A truly remarkable CD - I first heard of Paul Kelly in the 1980 s when my college roommate, who had a knack for bringing home cutting edge music, played me some tracks off of Kelly s CD Under the Sun . I was immediately impressed. Each of the 16 tracks highlights Kelly s song-writing ability, which is truly amazing. Straddling rock, country and folk, with an Australian twist, each song on the CD is a gem. Although he has known chart success in Australia, he has had less success in America, which is a shame since his music is so enjoyable. On a scale from one to ten, I give this CD a ten.
BRILLIANT!! - Paul Kelly has produced a brilliant album in Under The Sun. It really describes life in Australia from humorous - Dumb Things to Joyous 40 Miles To Saturday Night to sad To Her Door. The best track on the album for my money is Bradman. Those in the States may not appreciate how much this man is revered in this country. I guess he could be compared to someone like Babe Ruth in baseball. Through his amazing feats on the cricket field, Bradman lifted the spirits of ordinary Australians during the dark days of the depression and the war years. Kelly tells a masterful story in this song. It really does justice to this monumental figure in Australian cricket. Great album - have a listen! You won t be disappointed.
An excellent introduction to the world of Paul Kelly - Paul Kelly is a staple of Australian radio, but sadly, besides Dumb Things (featured on some movie soundtrack or other), he hasn t made it onto American radio. Americans are missing one of the best songwriters available today.He is often compared to Bob Dylan, a pretty valid comparison. Both write intelligent lyrics that tell you a fabulous story. Both can wrangle beautiful melodies out of their guitars. But I think Paul Kelly has a much better voice than Dylan.Paul Kelly has several albums available. Under the Sun is a fabulous introduction to his music. This album has three of my favourite songs by him: To Her Door, Same Old Walk, and Don t Stand So Close to the Window.To Her Door is the story of a separated couple, separated by the husband s alcoholism. She leaves him, he goes into rehab. Can they rebuild their marriage? The song masterfully doesn t answer this. We are left with the husband as he gets off the bus and goes to her door.Same Old Walk is the story of a man meeting his ex and her new lover. She s changed after all these years, from the colour of her hair to how she dresses, but she can t change the way she walks. but then my heart unwound / I see you ve still got the same old walkDon t Stand So Close to the Window is the story of two people who shouldn t be together. Whether it s two friends who finally succumbed to their feelings for each other, or perhaps one of them is married, isn t mentioned. There is only the fear of being found out. I prefer the former interpretation, but then I m an idealist.Alternately, try Songs from the South for another good introduction. That is his best-of compilation. It s a strong compilation that covers both his hits and the sleeper favourites.
A must-have for your collection - Sadly, most folks in the U.S. don t know Paul Kelly. I heard Dumb Things on 120 Minutes, went out and bought the cassette (does that date me?) and have been a fan ever since. Same Old Walk is a terrific song, especially the imagery in the line, I woke up at the table, the house was burning bright. Working-class songs about the everyday stuff in our lives that we don t stop to think about. Singing Barbara Ann on a road trip (Under the Sun), falling in love with your best friend and not telling her ( Know Your Friends ), sneaking out the back door at dawn (the terrific Don t Stand So Close to the Window ). I actually think Paul Kelly would appeal to our more open-minded country-western fans, too. I lot of folks don t realize that Australia has a thriving folk and country-western scene. Some of slang is different, but the songs are still great.
Paul Kelly has Done All the Dumb Things - And sings about them better than anyone else alive. If Bruce Springsteen were Australian Born To Run would sound like Under the Sun .