Roger Whittaker

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:46 pm

Roger Whittaker has gotten several mentions in the geographic quiz, but he deserves his own thread. I think his voice is unique and calming. Of course, my favourite song is The Last Farewell. As I've stated before, I love to listen to it when it's rainy and foggy. I also like New World In The Morning and Durham Town.

I assume that Durham Town is referring to the English town with the lovely cathedral that I hope to visit one day, rather than the nondescript city in North Carolina. My questions are:

Which war does the song refer to?

What county is Durham located in? (I know I can at a map later, but it's more fun to get responses from all of you.

)

john · Post by **john** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:20 pm

I think Durham is the actual county, Paul, it is in the north east of England
I have several of Roger Whittaker cd's, I too like NEW WORLD IN THE MORNING and THE LAST FAREWELL. Had a hit with Des O Connor with THE SKYE BOAT SONG . Still records and tours to this day, I think he is about 70 now. He is also very popular in Germany and has recorded numerous german spoken songs.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:09 am

Indeed, Durham is in County Durham and is well worth a visit. Lovely Cathedral and University perched above the River Wear.

New World in the Morning is marvellous track, but that is really the only one I know - I think one of the rail or bus companies used 'Durham Town' as a track on a TV commercial when I was a child, growing up in the North East.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:51 am

Paul, John Mike we like Roger Whittiker and so do our friends in America. We sent them a DVD for Christmas and about to post two more CDs to them.
The Last Farewell is of course his most popular but there are so many good classic songs like Stardust, Tenderly, Always, Send In The Clowns. Somewhere My Love. A Lovely singer

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 12:49 pm

Nothing to do with his vocal abilities, although I do enjoy his songs, but my son used to work alongside Roger Whittaker's son in Reading.

Marian

Marty · Post by **Marty** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 2:40 pm

Roger is absolutely enormous in Germany, I must admit I had forgotten about him, but he's over here in Hamburg a few times a year. Sings in German especially well.

john · Post by **john** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:10 pm

Yes, Marty, he sings a lot of songs in german that unfortunately has not recorded in english. I have a couple of dvds of his and one is live in Berlin, and although I can't always understand the words the songs are good.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:29 pm

The lyrics tell you that he leaves Durham town in 1944. WW2 is the answer Paul.

jon · Post by **jon** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:56 am

Hi Paul

Roger Whitaker is also noted for the whistling that he did in many of his songs. Don't actually have any of them but I also like "Durham Town" and "New World in the Morning". I believe he trained to be a brain surgeon originally.

john · Post by **john** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:05 pm

Yes Jon, he made a complete album of just whistling songs, I think. The main one was MEXICAN WHISTLER,and the others were of different other countries.

Edgar · Post by **Edgar** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:49 am

I too, like Roger Whitaker very much, but I saw him in concert last year, and it was very embarrasing to say the least. His voice was dreadful in the first half, couldn't reach the high notes.Got a bit better in the second half, but I really think he should think twice before touring again.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 12:23 am

Yes Edgar, but can he still whistle