Album review: Jimmy Barnes, Freight Train Heart (1988)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 3, 1988

By Steve Newton

It looks like this transplanted Aussie, the former lead singer for Cold Chisel, has what it takes to make it big in the rock world.

First off, he’s got a super rock and roll voice–gritty and powerful, not unlike John Fogerty‘s. He’s got great songs, as evidenced by this album’s surging rockers (“Driving Wheels”, “Last Frontier”) and emotive–but not wimpy–ballads (“Too Much Ain’t Enough Love”, “I’m Still On Your Side”).

And he’s got some fine musicians backing him up, like David Lindley (steel guitar), Neal Schon (lead guitar), Rick Brewster of Angel City (rhythm guitar), and Jon Farriss of INXS (drums).

Add to that a guest harmonica spot by Huey Lewis and a great cover of a great tune (Dylan’s “Seven Days”), and you’ve got a real swell little album, if I do say so myself.