Gig and new album from guitar player and singer Albert Niland

Albert Niland makes a welcome return to Galway when he plays the Róisín Dubh this Sunday, July 3. Niland, an impeccable guitar player and nuanced singer, is celebrating the released of his new eponymous double album, a collection of 24 songs that take in original material and choice covers of artists Prince, Randy Newman and Bruce Springsteen.

It sees the Mountbellew man let loose in live arena, where he thrives. “This is something I wanted to do for quite a while . . .put all the songs that I play live, on one collection, in one place,” says Albert. “Songs from all albums, past and present, my favourites, I suppose, you could say.”

It was recorded in Dublin, with the legendary engineer Brian Masterson and according to Albert, they just “set up and on played, just me and the guitar, no overdubs, no fancy footwork, plain and simple”. And he’s happy with the results.

“This is probably my best recording to date, or the one I am personally the most happiest with anyway, because it really captures me and the guitar, like I was six feet in front of you . .. that's about all I can ask for really, in a recording.

“It's going to be hard to beat working with Brian, and he really has captured my sound there, so it will take a bit to do the next one.“So for anyone who ever came up to me after a concert, and asked ‘Is that song you played on this disc..?’, I can now answer yes...!”

Support for Albert comes from Loughrea’s Ultan Conlon. Doors 9pm, tickets €14/€12 members.