So, what can I say about my experience working with Niall. Obvious descriptions spring to mind:  Inspirational, professional, technically brilliant, patient, relaxing, fun, but these do not really do justice to the time we spent together or the songs we created.

 For a studio ‘virgin’ the process started with song selection, where you identified the songs which you believed were worth developing. Demoing songs was a challenge, but not daunting, which says a great deal for the way he approached this task. His positive rejections’ encouraged me to go away and have another try, sometimes with startling results. Although I had ideas regarding the sound of certain songs, developing arrangements with Niall was enlightening and provided impetus to go further; there being seemingly no limits in our quest to attain that special sound.

 I also learned a huge amount about the recording process and the benefits of brevity in lyric writing. Our sessions were always revelatory, often the result of the additional work he had put in to producing the tracks between sessions and also because sometimes I was encouraged to re-address the songs. Joy was experienced in playing with other musicians, all of whom were at ease from the moment they entered Niall’s domain. Consequently, their contributions coaxed by him were frequently awesome and rarely wasted.

 When I started on my musical journey with Niall, I never imagined we would travel so far. We had many laughs and a few tears along the way but ultimately reached some mind-blowing musical destinations. I look forward to seeing Niall, Hillary and Wilf soon. When I do venture down, to the new studio please point me in the direction of a nearby bakery so that I can source that essential supply of sausage rolls! -Peter E

The greatest pleasure is helping a dream to become reality. Great songwriters aren’t always great players. Sometimes all is required its a bit of guidance to help a nearly completed song get to where it should be. Other times more is required, but its always worth the effort !

The best thing to do about your musical ambitions is to talk about them. You may have a classic anthem locked away in your head, it may just needs a bit of help getting it out !

I had 10 great songs to record and I knew the best place to go - Niall’s studio. The band had recorded its first album there, with Niall's friend Mark Tucker producing. But with this follow-up being pop-rock, Niall was the man.

He was as friendly as ever when we discussed terms and drew up a plan. Although the songs were mostly arranged, there was plenty of scope for changes and room for Niall's input - which is what we wanted. He had to deal with eight musicians (three guitars, three vocals, drums, bass, two keyboards, cello, fiddle and mandolin) plus extra sounds - brass band, pan-pipes. The working relationship was great - Niall knew what he needed and coaxed it out of us over the 12 or so days we spent in the studio. Arrangements were adapted, stops added in, key changes introduced and all ideas treated seriously and accommodated. We ended up with a great album - "All The Notes There Is". If you want an example of what Niall can do, just go to Spotify and give it a listen. - Peter Whitehead (peterwhitehead.org)