Paul Kelly @ Corner Hotel20th October 2007
I must confess that my appreciation for Paul Kelly is only new. This is an atrocity given that I’m surrounded by massive Paul Kelly fans (dr b,
My new found admiration comes via his words. When plotting a birthday surprise of tickets to the Corner Hotel gig, I wanted to plant postcards bearing Kelly’s lyrics all around Elmo’s abode. It was through this process that I began to appreciate the universality of his stories and the simple, poetic economy with which he uses language. Kelly says so much without saying anything at all.
As a new recruit, I don’t feel that I deserve to comment too much more. Only to say that the gig at the Corner Hotel was amazing; there was an incredible energy from the crowd. Kelly’s set opened with They Thought I Was Asleep and featured plenty of material from recent album Stolen Apples such as You’re 39, You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine, Stolen Apples Taste the Sweetest, The Ballad of Queenie and Rover. Other treats included How To Make Gravy, Deeper Water, Leaps and Bounds, Before Too Long and Careless.
Support act CW Stoneking and band joined Kelly during the first encore highlight ‘Stumbling Block’; the tuba from CW’s band providing a carnival-esque, ominous sound to the rousing chorus. The second encore featured an acoustic sing-a-long version of Everything’s Turning to White and From St Kilda to King’s Cross, ably backed by nephew Dan (Lovely Dan) Kelly.
The band, composed of established musos, sounded incredible, so crisp and clean, with a driving rhythm section from drummer Peter ‘Lucky’ Luscombe and bassist from Bill McDonald. I was excited to see ex-Even singer/songwriter Ash Naylor, resplendent in a ratty but smart pin-stripe suit, providing appropriate rock flourishes. All the band members variously sang harmonies, of particular note, Dan Kelly’s falsetto during Careless; and it was wonderful to see such a genuine camaraderie onstage.
Kelly’s songs elevate the familiar into poetry, hearing the opening words of Leaps and Bounds, I felt immediately at home: I’m high on the hill /Looking over the bridge / To the MCG / The clock on the silo / Says eleven degrees. I can imagine that ex-pats would feel a pang upon hearing even a flicker of Kelly’s words and music.
No wonder his gigs regularly sell out, the mutual warmth between Kelly and the crowd was undeniable; we’ll be sure to see him again soon.
6 comments:
*swoon* thank you, thank you, thank you for writing this up! looks like you both had a great vantage point and i'm glad to see the fellas suited up!
very very chuffed that you enjoyed yourselves - and paul kelly is one person who never disappoints. like i keep saying, i find something new to admire in every single show. and i love how you say that he uses the language with "economy" - that's exactly the word i've been looking for to describe him all these years.
and the comment about ex-pats is spot on. was listening to him on the plane flight over here, and had to switch it off because it was making me teary!
thanks again jfox and hope elmo loved it too!
yep! he's so cool. and despite my initial misgivings, i'm willing to concede that dan was slightly lovely. he's also cool. i bought a shirt! it was a great night...
thanks jfox - a great bday pressie... =) next time you're in town yoss, we'll go see them again!
Are you off to see his A-Z shows? I think its spread over 4 nights though... I was at that gig too! but resting against one of the poles... I thought they were going to spill out into the crowd in the duet...
That's a really lovely write up jfox! i wanted to catch this show when he was playing here in canberra but i didn't get myself organised on time and *sigh!* to think i missed a fab op to catch lovely dan too!
he has such a lovely way with words that really tug at the heart doesn't he? speaking of teary moments how to make gravy is always guaranteed to set off the waterworks. ah bless him!
Any ideas whether the A-Z shows are sold out? (most probably- would love to go.. heck didn't even realise the spiegletent was back!) And I can't use the excuse that my heads been up in the clouds... Suffering from musical withdrawals of all kind- would lvoe to have seen these guys- I'm glad you both liked Paul kelly and Jfox, love the idea about kelly lyric postcard clues!!!
hey yoss> i'm glad you liked it, we thought of you the whole time! we have some treats for you too ;)
see elmo> dan k is LOVELY! ;p
hey jonno> oh, we missed you! what did you think of the show? we haven't got tix for the a-z (surely they must be sold out by now?) if you're going, we'd love to hear how it goes!
thank you serenity!> paul kelly did include _how to make gravy_, coupled with robust crowd sing-a-long too!
hullo m's> you should never suffer musical withdrawals for too long.. dangerous! we'll have to do something about that.....
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