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How to Make Gravy
by
Paul Kelly
This extraordinary book has its genesis in a series of concerts first staged in 2004. Over four nights Paul Kelly performed, in alphabetical order, one hundred of his songs from the previous three decades. In between songs he told stories about them, and from those little tales grew How to Make Gravy, a memoir like no other. Each of its hundred chapters, also in alphabetic...more
Hardcover, 576 pages
Published
October 1st 2010
by Penguin Books Australia
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I don't think you can read this book quickly.
Not because it's badly written or dull or anything. It's just so dense, if that's the right word. Each chapter, and there's a hundred of them, is a tightly written story in itself somehow relating to one of a hundred Paul Kelly songs:-
Anastasia Changes Her Mind
"Anastasia left a kiss on the mirror
And a couple of condoms by the bed
I tried to find her on her old number
But I just got her boyfriend instead
Oh it's hard, so hard
When Anastasia changes her min...more
Not because it's badly written or dull or anything. It's just so dense, if that's the right word. Each chapter, and there's a hundred of them, is a tightly written story in itself somehow relating to one of a hundred Paul Kelly songs:-
Anastasia Changes Her Mind
"Anastasia left a kiss on the mirror
And a couple of condoms by the bed
I tried to find her on her old number
But I just got her boyfriend instead
Oh it's hard, so hard
When Anastasia changes her min...more
2 likes · like · see review
view 1 comment
Loving every second of this book.
The 'G pulsating with 90000 strong as the search goes on for the Holy Grail, 'Four Seasons in One Day', the No96 tram from Brunswick to Ackland Streets, Chloe, Flinders Street Station, Warnie, people watching at Fed Square, WBC (World's Best Coffee) and a Martin Flanagan column for The Age - all symbolic of our great, uniquely Australian city. To put music and words to all that there'd only be one person to ask - Paul Kelly - and he's done so and continues to do so! As soon as the opening chords...more
This book is a revelation.
Written lists, anecdotes, histories and stories give you such insight into Kelly's passions, his beliefs, his song-writing process.
Accompanied by Music (available on iTunes or CD's) the reading is enhanced by listening to versions of most of the songs hand picked by Kelly.
Be warned you will go looking for music and books referenced.
I cannot recommend this enough. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Written lists, anecdotes, histories and stories give you such insight into Kelly's passions, his beliefs, his song-writing process.
Accompanied by Music (available on iTunes or CD's) the reading is enhanced by listening to versions of most of the songs hand picked by Kelly.
Be warned you will go looking for music and books referenced.
I cannot recommend this enough. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
I love Paul Kelly. I adore Paul Kelly. One of Australia's most beloved singer-songwriters, with lyrics you remember and tunes that stick. I enjoyed the chaotic structure of this memoir, which leaped and skittered over his career. I enjoyed the chance to read his lyrics as words only (although, of course, some of tunes won't be separated).
I was particularly interested in his enduring theme that nothing is truly original. Not the words, not the tunes. So much is borrowed and snitched, and then fil...more
I was particularly interested in his enduring theme that nothing is truly original. Not the words, not the tunes. So much is borrowed and snitched, and then fil...more
Well, I can't say this wasn't an interesting read. A very comprehensive look at Kelly's discography and their backstories. I must admit, prior to reading, I only knew about four of Kelly's songs, and even after reading the book, I'm not exactly about to run out and download them (apparently the book's supposed to come with a CD version but my copy was from the library). It's get a bit preachy at times, but nonetheless provides a good look at the life of a songwriter (one from an older elk than t...more
Ok so I'm not finished reading this and u can't mark the page as I'm reading the IPhone app! Yes - a totally new way to experience a book and I can't believe anyone hasn't thought of this already! The app is the book - with the ability to search and play the track he's talking about if its in your library! I've always enjoyed Paul Kelly's work but just never got around to really buying any - until I saw him with Neil Finn recently! What a storyteller! What a treat this is! All songs from a - z a...more
Bit of philosophy, a few tales, some light banter, some sadness, lots of happiness. If you enjoy Paul Kellys music you will like this book - its in the same story telling style as his songs. The premise of the book is that he chose an alphabetical list of 100 of his songs and sang them over 4 nights. The stories accompanying each song are in some broad way related to the song, (although sometimes its hard to pick what the relationship is though it doesn't detract from the book in any way) and it...more
At its best, sublime. Be prepared for patches (but very few) of tedium. Paul Kelly, one of the best singer songwriters around, uses a selection of his songs as portals to events in his life and ideas in his head. Lyrics are printed at the opening of each chapter; if you know the songs you know also that reading the lyrics does them poor justice. Highly recommend acquiring the companion recording if you don't already have a complete Paul Kelly collection (I do). Ultimately the book succeeds as a...more
Aug 05, 2011
Bigmuzz
added it
sure i've got a few of his albums and i like a heap of his songs, but i would never have referred to myself as a true fan of paul kelly's in the past. But this was no hindrance to enjoying this book. Even though i didn't know how a lot of the songs were supposed to sound, i quite enjoyed how each chapter was broken into a song's lyrics followed by a story behind it. many interesting stories abound within. also, this book gave me a reason to listen to paul kelly's greatest hits cd and a couple of...more
Well it didn't surprise me in the least that I'm giving 5 stars to a book penned by one of my favourite songwriters but damn, this was better than I'd hoped.
I'm disappointed that it's finished. I started reading it back in October and even though it weighted about a kilo I've been carrying it around the country wherever I've gone. It was easy to pick up and read a few chapters then pick up something else knowing I could go back to it. I'm going to miss having it there.
One thing this books makes...more
I'm disappointed that it's finished. I started reading it back in October and even though it weighted about a kilo I've been carrying it around the country wherever I've gone. It was easy to pick up and read a few chapters then pick up something else knowing I could go back to it. I'm going to miss having it there.
One thing this books makes...more
I read a lot of rock biographies/autobiographies, and this is one of the best. The gold standard will always be the Beatles Anthology, but this one is excellent. The autobiographies I like the best are always written by the actual artist (sounds silly, but so many are ghost-written) and tend to be a little unconventional. This is true on both counts for "How to Make Gravy."
Australian Paul Kelly is a master song writer ("Dumb Things," "Other People's Houses," "Careless") who can write brilliant...more
Australian Paul Kelly is a master song writer ("Dumb Things," "Other People's Houses," "Careless") who can write brilliant...more
I always thought Paul Kelly was very mean looking and was a little hesitant about him, but this extraordinary autobiography has made me warm to him so much. He comes across as such a sensitive person, so passionate about words, music, life. He is also very well read so this is kind of a scrapbook of all the threads, people, musicians, books, poems and places that have led to his songs. He himself admits that writing a song is the art of patchwork and that cliches are a writer's best friends. The...more
Jun 26, 2012
Catherine
is currently reading it
This is a HUGE book, strange in structure but I am really enjoying some of the anecdotes and if I don't you just skip it. I am not that interested in the song lyrics but Paul Kelly is a good writer and some of his music stories are my favourites so far. Only about 100 pages in ...
Fantastic book from an Australian icon. Master songwriter, and master writer, this book is an incredible collection of PKs musings on songwriting, touring, politics religion, history, drugs and more. Very readable, nicely written, very highly recommended.
Not your traditional linear autobiography, "How to Make Gravy" is a fascinating look into the mind of musical artiste extraordinaire Paul Kelly. More like a song book with notes written around each song, it's an intriguing blend of 'poetry' and real life story telling.
One of my favourite singer/songwriters - and one of the few who can always bring me to tears at a live show. This is a fascinating insight into songwriting, life in the tour bus and Paul Kelly's life and times. Finding myself humming his tunes all day - and having a beter understanding of where the songs have come from.
I really enjoyed this... Such a different way of compiling memoirs. I liked that I could read it out of sequence and loved finding out little stories about his works. An easy and most enjoyable read.
Feb 23, 2011
Angela Alcorn
marked it as to-read
Apparently this book also has a great list on what's good/bad for children.
This memoir offers a wonderful iinsight into Paul Kelly and his music. It is a book to be read in bits and pieces, I believe, revisiting his music along the way.
A fabulous read, definately a book to read for any Paul Kelly fan. It felt like you were on his life journey with him and I felt a bit sad once it was all over.
Great reading. Interesting structure inter splicing brief autobiographical chapters between Kelly's song lyrics running from a to z in alphabetical title order.
Enjoyed reading this and saw the documentary about PK with family and we sang along with some of the songs and now know more about the story of the songs.
I really enjoyed the mixture of memoir, music, poetry, travel and personal insight into his world. Paul comes across as a fair-minded, old-fashioned Aussie bloke (cricket tragic) who also led a wild, colourful, vagabond life full of parties, drinks, drugs and friends from every walk of life. Kind of a rough, very talented, sensitive boy-next-door (depending where you live).
His 100 song concert is a novel idea and led to a novel novel. He chose 100 songs and sings them from A-Z, 25 each of 4 nigh...more
His 100 song concert is a novel idea and led to a novel novel. He chose 100 songs and sings them from A-Z, 25 each of 4 nigh...more
Great book to pick up and read anytime as long as you are a fan of Paul Kelly. Lots of clever use of lyrics in the text
Changed my life. Made me less ignorant. Learnt shitloads about my country that he has sung about my whole life.
Sep 21, 2010
Velvetink
marked it as to-read
Memoir of Paul Kelly. It's $49.95 so won't be buying it. Probably sit in Borders with a coffee and read it. ;0
Original format
Paul Kelly really is a uniquely gifted storyteller. His knowledge and facts concerning Australia's indigenous history and his written songs that accompany the book are pure poetry. This man is a gifted writer who deserves every accolade that comes his way.
Awesome. Yes. Awesome,
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