Bob wrote: > 5. Kamahl Both Sides Now > From New Zealand, Kamahl's about 5'4" but has a rich > bass voice. and Hell responded: >Shock, horror - I thought I'd got Kamahl out of my >life forever! I should have known he'd turn up on the >covers sooner or later! I don't know too much about >him, other that I think he was actually born in >India, but has lived most of his life here, so has no >trace of an accent (other that a Kiwi one). A minor matter I know, but I have to set the record straight, Bob and Hell. Kamahl (real name Kandiah Kamaleswaran) is probably best described as an Australian. According to his biography (published in 1995)he was born into a Ceylonese Tamil Hindu family in Malaysia in 1934 but came to Adelaide as a schoolboy in the early 1950s. While he has always had a very strong following in New Zealand (and has toured there often), I think he has always "called Australia home" (to pinch a phrase from Peter Allen). He took Australian citizenship in 1967 and as far as I know this is still his place of residence. His music is far too smooth and middle-of-the-road for my taste - as Hell says, hes always been a favourite with the older 'blue rinse set'. However, as a person, he has always struck me as a pretty decent bloke and deserving of the Order of Australia he was awarded in 1994. It's good to see a 'down under' musician represented in the 'covers' project and, by the way Bob, I have uncovered a few more recently and will be in touch about these shortly. Best wishes to all, John (in Sydney). __________________________________________________________________ Get your free Australian email account at http://www.start.com.au
