Words (No Music)

Paul Kelly's most recent album is called Words And Music. We ask him the questions that have been raised, past and present, by his words.

How many angels fit on the head of a pin - just a guess?
It's infinite.

What's your favourite song from Highway 61 Revisited?
I haven't listened to it for a long time. A few of the albums blur into each other around that time. What's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" from? Is that from Highway 61? I like "Queen Jane" and "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues."

Are they the same songs you liked when you were growing up?
I don't think they've changed that much. I got into those records through my older brothers. It was a little while after they came out. My brothers used to listen to Bob Dylan and my mother would say, "Come and wash the dishes," and they'd say, "Just one more song,' and then they'd play "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands," which is from Blonde on Blonde and takes up the whole side.

Which of the little kings' murders make you mad at the moment?
Pastoralists taking away land and denying the traditional owners access. State leaders helping people to build casinos but not helping teachers to teach in public schools or building hospitals to make sick people well.

Do you see an end to it?
There will be a swing back against economic rationalism in which value is measured solely by the dollar. Eventually it will be discredited.

Did she stand close to the window and did anyone see?
She didn't stand close to the window and nobody saw. That was a good thing.

When did you first come upon Charlie Owen?
He's been around for a long time and I forget when I first met him. I really liked the Tex, Don and Charlie record that came out a few years ago and I've seen him play around Melbourne quite a bit. I like him and Joel Silbersher playing as a due. It was after seeing them at the Continental that I wrote the song about him. Charlie with the Working Class Ringos is good, too. I've seen him in a few different line-ups. I've even seen him play heavy metal guitar with the Beasts of Bourbon. I've always admired the spirit in which he plays music.

What kind of spirit?
It's to play from your heart - what's inside you - and not worry about whether it's going to make you a million bucks

Are you an ambitious person?
For sure. There are lots of things I want to get better at. I still think there's a lot ground to explore in making music and writing songs and singing. It's a strong drive.

Do you think young people are victims of conspiracy?
There was a period last year when a book called Gangland came out and there was this discussion of how a certain generation of intellectuals was dominating the cultural debate. There was a lot of talk about how younger artists and intellectuals weren't getting their voices heard. But I think the world is very much geared to youth, especially in the way it perpetuates a view that getting old is bad. I think pop music is very much a young person's game, and so it should be. So I don't feel that youth culture is locked out. You've got radio stations that bend over backwards trying to present youth culture. So I don't think there's a conspiracy.

What does being a young person's game mean for popular music, and what does it mean for you?
Popular music is so broad - that's its beauty - that there's a place for everyone. It draws on all kinds of music. It's always eating up influence, whether it's hip-hop or dub or techno or electronic or punk. It's always hungry for the next new face or the next young band - so there are always going to be bands who come and go - but there's room for people who want to grow and develop as well. Most art takes a fair bit of practice. So, if you stick with it, you should be better at it when you're over 30 than when you're under.

Did you do one damn good thing before you were 30?
Not too many damn good things.

What was the first damn good thing you did?
Moved to Melbourne.

What's on your mind right now?
The Second Test in India. There are a couple of songs hanging around that I'm trying to write. I've got to cook chops for dinner. I'm going to the post office later. And the football season starts in two weeks.

What are some of your favourite big things that have grown from little things?
My Children.

Do you believe in God?
I don't know.

Do you have a recipe for gravy you'd like to share?
It's in the song.

Do you drink gin?
Every now and then. I'm not a regular drinker of gin but we got into a few gin and tonics over Christmas. It became the preferred family drink for about a week. It's a good drink in Brisbane in the summer.

Does it make you cry?
No.