Gleacher & Company (GLCH) 8-K Other Events

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 014140) of First Albany Companies Inc. of our report dated March 9, 2007, except for Note 26D, as to which the date is June 22, 2007, relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 8-K.

/s/  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Albany, New York
August 29, 2007