How to Make Gravy by Paul Kelly

February 2011, no. 328

Hamish Hamilton, $49.95 hb, 568 pp

How to Make Gravy by Paul Kelly

February 2011, no. 328

In his ‘mongrel memoir’, How to Make Gravy, singer–songwriter Paul Kelly describes the ‘pretendies’ that can ambush a musician on stage: ‘One minute you’re putting a song over to the crowd, totally inside what you’re doing, everything meshing, then suddenly you’re adrift, floating above yourself and wondering what on earth you’re doing there.’

Anna Goldsworthy

By this contributor

Anna Goldsworthy is an Australian classical pianist and writer. Her writing has appeared in publications such as Best Australian Essays 2007, 2008, and 2009, The Monthly, The Australian, Australian Book Review and The Australian Literary Review. Her musical memoir, Piano Lessons, was released in Australia by Black Inc. in October 2009, and won 'Newcomer of the Year' at the 2010 Australian Book Industry Awards.