 years later, not to mention that Mossy too had solo hits. We do live in a lucky country. Can’t wait for what Chris has in store…. Bring on Friday!
Hey Kazz - Matthew Broderick? Isn't he an American movie actor? What about Broderick Smith, great Aussie bluesman; and Mick Pealing shits all over Mick Pearling.
@@mrmockatoo6786 so so right haha. Only had 5 hours sleep.....
@@kazz3956 No worries Kazz. I just like to keep things neat out of respect for the artists. Get some ZZZZZs and keep up the good work...just watch out for the swooping Mocky.
@@mrmockatoo6786 thank you
Totally love all ur reactions 2 our greatest Australian pub band ever
We love listening to them!
@@TheThamesmen U guys are great & Cold Chisel & Jimmy Barnes are a HUGE PART OF AUSSIE PUB MUSIC...I'm so glad they're finally getting some recognition overseas...as an Aussie I've listened 2 them all my lyf..
One of the main songs you think of when Cold Chisel are mentioned. Fantastic.
Jimmy is an absolute Aussie LEGEND.....
"shitting shame", yeah spot on. But we all got to see them more often here at home, which we loved.
Good point
Jimmy Barnes wrote the song "You Got Nothing I Want" on Circus Animals album as a response to treatment by a record company executive in the USA.
Bow River, without a doubt. Hands down. The live act with the circle stage. So good.
For those who have not seen it:ruclips.net/video/Y51P_cVrwZc/видео.html
Great ballad, thanks for the reaction George, Alex and Chris! You guys rock 🪨
Jimmys little daughter there ( Mahalia) now sings back up vocals for Joe Bonamassa.! Ive just had thedawning realisation…….i’m getting old !
Do you remember? Nothing stopped us on the field, in OUR day.
There aren't enough days this week. I commented on Alex and Andy's stream about Cold Chisel the time you did it originally!
Umm…I warned you guys a while ago that a cold chisel week would turn into a cold chisel month! And then you’d need more!!!
Not to mention the rest of the great Aussie songs
For us in Australia, we don't give a flying fig about breaking it in America or the reat of the world, they were ours and that is all we care about!
Good on you and exactly right
Great song.
The flame tree is a Red Jacaranda Tree classic song ❤️
Hands up if you grew up in a small town, leave for a few years and come back to everybody still sitting on the same bar stools.
Jimmy is playing his last concert for a while here in Adelaide this weekend, at the Clipsal 500 car race. He has recently announced that he has to have hip and back surgery that will put him out for quite a few months. Thanks for the Chisel respect!!
Probably my favourite Chisel song of so many. Great to hear your appreciation of the band. Don Walker is a brilliant song writer. Someone yesterday mentioned Jimmy Barnes' books which are definitely worth the read. Also the Last Stand documentary is worth watching. Can't wait to see and hear which song you finish the week with.
Two more days to go this week. Hope you enjoy. Loved doing this week
Sublime! Loving Chisel week guys
Yours were great words of accolade for this great band. I was never much of a fan back in the day, but I feel now that maybe I took music of this calibre for granted.
Watching your video made me search for other recordings of Flame Trees and I implore* you guys to look at Jimmy’s “Music from the Home Front 2021” version. Nice clear sound quality lets you appreciate how his voice has matured and he with it.
*Not a reaction request…I just think you guys should hear it.