Posts Tagged Paul Kelly
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August 3, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: I Used To Like Bruce Springsteen Until I Listened Very Closely
Bruce Springsteen mincing hard, a grinning, gurning clown, sweating bullets to let you know he means it – that dull rasp of a voice, no actual bark, even less bite. He’s written some gems, a small handful, but I couldn’t ever let it be thought that I didn’t love some of what he’s done. Though […]Archive
September 16, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: The Bruce Springsteen Grinning-Statue Show
Bruce Springsteen is a craftsman, hell of a writer but fuck all that chest-puffing and that stupid-ass grin. Gimme Paul Kelly with his mortician’s grimace, his songs for the ages and the usual Australian lack of self-doubt. It’s not a competition but Bruce Springsteen is auditioning for his own statue, and Paul Kelly is doing […]Archive
August 31, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Paul Kelly: Live at Sydney Opera House
Paul Kelly Live at Sydney Opera House Universal Import I realise now that my ‘break’ from listening to Paul Kelly came about due to the embarrassment of once trying to jump on stage with him once, of nearly wrestling a guitar from his hands, of all the silliness of youth… I was – and am […]Archive
August 22, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
R.I.P. Spencer P. Jones
Spencer P. Jones has died. I loved so much of the music Spencer P. Jones created and assisted. For he was behind so many bands and various guises, sometimes a sideman, often out front – his songs…someone else’s songs…killer player! The Australian guitarist – best known for his involvement in The Johnnys and Beasts of […]Archive
December 31, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
The Best Gigs Of The Year: The Top 10 Gigs I Reviewed in 2017
Every year I see some great shows – and 2017 offered up plenty. There were loads of great shows I missed (Paul McCartney – though I saw him in 1993 at least) and others that someone else will tell you was the best where I thought it was fucking absurd (Future Islands). Still, all up, […]Archive
December 14, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 94 – Adam McGrath (The Eastern)
Welcome to episode 94 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. I had a terrific chat with Adam McGrath of The Eastern. Adam is also a solo artist – with his debut solo record due out early next year. But for the last half-decade and more he’s been the frontman […]Archive
December 1, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Paul Kelly (November 30; Wgtn)
Paul Kelly The Opera House, Wellington Thursday, November 30 It was my first time seeing Paul Kelly in a decade and a half – and what a busy time it’s been for him, particularly post-2010. Writing his memoir and putting on the series of A-Z shows seems to have him fully revitalised, in the last […]Archive
October 27, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Meeting Famousness: The See And Be ‘Zine Scene
Incredibly Hot Sex With Hideous People – it’s a ‘zine you can scoop up around Wellington; put together by Bryce Galloway (aka Mr. Pudding, aka DJ $1 Record; I first knew him through his work as part of The Wendyhouse). There are over 60 issues of it but the one I fondly recall is Issue […]Archive
August 10, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Five Songs For Friday: 17 – (New and Old) Favourite Instrumentals
It’s been a big week of podcast-edits for me, and as well as layering in loads of music (often instrumentals) I’ve been listening to lots of instrumental music even when not editing. There are some new and old favourites here. Something for everyone, hopefully. Five things that I dig at any rate.Archive
May 5, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Carving It Out: Backstory and Economy in Songwriting
A couple of years ago I had a chat with Anthonie Tonnon –it was in the lead up to his then-new album, his first solo record and we got to talking about economy in songwriting, the ideas around narrative, songs that seem to be stuffed with back-story, but done in a subtle, stirring way. There are certain […]Archive
January 6, 2017 by Simon Sweetman