Paul Kelly - Classic or Dud, S&D

There's really no Paul Kelly thread after 10 years of ILM? I love most of his 81-94 work, especially "Gossip", "So Much Water", "Under The Sun" and "Comedy". I lost interest in the mid-90s but just noticed an *8* CD box of solo live material - his songs always sounded better stripped down.

Anyone else a fan?

It's weird how totally huge he is in Australia but almost completely unknown elsewhere even compared to fairly minor cult Aussie bands

I don't think i've ever heard one song by him in fact. Just read the name a lot in a bunch of Aussie music press stuff.

Seen him a few times here in Seattle, and he's a fantastic showman.

Will spend the money eventually on his _How to Make Gravy_ autobiography.

My brother in law is Australian. I asked him about Paul Kelly once and his reply was something like "isn't he the guy where every song is about a school bus full of kids falling into a river?"

Personally, I used to listen the hell out of "Gossip," "Under the Sun," "Comedy" and "So Much Water So Close to Home." Sort of like a less angry, more literary ... Graham Parker? Then I totally lost track. But I hope to see him when he tours the States in a month or so.

Is Paul Kelly the most underrated contemporary songwriter? Possibly. So many incredible songs, a few incredible albums, always worthwhile, sort of the sweet spot between Dylan and Springsteen. Xgau, after paying the tiniest bit of attention over the years, summed it up nicely covering the "hits" collection:

Fifteen quite terrific songs out of 40 don't add up to a full rave for a straight-ahead folk-rocker's 40-track import-only double-CD. But they damn well should have broken him out of Australia.

Because most of those other songs are really good, too. It's just that the best of his stuff is so good it makes the rest pale in comparison. There's a doc about his life and times coming to DVD soon. I saw it on a recent flight to Australia, and boy, it's a keeper. He's a fascinating figure. Many wives, many addictions ...

Did eventually buy that _How to Make Gravy_ tome. Aiming to read it this winter.

^This Winter Coat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcBK9jmvbTU

Absolutely terrific song btw

Man, do I not want to go down the rabbit hole of posting amazing Paul Kelly songs.

This story-song is so good:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZrfG9P6_D0

And as far as protest songs go, this is as solid as the best of Dylan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8owYBAkrq8

And the best - only? - song about a cricketer ever made:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeG8hqQw1U8

And, hey, wow! The full, final Paul Kelly/Neil Finn set from the Opera House a bit ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Us3H72U4Q

Still classic.

Because most of those other songs are really good, too.

Pretty much. Xgau's selection of 15 doesn't take in many of what feel like his most beloved tracks domestically; "From St Kilda to King's Cross", "Before Too Long", "Leaps and Bounds", "Randwick Bells", "Careless", etc, also come swiftly to mind.

Wow, look at my history of Paul Kelly ILM boosterism. He's super good. I found the documentary revelatory and see his How to Make Gravy book staring down at me from the bookshelf right now. Such a great lyricist.

Incidentally, "Shane Warne" is also presumably about a cricketer. :)

(Not sure I've heard it; just saw the title on that compilation tracklist.)

New record, _Nature_, out this month. Have an all-region DVD player, so would like to get the CD / DVD package (DVD is 27 song Sydney Opera House performance), but am shopping for a good deal re: S&H. His official site, package is a very reasonable $23 but shipping is FedEx only and $43. Ouch.

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/pop/nature-deluxe-cd-dvd-edition/330741/

Seems to suggest around AUD 8.00 postage to, say, USA. Signed too, apparently.

Went with Sanity.com.au, but thanks! I've used JB in the past. CD/DVD and $9.95 AUD for S&H, total $23 US. The upcoming Midnight Oil CD/DVD set now looks very tempting.

Incidentally, "Shane Warne" is also presumably about a cricketer. :)

Ah, someone who has never been on the Cape of Good Hope!

('Bradman' is probably the better Cricketer song of Paul Kelly's, however.)