Roger Whittaker -- Marriott Castle Harbour I must admit that the thought of motorcycling through heavy rain past pitch black golf courses to see Roger Whittaker, initially did not hold great appeal.

I remember Whittaker as the rather annoying whistling folk singer who provided the breaks in my favourite pop music programme in my teens.

But I have to admit that I could not remember how his songs sounded, until Thursday evening.

And now I must eat those same words of doubt I was spouting right up until the start of Thursday evening's wonderful performance.

Whittaker is a fine songwriter and he has a tremendous voice. But more than that he is a great showman.

His show is not just about singing and playing the guitar; it is about intermingling with a mixed audience which on this occasion must have numbered about 1,000 people.

For three nights with three packed houses, this Castle Harbour show demonstrates the universal popularity of the man.

Whittaker's stage presence is a homey one. He cracks plenty of jokes and grins delightedly with every burst of applause.

In fact, it could come over as annoying just how smug he is about his own popularity.

But that repute is well earned.

Wandering Whittaker draws influences from Africa, Ireland, Scotland, England, American country and western and even rock 'n' roll.

He was responsible for building the interest in music around the world a long time before many of today's proponents.

Born in Kenya in 1936 after his parents had emigrated from England, Whittaker was influenced by the rhythms and beats of Africa which were always around him.

He is now in the process of making his second film on Africa's music, which is due out later in the year.

In the '60s and '70s, Whittaker had a string of hits including "I Don't Believe In If, Anymore,'' "The Mexican Whistler'' and "The Leavin' Song'', better known as "Durham Town''. All are featured in his Bermuda performances.

Over the years he has steadily increased his popularity, and his visit to Bermuda comes at the end of a successful US tour.

He started his set alone, the high point being "The Skye Boat Song'' concerning Bonnie Prince Charlie's escape from the English to the Isle of Skye.

This was also the start of the whistling when he gave an excellent impression of a seagull.

Enter keyboard player David Fraser and the first of the Whittaker African songs which called for plenty of audience participation with hey-hey-heys, clapping and a strange sucking whistle. A number of people will no doubt be trying the latter in offices and pubs over the next few days.

Then it was the most famous whistling song, "The Mexican Whistler'' which received warm applause from the audience.

Whittaker has been married to his Irish wife for the past 30 years and has recently recorded an album of Irish songs. He entertained the crowd with two of the better known ballads, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling'' and "Danny Boy.'' We then returned to Africa for more Kenyan numbers before an excellent version of the song that took Bette Midler to the top of the charts, "Wind Beneath My Wings''.

He ended the first part of the set with the "most famous African song'' -- the title song of the film "Born Free''.

After the break, Whittaker strode straight into his own compositions including "I Don't Believe In If'' and "The Leavin' Song'' before a version of Ralph McTell's "Streets of London''.

Then it was songs of the shows with "Memories'' from the musical "Cats'' and "If I Was A Rich Man'' from "Fiddler on the Roof''. Again this showed the range of Whittaker's vocals.

Whittaker surprised the audience by ending with "Long Tall Sally'' involving a memorable piece of piano playing by Fraser, and "Blueberry Hill''.

He was called back onto the stage for a few more numbers, ending with the Irish classic "Whiskey in the jar''.

This was a show which would delight both young and old, simply because of its variety and the fact that it was performed by a great showman.

ALAN WRIGHT ROGER WHITTAKER -- Still keeping audiences smiling.