Lennon sings praises of Oz

Julian Lennon's love of Australia has led him to consider setting up permanent home here.

"I've always felt very, very comfortable here. I've always liked it. I've very much considered moving here," the musician said last night. "It's very scary, but every time I come here I've stayed an extra week or two at the end if I've not had to go anywhere."

The eldest son of murdered former Beatle John Lennon, Julian, 35, is in Melbourne as part of a three-week promotional tour for his latest album, Photograph Smile.   Asked if Melbourne would ever be his Australian home of choice, Lennon gave a rather cool reply. "The climate in Melbourne seems to be a little too close to England's at the moment," he said.

Last night Lennon played an invitation-only gig at Prahran's Continental Cafe. Included in his intimate set was his Beatlesque single I Don't Wanna Know and his worldwide hit  Saltwater. Adding poignancy to the set was the fact that yesterday would have been his father's 58th birthday. John Lennon was slain by a crazed fan outside his New York home in December 1980.

Julian Lennon's only public performance will be at the Mercury Lounge on October 28.