Date entered - Thu 08/05/08
| Oh The Summer Time is Comin'.........
My God its May already! How does that happen? January lingers eternally, February drags on, then you wake up one day and its MAY! Its a sudden explosion of colour everywhere (except Australia, sorry!).
I just returned from a really enjoyable tour of the UK. While I've done many shows down the years in various cities in the UK, this past year is the first time I have tried to begin the process of returning regularly and singing to the nearest neighbours. And it is really enjoyable to do it. Take the ferry, and drive through that glorious countryside, having ye olde pie in the yummy Inns that still thrive in rural UK. Then go to great venues and sing for willing audiences. Its a lovely feeling, starting out in a country which still feels very new to me, making some new friends. Thanks to all the people who came to our gigs from Edinburgh to Brighton and places in between; and a big thank you to Jane Skinner who made it happen.
At the minute, I am getting ready to face the last stretch of road in bringing the record home. As we have yet to mix it, I won't say too much, except to say that we had a really fantastic time recording in Grouse Lodge in County Westmeath; a truly magnificent place to work, run by fantastic people. The hope is to be finished in mid to late June, and look to release it in autumn (Spring in Australia!).
There will be lots of gigs. Beginning with some east coast shows in the USA in September; Ireland in September, finishing in Vicar Street Dublin on November 1st.- then Belgium, one Amsterdam gig, and Switzerland in November and finally Germany in December. Then somewhere between Late February and late May 2009, the USA and Australia. That's just a rough sketch for now. The dates will be finalised as confirmed on the website.
The work goes on. Life is good. It is so good to able to make plans like this and continue to get out and sing my songs for people. The organisation is mildly chaotic, but somehow we get there. We all show up and off we go. Happy days.
Sorry to the people of the US and Australia for the delay in releasing the DVD. We're working on it.......
Finally may I take this opportunity to recommend a band for you all to check-out. They are called Rachel Unthank and the Winterset. Went to see them last Sunday evening in Whelans in Dublin, after my gig in Belfast (don't ask!). Having heard their two records, I was keen to hear them live, and they were fantastic. Four women, celebrating the beauty of English song, with really interesting music and a very unique contemporary take on great ballads. Not to be missed in my humble opinion.
www.rachelunthank.com for dates in the coming months.
OK, the kettle is boiled, the sun is out; I'm off to the hammock for the afternoon.
See ye down the road,
Luka
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Date entered - Thu 10/04/08
| The Irish Times - The Ticket - Friday, March 21, 2008
(4/5 Stars)* * * *
LUKA BLOOM - The Man Is Alive
Union Station Productions
The naked honesty of Luka Bloom's double DVD and live CD is breathtaking. Here's a man who's never been afraid to buck trends. Fans have witnessed the continual evolution of the artist formerly known as Barry Moore: from his woolly jumper folk days to Red Square, and on to his incarnation as Luka Bloom. This is an Aladdin's cave of frank interviews, insightful observations and a gabháil full of intimate live performances (one in Bloom's own front room). The Man Is Alive is a snapshot of someone whose quest is far from over, but whose comfort in his own skin bears testament to a road well travelled. And the music's not half-bad either. Magnificent, in fact. www.themanisalive.com
SIOBHÁN LONG |
Date entered - Thu 21/02/08
Greetings everyone,
I hate watching violent movies. Always did. whenever I find myself watching one, I look through closed fingers, and wait for the hard parts to pass. That's what it was like last night trying to watch the new DVD for the first time. I loved the bits in the documentary section where I'm playing with friends, or walking with my sister; but I couldn't be looking at or listening to myself talking so much. The only part of the DVD I could watch without freaking was when I was playing guitar, because it's the first time I've watched myself do that, and I still have no clue what I'm doing, which is a bit of fun. What I'm saying is I would never have done this. Only for members of my family and a few people close to my family, the DVD would never have happened. Niall, Usna, Turlough, Anne, and all the people they assembled, made this happen.
They started to ask me about it 3 years ago and I didn't want to know about it. Just let me write songs and sing them and I'm happy. But the lads just thought it was time for this, and they persisted. I thought they were mad.
So many great people came over to Dublin for a mighty night in the Helix. From all over the place. We had a lovely time. I'm not going to go into the details of the delay in getting the DVD finished, but I'll just say there were serious issues with the Helix gig from a technical perspective. We lost all but 50 minutes of the gig. I was prepared to let the project go, but Niall and Usna persisted, and in time they rescued enough of the show to consider finishing.
Then I got the idea of bringing a few people round to the house for a Saturday afternoon, to get a different buzz. Then we approached the lads in Holland about using the documentary......And all of a sudden nearly 3 years later here we are.
2 gigs, a bunch of songs, way too much of me talking shite.
I can't watch it, and I never will again.
But for people who like these things, I hope the DVD satisfies your curiosity. And I hope you enjoy the songs, and the shots of the Burren. I've learned something from the DVD, and I'm grateful for that. Its great to sing and play music. But maybe not so great to be trying to explain yourself. Maybe there's no need. Maybe it is best to sing the song, and then shut up. I think so. See what you think.
This was a long tough road, especially for Niall and Usna at Union Station Productions. I thank them and admire them for their resilience and conviction. And I thank all the people who helped put the 2 gigs together. But most of all, I thank the people who took time and trouble to travel to Dublin to attend the Helix gig. We really hope the wait is worth it for you now. It's great to have it done. Right so, I'm off to make a record...
God bless,
Luka ____________________________________________________________________ See Photos of the DVD party here >> |
Date entered - Wed 20/02/08
| We are delighted to announce that the Luka Bloom DVD "The Man Is Alive" is now available to buy exclusively from this website. |
Date entered - Thu 13/12/07
The chrimbo is upon us again. Time to reflect on the year just gone and begin to dream, again.
First things first:
For those long-suffering dvd watchers........I can ABSOLUTELY CONFIRM that the dvd will be available on the website from February 1st. No ifs, buts, doubts nor maybes. The dvd, entitled 'The Man is Alive' is done and dusted and ready to make its way around the world to those of you who have patiently waited for this eventuality. I thank you for your patience, and really hope you will feel that the wait has been worth it. All I can say, having never released anything 'visual' before, is that it is a comprehensive package, including a show in Dublin, a show in my home in Kildare, a cd, a documentary and a question and answer session......I'm tired just thinking about all the work so many people have done to bring us to this hour. Well done Union Station; take a bow!
What a year it has been.
As always such a beautiful experience to travel to Australia; and to sing in some of the great places there. It really has become a home away from home, and 8 months later, I already miss it again. Thank you Adrian Bohm and all the great people who work with you, for continuing to bring me to your country. These shows always fill me with joy. I love Australia; and even more now that Peter Garrett and his team are in government. Interesting times in Oz. Can't wait to go back, especially to Fremantle. Throughout the year, I had many shows in many places in Australia, Norway, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and the UK.
It's always hard to pick highlights.....
I loved the atmosphere in the church in Cologne, the amazing energy of Tivoli in Utrecht, the buzz of the cinema in Lausanne......But in truth the highlight of my year was the moment in Derry when I sang for his holiness the Dalai Lama at the 10th Anniversary of Children in Crossfire. In a moment like this you feel the sense of privilege you should feel every night, being given the opportunity to sing for people. And this event in Derry resulted in a second highlight of my year. Namely the opportunity to sing with the beautiful and gifted Christie Hennessy, who died on December 11th. Christie knew he was dying, and was determined to finish his record, despite the incredible difficulties associated with this determination. He wrote a song about Richard Moore of Children in Crossfire and the Dalai Lama. He asked my brother Christy and I to sing the song with him for his last record.
This was one of the unforgettable moments of my singing life. Singing with my brother and Christie, knowing that this great man was soon to leave us. A truly sacred day. Christie Hennessy was and always will be, a legend. Through his voice and the songs he left for us, he will always be with me.
I loved all my gigs this year, and simply say thank you to all the people who worked to make my gigs happen; and a special thank you to all the people who came to the shows.
Also this year, I released Tribe, a collaboration with the wonderful Simon O'Reilly. We had fun making the record, and as always, it is just a great buzz to have a piece of your work out there in the music world.
What did I hear in 2007?
My favourite shows were Xavier Rudd at the Roots and Blues festival in Fremantle. I wasn't aware of him before then, and was amazed by his songs, his spirit and his phenomenal musicianship.
Also India Arie in Tripod in Dublin was fantastic. But the event of the year for me, was the celebration of the life and music of Micheal O' Domhnaill in Vicar Street in Dublin. Micheal was best known for his playing with the legendary Bothy Band in the late 70s and early 80s. He was a great guitarist, singer, producer, but more importantly he was a great gentleman, and we all miss him. The show in Vicar Street was an evening of great songs and music by the cream of Irish artists who worked with and loved Micheal. Fab. My favourite record this year is by far the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss collaboration. I think its called Raising Sands or something like that. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, the songs are great, the music and playing are great. It sounds fantastic, and the two voices are perfect together. A rare treat.
My favourite book was the harrowing and beautiful 'A long long way', by Sebastian Barry.
I know I saw a few good movies this year, but its midnight and I'm suddenly exhausted..... loved 2007; can't wait for 2008. Working on a new record; thinking about gigs, wondering who'll be in the White House this time next year........So much fun to be had.
Happy Christmas to you all, and I hope 2008 brings you all peace, love, and great music,
Luka. |
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