Review Summary: A much loved Australian songwriter brings out the greatest of the greatest hits in an epic album
To review just one Paul Kelly song is quite the task, let alone an album – or in this case the man’s greatest hits collection spanning three decades. It’s frightening the quality of material that arguably Australia’s finest, most prolific singer-songwriter and voice of reason has put on display across this double album.
The songs included are split between his 1985-1997 period and 1998-2008 era. If Kelly isn’t the Aussie version of Dylan, then I’m not sure who is. One listen to classics such as From St Kilda To King’s Cross, Leaps And Bounds and Before Too Long and you’re instantly reminded of how timeless this trifecta of tunes are.
Then you’re hit with the hip-gyrating infectiousness of Dumb Things. Then the piano keys and shuffled percussion open up into the electrified To Her Door, finding PK in ominous storyteller form. He cuts a swathe through songs of remorse and redemption, documenting life and death from his protagonist’s distorted point of view.
All throughout Songs From The South, Kelly’s passion for sport, Aussie culture, landmarks and lifestyle can be heard. Acute observations about cricket are found on Bradman and Warne. Kelly was a handy leg spinner in his day, and admits to his love of writing about amazing sports folk who happen to be interesting characters.
Written and performed 20 years apart, Bradman documents the greatest Australian batsman to play the game, whilst Shane Warne concentrates on the master leg spinner’s exploits both on-field and on the scandalous off-field. They take in the magic qualities of the human headline, all the time paying homage to the music of the calypso kings of the 1940s & 1950s like Lord Kitchener, Lord Beginner and Young Tiger. As Kelly explains: “Mr Warne on his phone sent a lot of text/‘Cause he liked to have a lot of sex/Took a prohibited pill to lose his love handles/Said mum gave it to me, it was a terrible scandal/I wonder what would Warney do next?”
Kelly has a humorous, satirical edge to most of his songs. It sits alongside the heartache and longing that he waxes lyrical about. As a result, you get the most complete package and range of emotion on this split 40-song double disc. An incredibly versatile wealth of material is on show here.
Whilst renowned music critics David Fricke and Bleddyn Butcher write touching words on the album sleeve in respect to Kelly’s status, Kelly ties off Disc 1 with the endearing prison letter/Christmas tune, How To Make Gravy. It was written some 12 years earlier with twin guitars on offer from long time cohorts Spencer P. Jones and Shane O’Mara, with Peter Luscombe proving incredible groove on the skins.
Disc 2: Paul Kelly 1998–2008 is replete with pure genius. Showcasing an artist moving with the times, Kelly throws a rockier, rootsier set of tunes our way. Exploding from the blocks with Nothing On My Mind, the man narrates the story with a distorted vocal to complement the thrashing guitars. I’ll Be Your Lover is as sweet as ever, with O’Mara and Spencer P. Jones again providing the necessary twang.
Every ***ing City was recorded live at The Continental at the turn of the century and it’s exquisite. Dan Luscombe co-pens The Oldest Story In The Book with Paul Kelly, providing guitars and haunting harmonies, while Gunnamatta is surf-twang heaven; electric boogie done the Paul Kelly way.
There’s material from Foggy Highway (2005), Stardust Five (2006), Stolen Apples (2007) and a previously unreleased and pumped-up track Thoughts In The Middle Of The Night. Of course, the heartbreaking love story that is You’re 39, You’re Beautiful And You’re Mine with young guns Luscombe and Dan Kelly adding deft touch on guitars, keyboards and harmony vocals. Paul Kelly – Greatest Hits: Songs From The South Volumes 1 & 2 is just too good – a must-have for any music enthusiast’s CD shelf.
