RASPY singer-songwriter KT Tunstall slipped out one of the best records of 2004 in December.

And this month she's to follow that inspiring collection of dirty blues, titled Eye To The Telescope, with a new single Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.

"Black Horse is inspired by old blues, Nashville psycho hillbillies and hazy memories," says Kate 'KT' Tunstall. "It tells the story of finding yourself lost on your path and a choice has to be made.

"It's about gambling, fate, listening to your heart, and having the strength to fight the darkness that's always willing to carry you off."

She gave a good performance of the track on the last series of Later With Jools Holland in 2004.

Following overwhelming viewer reaction (it won 50 per cent of the online vote for best act that week) she recorded it especially for the album with production by Andy Green of Keane fame.

This year's tour has just been extended due to public demand. She plays both Cardiff and Bristol on Thursday, February 10 in the Barfly (0870 9070999 - £6) and Saturday, February 12 in the Luckwell Social Club (0870 4000688 - £6) respectively.

This time next year, the hotly-tipped artiste could be dusting a mantel-piece full of platinum discs, or wondering why she is still playing folk clubs in her native Edinburgh.

It depends on the continuing prosperity of the cappuccino-jazz/folk market opened up by Norah Jones, which is where she, in the long term, will fit best.