Paul Kelly's Fever Keeps Burning To Light A Decades Long Career

My Backstage Pass

Paul Kelly is one of the leading artists making music in Australia and given his remarkable legacy — consisting of some 29 albums and a career that extends back nearly four decades — he rightfully deserves his place on that pantheon. His new album, Fever Longing Still, marks his first new collection in six years, not counting the various compilations and collections that have helped to reinforce his status as a remarkable singer/songwriter worthy of international repute. Recorded in tandem with longtime collaborators — Peter Luscombe (drums), Bill McDonald (bass), Dan Kelly (guitar), Cameron Bruce (keys), and Ash Naylor (guitar) — it may come across as more of a band effort overall, but it continues to provide the sardonic wit that Kelly is so well known for. His songs are always profoundly engaging, and whether opting for a jaunty reprieve, arched enthusiasm, a mix of tenderness and tenacity to an equal degree.

The fact that the album title is lifted from a work by William Shakespeare, one of Kelly’s literary idols, testifies to the fact that his reputation for literacy, emotional expression and an everyman sensibility is what makes his music relatable and affecting. Consequently, when Mr. Kelly offers his insights to Lee and Billy courtesy of My Backstage Pass, it’s both revelatory and refreshing in every way. Learn more about Paul Kelly at https://www.paulkelly.com.au

Podcast producer and host Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a company that published a Grammy winning single. Billy is also a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's album was released by Spectra Records in Oct 2023. Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com
Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gaines.

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