Sensational Night For Sensational Kids

Over €5,000 was raised at a charity concert for Sensational Kids in the Riverbank last weekend.

Local talents Luka Bloom and Karl Vincent played to a packed audience for the gig, which was organised to support local charity Sensational Kids. The charity is fundraising to open an occupational therapy and sensory integration centre for children in Kildare.

After a moving presentation from Sensational Kids about their plans to open an occupational therapy centre to help children with ordinary everyday tasks that other children take for granted, Karl Vincent took to the stage. With a his husky voice he enthralled the audience with his own songs and also had them singing along and doing backing to his own version of Video Killed The Radio Star.

He left the stage to a tremendous round of applause from the audience who really enjoyed his performance.

Next up was Luka Bloom and what a show! From moving ballads to hilarious songs about bog men he entertained the audience from start to finish and left them shouting and stamping for more at the end. Between songs he told stories and joked with the crowd.

They were even treated to a few new songs, including one that he had just finished writing two days ago! Luka put on a tremendous show, moving the audience to silence in parts with his moody ballads and then racing back with hilarious upbeat songs that had the audience singing and clapping along. It was a truly sensational night, enjoyed by all.

Most importantly the event raised €5,000 for Sensational Kids. Luka Bloom said that he was delighted to help this deserving charity, and particularly liked the name, Sensational Kids, as it focuses on a child’s ability rather than disability. Sensational Kids would like to thank the Riverbank, Karl Vincent, Luka Bloom and all who attended for their support. For more information about Sensational Kids and upcoming events visit the charity’s website www.sensationalkids.ie.

© Kildare Post
www.kildarepost.com/2008/01/11/

The Scotsman - 2 February 2008

Celtic Connections
LUKA BLOOM / CARA DILLON ****
Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow

THE Irish singer-songwriter Luka Bloom has never been one for platitudes, so when he declared, "I'm so thrilled to be here," near the start of his Celtic Connections set, there was no doubting his sincerity. Surveying a sold-out Old Fruitmarket must have been all the more satisfying given that Bloom, having built up his loyal fan base gradually since the late 1980s, faced enforced retirement a few years back, when tendonitis rendered him unable to play guitar. Having recovered, and refashioned his technique to avoid further damage, he comes across as a man more given to counting his blessings than ever, further enriching his signature traits of open-hearted optimism and wide-eyed wonderment.

His set here ranged across his back catalogue, all the way from City of Chicago, written in 1984 and made famous by his brother, Christy Moore, to the title track of his latest album Tribe, an eloquent plea for human and spiritual connection. Other standouts included the valedictory yet upbeat See You Soon and the vivid narrative ballad No Matter Where You Go, a song about contemporary immigrants to Ireland, alongside favourites like the dreamy, seductive Into the Blue - (Exploring The Blue) - and an irresistibly exultant You Couldn't Have Come At A Better Time.

Opening act Cara Dillon also delighted the crowd with her bewitchingly honeyed voice, giving rein to the extra heft and force it's acquired in recent years, as well as contributing on fiddle and whistle to an expanded band line-up, which featured some fine uilleann piping from James O'Grady.

SUE WILSON
© The Scotsman
living.scotsman.com/music/Reviews

HotPress - 3 March 2008

Luka Bloom releases new live album and films

Luka Bloom has released a new live album, documentary and concert film package.

The well nifty 3-disc set comprises a 16-track concert album (This Man Is Alive), the My Name Is Luka documentary and two very different concert films - An Afternoon In Kildare and An Evening In Dublin.

The 35-track monster includes such seasoned favourites as 'I Am Not At War With Anyone', 'Sunny Sailor Boy', 'Lebanon', 'Hill Of Allen', 'Gone To Pablo' and 'Perfect Groove'.

© HotPress - The Hot Press Newsdesk
www.hotpress.com