Gordon Haskell, The Brook January 26 and Salisbury Arts Centre January 31

CHRISTMAS number two artiste Gordon Haskell remains close to his roots with gigs in Hampshire and Wiltshire this month.

After playing in bands Les Fleurs de Lys and King Crimson, Gordon reverted to doing what he does best - playing intimate venues purely for fun, not money. So when rumours stirred in mid-December that he was destined for a Christmas hit with his single How Wonderful You Are the entire south coast wished him all the luck in the world.Of course, How Wonderful You Are only reached number two, but it certainly gave Robbie and Nicole a run for their money.

And Christmas number two certainly wasn't bad for an artist who was playing venues like the Bent Brief, The Dolphin and Talking Heads just over a month ago.The success of How Wonderful You Are also brought him a much-deserved

record contract with Eastwest, with whom he released his new album, Harry's Bar, earlier this year.

For more information about tomorrow's show at The Brook, call 023 8022 3566. Gordon appears at Salisbury City Arts Centre on January 31 alongside Robbie McIntosh and Hamish Stuart. Tickets cost £8.50. For more information, call 01722 321744.