SINGER/songwriter Paul Brady, the man described by Bono as "the iron fist in the velvet glove of Irish music," has a hot date at York's Grand Opera House on Tuesday.

With a new band - Sligo's James Blennerhasset on acoustic string bass, Liam Bradley from Donegal on drums and percussion, Bill Shanley from Clonakilty in Cork on acoustic and electric guitars and Newcastle's Graham Henderson on keyboards - and new album, Say What You Feel, Brady claims to have rediscovered a more spontaneous side to his music.

Say What You Feel was recorded in Nashville, and features some of the Ireland-based musician's most unguarded singing.

"I haven't made a record like this since Hard Station in 1981," says Brady, left. "It's like going back to square one. The musicians didn't always know what was coming next, and it made for an electric, slightly dangerous atmosphere that came through in the music.

"Everyone I've played this album for uses the word 'free' when commenting on the vocal performances. I think they're right: I felt completely free making the record, in every way."

His latest UK tour is built around songs from the new album and a selection of re-worked earlier songs. He admits he's excited about the combination of new songs, new band and new tour.

"In the past, for one reason or another, a combination of technology and geography led me to building records like they were Lego sculptures - one piece at a time. MIDI, sequencers, all that disease that came into music in the 80s and 90s - I was infected like everyone else was. But I got to the stage where I wasn't enjoying making music. The process was too long, and I lost perspective. What I needed was a group of musicians who were spontaneous and new to me and who would stimulate me to do what was best, which is to stand up in front of a group of people with a guitar and just let fly."

Which is just what he'll be doing in York on Tuesday.

Paul Brady, Grand Opera House, York, 7.30pm, Tuesday. Tickets £22.50 inc service charge from the box office on 0870 606 3595.

Updated: 09:12 Friday, May 13, 2005