It's funny how sometimes you have to travel half a planet only to discover that some of the best live music is right in your own hometown. Australian singer songwriter Paul Kelly played at Esther's on Sixth Street, Austin on Wednesday night and captivated the audience.
Kelly is in Austin to remind America that he is still around. He had moderate success here in the 80s with 'Dumb Things' off the back of 'Young Einstein' and has maintained an undercurrent of a fan base ever since.Now he is getting serious you with USA. His 'Stolen Apples' is about to be released in America and Kelly is here to tell them what it is all about.
The audience was, let's just say, curious to start with. After an onstage tune-up, Kelly looked nervous by within the opening bars of the first song, the audience was his.
He played a setlist that covered his career. 'Dumb Things' was there. So was 'How To Make Gravy' (which is both a great song and a cooking lesson for the yanks).
The songs off 'Stolen Apples' sit well with his body of work. He could intertwine both the new and old and keep the audience interested. 'God Told Me Too' worked really well.
A special mention should also go to Dan Kelly, Paul's nephew, who joined him onstage for the show. The younger Kelly bounced off Kelly Sr and added a dimension to Paul's sound with his tasty guitar playing.
After SXSW, Paul Kelly will perform more dates around the USA and Canada.
Dates are:
March 18, Los Angeles, Largo
March 19, San Francisco, Caf?? Du Nord
March 21, Seattle, Triple Door
March 22, Vancouver, The Red Room
March 24, Edmonton, Basement
March 27, Winnipeg, Royal Albert
March 28, Toronto, Lee's Place
March 29, Annapolis, Ramshead
