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Music to the ears
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Jim Reeves fans can listen to his golden voice all over again through the gifted vocal chords of Max Karkada, writes M. RAGHURAM.
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Max Karkada has a voice just like that of his idol, Jim Reeves.
IT'S SOME 40 years since Jim Reeves, the American singer, died in a plane crash, plunging into grief his fans who couldn't have enough of his velvety voice. But lucky are Mangaloreans who have in their midst Max Karkada, whose voice is very similar to Gentleman Jim's.
James Travis Reeves belongs to a rare breed of musicians who blended pop with country 'n' Western, holding music lovers all over the world spellbound with his golden voice. He was only 40 when his plane crashed into dense woods off Nashville, Tennessee, on July 31, 1964.
It speaks of his appeal that his songs are covered and broadcast to this day. Any get-together or gala event, and you're bound to hear Jim Reeves numbers. A certain generation will remember him as a favourite of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He was the complete opposite of egocentric performers: this Texan was full of courtesy and old-world charm.
Curiously, Reeves was once better known as a baseball player and had earned a good place in the side as a skilled pitcher. A pain in the leg and back obviated his chances of making it to the national league and he was forced to seek a career in music: his original love. Starting off as disc jockey in radio stations and presenting popular music shows, in 1953 he brought out his own disc, "Mexican Joe", which was an instant hit. In the following years came other hits like "Bimbo", "Yonder Comes A Sucker", "Four Walls", "Blue Boy", "My Lips Are Sealed", "According to My Heart", "Am I Losing You", "Danny Boy", "But You Love Me Daddy", "You're the Only Good Thing", "Adios Amigo", "Welcome to My World", "I Love You Because", "Distant Drums", "He'll Have to Go", and many more. His inspirational hymns like "We Thank Thee", "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and his Christmas albums sell like hot cakes even today.
No wonder Max Karkada and his friends were determined to keep Gentleman Jim's music alive by organising Jim Reeves Nites periodically here in the city. And sure enough, they are big draws. The band take great care to be as faithful to the original as possible, complete with the rousing orchestral effects of trumpets, violins and guitars. If one closes one's eyes and listens, one could be forgiven for thinking that it is Jim Reeves himself who is singing.
Max says the Jim Reeves era was an outstanding period in the world music and that what he was trying to do was to emulate the legendary singer. The similarity in their voices has been acknowledged by some diehard Reeves fans themselves.
Gertrude Mathais, music aficionado, describes Max's voice as a gift from God. Richi Lasrado, fan of both Reeves and Max, is thankful that Max has stepped in to keep Reeves's memory and music alive.
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