![]() "The Governor's Dream" is a lyrical glimpse of what an ancient Roman governor might've dreamed concerning the impact of Christianity on the Roman empire. In the intriguing "Momma Mary" Whittaker ponders how Joseph and Mary might have reacted to a media blitz if the wonderful event of 2,000 years ago had occurred today. Battling jet lag left him with sleepless periods - and time to write. Much of the music that Whittaker has composed himself was inspired by his own trips and safaris, including two beautiful Christmas songs that he wrote during a trip to Rome with his wife. "What's next, Rog?" and "Will Roger remember to breathe?" (He did.) Then, during the subsequent singing of all 12 verses, daughter Jessica was saddled with the thankless task of juggling large posters with reminders of which "day" we were supposed to be singing about, getting them more and more mixed up in the process - and tossing in a few extra signs along the way, including a big "Ooops!". Cajoling the audience into joining in a spirited sing-along of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," he first conducted a brief warm-up, then commented "Wonderful! Of course, I had to bribe the Tabernacle Choir to come here tonight to help you out!" The show was sprinkled with ample amounts of humor (humour?), too. You've been buying and playing them for three decades - "New World in the Morning," "Mexican Whistler," "The Last Farewell" and "I Don't Believe in If Anymore." ![]() ![]() Roger and his small ensemble of very talented musicians and backup singers entertained a capacity - and rapt - Abravanel Hall audience with some of his hits and several Christmas tunes. and I don't believe he's ever been on the cover of the National Enquirer (unlike another famous British family). Roger Whittaker is one of those rare celebrities - a solid family man (married 31 years this year), a doting grandfather, a consummate musician. One of his sons, Guy, also assisted back stage, making a brief dash onto the stage to replace one of Dad's microphones. When it comes to "comfort music" - what I like to think of as the musical version of "comfort food" - no one does it better than Rog.And this year he brought along his beautiful and talented daughter, Jessica (or J.J. Roger Whittaker brought his "Whittaker Family Christmas Musical Safari Show" to Abravanel Hall - and what a trip it was! Folk tunes from his native Kenya, traditional carols from his beloved English countryside, Calypso ballads from Jamaica and more.
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