CD review: Paul Kelly

Enduring Australian Paul Kelly has returned to the electric guitar on his new album, which captures that magic mix of story-telling and band energy he explored with the Messengers and the Coloured Girls back in the ’80s.

Opener Rising Moon bounces along to an R&B groove, while Firewood and Candles is fuelled by a gritty Telecaster as the lyrics get down and (slightly) dirty.

Elsewhere, Leah: The Sequel’s stock-in-trade blues structure is boosted by stunning, jazzy harmonies and Kelly brings life, love and regret into close focus on the country-infused Letter In the Rain.

His recent lessons in jazz piano have helped, too, I Smell Trouble revealing just how far this troubadour is prepared to travel.

PAUL KELLY
Life Is Fine 

EMI 

Four stars (out of five)

Single download: Rising Moon
For those who like: Bob Dylan, Tex Perkins

- Shane Gilchrist

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