I HAVE been familiar with the work of American crooner Andy Williams, who has died aged 84 (Echo, Sept 27), ever since his early recordings.

It was while listening to Jack Jackson's radio programme on a Saturday night during the 1950s that I first heard his single Canadian Sunset.

This was followed by a pleasing little tune called Butterfly which featured an accompaniment of hand-clapping.

He was later to say that the success of Butterfly allowed him to record more worthwhile material.

Such was the nature of his talent, that he was able to admit on BBC TV's Parkinson that he didn't have to practise at all.

He had a good quality of tone and his style seemed effortless.

LD Wilson, Guisborough.