Brilliant Albert Niland back in Galway

The Dutch National newspaper Het Parool recently described Albert Niland’s Amsterdam concert as “one and a half hours of high class solo performance, boundary-breaking guitar-work, from rock to flamenco with powerful vocal lines built from his Irish roots".

Folkworld in Germany, meanwhile, praised his “ingenious guitar playing and breath-taking singing”.

Europe in general has been fast to recognise the talent of the Mountbellew singer and songwriter whose 2003 album Dirty Day, a unique and original sound of authentic flamenco and songs, to critical acclaim. Shortly after that, his live solo acoustic recording of Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights gained him national prominence on the airwaves. In 2006, Albert left Ireland, and started a busking trip that took him from Brittany to Norway, writing, and recording The Hungry Ghost en route.

Along the way, he played and recorded a live album at the infamous Paradiso in Amsterdam. He has been also invited to perform at L’ Essaion Theatre in Paris and at the International Guitar Festival. With the respect of his peers, Albert was invited to be a special guest, at two of the biggest reunions in Irish music history: Planxty in 2004 and Moving Hearts in 2007.

Albert is now returning home for his only Irish dates of 2010, and plays the Róisín Dubh on February 2. Doors are at 9pm and tickets are €12.50/10 members.