In late January 1959, Bobby made a rare trip to Australia as part of a rock ‘n’ roll package. The recording of his set in Melbourne gives us a rare chance to hear him perform on stage in rock ‘n’ roll mode, before songs such as Mack the Knife became a constant in his act, whether he was working in night-clubs or as part of a show aimed at teenagers such as this one. This is also the earliest live recording of Bobby Darin in concert (rather than on TV) in circulation.
When Bobby takes to the stage, he comments on the heat: “Did anyone take advantage of the 105 degrees today?” he asks the audience. “Did you? Then you know how my back feels!” His delivery is droll, and the jokes don’t go down a storm. He was still learning his stage craft, but once he starts singing he sounds like a different person. He is backed by The Dee Jays.
These live recordings are in surprisingly good sound, and while they aren't top notch Darin, they are interesting to hear, and quite unique given that it is the only recording we have of Bobby’s part in a touring package such as this.