CRICKET'S OFTEN HIS INSPIRATION

Sunday News (New Zealand) - 17th March, 1996
by Neil Reid

Leading Australian songwriter Paul Kelly says he's bemused why people are so eager to talk to him about cricket.

The Melbourne resident says he his a musician - not a sport's commentatoror - and acknowledges his own cricket career was less than spectacular. But two of Kelly's best songs have been written about the game. The first is his heartfelt tribute to Australian cricket legend Don Bradman (the seven-minute 'Bradman') while the other is the newly released B-side song 'Behind the Bowler's Arm'.

Add to them the various singles and album tracks which mention cricket and the answer is clear - Kelly is a cricket nut.

"It just gets me that people want to talk about cricket," he told the Sunday News as he recovered from watching the New Zealand v Australia World Cup quarter final.

"It's a great game. What can I say? Did you watch last night's game? What did you think?"

'Bradman', released on the 1987 Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls 'Under the Sun' album, is one of the best examples of Kelly's songwriting skills but is requested more at shows here than in Australia.

Kelly, who tours here next month, said Kiwi audiences would be treated to a selection of his releases from the past 15 years, including the new 'Behind the Bowler's Arm'.

"It's all about going to the traditional Boxing Day cricket test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Let's say it's become a bit of a ritual for me."

Kelly first came to prominence in the early 1980s with the bare-to-the-bones solo album 'Post'. It catapulted him into the limelight in Australia with songs like 'You Can Leave Your Shoes Under My Bed.' He then formed the aclaimed Paul Kelly and The Coloured Girls band (later renamed The Messengers).

After five strong albums an solid touring, he disbanded the group in 1992 to concentrate on his solo career.

Kelly, who has won a swag of songwriting awards, said last year's Deeper Water album featured some of his most mature songs to date.

New Zealand is a regular fixture on his tour schedules and he says the next one will be something special.

"I've got a full band behind me featuring Kiwi guitarist Spencer Jones. I'm working on the theory every great Australian band has to have a least one New Zealander."

© Copyright Sunday News, Independent News Auckland Limited from News Media.

Transcribed by Richard Downing