Perhaps one of the more underrated traits of Paul Kelly as a songwriter has been his ability to convey a story through a voice or perspective that differs from his own. This trait is explored to new depths in The Merri Soul Sessions, which was sparked out of a desire to re-record a classic Kelly track, Sweet Guy, with long-time collaborator and friend, Vika Bull.
It serves as a highlight of what the record has to offer, but the most rewarding aspect of the LP as a whole is that, on account of its versatile approach both sonically and vocally, each listener will take away their own standout performance. Bull can still stop listeners in their tracks well into her 50s, as displayed on the intense slow-dance of What You Want, while younger collaborators prove they can hold their own – see the smoky-barroom beauty of Kira Puru on I Don’t Know What I’d Do, or Dan Sultan’s Motown-esque turn on Don’t Let a Good Thing Go.
The record’s experimental nature means not everything will stick. What does, however, indicates that Kelly’s still adamant about keeping things interesting; refusing to slide into easy listening without a fight.
BY DAVID JAMES YOUNG
