Live Review: Paul Kelly
Fremantle Prison, 17 March 2023
Review by Erica Lorimer Photography
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
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The towering and vibrant entrance to Fremantle Prison exudes a certain allure that fits perfectly with the legendary Australian musician, Paul Kelly. Stepping through the aged walls of this World Heritage site is a unique experience, but attending a live music event within these walls is truly extraordinary. As concertgoers gather at the sturdy gates, there’s a palpable sense of excitement and serenity, as they prepare to fully immerse themselves in an eagerly anticipated experience.
Vika and Linda, the vocal duo support act with compelling harmony, mesmerised the audience with a genuinely joyful and charismatic stage presence, enticing arriving fans to find their seats early. The Bull sisters’ strong and confident voices delivered an unforgettable performance, impressively pulling off songs that only a few could. As backing vocals to Paul Kelly for over 20 years the sisters were the perfect teaser.
Paul Kelly’s 2017 track Letter in the Rain was the opening number. With his sizeable acoustic guitar in hand, Kelly appears unassuming yet masterfully melds intricate melodies with poetry-laden lyrics. His music possesses a profound depth that commands the respect of his audience, who recognise that they are embarking a transcendental journey. Accompanying him and comprising “Team PK” is a group of supporting artists who themselves boast impressive legacies. No flashy lights, costumes, elaborate sets, or pyrotechnics are necessary to captivate his fans.
The tempo of the show quickens with the cherished song Leaps and Bounds which Kelly wraps up by reminiscing about the Fitzgerald and Shenton Park Hotels, saying “I remember the Fitzgerald Hotel and the Shenton Park (Hotel).” This brought a wholesome of satisfaction to many of the mature fans, the writer included, who fondly recall Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls performing in the beer gardens of those pubs during the popular Sunday Sessions of the late 80’s.
Following the well-known, tranquil melodies of Careless and Love Never Runs on Time, the concert experience is enhanced even more by the more upbeat tempo of a more recent track, Firewood and Candles.
The course of Paul Kelly’s long career is marked by honours including the Order of Australia, Hall of Fame induction in 1987 and winner of multiple ARIA awards. His music is characterized by dynamic rhythms and catchy melodies that are anchored in profound poetry, exploring classic themes of family, love, and loss. Many Australians have claimed Kelly’s songs as anthems as the lyrical stories capture the imbued essence of our national identity, exemplified by the likes of Bradman, his 1985 ode to the unmatched talent of Australia’s most famous cricketer with the chorus repeating “he was something else”. Equally laden is From St. Kilda to Kings Cross, which touches on the Sydney-Melbourne rivalry and is familiar to many Aussies. The performance of this song did not disappoint in creating a strong sense of cohesion among the few hundred attendees that night, leaving no room for disappointment.
The hit songs, like Bradman’s runs, did not abate as the night rolled on. The well-known and upbeat classic To Her Door ignited the crowd. From the elevated observation deck above, the event photographer captured a sea of people; their excited swaying bodies creating a colourful and vibrant mosaic. The crowd’s palpable energy morphed to embrace the melodic ballad, Josephine. The poignant lyrics of the song conveyed a sense of regret and longing as the song’s protagonist reminisced about good times shared, with a wistful chorus refrain of “you’re the one who must go on.” A beloved and enduring song released in 1987, Josephine has been covered by many artists over the years and serves as Paul Kelly’s tribute to his Argentinian roots. The song’s namesake is Kelly’s mother, who raised six children alone after the premature death of her husband.
Despite the presence of iron bars on the cell windows, which might have created a sense of confinement, the concert was made even more intriguing by the haunting echoes of the past. The towering limestone walls also served as a natural amphitheater for the music, which enveloped the audience in a warm embrace. Against the backdrop of the ancient prison walls, it was fitting that the moving Christmas song How to Make Gravy was performed, and everyone present appreciated the significance of the setting.
To the delight of the audience, Dan Kelly, the nephew of Paul Kelly, a singer and songwriter in his own right, joined the Team PK. In honour of St. Patrick’s Day, Dan Kelly paid a fun tribute to his family’s cultural heritage by wearing a vibrant green suit. With his guitar and mandolin, he delivered a personal performance that reassured the audience of the family’s commitment to preserving their musical legacy. The concert also featured other noteworthy musicians such as Peter Luscombe, who has been drumming for Kelly for a quarter-century, and the acclaimed opera singer and composer Jess Hitchcock, whose impressive voice left a lasting impression on the audience.
Tributes were paid to late friends, such as masterful vocalist Renee Geyer, followed by a powerful performance of Archie Roach’s Rally Round the Drum. The song’s story of an indigenous tent boxing man featured the haunting sounds of the yidaki (didgeridoo) played by musician Russell Smith (Rusty). Still with digeridoo backup, the crowd got to their feet and were finally rewarded with well-known From Little Things Big Things Grow, a song that Kelly co-wrote with Kev Carmody. This song highlighted the Gurindji Strike and Vincent Lingiari’s pivotal role in the Indigenous Australian struggle for land rights and reconciliation.
To the surprise of some but perhaps not devoted fans, Paul Kelly treated the audience at the rock concert to a poetry recital. Known for his deep appreciation of poetry and his own writing and reading of it, Kelly chose to recite Banjo Paterson’s iconic Australian bush poem Clancy of the Overflow. The poem’s moving words, framed by the stunning backdrop of the “everlasting stars,” invited the audience to appreciate the beauty of poetry and reflect on their priorities in life. It served as a gentle encouragement to take a break from the fast-paced modern lifestyle.
The night also served to acknowledge the late Judith Durham of The Seekers, another cherished friend who, as Kelly recounted, had personally sung Morning Train to his two daughters. Singer-songwriter Jess Hitchcock gave voice to a powerful performance of The Carnival is Over as a closing song. With her soprano voice soaring to the top of the high limestone walls it became clear to the audience that very few vocalists in the country could have done justice to the revered song in the way that she did.
Paul Kelly, Australia’s musical Poet Laureate, has once again filled our hearts with joy and nostalgia for the music we all know and love. Not only does Paul Kelly and his talented team deliver a performance that leaves an enduring mark on all those who have the privilege of hearing it, but the audience is taken to a place of deep reflection and reverence, leaving all with a profound idea of our shared history, connection to the land, and enjoyment of live music – a true “vision splendid”, as Clancy would have it.
Poetry is deep play. It’s comfort. It’s challenging. Just like a friend – Paul Kelly
Visit Zaccaria Concerts and Touring for more iconic tours including By The C (headlined by Icehouse), Tina Arena, The Cat Empire, Joe Avati plus many more.
About the Writer: Erica Lorimer holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Western Australia (UWA), majoring in English Literature and Economics, and a Certificate IV in Design. She is also a freelance photographer who loves capturing images of live music and travel photograph, sometimes with film from vintage cameras and making prints in a home darkroom. She has lived in Japan, the UK and Nigeria.
About the Photographer: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to photograph and review most of the arena and stadium concerts in Perth including Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Post Malone, Sting, Harry Styles, Backstreet Boy, and KISS with reviews shared by the likes of UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Fabulous Caprittos and Synthony on social media. He has interviewed rockers Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS), Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Ian Moss (Cold Chisel) and forty other legends.
Listen Paul Kelly on Spotify
