A strange brew, some might say. And no spring chickens. But then who of us who are who can cite influences as eclectic as Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Lou Reed, Joni Mitchell, Joe Strummer, Indigo Girls, Peter Gabriel, Thea Gilmore, Messrs. King, Green, Beck, Hendrix, Massive Attack, Ian Anderson, Lamb, Sandy Denny, Lucinda Williams, and Imogen Heap?

Guesswork are Peter Stothart - guitars and technical 'stuff' and Bronwen Harrison - vocals and plenty of other stuff as well - keyboards, acoustic, dulcimers and more. And Enter Alone is jolly fine little disc.

Principally modern folk and there's no faulting the fare on offer - decent songs, excellent playing and excellent vocals.

But I can't help but feel that the main market will be post gig sales. So the question is, would I go to see Guesswork on the strength of this disc? A definite yes. And would I then go the extra mile and fork out for the cd? That's a yes again.

It's the sort of album that will appeal to the folk scene and those who cut their teeth on Fairport Convention and who have always had a soft spot for the more acoustic side of rock.

***½

Review by Pete Whalley