WHAT'S ON

Saturday lunchtime The Happy Chappies are at Darlington Arts Centre, 01324-486555, Saturday evening the Kirk Lightsey Trio at Caedmon Hall, Gateshead, 0191-433-8420, and Wednesday Zoe Gilbey at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, 01388-602610.

CD REVIEWS

Alan Barnes & Harry Allen/Barnestorming (Woodville WVCD115)
Two saxophonists in friendly competition, recorded without an audience in the music room at the Bulls Head, Barnes. Ideal support from John Pearce, Dave Chamberlain and Bobby Worth in a well chosen programme mixing a few standards with some original tunes including Alan's In The Doghouse and a lovely ballad by Harry, If There's A Sky Above. Alan will be back at Darlington Arts Centre on January 26 (with Simon Spillett).

Harry Allen/Hits by Brits (Challenge CR73258)
A totally different group with the tenor player joined by guitarist Joe Cohn, Joel Forbes bass and Chuck Riggs drums with trombonist John Allred added on four tracks. It's naturally a very familiar programme with Ray Noble's Cherokee, I Hadn't Anyone Till You and The Very Thought Of You among others in another swinging set.