WHO singer Roger Daltrey's latest solo single is his most commercial to date.

WRITTEN ON THE WIND (Polydor) is its title, and from what I can see it will be breezing its way into the higher echelons of the charts before you can say "Tommy."

Writer Paul Korda has obviously gone all-out to capture some of that much sought after chart "magic." And judging by the end product, his mission has been pretty successful.

An irresistible chorus is the centre piece, but the entire work is a fine exercise in commercial music. A tasty piano provides the intro, and backs throughout, along with a tincture of synthesiser and — here and there — some notable bass work.

WHINE

Daltrey's voice is as excellent as ever — a pleading semi-whine at times, a triumphant boom at others.

I think this song will succeed for the man where a couple of others have failed. It is definitely the type of thing many British singles buyers get totally besotted with. SINGLE OF THE WEEK.

Rating: 8½.

A successful brew all right

Musical conglomerate.

Elton John and Clive Franks produced this one, along with Blue's upcoming new album, and all concerned appear to have done their jobs well.

Penned by band guitarist Hugh Nicholson, the number begins crisply but quietly, then builds to a powerful crescendo. The title line is perhaps a little over-used in the lyrics, but at the same time it adds to the general simplicity and bounce of the sound.

It's good song, which will deserve the high chart placing I'm sure it's going to get.

Rating: eight.

Attempting to keep his fans sweet by delving into his past repertoire.

The new material, doubtless in the pipeline, is impatiently awaited, but in the meantime this is another fine number from the slow side of the "Atlantic Crossing" LP… and another great single.

A soothing, weepy ballad, it twangs along nicely with lots of acoustic guitar work and plenty of the grating vocals we all know and love.

A good song again, but most of those interested will already know that. Hurry along with the new stuff Rod!

Zounds! I've just discovered the disc is a double "A" sider with "First Cut Is the Deepest" from "A Night On The Town" backing this one. That's another good track, but then you probably know that too.

Rating: 7½.

POP DIARY

FRIDAY, APRIL 29 — Liverpool Express — Blighty's, Manchester. SATURDAY, APRIL 30 — Liverpool Express — Liverpool Empire. SATURDAY, APRIL 30 — Widowmaker — Manchester University. SATURDAY, APRIL 30 — Detroit Spinners — Manchester Apollo. SATURDAY, APRIL 30 — James Last — Manchester Belle Vue. SATURDAY, APRIL 30 — Night Caller with Snatch Back and Awakening at St. Helens YMCA. SUNDAY, MAY 1 — Tavares plus Heatwave — Liverpool Empire. MAY 1, 2, 3 — Drifters, Park Hall, Chorley. MONDAY, MAY 2 — Roger McGuinn's Thunderbird, Gene Clark Band plus Chris Hillman Band — Manchester Free Trade Hall. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 — Slade — Liverpool Empire. THURSDAY, MAY 5 — King's Singers — St. Helens Theatre Royal.