Music review

On a hot, humid July night, the cool, mellow sounds of Roger Whittaker were just what was needed.

Using the versatile instrument that is his baritone voice, Whittaker explored diverse musical styles ranging from 18th-century Scottish folk songs to rock ‘n’ roll for a sellout crowd Sunday night at the Maine Center for the Arts.

After a brief overture of his hits by a seven-member band, Whittaker, dressed in a loose blue shirt and white slacks, bounded onto the Hutchins Concert Hall stage, singing “Gypsy,” which well describes his performing schedule around the world.

Whittaker offered up variety during his first 55-minute set. He sang his hits like “New World in the Morning,” “Mexican Whistler” and “Steel Town.”

Whittaker the stylist was also on display, as he performed his heartfelt versions of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” and Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

He also did three songs related to his homeland in Kenya. He sang “My Land Is Kenya” for a couple in the audience who had written him a note after returning from safari in that African country. He rendered his version of the Masai folk song, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Finally, closing out the first set, he sang “Born Free” in honor of George Adamson, the naturalist slain by poachers in Kenya last year.

Whittaker related well with the audience, linking jokes to songs he had sung and doing audience participation exercises, such as teaching the crowd to whistle African style.

After a 20-minute intermission, Whittaker the showman, garbed in white tux jacket and shirt and black pants and bowtie, took the stage. Armed just with a mike and a spotlight, he launched into “Wilkomen, Bienvenue, Welcome” and “Cabaret” from the same Broadway musical.

Whittaker and backup singers Lorna Greenwood and Kristen Campbell soon provided a light moment, with the song “One Night With You.” Campbell was especially humorous with her singing version of Lily Tomlin’s Ernestine character.

Whittaker also worked in his hits “If I Were a Rich Man,” “I Don’t Believe in If Anymore,” and “Durban Town,” before closing with his biggest single, “The Last Farewell.”

A standing ovation easily coaxed Whittaker back on stage, and he did a surrealistic encore of Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally,” followed by the spirited Irish folk song, “Whiskey in a Jug.”