In the footsteps of a master

Flute-player Conor Byrne had a special reason to be at the Frankie Kennedy Winter School in Donegal - Frankie Kennedy, Altan's flute player who died from cancer in 1994, had been a mentor to him, writes Victoria White.

... Back to that session in the Lakeside Centre in 1994 and Byrne - then only 22 - is in the grip of fear. He is invited into the circle of players by Frankie's widow, fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, and he is so scared he gets his uncle, Luka Bloom, to play with him.... Inevitably, Byrne got a lot of attention because he is the grandson of the singer, Nancy Moore, the nephew of Christy and Barry (Luka Bloom) and the son of the traditional singer, Eilish. Both Christy and Luka featured on the album, which may have been a mistake in that it encouraged the promotion of Byrne less for himself than for his relations. But as he tells it, it happened organically - "Luka and myself are more like brothers. We used to do everything together." ...In fact, each generation of Moore musicians has put a new twist on the story, and Byrne is no different: Nancy Moore was an operatic singer, while Christy, Barry and Eilish sang traditional and folk-rock...... He and O'Hare have teamed up with guitarist Gary Ralston and singer Andrew Murray for the Music Network Tour, and also to form a band, Dorian.

www.ireland.com

Irish Independent - 20 January 2002

Odyssey of lucky Luka

Christy Moore's brother changed his name and left for the US in 1988. Now he's conquered his demons and is coming home to Newbridge. Joe Jackson meets Luka Bloom.

... "I didn't even begin to understand the extent to which I was affected by my father's death until I was 35 and wrote The Man Is Alive, which is probably the most important song I've ever written," he says, referring to a track from his breakthrough album, Riverside, which Luka recorded after moving to America in the late Eighties.... Another reason life is "fabulous" for Luka right now is the fact that he's obviously in love a feeling that imbues his new, self-financed album, Between the Mountain and the Moon. There are songs celebrating the lives of Christina Noble, Maura O'Halloran and Micho Russell, but most celebratory of all are those tracks inspired by his Dutch girlfriend, such as the glorious 'Monsoon'... Better still, agreeing wholeheartedly with John O'Donoghue, "who writes about 'coming home to yourself"', Luka believes, "part of making peace with yourself is coming home to who you are", and is moving back home right now. In every sense... Even if it took me some time to realise that. I'm a very, very lucky man."

7.30 am last Thursday morning I sipped my strong breakfast tea sat in the comfortable atrium of the Thistle Tower Hotel, London. I surveyed the famous River Thames, Tower Bridge and St Katherine's Dock. My mind, however, was elsewhere considering distant shores and views and wondering what The Spirit Store, Dundalk would be like tonight. Soon I would be embarking on another Irish adventure.

Only a few hours of tiresome, dull work in the Rothschilds City office stood between me now and my last minute decision to change scenery and pursue passionate Irish musical pleasure. Planning was kept to a minimum. No plane booked, not sure of train or flight times or options. Contingency plans nil, knowledge of Dundalk likewise. Sometimes it's best to go with the flow.

As the express train from Liverpool Street Station carried me swiftly on to London's Stansted Airport I recalled a late night bar room discussion last year with a worldly and well meaning Irish Priest. He encouraged me to take a long hard look at myself and consider changes to my life which up until that time had been totally work dominated. "Live for today more, your a long time in the graveyard and life's not a rehearsal". My changes have been minor but certain, others have risked and changed more. It felt good to be on the way to true personal relaxation and enjoyment of my choice.

Thanks be to the Priest for sound advice and thanks be to whoever failed to show for the Ryanair 4 pm flight to Dublin. Divine intervention perhaps and thanks be to St Jude for all prayers answered and permitting me to have the last remaining seat on the plane.

Dublin Airport was quiet for once and the competing Car Hire desks were full of bored looking staff in their branded uniforms looking out for travellers like myself in search of wheels. We were a rare breed in short supply at this time. I recalled my last visit to Dublin Airport and how a devastatingly attractive young girl on the National Car Rental desk had chosen to continue her animated phone conversation with her best friend for a full ten minutes rather than attend to my pre booked reservation. Well, history has this uncanny habit of repeating itself. She was there again, pretty as ever, phone cemented to her ear deep in to another personal conversation. There would be no compromise and my business would be placed elsewhere tonight. Budget Rent-a-Car had a portly chap with a smiling face who risked and engaged eye contact and offered an enthusiastic welcome. His reward was my business. As I picked up the keys and strode with purpose to the awaiting Fiat Bravo! the National Rental desk still had no customers but the potential Rose of Tralee winner was warm and cosy with her phone, ignorant of the fact she had just lost a customer. I made a mental note that selling a customer service program to National Car Rental Ireland would be top of my list of future income generators should the need arise!

7.30 pm, I sipped my first of several pints of Guinness sat in the inviting front bar of the Spirit House, Dundalk. The pub dates back to about 1840 and is situated on the quay in the old port area. A boat was docked unloading cargo in the dark as I arrived. No customer service program needed here with Patron Mark and the staff a positive delight. An English accent requesting a ticket for tonight's show was recognised and when I explained I had come over just for the show I was treated like royalty. The local newspaper photographer was summoned by the owner to take my picture, introductions were made to the regulars including venue electrician Johnny G and the support act artist that night, the beautiful, soulful and sensuous Sarah McQuaid. Amazing how music can bring people together. Rounds of drinks and stories were exchanged before going upstairs to the venue stage room. Brightly painted by a Swedish lady I recall, the room had a character all of its own! Small candle lit tables with stools set out and a cosy little bar, another unique and intimate venue just perfect to take in Luka's collection of intimate and memorable songs. The Spirit Store provides live music three night a week and deserves it's undoubted success.

Sarah enchanted us with a memorable short set, only her third gig in five years. She featured a couple of songs from her "When Two Lovers meet" album. Later she sold copies on the door. I could not resist a purchase to remind me of her special voice described quite perfectly as 'warm as a turf fire, and as rich as matured cognac' in "The Rough Guide To Irish Music".

A denim clad Luka took stage with his customary smile and boundless enthusiasm for an evening of songs and banter. He welcomed us the audience calling us a group of 'Deep sea divers' and 'Dundalk thrill seekers'. Whatever, we were all on his side as he delivered an excellent set of songs, quite different from his pre Christmas offering down at Wexford.

The opener was "Exploring The Blue" followed by "Gone To Pablo". "Sunny Sailor Boy" invited and received some audience participation but there were not too many singers in the house that night! "Rainbow Day" inspired by a walk along the Sky Road going west out of Clifden, Connemara had us singing along 'not too bad' according to Luka! Next was "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" with Luka telling an amusing tale of early childhood visits to the Cinema to worship his hero John Wayne in cowboys and Indians movies. Amazing how just one bullet could be shot and POW !!! four indians were lying dead!

"Diamond Mountain", "Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" and "Natural Mystic" followed. Luka recalled how Bono had described Irish people as 'Jamaicans who can't dance' and that Bob Marley was Jamaica's answer to Christy Moore !!! Next was "Ciara", a song Luka said was "hard to believe, but was about a woman who was never remotely interested in him." I guess we can all relate to that at sometime or other in our lives!

"Keeper Of The Flame", "Make You Feel My Love" and "Love Is A Place I Dream Of" were next with Luke confiding some other writers and singers did 'anger and angst' but he did 'mush'. I thought to myself, don't change Luka, we love your mush!

"Bogman", "Rescue Mission", and "In Between Days" were all enjoyed with Luka describing The Cure as 'a traditional English ballad group'. "You Couldn't Have Come At A Better Time", "Perfect Groove", "Black Is The Colour" and the brilliant "Te Adoro" followed. That piece sends me to another place, I could listen to it all night. Luka then explained how he was inspired to write "Monsoon" after hearing a BBC radio documentary about Indian women going wild during the monsoon season....on this basis he reckoned Ireland must be the sexiest country in the world! Who am I to disagree! Next came the moving "As I Waved Goodbye", "Fertile Rock", "Holy Ground" and an encore finale of "I Need Love". Somewhere in there he joked about having the 'hots' for the famous daughter of Dundalk, Andrea Corr, and her leaving him 'breathless'. Well Luka, you me and the whole of the male population are panting and breathless!!!!

Another Rainbow Day came to a close. Luka kindly signed a few autographs, generously spared a few moments for a chat and a handshake. I walked back to the hotel wishing I'd be back for the show the next night, but that was just being greedy!

Shrugging off the paparazzi

He says his life would bore the media, but Luka Bloom is happy with the point he has reached, which includes becoming a homeowner, writes Tony Clayton-Lea.

In a surreal conversational twist, Luka Bloom, aka Barry Moore, is sitting in a Dublin hotel talking not about his forthcoming album, the excellent Between The Mountain And The Moon, but about the shape and texture of taps, sunken baths, mosaic tiles and stoves. Such interior-design gossip does not sit comfortably with the rugged singer-songwriter, but with a new house to step into any week now, it's clear he has been thumbing the pages of glossy magazines instead of sheet music...

... Bloom is into normality, he says, living a life so quietly in the public domain that its integrity is not impacted upon too much. "From the point of view of media or celebrity, I'm a complete bore. There is nothing interesting about my life to people in that world, and so I have to create a life that doesn't depend on fame or celebrity. A life that involves connecting with people who love music."

Between The Mountain And The Moon is released at the end of the month. Luka Bloom plays The Spirit Store, Dundalk, tonight.

Leinster Leader - Thursday, January 31, 2002

Christy Moore, Luka Bloom coup for Spirit Store

Well if you haven't been on the Spirit Store emailing list then you've obviously missed out on the big news as tickets went on sale and sold out in the same evening last Monday night, and the early part of Tuesday morning in the Arts Office for two nights of music April 15th and 16th from brothers Luka Bloom and Christy Moore.
Another great coup for the 'Marks' and this all from one brother playing in the venue (Luka) and the other checking it out on the strength of his gig.

The Argus - 22 March 2002

Fans early morning queue for tickets to hear Christy and the brother play!

It's usually big name international acts like U2 who have music fans getting out of their beds in the early hours to queue up for concert tickets so it was a little unusual to say the least to find people queuing outside the Arts Office from 6.30am last week to buy tickets for a gig at the Spirit Store.

However this was no ordinary gig but one by two brothers who have been an integral part of the Irish music scene for over 30 years. Yes, the legendary Christy Moore and his brother Barry, aka Luka Bloom, are playing two nights in the Spirit Store in mid-April.

As soon as news of the gigs broke through the Store's e-mail list on Monday night, a constant stream of fans made their way to George's Quay to snap up tickets for what looks like being the gig of the year... The two gigs take place on April 15th and 16th and, as already stated, are completely sold out.

This is the day the fisherman likes.
And so do I.

To see Luka Bloom perform is always a privilege and a pleasure. To see his brother Christy Moore perform is a rare privilege, a rare pleasure and equally moving. So to see them both perform together on one small Dundalk stage last week was a buzz beyond compare.

Imagine my good fortune spending three privileged and pleasurable hours being entertained by The brothers Moore in the intimate atmosphere of The Spirit Store, Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. It's about as close to heaven on earth as I've been so far! Monday, 15th April, 2002, the date of the event, the experience, the family happening.

Pinch yourself, could this really be happening? The splendid Spirit Store has become a firm favourite on the Irish live music scene with both performers and it's educated and respectful 'listening' audience. Even so, quite a coup to have not one Moore but two, booked to play two consecutive nights to an audience of around one hundred blessed souls.

The event was given minimum publicity and only a hint of a mention on the web. It sold out in minutes with dedicated fans having to turn up in person to get tickets weeks before. Sincere thanks to patron Mark for fixing it for this Mancunian traveller to gain entry. Mark actually missed the show, away himself helping out the less fortunate at a Romanian orphanage.

The Spirit Store is down on the quay. A brisk ten minute walk from the middle of town. I sensed this evening would be special as I quickened my pace down St Mary's Road pausing for a moment to watch two youngsters developing their hurling skills in St Helena's park. This could only be Ireland. This part of Dundalk town was in some strange time warp, the terraced rows of grey houses so different from the masses of new three and four bedroomed detached houses mushrooming up all over Ireland. It felt earthy but rich in simple traditions. Nostalgia filled the air and my mind as I crossed the busy relief road and arrived at the harbour.

8pm now and the tide was out revealing the mud flats and watery navigation channel. A bog of slime revealed with seagulls and wading birds noisy and busy scavenging food. The Spirit Store audience gathered to take pre show pints of the dark stuff and furtively talk of the evening ahead. You are never far away from chat and stories in a cosy Irish bar. Soon the Bogmen from Moorefield Terrace, Newbridge, County Kildare would feed us with all the emotions. Laughter and joy balanced with more serious deeper moments. No cameras, no recording, no smoking, no better place to be.

9pm, Luka Bloom took to the stage, sat down and played a 45 minute set with the help of two new guitars. One was purchased in Sydney during the recent tour down under to Australia. Sadly faithful old 'Carmen' was destroyed by Heathrow airport baggage handlers intent on finding Bin Ladens next suicide bomber contained within!

I'm not one for making notes and being a man find this multitasking business impossible. So I have no exact set list for you. The pints blurred the memory but I'd say Luka sang: Rainbow Day, Sunny Sailor Boy, Water Ballerina, Throw your arms around me, Raglan Road, Monsoon, Here and Now, and Bad.

A relaxed performance with a few tales of Australia thrown in. An engaged audience with a couple of amusing and very happy ladies singing along at every opportunity and admiring Luka's funky red pumps. Lots of smiling faces filled the bright upstairs room. A fair cross section of ages, fathers with sons, mothers with daughters, a new generation of listeners for Christy.

After short break Christy Moore took to the stage. A fuller figure these days clad in plain black tee shirt, black baggy pants and black trainers. He was off and away. I think Nancy Spain was first. He sang with precision and yet passion. Clear diction and sound. He told stories of past visits to Dundalk and had fun with a friendly heckler calling out for old faves to be sung. Christy duly obliged him. He gave us so much. Again I can't remember all the songs but heard, I'm fairly sure: Companeros, North and South, Go move Shift, Welcome to the Cabaret, Yellow Triangle, Joxer goes to Stuttgart, Don't forget your shovel, So do I, Missing you, Viva La Quinte Brigada, Lawless, Bogey's Bonny Belle, A stitch in time. I missed some but you get the picture? Great communication and enjoyment filled the room.

Luka then joined Christy on stage. Christy confirmed there was a good vibe in the house and it was nice to be playing with his little brother in a place other than the old family front room. But for the audience it was like being in their front room. Intimate musical treasures shared and applauded. You almost expected Mother to come in with a cup of tea and a scone! They sang: Curragh of Kildare, City of Chicago, Diamond Mountain, Sacco and Vanzetti, Bogman, Couldn't have come at a better time, and Ride On.

Now it was midnight, one last pint and time to go. Outside the air had chilled and the tide come in and covered the bog. Deep dark water glinting from the odd street light close by. Happy people made for their cars parked just a few feet from the waters edge. No railings to stop the clumsy traveller falling in. No time for selecting the wrong gear!

I walked back up through town to my lodgings up the Carrickmacross Road. I had this huge grin on my face as I passed the Harp lager brewery and watched the billowing clouds of smoke pour in to the night. Sleep came quickly, dreams a plenty not far behind. Back home in the morning all too soon.

And the fishermen dream of the sun in the west, and so do I.

Luka Bloom
Luka's new album got it's premier airing in Germany, Holland, Belgium, and Australia and was released in Ireland on February 1st. Luka heads off to tour Europe and Australia in March and returns or an Irish tour in May and then it's off to the USA for gigs in June. 2002 marks his 30th anniversary in the music business, having started off playing support to Planxty in the early 70s.

Cobblestone Upstairs Concerts
3 April 2002

Alyanya Massey is an exciting and inspiring new talent. Her unique style has been honed in the last 18 months since she's been writing and performing as a solo artist, prior to that she's been lead singer with many bands, the most notable being SCRYBE. Alyanya is completing a Professional Musician Training Course at New Park Music School and will start a 2 year Diploma in Jazz in September.
But before that, she has a busy time ahead as she's embarking on an extensive Irish Tour starting in April and running through the summer. She will also be touring with Luka Bloom.

www.musiclee.ie/frames/monthly.htm

News from Connemara.net
February 2002 News

Nine Fridays: On the last Friday of every month, over a period of nine months, concerts in Letterfrack National School have been broadcast on Connemara Community Radio. The night consists of local talent plus our special guests who will include, Sean Tyrrell, Mairtin O'Connor, Luka Bloom, The Josephine Marsh Band, John Spillane and many more exciting names.

www.connemara.net/news

The Galway Independent - 10-19 April 2002

Dancing at the Crossroads

Luka Bloom is set to play Letterfrack National School on the 26 April as part of the Nine Last Fridays series, which runs from January to May and September to December. This unique initiative was set up to promote music and the arts in local communities. Admission to hear Luka Bloom perform is a modest €4 and €2 for the unwaged.

Letterfrack National School has been host to a variety of eminent musicians including Sharon Shannon, John Spillane, Sean Tyrrell, Maire Breathnach, Jimmy Fitz and Paul Gunning. The name is a spin off on the First Nine Fridays when mothers do nine Fridays for their wayward sons and daughters.
Leo Hallisey, principal of Letterfrack School describes the event as: "providing spaces for expression for the local community. It started two years ago and has been very successful in our community. I would love to see it happen in the other communities".
Before a performance the guests visit the school and spend time with the children. Every child from second class upwards can play an instrument. The students have made a CD called 'Behind the Mist' which was produced by PJ Curtis...

www.galwayindependent.com/issue10/news/10_DancingAtTheCrossroads.asp

Hot Press - 03 May 2002

30 years a Bloom-in'

With an Irish tour approaching and a new album in the shops, Luka Bloom looks back on three decades that have taken him from busking in a pub in Newbridge to the big stages of Europe and America. In this candid interview with Jackie Hayden the man also known as Barry Moore talks about brother Christy, overcoming stage fright, finding an original voice, dealings with the music business, the need to combat racism - and why he remains a wannabe bogman.

This year, Luka Bloom celebrates 30 years as a professional musician. Over those three decades he's fought many a demon (both internal and external), reinvented himself, struggled for and won universal acclaim, survived record deals with two major labels, saw the naked racism of the Irish at home and abroad and overcome the 'Christy Moore's brother' tag. Here, we look backwards and forwards with the artist formerly known as Barry Moore.

www.hotpress.com

The Limerick Event Guide - Volume 02 - Issue 05 - May 21 to June 03, 2002

In Bloom
Luka Bloom - UCH - May 09

Thursday Night in the formal surrounds of Limerick's University Concert Hall. A stressfree yet animated Luka Bloom changes guitars (after playing a folk version of Madonna's "Into The Groove") and remarks: "I'm doing the rare one's tonight lads"

He was doing more than the rare ones though. Supported by Alyanya, who, remarkably, was performing for the first time, the scene was set for a quiet, acoustic evening. When Luka appeared however, he brought with him a surge of energy and humour amidst the eerie silence that had existed in the semi-full venue hitherto.

There are few places you'll hear about Luka without the mention of his infamous brother, and so it's understandable why Barry Moore borrowed Suzanne Vega's Luka and James Joyce's Bloom and became an icon of folk and ballad himself in places as far away as Australia and New York.

Just back from a recent visit down-under, Luka stumbles around the stage freely. Opening with "Throw Your Arms Around Me" and skipping efficiently through songs like "Gone To Pablo" and "Natural Mystic", he jokes how returning to Ireland-election mode, he was tempted to jump back on the plane to Australia. "Monsoon", he explains, is a "celebration of love, sex and rain ... a typical Irish folk song". With "Raglan Road", Patrick Kavanagh's lyrics took on a newfound significance. Luka's voice seemingly channelled the room's energy and accompanied only by the quiet chords of his guitar, fuelled the song's renaissance.

Other notable highlights included "'Bogman", where Luka came closest to sounding like his elder. "You Couldn't Have Come At A Better Time", whose familiarity certainly added spice to the occasion, sounded surprisingly complete, a testament once more to Bloom's voice.

Shortly after another impressive interpretation with Elvis's "I Can't Help Falling In Love", Luka asked for our participation with the chorus of "Sunny Sailor Boy", a song written by the Waterboy's Mike Scott. The Newbridge man followed with a more upbeat "Rainbow Day". Joking about his brief stay in Limerick as a student, in the days when "my life ambition was to be a second year student", Bloom began singing "Black Is The Colour". In a similar feel to the Raglan Road, you found yourself immersed in the song rather than instinctively comparing to "definitive versions" by Luke Kelly or Christy, in this instance.

Returning for the encore and explaining the story behind each song as usual, Luka dedicated the title track of one of his earlier albums, "Acoustic Motorbike", to all those who protested earlier in the week to reclaim the streets. Finally then, after almost 2 hours of song and story, Luka finished with "Gabriel" from his current album, inspired by his 18-year old son. Fading rhythmically with his guitar pedal, he added an almost contemporary feeling to the unhurried song. Brilliant.

Comprehensive and absolute, Bloom glided easily between old Irish songs and modern cover versions. Fearing a poor sounding song more than a scarcity of originality, his imaginative and creative approach ensured the Luka Bloom live experience is one you definitely won't forget.

Live Review by Tommy Finneran

The Kerryman - Thursday, May 02, 2002

Luka plays the NEC while Danu have a date in Abbeyfeale
By Stephen Stack

Luka Bloom has undertaken an extensive promotional tour in support of the album, bringing him from Australia to Europe and finally back to Ireland.

He is now gearing up for his upcoming Irish tour, which includes a date at the National Events Centre, Glen Eagle Hotel Killarney, on Friday May 10. Luka Bloom is the younger brother of folk legend Christy Moore. Bloom performed on the Dublin pub scene in the 80s without broader acceptance but after dropping out of college, he played in folk clubs around Europe as Barry Moore and even recorded three albums which are no longer available.... This promises to be a gig not to be missed.

unison.ie/kerryman

Waterford News & Star - Friday, May 03, 2002

LUKA BLOOM

Just back home from Australia where he enjoyed a hugely successful concert tour, Luka Bloom is getting ready to embark on an Irish tour throughout the month of May and it includes a date at The Forum, Waterford, on Saturday, May 11.

The year has been a really busy one so far for Luka Bloom. His new album Between The Mountain And The Moon, was released at the start of February, to great critical acclaim.

He undertook a series of high profile radio, TV, and Press interviews to promote the album and shortly afterwards it was off to Europe for a series of live concerts.

archives.tcm.ie/waterfordnews/2002/05/03/story8107.asp

Munster Express Online - Friday, 10 May 2002

Luka Bloom comes to Waterford

Luka Bloom makes his first Waterford appearance in a number of years on Saturday, 11th May at The Forum as part of his nationwide tour.

By 1998 Luka's time with the corporate world of major labels was at an end. He had three albums with Warners in the early 90's but it was his one album stint with Sony in 1997 when the good times turned to bad. In his own words: "Let disappointment turn to bitterness, transform disappointment into opportunity."

Since 1998 Luka has been steadily building a cottage industry in Dublin - making his own CD's and licensing them to independent labels throughout the world. Luka has launched his own website www.lukabloom.com which has already received well over 400,000 hits.

He has also been working 'quietly' on his new album Between The Mountain and The Moon for the last two years. Obviously his new found approach has worked well. "I have never had so much joy in any recording process", he enthuses. "Every day was productive, every person who came into the studio brought something magical to the project." What was his highlight of the album? "Obviously having the opportunity to sing with Sinéad O'Connor was a joy to me."

In the last two years Luka has played in the USA, Australia, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK.

Tickets for this one off performance cost 19 and are on sale from Next Door Off Licence, The Glen, Waterford. Doors open at 8pm.

www.munster-express.ie/020510/fun.htm

Savoy Theater, Cork
Friday, 17 May 2002

Savoy Theatre Breaking News
LUKA BLOOM
By 1998 my time with the corporate world of major labels was at an end. I had good times with Warners in the early 90's, making 3 cds: Riverside (1990), The Acoustic Motorbike (1992), and Turf (1994). A brief one album spell with Sony (Salty Heaven) in 1997, was not so happy. Time to change. There comes a time in this singing life when you are presented with stark choices. Let disappointment turn to bitterness; transform disappointment into opportunity. Bitterness is not an option, so here we go.

Since 1998, I've been creating a little cottage industry in Dublin. Now I make my own cds, and license them to independent labels throughout the world. I've also launched a website www.lukabloom.com, where people can choose to buy cds directly from me.

In these 2 years, I've recorded 3 cds. First there was 'Keeper of the Flame', a celebration of the songs of other people. Then I compiled a cd of songs written between 1975-1986. Taken from old recordings and remastered, the cd is called 'The Barry Moore Years' (my real name), and is only available on the website. In truth, the release of these cds was a preparation for me to release the next cd of my own songs.

It is called 'Between The Mountain and The Moon'. I've been working quietly on this cd for 2 years; writing, rewriting, recording... Working in Windmill Lane in Dublin with Brian Masterson, I have never had so much joy in any recording process. Every day was productive; every person who came into studio brought something magical to the project. Each of the musicians on the cd is a very special person to me; and though I didn't personally know the string and brass players, they brought something very fresh and new to the songs. Obviously having the opportunity to sing with Sinead O'Connor was a great joy to me, but this was the case with everyone who visited the cd.

During these 2 years, I've done some shows in the US, Australia, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK. But now I'm ready to go and sing for a good while. Sing these songs and help 'Between The Mountain and The Moon' on it's way.

www.bitezone.com/cgi-bin/savoynews

The Lobby Bar Profile of Luka Bloom

Between The Mountain and the Moon
... Already just gone on release in Ireland, USA, Australia, Holland, Belgium and Germany, 'Between the Mountain and the Moon' has a UK release date of Monday 6th May 2002. Luka Bloom signalled a change of mood last year on his superb covers album, and this new record finds him at his absolute peak. 'Between the Mountain and the Moon' is a majestically romantic collection of ballads, that from the opening anthem to love, 'Monsoon', just sweeps you along on it's powerful, poetic current. Amoung the other outstanding tracks are the swooning 'Here and Now', while 'As I Waved Goodbye' celebrates the Tibetan ideal. Bloom turns to a jaunty Indo-Celt beat on 'Perfect Groove' and 'I'm a Bogman' revels in his sheer Irishness.

Following European live dates in February and an Australian tour in March, Luka Bloom returns to Ireland for a nationwide live tour in May. A series of live dates is also scheduled for the USA in June, with UK dates scheduled for October 2002...

Luka Bloom plays The Savoy on Friday 17th May.

www.lobby.ie/profiles/lukabloom.html

Why Luka Bloom loves Galway

LUKA BLOOM will play a gig in the Town Hall Theatre on Sunday May 26. He spoke to Kernan Andrews about his music, Galway city, and doing a spot of DJing in August.

Bloom is a frequent visitor to Galway and always loves any chance to play here. "I'm a fan", he tells me on the phone from Dublin. "Except when it comes to football." So in all his years of playing this city, what's been the most memorable moment so far?

"I had an amazing experience around 1976." he recalls. "Ollie Jennings was running a place called Smokey Joe's in the university, and he would promote gigs by interesting artists that people didn't know. He put on a gig at Leisureland by the McGarrigle Sisters and I was the support act. He did such a great PR job on the gig that the place was packed. The McGarriagle Sisters weren't great. They were playing with a new band, there was so much hype around them, but I played this unbelievable gig and I was playing here for the next five years and was always in and out of Smokeys. There's always something about Galway, whether it's the vibe or a heckler. It's such a great music venue."

Spiritual celebrations
At his Town Hall show, Bloom will play songs from his latest album "Between The Mountain and The Moon", which he released in February. He's very pleased with it and rightly so. It's one of his best. "I have decided to devote this whole year to the album and tour it," he says. "It's a very special album to me. I want to give it the time it deserves."

One of the most intresting tracks is "Gabriel". Is this Bloom showing his spiritual side? "'Gabriel' came about as a result of a conversation with my son about five years ago," Bloom explains. "He was 13 and I was talking to him, drink, drugs, cigarettes and going on and he asked me about angels. I was taken aback, but I later realised he was trying to change the subject as all teenagers do. But I remembered that I when I was a child I had a devotion to the Angel Gabriel and later on I forgot it, it was just one of those things. I wrote the song in the Burren, I wanted a spacy feel, and I was looking for the spacy feel on my guitar. You can get it on synthesisers but you hear that all the time. It was a real challenge to get it on my guitar."

Another standout is "Perfect Groove", a celebration of playing a live gig. "I sometimes write songs that celebrate the live performance and people coming in and shaking their arses," he says. But the songs exotic rhythms are also a celebration of North African music. "The rhythm is inspired by Abdelli an Algerian. He's on the Real World label. He's an amazing artist and I love North African music. I was in Algeria and I met this other guy Mohamed Bouhanna. I met him in a restaurant and I loved his playing so I flew him in to help me record the album, so there is a genuine celebration of North African music." Bloom is also advising his fans to come to the gig early as he wants them to hear his support act, a young singer-songwriter from Dublin called Alyanya. "I think she's got a pure lovely voice and I think people will really like her stuff."

The Mystery Train
Bloom was recently on 'The Mystery Train' talking to presenter John Kelly about his favourite music. Bloom himself will be taking over the presenter's chair for a week in August. How did this come about?
"I just got word about it two weeks ago," he says. "I love radio and I have enough ideas to make it interesting. I would never try to step into John Kelly's shoes. August is one of the few months of the year I like being in Dublin because everyone's gone."

Although he's never done anything like this before, Bloom isn't nervous. He's well used to being interviewed and playing live on radio. "It's a joy to have a job for a week and play other people's music," he says. "It will be fairly varied. I have a diverse interest in music. Anyone whose interest is narrow won't like it, but those open to all kinds of music will."

Bloom also likes to have a swim in Galway Bay when he's here. Will he take a dip this week? "This year I'm staring a bit late," he says. "I was in Australia and that spoiled me. I was swimming off every coastline. I'm not ready for the Atlantic so I won't be going into Salthill yet."

RTÉ Radio 1 - Mystery Train
Monday, 12 August 19:00 - 20:00
Tuesday, 13 August 19:00 - 20:00
Wednesday, 14 August 19:00 - 20:00
Thursday, 15 August 19:00 - 20:00
Friday, 16 August 19:00 - 21:00

www.rteguide.ie

Luka Bloom

"Everything in the world is new," Luka Bloom sings in "Soshin", an observation that is fitting for both the time in which we live, and the seeminlgy re-awakened state that Bloom celebrates on his new album "Between The Mountain And The Moon" writes John O'Regan.

There is quite a distance to be travelled between the mountain and the moon and Luka Bloom's new album does just that. A subtle mix of sense and sensuality with some compassionate wisdom thrown in for a good measure. "Between The Mountain And The Moon" returns Luka Bloom to the frontline. Released through Cog Communications, recorded at Dublin's Windmill Lane Studios and produced by Luka Bloom and Brian Masterson, the album features guest spots from Mairtin O'Connor, Sinéad O'Connor, Eamon Murray, Ray Fean, Conor Byrne, and bassist Joe Csibi, one time Riverdance musical director: A big discovery is percussionist Mohamed Bouhanna from Algeria now living in Galway. Luka says "I met him in a restaurant and I was so blown away by him playing that I asked him to come to Ireland and to play on the album, his exotic touches add a pronounced Eastern/Oriental feel to the album itself."

While "Between The Mountain And The Moon" was recorded piecemeal over a three year period, the Newbridge man hasn't exactly been taking it easy. There was concentrated touring in 2000's to promote "Keeper Of The Flame" but the release of "Between The Mountain And The Moon" is his first self penned album since 1998's "Salty Heaven" signals a return to form. The ingredients are in the right place, Bloom's distinctive voice and New York purchased electro-acoustic guitars which can alternate between Phil Spector productions one minute and quietly rippling acoustics and sound like a full band, are aligned to modest arrangements with shadings of wind instruments, strings, keyboards, as well as such rare instruments as the mandola, darabouka, and bendir. These frame his expressive voice on a collection of tales of love, travel, commitment and social concern...

www.mayo-ireland.ie

Irish News Online - 30 September 2002

A 'bloomin' great night for audience and star

Sometimes an audience can be as much part of a performance as the artist and so it was on Saturday night at the small but beautifully formed Clotworthy Arts Centre in the grounds of Antrim Castle when Luka Bloom took the stage.

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Newry Democrat: Breaking News - Wednesday, October 09, 2002