Triple J - Live In St Leonards Park 28.5.78

iTunes Review

In May 1978, a year after Cold Chisel recorded a peerless live session for Double J’s Live at the Wireless, the band had signed a recording contract with WEA Records, issued their self-titled debut album, and were set to record second album Breakfast at Sweethearts. This second Double J live-to-air session was recorded in Sydney’s St. Leonards Park and, once again, the band turns in a blistering set. “Khe Sanh,” “Juliet,” “Northbound,” “One Long Day,” and “Home and Broken Hearted” replicate the studio versions on the first album, but the live setting takes them to a whole other level. Breakfast at Sweethearts is well represented by “I’m Gonna Roll Ya,” “The Door,” and the languid, reggae-tinged title track. The rarities in the set include the cruising “F-111,” mooted as a possible single at the time, but never successfully captured in the studio, and a cover of the Ray Charles standard “Georgia on My Mind,” which is guitarist Ian Moss’ turn at the microphone. This beautiful song was a regular in the band’s live set but never made it onto a studio album.