ROGER WHITTAKER WARMLY RECEIVED

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32783, 7 December 1971, Page 18

ROGER WHITTAKER WARMLY RECEIVED

A sense of humour, an inner warmth and an apparent sincerity were the qualities which gave Roger Whittaker his main appeal to a nearcapacity audience at the Civic Theatre last evening. In many of his standard songs, ballads, calypsos and a few old favourites such as “Biowin’ in the Wind" and

“Michael," Mr Whittaker’s strong, penetrating voice and his versatile whistling captivated the audience.

The three songs he wrote himself—“ Durham Town," "New World in the Morning" and “I Don’t believe in If Anymore”—were included in the performance, as were his

other hits, “Why?” and "Mammy Blue.” Other songs included a new one, not previously sung in public, “I Dreamed a Dream,” and "Both Sides NOw.”

Careful alternation between the more sentimental ballads and the lighter, less

serious numbers was achieved.

The supporting artists, both winners of the Studio One contest, were Nash Chase and Jay *n* Bee. Comprising the first half of the show, these artists, although competent, were hampered by faulty electrical equipment

Jay ’n’ Bee were in some ways comparable to the Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood, but the songs they chose were not entirely suitable to their slightly country and western style. Once the initial problems with the equipment were solved, the snow flowed easily, reaching a climax when Mr Whittaker was called back four times for encores, the last of which was apparently unexpected by neither Mr Whittaker nor the Brian Hands Quartet, which accompanied all artists. —K.M.F.P.