Luka Bloom:
"...Sabrina Dinan from Ennis in County Clare will join me on the tour. She will be opening every show for me. Sabrina did the shows in Holland and Belgium before Christmas, and was a great hit. I think the US audiences will love her. We will be doing our utmost to ensure that every single gig is a special evening for us all. I can't wait, and look forward to lots of happy nights throughout America."

Lukabloom.com newsletter - 9 March 2006

Sabrina Dinan launches her debut EP at the Roisin Dubh
By KEVIN MCGUIRE

For fans of the acoustic scene in Galway, the name Sabrina Dinan will not be unfamiliar. The County Clare-born songstress has been wowing audiences here in the city for almost five years. Now the Ennis girl releases her debut EP The Bondi Hotel on Tuesday January 3 in the Róisín Dúbh... Over the past four years Sabrina has regularly supported Mundy, Roesy, Paddy Casey, Damien Dempsey, Luka Bloom, and Aussie legend Paul Kelly...

Encouragement for Sabrina has not only come from members of her family but also from some well respected musicians. People such as Luka Bloom, Liam O'Maonlai of The Hothouse Flowers, Albert Niland, and Myles O'Reilly of Juno Falls have been singing her praises. "It keeps me thinking that I'm on the right road," Sabrina says of the endorsements. "Sometimes I get moments where I wonder whether I'm doing the right thing. When people say nice things it makes you believe in yourself a lot more. It's really cool that all those people believe in me."

Luka Bloom believes in Sabrina so much that he recently invited her to tour with him in Holland as support act. She jumped at the chance and it has proved to be an important learning curve. "It was great because it gave me a little glimpse of what life is like as a full-time musician," she says. "It sort of motivated me to keep sticking at what I'm doing. Luka taught me so much and he gave me some good advice as to where to go from here. He's a great live performer and I learned a lot of things about that too."

...For more info on Sabrina Dinan log on to www.sabrinadinan.com.

Galway Advertiser - Thursday, 29 December 2005
www.galwayadvertiser.ie

Returning to The Barns for the first time in six years, Dubliner Luka Bloom will rock you with old favorites, and songs off his new record Innocence.

Vienna, VA - As the D.C. area rockets into spring, The Barns at Wolf Trap remains alive with everything from funk to singer/songwriters. Ireland's Luka Bloom kicks off the month...

Born Barry Moore in Newbridge, Ireland, in 1955, Bloom comes from a tight-knit-family with a deep fondness in music. Only one year old when his father passed away, Bloom was raised by his mother and siblings in an industrial town known for its rope and cutlery manufacturing. He is the younger brother of popular Irish singer-songwriter Christy Moore and was hired to play with Moore's groups Planxty and Moving Hearts beginning in 1969. After receiving encouragement from his older brother, Bloom embarked on his own musical career in the 1970s. By the mid '80s, with three solo albums to his name, Bloom relocated to the United States. To further establish his independence from his already famous older brother, he changed his name to Luka Bloom in 1987.

Upon moving to the United States, Bloom settled in Washington D.C. After one performance in a Georgetown pub, Bloom was so well received that he began playing regular shows in the area and developed a loyal fan base.

While still living and performing in Washington D.C., Bloom accepted an invitation to appear regularly at the Red Lion in New York's Greenwich Village in 1989. He traveled back and forth between D.C. and New York to perform; however, by the end of 1989, he had decided to make New York his permanent home. It was in New York that Bloom's talent was recognized, and he was subsequently signed to Warner Brothers Records. His first U.S. album for Warner Brothers, 'Riverside', was released a year later in 1990 and was followed by 'Acoustic Motorbike' in 1992 and 'Turf' in 1994.

In 1995, Bloom separated from Warner Brothers and returned home to Ireland. He began work on a new record in 1997 in a cottage in Birr. 'Salty Heaven' was completed at Abbey Road Studios and released in the fall of 1998.

Inspired by Ani DiFranco's independent way of working and producing music, Bloom decided to do the same. In 2000, without the backing of a major record label, Bloom made 'Keeper of the Flame', an album comprised entirely of covers. 'Keeper of the Flame' was hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as "an absolutely gorgeous outing". Bloom's next record 'Between the Mountain and the Moon', released in 2001, is characterized by Bloom himself as "a very special CD in my life". Bloom followed these albums up with 'Amsterdam' in 2003 and 'Before Sleep Comes' in 2004.

Bloom's music has been characterized by the Melbourne Sunday Herald Sun as getting "more moving with every album he makes". In 2005, Bloom released his latest record, 'Innocence', and continues to perform around the world promoting his unique and melodic music.

www.wolftrap.org

Music Monthly - Baltimore/Washington - May 2006

Luka Bloom
The Barns at Wolf Trap
April 5, 2006

Luka Bloom is one of the most talented and underappreciated singer/songwriters in music today. For almost 30 years Bloom has been playing music professionally, both as a solo artist and a member of various groups. And while this native of Newbridge in County Kildare, Ireland, has earned quite a following of dedicated fans over the years for his solo work, he has never gained the mainstream attention a man of his considerable abilities deserves. None of this mattered to the throng of fans that packed the charming confines of Vienna, VA’s The Barns at Wolf Trap for the opening show of Bloom’s first U.S. tour in years.

The evening started with an all-too-brief set from Irish newcomer Sabrina Dinan. This show marked her first American performance and she wowed the audience from the first few notes on. Dinan had a controlled and sultry voice that revealed a maturity that far exceeded her age, but she was also very likeable because she wasn’t afraid to show her own vulnerability as a solo artist standing alone on the stage. I expect to hear a lot more from this performer in the years to come.

Following Dinan’s brilliant opening set would be a tough undertaking for most artists, but Bloom was more than up to the task. He began his performance with the politically poignant 'I Am Not At War With Anyone', an extra track on the U.S. release of his new album, Innocence, and followed it with 'Open Up Your Arms', another political song influenced by the disarmament of Ireland’s IRA in September of 2005. But this evening was not all about politics and the state of the world, but rather it was about the beautiful music Bloom has created throughout his career.

Blooms new album, Innocence, is a nice collection of the acoustic folk pop sound he has employed on most of his past albums. Songs like 'City of Chicago', 'Thank You for Bringing Me Here' and 'Primavera' sound just as good live as they do in the studio.

Though songs from Innocence were definitely the focus of the evening, Bloom delighted his fans with classic song after classic song pulled from his older albums. Though he has never had "hits" in the popular definition of the word, songs like 'Diamond Mountain', 'Exploring the Blue' and 'Sunny Sailor Boy' were welcomed like long lost friends by the audience. The evening was brought to a somber conclusion with Bloom’s elegant take on the traditional folk ballad 'Black is the Colour'.

Bloom was in fine form throughout the course of his performance and the crowd was right there with him. If every gig on his American tour is as well received as the one at Wolf Trap, it should be a memorable trip through the states for Bloom.

Live Review by Greg Yost
www.musicmonthly.com

The Connection Newspapers - Mount Vernon Gazette - March 30, 2006

In Search of Innocence
Irish musician, Luka Bloom explains the inspiration behind his 10th album release, 'Innocence'.

When Irish singer-songwriter Luka Bloom was 9 years old, he picked up the guitar for the first time and was shocked by a sense of deja-vu. The youngest of six children growing up in Newbridge County, Ireland, perhaps the familiarity with the guitar was a product of being the sibling of notable folk-musician Christy Moore, or maybe it stemmed from a spiritual connection to music that he would later discover and incorporate into his music. With his 10th album, 'Innocence', out on the shelves, Luka Bloom is beginning his first major U.S. tour in nearly a decade at the Barns at Wolf Trap on Wednesday, April 5.

Bloom took some time to discuss his life, music, and tour in a phone interview >>

Interview by Christopher M. Staten
www.connectionnewspapers.com

Times Community Newspapers - Entertainment - April 05, 2006

'Innocence' in Bloom

Irish-born musician Luka Bloom talks about his new release 'Innocence' with the nervous anticipation of a first-time father in a hospital waiting room.

"I have no idea who likes my stuff in the States anymore," he said. "I think they only play my music on nighttime radio, and the only people who hear me are truck drivers and lonely housewives who can't sleep."

Bloom conducted this interview by phone from his countryside home in Dublin. He was reacquainting himself with all things American by watching and strumming the guitar to music from his favorite western, "Big Country", the 1958 Oscar-winning classic starring Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Carol Baker and Jean Simmons.

"This album is creatively different from what I've done before," Bloom said. "My whole approach to the guitar and style of playing is different from when I was a one-man rock band playing venues in D.C. After playing that way for 10 to 15 years, I grew tired of it and felt a need for change and redirected my energies considerably. I still love the guitar, but I play it in a different way."

This tour marks the 20th anniversary of Bloom's first tour in America. Bloom said he was prompted to perform in the States years ago when a honeymooning Michael Jaworek of The Birchmere in Alexandria approached him at a venue in Ireland and asked him about playing in America. It was not long before Bloom headlined at Murphy's Irish Pub in Washington, D.C.

The Montclair Times - Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The Morning Call, Allentown, PA - April 6, 2006

The Morning Call, Allentown, PA - April 15, 2006

The Pitt News - Celebration of cultures and youth - A & E - April 7, 2006
One of America's Great Student Newspapers

Innocence - Luka Bloom
Cooking Vinyl Records

It's difficult for a musician who sings about political or social issues to avoid the stereotype of the star using the limelight as a pulpit. But Luka Bloom manages this deft act on his newest release, Innocence. Bloom - who takes his name from Suzanne Vega's song "Luka" and the hero of James Joyce's "Ulysses", Leopold Bloom - sports a tranquil voice as his strumming guitar recalls a heritage of Irish musicians singing in an intimate home or pub atmosphere. The lyrics are contemplative rather than antagonistic, and most are infused with Bloom's Irish spirit.

The album's title track is an introspective look back to a time of innocence when the young Catholic Bloom was awed at the sight of the candles and incense in church, waited expectantly on Christmas morn for gifts - a time when everything made perfect sense. The song sets the atmosphere for many of the other tracks as he continually returns to a theme of simplicity and insight through innocence..... read more >>

Armed with a guitar and simple messages of truth, Bloom's songs resonate with two voices - that of a man looking back with all the wisdom he has gained through knowledge of life's problems and that of a child, innocent of cruelty and malice, just born into that world. Then again, perhaps the wisdom of old age and the innocence of a child are not that different, it's just during the time in between that we lose our way and make the mistakes. Luka Bloom would likely agree.

Luka Bloom appears at Club Cafe on April 11 at 7 p.m... For more information contact Club Cafe at (412) 431-4950 or visit www.clubcafelive.com.

MICHAEL BOYLES - Senior Staff Writer
www.pittnews.com

Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Entertainment news briefs - Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Luka Bloom - Contemporary Folk
Show starts at 8 pm - Doors open at 7:30 pm
www.theark.org

"Acoustic guitar-led balladry infused with warmth and wisdom."
--Sunday Telegraph, Sydney

Irish singer-songwriter Luka Bloom started life as Barry Moore of Newbridge, County Kildare. In 1976 he began playing the clubs in and around Dublin, and he's been refining his songwriting craft ever since. He made up the name Luka Bloom on the plane to the U.S., where he moved in 1987. The songs on his new album, Innocence, deal with spring, summer, immigrants both from and to Ireland, the effects of war and disaster on children, and the transit of Venus across the sun, among other topics. A contemporary master of the art of songwriting, Luka Bloom is on the road in the U.S. for the first time in many years. "It's been a long time since I've committed to a tour like this in America, but I really want to sing these songs there, and meet lots of people on the way," he says. "Simply can't wait for it."

Gunther Murphy's is excited to welcome...

Chicago Reader Guide to Music: treatment
Listings for Friday, April 14, through Thursday, April 20, 2006

LUKA BLOOM Irish singer-songwriter Barry Moore, born in County Kildare, took his stage name from a Suzanne Vega song and a character in Ulysses, and he's put out ten albums since his 1990 debut, Riverside. Last year's 'Innocence' (Big Sky) might be his most beautiful yet -- though I could've said that about every one when it came out. Bloom's approach is so sparse and direct, leaning heavily on his lyrics and his delicate guitar playing, that each song makes its mark individually: "City of Chicago" is a great-famine weeper, "June" sounds like an Astral Weeks homage, "Salvador" celebrates Brazil's most interesting city, and "No Matter Where You Go, There You Are" is a heart-wrenching story about a Muslim immigrant finding himself through music. His peace anthems aren't very subtle, but anthems don't have to be.
Sabrina Dinan opens. 8 PM, Gunther Murphy's, 1638 W. Belmont, 773-472-5139, $30.

--Monica Kendrick
www.chicagoreader.com/music/treatment.html

Chicago Sun-Times - Club hopping - Friday, April 14, 2006

Maximum Ink Music Magazine - 7 April 2006

Headlining Milwaukee’s Irish Cultural & Heritage Center on April 15th contemporary troubadour and masterful acoustic guitarist LUKA BLOOM performs from his poignant Innocence. Hushed, luscious seductions of intimate intricacies, Innocence flows with hope, wisdom and compassion.

John Noyd
www.maximumink.com

Irish American Post - Vol. 6 Issue 4 - Spring 06

Out of Proverbial Music Box, Bloom Upbeat on Latest Road Tour

Singer songwriter Luka Bloom returned to Milwaukee for the first time since performing at Irish Fest 2004, for an evening concert at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center (ICHC) on Tax Day, April 15. For those who were first introduced to him at the festival, this particular show promised a good night. Fans had a lot to look forward to, and hearing Bloom’s voice fill the Hallamor, the main concert hall at the ICHC, was at the top of the list.

Bloom was perfectly at home milling around a kitchen at the ICHC a ew hours before he was scheduled to perform. Putting on a kettle of water for tea, he gladly chatted with a fellow who, like himself, was also from Co. Kildare.

"I don’t operate according to a master plan. I like being free. I like being able to go where I want to go," he said later, sitting comfortably in a small room at the ICHC......

Local Celtic musician Jeff Ward laid the opening notes for the evening with a 45-minute set of his own, songs many in the audience happily knew. However, few in the audience knew that there would be a second opening act. On this night, it was Sabrina Dinan, a young Irish musician who had been touring with Bloom since February. In more recent years, he has made an effort to take along younger, aspiring musicians with him on the road.

While some may have been a little put off that they had to wait longer to see Bloom, Dinan quickly won over the crowd with her captivating command of the guitar. She only added to a great evening of music, leaving the stage to a rousing applause.

Bloom then happily took the spotlight to greet the eager crowd. With four amplifiers in front of him, his welcoming voice filled every corner of the ICHC, a former church. He played several tunes from Innocence, including "City of Chicago", a tune about Irish emigration. When it looked as though the evening was about to end, he obliged a wealthy smattering of applause with two encores. He sang the second minus his guitar and microphone, at the edge of the stage. Even without any amplification or microphone, he still projected his voice comfortably.

Bloom left a jubilant crowd behind at the ICHC, heading for shows on the West coast, before aiming for Arizona, Colorado, and Texas.

Saturday, April 22nd at 7:30pm
LUKA BLOOM presented by the CELTIC SOCIETY
$15adv/$17door | Call 831.466.9033 for info

The newest performing venue in downtown Santa Cruz, E3 Playhouse at 435 Front St., in the old Cymbeline Records building, next to The Metro Center. Tickets are on sale, just across the street from the venue, at More Music, 512 Front St. For reservations, call Sheila at (831) 464-2128, Bob at (408) 847-6982 or e-mail celtsoc@aol.com

The Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay will be presenting the brilliant Irish singer, songwriter & guitarist Luka Bloom.

The charismatic & captivating Luka Bloom comes to Santa Cruz celebrating the release of latest masterpiece, and 10th CD overall, Innocence,' on the Cooking Vinyl label. Luka began performing in 1969 under his real name Barry Moore, touring with his brother, the famed Irish singer Christy Moore. Since then his exhilerating, exuberant & electrifying concerts have thrilled audiences around the world. Luka's original compelling compositions, including 'The City of Chicago', 'Delirious' & 'You Couldn't Have Come At A Better Time', are poignant, poetical pieces full of the joy of living. Luka is also renowned for his cover versions, such as LL Cool J's 'I Need Love' and the Elvis Presley classic 'Can't Help Falling in Love', which he makes uniquely his own and for traditional ballads such as 'Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair'.

Touring in support of Luka will be the young Irish singer/songwriter Sabrina Dinan. To have the opportunity to see & hear this intense & incredible internationally renowned performer in an intimate 124 capacity venue will be indeed a rare experience. Bloom's Day comes early this year, giving us all reason to rejoyce. For more on Bloom aka Moore, visit www.lukabloom.com.

www.celticsociety.org/events.html

Bohemian.com - Music & Nightlife - Santa Cruz

Glendale Community College - News Service - April 14, 2006

Renowned Irish Singer-Songwriter to Perform at GCC, April 26

Luka Bloom, one of Ireland's premier singer-songwriters, will perform at Glendale Community College (GCC) Wed., April 26, 8:00 p.m.; Tickets are $15, available in advance at lukainarizona@yahoo.com or at the door of the GCC Performing Art Center (PAC) on April 26. GCC is located at 6000 W. Olive Avenue in Glendale; the PAC is best reached from the campus entrance at 59th Avenue and Vogel (first light north of Olive.) A talented guitar player and singer, Bloom is also a gifted storyteller whose original songs are simple and effective. According to a reviewer in Brisbane, Australia, "He takes delight in sharing intimate moments with his captivated audience and loves to take you on a journey with him."

www.gc.maricopa.edu/news/

The Arizona Republic - April 25, 2006

The Celtic Connection - A Monthly Publication - April 2006

KBCO and Celtic Events & Entertainment Present
Luka Bloom with Special Guest Sabrina Dinan

Friday April 28 at The Trilogy in Boulder and
Sunday April 30 at Lannie's in Denver

It's been a few years since Irish Troubadour LUKA BLOOM has graced our U.S. shores and music venues. The international recording artist will return to the States for the better part of April and May with his two guitars, a box of effects, and his new album 'Innocence'. Released earlier in 2005 in Europe and Australia, 'Innocence' has just been released here, complete with two bonus tracks for the American market.

A master interpreter, Luka has continued to balance original songs with reinventions of tunes by a diverse range of songwriters. His reworking of LL Cool J's "I Need Love" transformed the song from its hip-hop origins to a brogue-inflected folk tune. His latest offering, Innocence, contains 11 new songs and one old gem. In 2005 Luka spoke about the CD, "The whole story of this album is interesting and different. Life is an endless stream of challenges, and for this singer, the most important ingredient to hang on to is our innocence and wonder at the world." Perhaps it is the use of these ingredients that led the Irish Times to say, "...Bloom seems to always manage a sense of freshness with anything he puts his mind, voice and hand to and 'Innocence' beautifully captures the emotions of these purposeful messages by a master of his game."

In concert Luka loves to take his audience on a magical journey with intimate songs and delightful stories interspersed with some brilliant guitar playing. Luka is taking a mid-tour vacation in Colorado, but he will give a couple of intimate performances in Denver and Boulder. On Friday April 28th Luka will perform at the popular Boulder night spot, Trilogy Wine Bar and Lounge. In addition to their music room, the Trilogy offers wonderful wining and dining in case you are interested in a pre-concert meal.

Luka will swing down to Denver on Sunday April 30th and entertain in the cozy confines of the newly opened Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret, located in the historic Clocktower building on Arapahoe and 16th Street Mall.

Sabrina Dinan, up-and-coming singer songwriter from the Galway music scene, will open for Luka for both Colorado dates.

Friday April 28, 8pm show (restaurant and bar open early for meals and happy hour)
The Trilogy Wine Bar and Lounge, 2017 13th St (just off Pear St. Mall)
Tickets available across the street at the Boulder Theater Box Office, 2032 14th or
Celtic Events at 303-777-0502.

Sunday April 30, Show 7pm, Doors 6pm. Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret,
Arapahoe St (at 16th Street Mall), Denver. Available at: www.lannies.com,
303-293-0075 or Celtic Events 303-777-0502.

www.celticconnection.com

The Celtic Connection - April 2006

INNOCENCE - LUKA BLOOM
Big Sky Records
Child's Play

Luka Bloom seems to be a happy man in the world these days. Hit latest release, 'Innocence' is at it says. It explores some themes, times and places when one could lose oneself in the tall grass of summer, or the first flowers of spring, and the chaos of the world faded away. For a while. For reality does creep in on the footsteps of a few songs, but the overwhelming vibe is one of more ease, less angst. The title track is a good example.....

This album, 'Innocence' was just released in the U.S., but has been out in Ireland and Europe for about a year. I asked Luka if the songs stay fresh when he gets to bring them to new ears. "Totally", he replied. "I decided at the start to give this record all the time it deserves to find its way and am in absolutely no rush to let it go."................. Luka Bloom seems to be much more content with himself these days and even he will admit that he has come to an acceptance "life on life's terms" as he put it. As his longest tour in the U.S. in many years is set to begin, Luka is already anticipating his trip here. "I can't wait to sing these songs in Colorado!", stated Luka. Which is another subject near and dear to Bloom's heart. Since his first appearance in Boulder in 1990, Luka has made it a stop almost every time he has toured in the U.S. What about Boulder makes it special?

Bloom replied, "The sky, the mountains, the name Colorado which rolls off like a song title, the space, the quiet, the hippy trippy taxi drivers in Boulder who talk like they're still on their way home from Woodstock. I love it all!!"

Reward the inner child. Catch Luka Bloom's guitar and word magic now on 'Innocence'. You have been notified.

Luka Bloom - Irish Singer/Songwriter - SOLD OUT
Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

The music of Luka Bloom is, as one critic wrote, "more moving with every album he makes..." There's an unrivalled tenderness to this Irish singer/songwriter's enchanting, earnest work - his musical and lyrical delivery possesses a special charm.

Luka's deft, delicate touch on the six-string guitar and the soft Irish lilt of his honeyed, sensual voice will draw you in immediately. Don't miss this international star in our intimate setting.

www.lannies.com

Westword - Music :: Now Hear This - April 27, 2006

Greetings from a warm, sticky Atlanta.

Sabrina (the supreme singing/songwriting sensation from Ennis, County Clare), Peter (the supreme tour manager from San Francisco), and I are past the halfway mark of our journey around the US. 17 shows, 10 flights, many many miles of travel; the blur sets in. What day of the week is it? Where are we next? Where were we yesterday? And that's without the drugs! There is an almost surreal momentum that sets in to a tour like this. There is this clear daily focus in the show. Everything revolves around the arrival on stage around 8pm each day. The travel, the hotel, the soundcheck, the food; everything is calculated to end in this moment of arrival at the beginning of the show. Everything else becomes a blur; there is a clockwork mundanity to the rest of the day, so that nothing gets in the way of the show.

When I'm at home, I read a newspaper most days; watch news, listen to radio. On tour it all fades away, as we become immersed in this journey. It demands our total commitment and attention. It has to. If every show is important and unique, then we have to be completely present for every show; even if we've flown 1,000 miles that day, to get there.

A tour such as this is a great privilege. We get to feel the momentum of the journey, to witness spring in different parts of America, and then we get to sing. There is so much to love about America. The nature here is simply breathtaking. And our week in Boulder Colorado was an opportunity to taste a little tiny piece of that. I try on a tour like this, to find a moment to get the breath back, to stop moving. There, we could go for a cycle, sit by a stream, and not be living to a schedule, just for 2 days. And it is a rewarding experience, if too short.... And it is simply a very exciting country to sing in. There is still an incredible love of music and song here; people are deeply committed to their music, and will travel great lengths to experience it. And, they are unbelievably open and gracious in expressing their appreciation of the work.

So many fun shows in such different places. A church in Montclair, New Jersey and in Milwaukee; a dinner club in Seattle; An old brothel in San Francisco; an old former porn cinema in Portland Oregon, an Irish rock dive in Chicago; hippy heaven in Santa Cruz and Boulder......... and we're only halfway there...... Everywhere we go, when I sing 'I am not at war with anyone', there is a very thoughtful hush in the crowd ending with a very strong reaction to the song. Obviously, in such a huge country, there are many who support the war, or at least support their soldiers; but I believe there are many many Americans who are horrified by this war, and who feel very misrepresented by their government in executing the war. It does the heart good to meet some of them.

We sing every day. We laugh a lot. We miss home, but it won't be long now.

Happy days. The Atlanta soundcheck is in an hour.

Over and out, Lukaxx

Celtic Twilight - Upcoming Celtic Events in the Atlanta Area

C-Ville Weekly - Charlottesville's Newsweekly - Issue #18.20 :: 05/16/2006 - 05/23/2006

village voice > nycguide

Luka Bloom - B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Irish-born singer-songwriter Bloom has been away for a while. He returns with an absolutely wonderful CD entitled Innocence - a great showcase for his ability to take thoughtful lyrics and make them sound spontaneous. Song after memorable song, it’s hard to imagine letting him get away again for long.

(ABER)
www.villagevoice.com/nycguide

New York Daily News - Entertainment - Friday, May 12, 2006

Maintaining 'Innocence'

When songwriter Luka Bloom turned 50 last year, he made a list of things he hoped to hold on to in his life. Teeth and hair topped the list. "And there was one other thing," Bloom said. "Innocence."

Small wonder Bloom titled his latest album after that starry word, and used the lyrics and music on it to argue the need for faith and wonder in the face of easy cynicism.

"There are two kinds of innocence," Bloom elaborates. "The kind we're born with, which we can't keep. Then there's the kind we choose."

Since his debut album in 1988, Bloom has chosen his words and ideas with care, and matched them to finely spun folk-rock tunes. Though born in Ireland (as brother to folk legend Christy Moore), Bloom first established his career in New York, living here and playing clubs in the late '80s. The singer returned to Ireland a decade ago, to be closer to his large family. But he continued to tour the U.S. sporadically. For his latest road show, Bloom decided to spend more time playing in America than he has in 12 years. (Tomorrow, he headlines B.B. King's.)

Bloom's latest album proposes a generous response to conflict, on both a personal and a global level. In "Miracle Cure", he argues that "forgiveness" is the most powerful source of security. "You only have to look at where rage takes us," he explains.

Bloom gave his music some fresh turns this time. There's more Mediterranean influence for one thing, evident in the guitars. "I don't listen to pop or rock anymore," he says. "The music I hear is North African or Gypsy music. I needed a new palette."

For all the beauty and peace of Bloom's music, he's hardly lost in bliss. In the song "Venus", he punctures the cliche that love comes to everyone who waits. "The knight in shining armor is not always there," he allows.

No wonder he terms himself "a realistic romantic".

"I know what's going on in the world," he says. "But I still refuse to stop offering hope."

Jim Farber
www.nydailynews.com/entertainment

Irish Voice - Entertainment - Wednesday, 17 May 2006

An Upbeat Bloom Thrills Audience

The tone of Luka Bloom’s show at BB King’s last Saturday was a more upbeat affair. It was a warm performance peppered with Bloom’s trademark sense of humor.

"I know Innocence is a bizarre title for a new album from a guy who is 50," he exclaimed in front of the sold-out crowd. "I’ve been reflecting on holding onto your innocence and everything else that’s important to hold onto at this age. Like hair and teeth."

He opened the set with 'I Am Not at War With Anyone', a controversial antiwar song from Innocence that was released around the time the Irish were protesting the use of Shannon Airport by the U.S. military at the start of the Iraq war. The song was met with warm applause. "I don’t get many f***in’ war mongers to my shows," he replied.

Bloom has been on one of the longest world tours of his career in support of Innocence, his most engaging work to date. He told a funny story about how a Swiss promoter billed him as the Irish Bob Dylan. "Some people will say anything to sell tickets," he joked as he launched into Dylan’s 'To Make You Feel My Love' from Bloom’s excellent covers album of a few years ago, Keeper of the Flame.

Bloom was unplugged and seated for the entire set, which was a bit of a departure from the more spirited live shows of his past. His toned down performance might have been the onset of middle age or the result of some throat problems and carpal tunnel syndrome that have plagued the performer in recent years.

The reinvention of style was something heavy on his mind when he sat down with the Irish Voice on the eve of this tour and told his fans to expect a different performer. Based on the enthusiastic crowd reaction, his new laid-back demeanor has not diminished his popularity.

He threw some surprises in the set, including a new tune, 'See You Soon'. He followed that with a rousing cover of the Cure’s 'In Between Days'. Bloom described it as the perfect pop song that he sometimes sings "with my hair piled up, black clothes and makeup on in my hacienda in the bogs of Kildare," a reference to the Cure’s goth persona.

He also turned in a stellar performance of 'City of Chicago', a song he wrote in 1984 that has been covered by half of the trad players in Ireland, "including my brother, Christy Bloom," he said of his brother Christy Moore’s chart topping success with the song.

Goose bumps spread throughout the room as he encouraged the crowd to sing along with him on 'Sunny Sailor Boy', a classic from his classic album Turf. "That was a beautiful, magic moment," he said. "I felt like I was in an Enya video, with the mist creeping up me arse."

While Bloom was somewhat critical of the movement of the Irish of singling themselves out in the battle of immigration as being special during a recent interview with the Irish Voice, he lent his support to immigrants as he introduced the Middle Eastern ditty 'No Matter Where You Go, There You Are', a song about a Moroccan friend who recently relocated to Galway.

"The Irish are really good about having people feel sorry about them, and we rely on people like you to buy this up," he joked. "Me, I’d rather stand with the Mexicans instead. We have our own immigration going on in Ireland at the moment and it is a beautiful thing. There are parts of Ireland where the gene pool is way too small."

Bloom closed his set with LL Cool J’s 'I Need Love', before dipping into his back catalog for a spirited 'Love Is a Monsoon' and 'You Couldn’t Have Come at a Better Time'.

If you missed this show, you can still catch Bloom if you don’t mind a little ride. Trust me, the man is worth it! He will play Morristown’s Bickford Theater on Wednesday, May 17 (973-971-3706) before heading to Philadelphia’s famed World Café Studios (www.worldcafelive.com).

www.irishabroad.com/news/irishinamerica/entertainment/AnUpbeatBloomThrillsAudience.asp

Columbus NewsCenter - May 20, 2006

A very special house concert featuring Luka Bloom,
Mother's Day, Sunday May 14 at 7 pm.

Luka Bloom will be performing in our living room in his first ever house concert! The concert is on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14. Also from Ireland is Sabrina Dinan and she will open the show at 7 pm. There will be a LIMITED amount of tickets sold!! Tickets are $40. Light refreshments will be provided.
For further information please email tomjode@aol.com.

Staten Island Advance - Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Skope Magazine, Boston - News - May 08, 2006

Luka Bloom
Special guest: Sabrina Dinan
Wednesday May 17 - 7:30 pm

The Bickford Theatre @ The Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Rd.
Morristown, NJ
Tickets: $35
Box Office: 973-971-3706
www.morrismuseum.org

Luka Bloom to Perform at Morristown's Bickford Theater

Ireland's esteemed singer/songwriter, Luka Bloom, brings his full-toned voice and splendid guitar to The Bickford Theater in the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ on Wednesday May 17, 2006 at 7:30 pm. Tickets, $35, are available by calling the Bickford Theater Box Office, 973-971-3706.

Luka Bloom, on every occasion an exceptional performer, is wildly received by impassioned newcomers as well as devoted fans. With his spiritual and romantic magnetism and charismatic stage presence, Bloom affectionately creates a familiar intimacy enclosing himself and his audience.

A charming story-teller with a gorgeous voice and radiant soul, Bloom, with his expressive guitar style and reflective and eloquent lyrics, captivates his listeners to lead them on a cherished pilgrimage. Introducing songs from his latest CD, Innocence, as well as surprising long-time admirers with well-loved confections, Bloom began his 2006 US tour in early April to sold-out shows. Biography and tour dates may be found at www.lukabloom.com.

KINK FM 102

Wednesday, April 19 @ 3pm
KINK Live Performance Lounge
Luka Bloom :: Radio interview & performance
Portland Oregan Radio Stations - kink.fm

KBCO 97.3 FM

Friday, April 28, 2006
KBCO Studio C - Photo Gallery
Luka Bloom :: Photos provided by Ryan Kingsbury
KBCO Studio, Boulder, Colorado - www.kbco.com

WFUV & 90.7 FM

Sunday, May 28 - 8-11 AM
John Platt - City Folk Sunday Breakfast
Musical memorials to folk heroes, and an interview with Luka Bloom.
Songs played live in Studio A: She Moved Through The Fair - Miracle Cure - June - City of Chicago
from the album Innocence: No Matter Where You Go, There You Are

> Luka Bloom Interview with John Platt by Deborah Sandford

Wednesday, June 7 - 8:15 AM and 4:45 PM
Take Five - Short interview/performance clips from visiting artists in WFUV's Studio A.
A master of covers tunes, Luka Bloom talks with WFUV's John Platt about
a new record of his own songs, called 'Innocence.'

Wednesday, June 7 - 9 PM
Words and Music from Studio A :: Luka Bloom with John Platt

Public Radio Fordham University, New York - wfuv.org

Luka Bloom withdraws from KC Irish Fest
August 30th, 2006

Luka Bloom has had to withdraw from Kansas City’s Irish Festival this Labor Day Weekend due to a throat infection. The Festival website has The Hothouse Flowers replacing Luka’s slot on Saturday’s Festival Schedule to add to their Friday performance, which is a wonderful opportunity to see this great Irish band in a more intimate setting as they show off their multi-faceted versatility.

Kansas City Irish Fest at Crown Center
1st, 2nd & 3rd September 2006

Saturday, September 2nd
Boulevard Pub Stage:
     11:30 AM: Millish
     1:00 PM: Eddie Delahunt & Friends
     3:30 PM: Seamus Kennedy
     5:30 PM: John Spillane
     7:30 PM: Luka Bloom > Hothouse Flowers
     9:30 PM: Gráda

more info: www.kcirishfest.com

Kansas City Irish Festival Blog
by Dan Regan

Friday, May 26, 2006
Luka Bloom's Innocence

Luka Bloom's new CD Innocence has been getting a work out in my iTunes the past couple weeks. I'm listening to it right this minute, as a matter of fact. And the more I listen to it, the more I love it and the more I'm excited that we have such an amazing artist coming to the Kansas City Irish Fest this year. The new CD is understated, and quiet in places to the point where you might almost miss the power that is there in the lyrics, guitar and Bloom's rich voice. He says of the new record: "The whole story of this album is interesting and different. Life is an endless stream of challenges, and for this singer, the most important ingredient to hang on to is our innocence and wonder at the world." That sense of wonder is on display all over this album, with songs about such simple joys as the coming of Spring, a young girl's trip to the beach with her parents, and summer sunshine.

On Innocence, he moves effortlessly from songs that display the sense of humor that is often seen in a Luka Bloom penned lyric (Doing The Best I Can), to a simple, beautiful instrumental (Peace On Earth), to a really haunting version of his well known famine immigration ballad City Of Chicago. He tells a story of modern immigration into Ireland in No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. No stranger to political statements, he takes on The Iraq War in the beautiful I Am Not At War. No stranger to the music of the big world, he won't allow himself to be pigeoned-holed into an "Irish" sound. Listen to Gypsy Music and Venus and you'll see what I mean. And Bloom's song June reminds me of Van Morrison's classic Sweet Thing, and that can't be bad.

This is one of those too rare records, for me anyway, that doesn't have a weak spot on it. Luka Bloom is on the Boulevard Pub Stage at 7:30 on Saturday, September 2. We are lucky people.