John Farnham's Whispering Jack Gets 40th Anniversary 2CD And Limited Vinyl Editions

John Farnham’s landmark 1986 album Whispering Jack will mark its 40th anniversary with expanded 2CD and limited numbered 2LP editions, pairing the original album with the previously DVD-only Whispering Jack Live In Concert.

by Paul Cashmere

John Farnham’s Whispering Jack will be reissued for its 40th anniversary in expanded 2CD and limited-edition 2LP formats, bringing the original 1986 album together with Whispering Jack Live In Concert, the concert recording that was previously issued on DVD. The vinyl edition will be limited to 2,500 individually numbered copies, with one white and one black record reflecting the monochrome design associated with the album.

The anniversary editions revisit one of the defining Australian album releases of the 1980s. The original Whispering Jack album contains Farnham’s signature recordings including “You’re The Voice”, “Pressure Down” and “A Touch Of Paradise”, while the accompanying live material documents the concert production that followed the album’s breakthrough.

The 2CD jewel case edition contains the complete 10-track Whispering Jack on its first disc. The second disc presents 14 performances from Whispering Jack Live In Concert, including “When The War Is Over”, “Amazing Grace”, “Playing To Win”, “Help” and “You’re The Voice”.

The live recording has a significant place in the album’s history. Farnham performed a series of concerts around Australia in 1987 following the success of Whispering Jack, with a performance recorded at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre subsequently broadcast on Network Ten. A full version of the concert was also released on video that year. The anniversary edition marks the first time the concert has been made available on CD.

The vinyl edition uses a two-record gatefold configuration. Whispering Jack is pressed on a white LP, while Whispering Jack Live In Concert occupies a black LP. Only 2,500 copies will be produced, individually numbered from 1 to 2,500.

The packaging revisits the original album’s black-and-white visual identity, with the cover artwork inverted for the anniversary release. The 2LP set is specified at 140 to 150 grams and is being presented as a collector’s edition.

Whispering Jack was released in Australia on 29 September 1986 and became the pivotal album of Farnham’s career. At the time, his professional momentum had stalled following his departure from Little River Band, where he had taken over as lead singer in 1982. The solo project represented a significant career gamble.

Manager Glenn Wheatley helped finance the recording after struggling to secure a producer and record company willing to back the project. Producer Ross Fraser ultimately took on the production role. Recording began in Melbourne, with the album combining conventional instrumentation with contemporary studio technology, including sampling and Fairlight CMI programming.

The arrival of “You’re The Voice” changed the trajectory of the project. The single initially faced resistance from Australian radio, but audience demand helped force a change in programming. It subsequently reached No. 1 in Australia and became one of Farnham’s most enduring recordings.

Whispering Jack itself spent 25 weeks at No. 1 on the Australian albums chart across 1986 and 1987. It became the highest-selling album by an Australian artist at the time and was certified 24-times platinum by ARIA. Its success extended beyond Australia, with the album reaching No. 1 in Sweden and placing in the charts in several other European territories.

The commercial impact translated into a major live response. Farnham’s Jack’s Back Tour was expanded from its original 11-show plan after strong ticket demand, with larger venues added to the itinerary. Farnham subsequently collected six awards at the inaugural ARIA Music Awards in 1987, including Album Of The Year, Single Of The Year, Highest Selling Album and Best Male Artist.

Whispering Jack has continued to receive anniversary recognition. A 20th anniversary edition was released in 2006, combining the original album with an extended version of “Pressure Down” and a DVD of the edited 1987 television concert. A 25th anniversary tour followed in 2011, with Farnham performing the album in its entirety.

The new 40th anniversary editions expand the physical catalogue in a different way, moving Whispering Jack Live In Concert from its earlier DVD presentation to CD and vinyl. The 2CD version offers the more extensive live sequence, while the numbered 2LP edition selects 10 live performances across its second record.

The 40th anniversary release gives collectors two distinct physical configurations while preserving the original 10-track studio album. Both editions also place the live material alongside Whispering Jack, providing a snapshot of the album’s recording and performance legacy four decades after its original release.

Tracklisting

Disc 1 – Whispering Jack
Pressure Down
You’re The Voice
One Step Away
Reasons
Going, Going, Gone
No One Comes Close
Love To Shine
Trouble
A Touch Of Paradise
Let Me Out

Disc 2 – Whispering Jack Live In Concert
Pressure Down
One Step Away
Going, Going, Gone
Let Me Out
A Touch Of Paradise
When The War Is Over
Amazing Grace
Reasons
No One Comes Close
Love To Shine
One
Playing To Win
Help
You’re The Voice