Paul Kelly may have started out as a witty, frizzy-haired post-punk rocker in the late '70s, but the songwriter's graceful creative journey eventually earned him a place among this country's most cherished musical poets. Although he's often called Australia's Bob Dylan, Kelly is more than that—his folky lyrical approach follows the tradition of colonial bush balladry, detailing distinctly Australian experiences. Kelly established himself with a 1985 debut solo album of literate folk-rock, Post. The touching, philosophical songwriting was deeply informed by uniquely Australian places and people—common threads that bind Kelly's genre-shifting, four-decade career. He found his greatest commercial success in the late '80s and '90s with Gossip and a best-selling compilation album, Songs from the South. But Kelly's enduring wit, compassion and openhearted worldview remain his greatest accomplishments. He's not Australia's Bob Dylan—he's Australia's Paul Kelly.