SOMETIMES there comes a bluesman who sounds so old you look for cotton stuck to the bottom of his shoes.

Punters at the next Islwyn Acoustic Guitar Club meet will be excused for making such enquiries about Claude Bourbon.

The legendary acoustic guitarist and singer lets his blues rain on the Ynysddu Hotel on Friday, July 16, for a workshop and gig.

He's just released a new album, The Fifth, samples of which can be heard at www.claudebourdon.com.

It's just him and guitar and a faraway sounding voice that has a lot more in common with Mississippi than his native France.

He plays 100 gigs a year and his latest album, as the title suggests, is his fifth.

His roots are in the fingerpickin' blues of Robert Johnson but is also inspired by music from Spain, the Middle East, and Russia.

As a result his style is a compelling and unique fusion of blues, folk and classical styles, sometimes reminiscent of American fingerpicker Leo Kottke and, at other times, his hero, classical guitarist Andre Segovia. He takes these diverse influences and weaves them into songs and instrumentals in a way that is unique to Claude.

Tickets to Claude Bourdon are £6/£5members on 01495 270078. Doors open at 7pm for a workshop with Claude followed by the concert from 8pm.