Now solidly into his fourth decade as a recording and touring artist, with no indication of slowing down, Australia's Paul Kelly has cemented his reputation as an international troubadour par excellence. Given the frenetic pace at which he worked over the last few years, which included new releases and multi-continent tours, 2014 was supposed to be a year off for the artist, yet he still managed to write and record a new album the focus of which is soul music. The Merri Soul Sessions is an exciting departure for Paul, yet somehow still retains that vintage Kelly sheen.