Gene Pitney, Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth

ON a wet evening in Bournemouth, veteran American singer Gene Pitney - with that unmistakably distinctive voice - brought sunny professionalism to an enthusiastic audience.

Pitney delivered all his international million-sellers - 24 Hours From Tulsa, Backstage, and I'm Gonna Be Strong - without missing a note, and with the nonchalant panache of more than 40 years in showbiz.

With the excellent 12-piece Maurice Merry Orchestra providing a silky string quartet and a honkin' brass section, but unfortunately no backing singers, Pitney's songs are well-crafted and accessible, including his own compositions Rubber Ball, Hello Mary Lou, and He's A Rebel.

Pitney charmed the Pavilion crowd, encoring with Something's Got A Hold Of My Heart and Town Without Pity, before shaking hands with the whole of the front row.