IF album and performance reviews are anything to go by guitarist Pierre Bensusan's performance at Blackwood Miners' Institute should be the treat of the year.

Plugging his first solo, acoustic album 'Intuite,' Bensusan - who visits Blackwood on March 24 - has been releasing records and receiving rave reviews since 1975.

The French-Algerian's style is 'absolutely stunning' according to the LA Times, before adding that Bensusan is 'one of the most brilliant veterans on the world music scene.' The Irish Times sees Pierre Bensusan as the 'godfather of sophisticated six-string music' and describe his latest album as a 'must'.

Born in Oran, French Algeria in 1957, Bensusan's family moved to Paris when he was four. He was taught the piano when he was seven and taught himself the guitar at the age of 11.

Just six years later he signed his first recording contract which won the prestigious Grand Prix de Disque at the Monreux Festival.

Now living in the Champagne countryside near Paris, Bensusan tours Europe, North America and Asia - but you can see him at the Miners' Institute in his first concert in Wales.

He uses the DADGAD tuning, which ignores the normal practise of following the EADGBE notes to tune, giving him more open strings within each chord and a richer, more unique sound.

Said Pierre: "I take risks on stage, it is my way of incorporating danger into my life. "Sometimes I'm afraid everything will fall apart, but the audience holds it all together, the audience is the witness, the third eye."

We have a copy of 'Intuite' plus two tickets for the March 24 concert to give away to the first postcard pulled out of the 'hat' naming any of Bensusan's previous recordings. Answers to Telor Iwan c/o South Wales Argus, Newport NP20 3QN by noon Monday, March18. Normal Argus rules apply.

Find out more on www.pierrebensusan.com