Customer Reviews

Words & Music

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Paul Kelly has been satisfying the appetite of Australian music lovers since 1981. He personifies Australia the same way that Bruce Springsteen does in the United States, and the Clash in the UK. Album fifteen, Words and Music, crosses the continents and the oceans to the United States: not unique to his homeland, his flair for Pop and tender ballads is universally strong. Kelly reminds me of Elvis Costello's word plays, Dave Edmunds' roots rock & roll, and Nick Lowe's quirky take on Pop.

His characters are real, like the kind of people that one might meet during their day-to-day routine. With a touch of nostalgia, he submits to middle-age (Nothing On My Mind); pays tribute to those who inspired him to be a musician (Words And Music); and a lonesome tale about spending Christmas in jail (reminding me on Tom Waits "I've hit bottom" narratives). The band is tight: jangling Byrds-like guitars (She Answers The Sun-Lazy Bones), stellar melodic lead guitar work (I'll Be Your Lover), and electronic distorted voice and guitar soul grunge rockers (Tease Me). I admire the band because, despite their technical mastery and passion, they don't upstage Kelly's vocals.

Outstanding tracks - more than a few. Someone must tell me if the romantic and melodic lead guitar on `I'll Be Your Lover' is Kelly's Les Paul Signature. `Tease Me' is an R&B ride through distorted guitars and vocals from outer space. And `Saturday Night And Sunday Morning' reminds me of the blues rocker that Jagger/Richards should have composed, but Kelly beat them to the punch. `Melting' demonstrates Kelly's lack of pretension - few artists could pull off such a love song. Words And Music rocks the furniture and shakes the walls, and stabs deep into the heart. Gee, I think I'll move to Australia.

Words and Music is an awsome CD. It starts with "Little Kings," possibly Kelly's best hit, and never dies down. "Glory be to God" is a song that is bound to be hit once people start buying this CD. Paul Kelly and his band show that people really can put together a hit rock group from a bunch of unheard of musicians.

I ran into this album while I was vacationing in Australia, and have not taken it out of my CD player since! Super guitar and drum riffs, I am especially intrigued by "Gutless Wonder", with its soulful jazz influences. But what is best about this artist is his gutwrenching lyrics--a comical twist to the pressures of the '90's--love, country, and the corporation!

First heard this played late at night on a Windsor, Ontario radio station, and was spellbound at the great melodies, wonderful arrangements and sneakily skillful production. Would recommend to anyone who appreciates unpretentious yet intelligent rock music. Very diverse set, unified by very sharp pop sensibility and pointed, compassionate lyrics. Thought initially I was hearing T-Bone Burnett's latest with Daniel Lanois producing. I can't wait to dig back into Paul Kelly's earlier catalog. Really quite a lot of talent. A very rewarding set that shows "grown-ups" (check the guy's hairline on the cover art) can rock with the best of 'em.

Just bought this cd on a tip from a good friend. Now I want to move to Australia. Raw, raunchy and satisfying. Is there something in the water over there or did they just not succumb to stupidity like us in the States yet?

If it wasn't for my brother , who lives down under ,I would have never heard of Paul Kelly.That would have been a great loss.Thanks Denis.This cd took time to grow on me ,like all truely great cd's.Each track paints a picture of a time and place and then takes me there.I never jump ahead to any track,I just put it on and enjoy.If you love good music and lyrics you'll love Words and Music.Get it!!

Were it not for Lauryn Hill's masterwork, my album of the year. Just try to listen to this one without melting. Most empathic inmate song of the year (or ever): "How to Make Gravy". Most daring lyrics of the year: "Gutless Wonder". Song of the year? "Melting". An album as wide and ranging as his homeland. And Paul? You deserve to be a star as well as a legend.

Product arrived in new condition - still in plastic. Very happy with sound quality and price for this hard to find item. One of Paul Kelly's best, so great to pick up the CD.

Just when I thought I knew exactly what my favourite Paul Kelly songs were, he goes and writes songs like Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, It Started with a Kiss, and Charlie Owen's Slide Guitar! This is another great albumn by P.K. - and long may it continue!

Paul Kelly continues to write great songs. Most of America has miss out on a great talent. His songs on this Cd are fresh and for the most part up-beat. "I'll Be Your Lover Now" is a great single that I loved the first time I heard it. "How To Make Gravy" is another song that caught my ear the first time that I heard it. The music is great and the words are even better. This song is a letter from someone in prison put to music, I thought it was very original. Infact that's the best way to decribe Paul Kelly, very original.