Please Leave Your Light On

Please Leave Your Light On is a 2020 collaborative project between Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly and jazz pianist Paul Grabowsky. While Kelly is primarily known as a folk-rock storyteller, this album represents a significant stylistic pivot into the world of vocal jazz and traditional pop. The tracklist consists of reinterpretations of Kelly's deep catalog, spanning nine previous albums, alongside a new track 'True to You' and a cover of Cole Porter's 'Every Time We Say Goodbye'. Recorded at Monash University, the production is intentionally sparse, featuring only Kelly's vocals (and occasional harmonica) and Grabowsky's piano. The project was inspired by the legendary collaborations of Frank Sinatra and Nelson Riddle, as well as Bill Evans and Tony Bennett. The album was critically lauded for its intimacy and was awarded the ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album in 2020, cementing its status as a successful genre-crossing experiment that highlights Kelly's lyrical depth through a sophisticated, improvisational lens.