Customer Reviews

Nothing But a Dream

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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.

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.

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".

Paul Kelly tells the story of my life with each new song he makes. I don't know how he's able to paint such clear pictures in my mind using such simple words (except when he speaks in Aussie coloquialisms) but his messages and tales of life go straight to my heart. It's as if he has a copy of my diary or maybe I was Australian in another life but I am one of the lucky few to have uncovered his unusual gift here in America and it saddens me to think that more cannot let his music heal and hearten them. Thank you mate.

This record just keeps getting better and better with every listen. Paul Kelly is a clever little fella, with a knack for getting most of his songs stuck in your head at one time or another. He paints such wonderful tapestries with such simple words and comes across as a true blue collar folk hero. My vote for best new record of 2002 (so far).

If I had to compare, I would go with Graham Parker, John Hiatt, Elvis Costello, and Jimmy Buffet.

OK I am not sure but am I the only person in the US that has a copy of this release or what? Is it part of the game that great music such as this new Paul Kelly release must be sought out like some artifact in an Indiana Jones movie? What gives? Oh well I guess I'll put on my fedora and continue to search for a copy of the few older Paul Kelly cd's I have not been able to find yet.

I love most of the songs on this CD and play it every day in my car. It keeps me in a good mood. I learned about Paul Kelly when we went to Australia a couple of months ago.