Boyle hoping to hit a high note with album release

OH WHAT a difference a year makes.

Last Christmas, former Green Party senator Dan Boyle was wrestling with the country’s economic woes as the government party’s finance spokesman.

Next week, he’ll be on stage in Dublin rocking out the latest tunes from his first album, Third Adolescence.

The title, the 49-year- old says, is a jibe at all those who think he’s trying to relive his youth. In former days, Dan was part of a Cork-based rock band called Blueprint.

“It’s something I always wanted to do, record an album. And circumstan- ces, since last February, have allowed me the time and space to do this.

“I spent the summer in Meath at the recording studio with Frank McNamara.”

However, proceeds from the album are not going to charity. “I invested my own money in making the album. It’s not cheap, a five-figure sum,” he said.

He describes his music as pop/rock and says “it’s very varied” with “one track not sounding like the next”.

He says that some were inspired by the Beatles.

While Dan can play a number of instruments, his producer decided to let him concentrate on vocals and so outside musicians were brought in to provide accompaniment. He has, however, written a number of the tunes.

The former Cork South Central TD has also been working on a book on his experience of government and is helping to establish a Green Party think-tank.

Last week, he stepped down as chairman of the Green Party and says he’s back to being a “regular paid up member”.

Third Adolescence will be launched at Arthur’s Pub on Thomas Street in Dublin on Sunday. Then he’s nipping down the road to Vicar Street where he will play at the Green Party’s 30th anniversary celebrations. A Cork launch will take place at the Cruiscín Lán on Wednesday night.