If ever a singer could be described as laconic, it would be Paul Kelly. Here is a songwriter whose lyrics appear more important than his voice. This collection of 21 stories uses those lyrics as a stepping-stone to stories of the writer’s choice. The result is an eclectic mix of fiction and essay-memoir.

The first three stories give an indication of the range of responses and level of engagement to Kelly’s music, moving from the personal through the tangential to the abstract. Tim Rogers (of You Am I fame) begins the collection by recalling meeting Kelly after a gig and telling him he finally understood his lyrics. Jock Serong then links Kelly’s songs as a soundtrack to a time in his life. Michelle Wright’s ‘With Walt’ is more removed, with no mention of Kelly or his songs, and its understated power makes it worthy of inclusion in any collection.

An encyclopedic knowledge of Kelly’s albums isn’t needed. The curators have provided a greyscale note of the song inspiring each story. Readers wanting more insight can then check the song against the story.

Songs have the power to instantly evoke memories, much like Proust’s madeleines. Grief and loss are seminal moments and the strongest stories – for me – are those with death at the centre. The above-mentioned, ‘With Walt’ is the standout, along with elegiac stories from Robbie Arnott, Lorin Clarke (talking about the loss of her father – the late, the great, John Clarke) and Sam Carmody. Some writers play with form or use a spec-fiction style. Bram Presser includes photos along with his smooth poetic sensibility.

This collection has the strength to stand beside the enduring power of Kelly’s music.

Reviewed by Bob Moore

MORE ABOUT PAUL KELLY

Paul Kelly is a legend in the Australian rock music industry. He is a talented singer-songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player and a writer of prose, with a number of books published. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. His lyrics capture the vastness of the culture and landscape of Australia by chronicling life about him for over 30 years. Most Australian homes will contain one or more albums by Paul Kelly.

See also by Paul Kelly
How to Make Gravy
Love is as Strong as Death