Nothing But a Dream [Import]

Paul Kelly | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 14, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Import
• ASIN: B00005NQQ1
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #694,985 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. If I Could Start Today Again

2. Change Your Mind

3. Midnight Rain

4. I Close My Eyes and Think of You

5. Somewhere in the City

6. Just About to Break

7. Love Is the Law

8. The Pretty Place

9. I Wasted Time

10. Would You Be My Firend?

11. Smoke Under the Bridge

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Nothing but a Dream is the first of Paul Kelly's many albums which does not contain any of the explicit--or even obscure--references to Australia that characterize his work. It is unlikely that this represents any sort of career move on Kelly's part--he has been doing things his own way too long--but it is nonetheless to be hoped that this album of songs concerned with all the great universal themes (love and the loss of it, life and the dwindling of it) attracts a wider audience to Kelly's astonishing gifts. His peers are the great American populist chroniclers--Springsteen, Dylan, Earle--and his catalog stands alongside any of theirs. Kelly's genius is for doing the simple things well. His music is simply arranged, his lyrics are straightforward, and his voice is plaintively honest. What distinguishes him from the world's uncountable legions of dreary, self- obsessed groaners with guitars is his knack for an insidious melody or subtle turn of phrase that ensures the songs last long past their final chord. "If I Could Start Today," "I Wasted Time," and "Close My Eyes" are among the very best things Kelly has written, and those lucky or enlightened enough to know his work will understand that this is pretty much as good as it gets. --Andrew Mueller

Product Description

The long awaited ninth studio album for the critically acclaimed Aussie singer/songwriter who's been favorably compared to Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello & Ray Davies. 11 tracks including the first single, 'Somewhere In The City'. 2001.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ... nothing but a great album, April 29, 2002

By 

Nadyne Richmond (Mountain View, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nothing But a Dream (Audio CD)

Paul Kelly tells us that he is a legend, not a star. This album goes a long way towards proving that he is a legend, but leaves me wondering why he isn't a star. He is a star in his native Australia. "Songs from the South", his greatest hits compilation, is a multi-platinum album there. But in the States, he barely registers. Americans are missing one of the best living singer-songwriters.

"...nothing but a dream" is Paul Kelly's most recent album. It may also be his most personal album, although he is very quick to direct attention away from his personal life. For example, when he recently performed 'Midnight Rain' on NPR, the interviewer asked him if he could tell her anything about the song. His response? 'The song in the car is real, the rest of it is made up.' This artful dodge of a question is indicative of his worldview: his songs should stand on their own, they tell a universal story that does not apply to just him. Other singer-songwriters strive for this and miss; Paul Kelly delivers on each track.

It is fair to break this album up into quarters, each quarter boasting its own theme. The first three songs discuss love lost. 'Midnight Rain' is an effective evocation of how the memory of a long-time lover sneaks up on you at the most unexpected times, and the strange little memories you keep of that love. The next four songs shift tempo. Although they are not necessarily about love lost, but rather about the transience of love. 'Somewhere in the City', with its driving rhythm, gives us a glimpse of frustration and desire. The next four are about the insistent march of time. The sardonic wit of 'I Wasted Time' helps confront this reality.

The final four songs on the American release of "...nothing but a dream" are not technically a part of the album. They are from the earlier Australia-only EP for "Roll on Summer". Although these tracks break the flow of the album, this is forgiveable for the sardonic wit of 'I Was Hoping You'd Say That' and the dry humour of 'Every F***ing City'. The latter, a laundry list of European cities visited with and without (mostly without) a girl, makes most listeners give a knowing nod at the lyric 'I was hoping that the break would make things go a little better for us / and for a little while it almost did'.

In all, this is a solid album. For an American audience that has not yet heard of Paul Kelly, this is an excellent introduction to his music. For the already established fan, this album continues to show his evolution as a singer-songwriter.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars possibly the world's best songwriter, May 23, 2002

By 

harvey mckinnon (Vacouver, canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nothing But a Dream (Audio CD)

A few years ago I read a review from a great rock critic. He called Paul Kelly "The world's best songwriter". I picked up my first Kelly album and have gone on to buy every Kelly CD or record I can get my hands on. There is absolutely no one I can listen to as much as Paul Kelly. The variety of styles, the brilliant storytelling and the often hilarious and at times tear-inducing lyrics are a dream - nothing but, in fact. You're So Fine and Roll on Summer are killer songs. But pretty much every song on this CD is wonderful. I just saw him on tour and he's also great live. Every single Australian I meet likes his music. Last summer I met an Australian woman who, when I asked her if she knew his music, said "we love Paul kelly!" and she clasped her hands over her heart as she was enthusing about his music. This CD is a true gem and your life will be richer when you start listening to Paul Kelly's music.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Mixed Bag, February 21, 2002

By 

Ben Fitzgerald - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nothing But a Dream (Audio CD)

Paul Kelly is one of Australia's greatest singer songwriters. I hesitate to compare his lyrical genius to Dylan, but I'd be heading you in the right direction if I did. Because Kelly has been recording since the 70s, this CD comes up against an appetising feast of previous work and it doesn't quite cut the mustard.

A few cuts on this CD, however, do demonstrate the artistry that has driven Kelly's career. "The Pretty Place" shows his mastery of a simple melody and the poigniancy he can create with a few well chosen words. The opening track, "If I Could Start Again Today", is a fine example of his poetic writing and sometimes unnerving ability to surface emotions the listner may not have been aware of. It also promises a mood and personality that the CD just doesn't deliver.

Kelly's talent is evident and this CD contains the best of his abilities and I'm certainly glad I own it. But for people just discovering Kelly, I would recommend his best of collection, "Songs from the South", which represents the best of his entire career. If you're looking to go a little deeper, try "Words and Music" or "Deeper Water".