The origins of the name Camilleri are many and diverse, perhaps akin to the diversity of music Joe Camilleri plays. the name itself may originate from the Sicilian, or as one internet source said, the Spanish, and means to ‘stretcher’ or ‘bear’ such as what was the medical occupation of the Knights of St John, the Maltese forerunners of the St John’s ambulance.
Joe Camilleri has been stretchering or bearing us through many musical manifestations for some time now and his music has the ‘healing’ or ‘feel good power’ of the medicinal knights of Malta.
Joe Camilleri is a constant visitor to Tasmania and has been embraced by Tasmanian audiences. He was most recently here early this year when he performed with Suzi Quatro in Launceston.
I talk to Joe as he is on his way through Sale and true to form as he sails through Sale I am treated to his highly humorous observations of his fellow performers as they may appear in their upcoming gigs.
This May he returns to Tassie with the second in as many years ‘Apia Good Times tour.’ The dynamics have changed a little but it is another power house of performers that are lined up to play together. Joe, will be joined by Richard Clapton, Leo Sayer and Russell Morris.
The amiable Joe is quick to lovingly and cheekily tell me about his colleagues, including their dress sense. He tells me Leo will be wearing ‘a slightly off the shoulder number’ and Richard will be in ‘basic black’, while Russell, with his new album will be not ‘too fussed over fashion’ which leaves it to Joe himself to bring out the fashionista stakes!
Joe has also made the insight that the group this year is brilliantly balanced, as two are bald and two have ‘too much’ hair.
It’s Joe’s 50th year in the business and we can expect him to showcase his new album as well as play his much loved hits. Each star performer will take to the stage for 30 minutes of their own show before joining together for 40 minutes of magic.
Continually evolving, Joe Camilleri ‘looks to the future but continues to pay homage to the past’.
You can see the ‘Apia Good Times tour’ at Launceston Country Club on May 9 and May 11. Also in Hobart at Wrest Point Entertainment Centre on May 10.
Paula Xiberras
