Title - 'Nature'
Artist - Paul Kelly
For those not in the know, Paul Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player.
He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers and has worked with other artists and groups; including associated projects Professor Ratbaggy and Stardust Five.
Kelly's music style has ranged from bluegrass to studio-oriented dub reggae, but his core output straddles folk, rock, and country. His lyrics capture the vastness of the culture and landscape of Australia by chronicling life about him for over 30 years.
Indeed, David Fricke from Rolling Stone calls Kelly "one of the finest songwriters I have ever heard, Australian or otherwise." Kelly himself has said, "Song writing is mysterious to me. I still feel like a total beginner. I don't feel like I have got it nailed yet".
Incredibly, Nature is the 24th studio album by Kelly! Released last month via Cooking Vinyl, the 12 track beauty is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of Kelly's finest, and most mature collection of songwriting to date.
1. "And Death Shall Have No Dominion"
2. "With the One I Love"
3. "A Bastard Like Me"
4. "Little Wolf"
5. "With Animals"
6. "Bound to Follow (Aisling Song)" (featuring Kate Miller-Heidke)
7. "Seagulls of Seattle"
8. "Morning Storm"
9. "Mushrooms"
10. "The River Song"
11. "God's Grandeur"
12. "The Trees"
We begin beautifully with the storytelling "And Death Shall Have No Dominion" which he backs up seamlessly with both the R.E.M.-esque "With The One I Love" and the quieter, land-faring shanty "A Bastard Like Me." That vein of ballad continues in the toned down "Little Wolf" which is backed with the lyrical revealing within "With Animals."
The joyous bounce of "Bound To Follow (Aisling Song)" featuring the ethereal vocals of Kate Miller-Heidke is one of the true stand out highlights here and that's followed by both the troubadour tales of "Seagulls of Seattle" and then the gentle hipsway of "Morning Storm."
"Mushrooms" is another quiet parlay into our minds, with the infectious melodies of "The River Song" up next. The album then rounds out with the introspective "God's Grandeur" and then, together with Miller-Heidke once again, we get the rather lovely "The Trees."
Amazon CD Purchase Link
www.PaulKelly.com.au
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