Luka Bloom - Tour Archive
Luka Bloom - Ireland 2004
24 Jan 2004   Kildare - AFRI Conference - Féile Bríde 2004
2 Feb 2004   BBC 2 Northern Ireland - SRL - Music / Ceol
5 Feb 2004   Newbridge - Red Hot Music Club @ The Red House [cancelled]
10 Apr 2004   Naul - Séamus Ennis Centre
25 Apr 2004   Dublin - Holiday Inn, The Green Room - The Last Sunday Showcase
29 Apr 2004   Grange - Barry's Public House
30 Apr 2004   Castlebar - TF Royal Theatre - Special Guest of Christy Moore
1 May 2004   Castlebar - TF Royal Theatre - Special Guest of Christy Moore
10 May 2004   NewsTalk 106FM - Dublin Life
13 May 2004   Newbridge - Guest of Honour @ St. Conleth's Infant School
15 May 2004   Dublin, Glasnevin - The Helix [rescheduled from 7 Feb]
20 May 2004   Newbridge - Red Hot Music Club @ The Red House - Luka Bloom & Christy Moore
22 May 2004   Saggart - Saint Mary's G.F.C. Clubhouse - Benefit Concert
23 May 2004   Raidió na Gaeltachta - Rogha John Spillane
26 May 2004   Rattlebag on RTÉ Radio 1
27 May 2004   TV3 Ireland AM
29 May 2004   Dún Laoghaire - The Pavilion Theatre [rescheduled from 8 Feb]
10 Jun 2004   Carrick-on-Shannon - Moon River
15 Jun 2004   Carlow - Devereux - Special Guest of Tír na nÓg
8 Jul 2004   Clonakilty - De Barra Folk Club
9 Jul 2004   Mallow - The Lodge
10 Jul 2004   Cobh - Sirius Arts Centre
16-17 Jul 2004   Ballyvaughan - Burren College of Art - 10th Anniversary Weekend
22 Jul 2004   Cork - Cork Opera House - Special Guest of Christy Moore
23 Jul 2004   Cork - Cork Opera House - Special Guest of Christy Moore
26 Jul 2004   Cork - Cork Opera House - Special Guest of Christy Moore
27 Jul 2004   Cork - Cork Opera House - Special Guest of Christy Moore
26-30 Jul 2004   Ballyvaughan - Burren College of Art - Song-Writing Course [cancelled]
29 Jul 2004   Dundalk - Spirit Store
1 Aug 2004   Ballyshannon - Folk & Traditional Music Festival - Abbey Centre
2 Aug 2004   Manorhamilton - The Glens Centre
4 Aug 2004   Westport - Matt Molloy's
5 Aug 2004   Lisdoonvarna - Royal Spa Hotel
14 Aug 2004   Newbridge - Riverbank Arts Centre
15 Aug 2004  
Belfast - The Ardoyne Fleadh
16 Sep 2004   Boyle - The Moving Stairs
17 Sep 2004   Headford, Cloughanover - Campbell's Tavern
1 Oct 2004   Killarney - Gleneagle Hotel - INEC - Special Guest of Christy Moore
2 Oct 2004   Killarney - Gleneagle Hotel - INEC - Special Guest of Christy Moore
2 Oct 2004   Killarney - Gleneagle Hotel - Charity Concert
3 Oct 2004   Ballyferriter - Siar Ó Thuaidh @ Tigh Uí Chatháin
11 Oct 2004   Newbridge - Keadeen Hotel - Special Guest of Christy Moore
12 Oct 2004   Newbridge - Keadeen Hotel - Special Guest of Christy Moore
15 Oct 2004   RTÉ TV series 'Other Voices' - recorded in St James Church, Dingle [Dec 2003]
3 Nov 2004   Dublin - Vicar Street - Special Guest of Christy Moore
4 Nov 2004   Dublin - Vicar Street - Special Guest of Christy Moore
19 Nov 2004   Ennis - Glór Irish Music Centre - Charity Music Show
25 Nov 2004   Carrick-on-Shannon - Moon River
27 Nov 2004   Lismore - Ballyrafter House Hotel
4 Dec 2004   Cobh - Sirius Arts Centre
6 Dec 2004   Galway - Radisson SAS Hotel - Special Guest of Planxty
7 Dec 2004   Galway - Radisson SAS Hotel - Special Guest of Planxty
8 Dec 2004   Galway - Radisson SAS Hotel - Special Guest of Planxty
28 Dec 2004   Dublin - Point Theatre - Special Guest of Planxty
29 Dec 2004   Dublin - Point Theatre - Special Guest of Planxty
30 Dec 2004   Dublin - Point Theatre - Special Guest of Planxty

Monday, February 2nd, 2004

Luka Bloom appeared on BBC 2 Northern Ireland - SRL
the new Irish Language magazine programme, at 8 pm
every Monday on BBC2 and BBC2 NI (digital)

>> Watch a clip of Luka (approx. 52 sec)
www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/irish/srl/music/music2.shtml


Leinster Leader - 25 September 2003

Red Hot Music is back in Naas

Members of the Red Hot Music Club will be delighted to learn of upcoming concerts. The line up includes The 4 of Us in November, Dervish in December, Mundy in January, Luka Bloom in February, Kevin Doherty in March and a surprise guest as usual for the final concert in April...

www.unison.ie/leinster_leader


Thursday, 5 February 2004
Rhíannon appeared as Special Guest at the Red Hot Music Club in Naas, Co. Kildare.

Saturday, 24 January 2004
Rhíannon also sang at the AFRI Conference on Human Rights - Féile Bríde in Kildare - other performers involved were Luka Bloom, Steve Cooney, Laoise Kelly and Eithne Ní Chatháin.

www.rhiannon.ie


Monthly nights of redhot music at:
The Red House, Naas Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
Doors open 8.15 pm. Support act at 8.45 pm sharp
Luka Bloom Red Hot Music Club
Luka Bloom

Thursday 5 February 2004 (cancelled)
Time: 8.15 pm - Tickets: 16 €

One of our own, a truly great star! He has played all over the world to rapturous acclaim, and released 2 albums since he last played the Red Hot. Welcome home Luka!
Supported by Emily Aylmer & Eddie Sood.

The RedHot is a non-profit enterprise. Surplus monies are donated to charities.
Info & Booking: 087 6852972 Email: red_hot_music@hotmail.com
Tickets available from: Top Twenty, Naas & Newbridge
kildare.ie/arts/events/events_03/RedHot-Music.asp

IMRO features Last Sunday Showcase | 25th April | Luka Bloom

'The Last Sunday Showcase' provides a unique opportunity to hear emerging original songwriters perform and takes place in Dublin's newest live music venue The Green Room at the Holiday Inn Dublin City Centre on the last Sunday of every month.

The next showcase takes place on Sunday 25th April 2004
and the featured songwriters will be:
Louise Killeen - Warwick Embury - Jenny Lindfors
with a special guest performance from Luka Bloom

Special Guest - Luka Bloom
...With an impressive body of recordings already under his belt, Luka's latest offering 'Before Sleep Comes' introduces a soft and beautiful style of guitar playing necessitated in part the recurrence of tendonitis. Singing in a whispery style that draws the listener in, Luka's songs of love, beauty and nature mirror the maturity of both his playing and his songwriting, honed through many years of experience. Reading Luka's biography in no way conveys the power, energy, atmosphere, downright magic of his live performances. One man, a guitar and his beautiful music and songs.... in a word, awesome. Luka's presence as this month's Last Sunday Showcase guest performer is bound to be a very special event indeed.

www.imro.ie -  www.holidayinndublin.ie


The Sligo Champion - Wednesday, 21 April 2004

Grange date for Luka Bloom

The legendary Luka Bloom plays Barry's Public House, Grange, on Thursday, 29th April.

... among his upcoming Irish dates is an eagerly anticipated gig at Barry's Public House on April 29th. Tickets (€15) on sale from venue.

www.unison.ie/sligo_champion/


Monday, May 10th, 2004 - NewsTalk 106FM
www.newstalk106.ie/dublin_life.htm

15.20h  Luka Bloom appeared on Dublin Life
with Carol Moran & Eoin Sweeney

Before Sleep Comes - Interview with Luka Bloom - Gypsy Music (Live)

Best Irish Albums of All Time @ Cluas.com

As part of the celebrations to mark CLUAS.com's 5th birthday in May CLUAS readers were invited to vote for their top 5 Irish albums of all time....

The Top 50 Irish Albums of All Time
As voted by readers of CLUAS.com
29. Luka Bloom - Turf

The Top 50 Irish Acts of All Time
based on the same pool of votes
14. Luka Bloom

Jules Jackson's top 5 Irish albums of all time...

Riverside Act: Luka Bloom
Album: "Riverside"
(1990)
No Irish musician casts a longer or more influential shadow over the current crop of Irish songsters than Luka Bloom (aka Barry Moore). More than Bono, Geldof or Morrison, Bloom/Moore has helped create the figure of the Irish Songer/Songwriter who, alone on a stage with an electro acoustic, sings his/her poetic songs of love and life. Damien Rice, David Kitt and Paddy Casey all follow on from the job description which Moore created for himself in the 1990s. This influence began when Moore, sick of being overlooked in favour of older brother Christy, returned from New York with a fancy blue guitar and a moniker which paid homage to both James Joyce and Suzanne Vega. His debut 'Riverside', recorded in NYC, showcased both his own original writing skills and his preoccupation with the idea of the Irish in America as titles such as 'Dreams in America', 'Irishman in Chinatown' and 'Hudson Lady' clearly show. The album closes with what became a live favourite, 'You Couldn't Have Come At A Better Time'.......... Welcome to Valhalla Luka.

www.cluas.com/bestalbums/default.htm
www.cluas.com/bestalbums/jules_jackson.htm


Kildare Nationalist - NewsBridge - Thursday, May 20, 2004

Family resource centre to open
Pupils receive environmental accolade

Singer Luka Bloom returned last week to the infant school where he first learnt to play music, to help students celebrate a landmark in the school's history. Luka (Barry Moore) was guest of honour at St. Conleth's Infant School last Thursday for a ceremony to raise the school s second Green Flag. The flag is awarded to schools in recognition of their efforts to raise environmental awareness. Over 800 schools nationwide are now taking part in the scheme, with St. Conleth's being the first in Newbridge to receive their second flag, following audit by scheme organisers, An Taisce.

The 415 pupils lined their chairs up on the school lawn and were enraptured by Luka's unaccompanied rendition of My Singing Bird. It was a song he learnt as an infant at the school, he said. At St. Conleth's his interest in music was fostered, beginning on the triangle in Sister Michael's band, and graduating to the drums. He praised the school for its success in promoting the Green Flag scheme. We learn from the children, we have to learn from them because my generation has done a lot of damage (to the environment) and you are the generation who can save it, Luka said...

A lot of work had been done at St. Conleth's since it received the first Green Flag two years ago, Mr. Weir said. Every child now knew about the Green Flag programme. The future lay in the hands of these children, and it was safe in their hands, he said.

Luka Bloom was assisted in the raising of the Green Flag by students Emma McGivern, Julia Hilliard, Joyce Delaney, Bevan O Reilly and Mark Shaw. He then planted a tree to mark the occasion, helped by students Katie Cody, Conor Hanrahan, Matheus Silva, Liam Brown, Michael Cash, Jessica Caffrey, Ciara Dervan and Ann Nikitina.

Niamh O'Donoghue
www.kildare-nationalist.ie/news/


News Four - Sandymount, Irishtown, Ringsend Community Newspaper - April 2004

Luka's Lullaby

The directions Luka Bloom had given me for his house in Blacktrench, outside Naas, were concise and exact, as simple and direct as his songs on his new album 'Before Sleep Comes'. When I arrived at his house I was unsure of where to enter but then I saw Luka smiling and waving me around to the back door. We sat at a coffee table in his airy open-plan kitchen/living-room as sunlight flooded in through the many big windows. "I am lucky with the sunlight," he tells me, "as it makes the country view even more appealing." He has been living in the house since he built it about eighteen months ago and already the garden has been organised along feng shui principles. There are clusters of daffodils here and there and a beautiful bog-oak piece at the very front. He doesn't have a dog or cat because they would scare away the birds, which he obviously loves judging by the birdhouses and the subliminal birdcalls recorded on the album. The surroundings are peaceful, Luka is easy-going and relaxed, we have tea and chat.

Luka Bloom sometimes forgets that some people still know him by a different name. Born May 23rd 1955, Kevin Barry Moore changed his name to Luka Bloom at the age of thirty-two as he headed for America and a new beginning.

"I had been sort of struggling in Ireland and then when I went to America I had this sense of 'newness'. At the time I thought to myself 'imagine if I just arrive here as a completely new kid on the block' and the only way I felt I could really do this was to have this Iggy Pop type name." He explains that he took the name from Suzanne Vega's song 'My name is Luka' and Bloom from James Joyce's Ulysses. The simple act of changing his name allowed him the freedom to express himself in his writing. "I feel like I've revealed a lot more of myself in my songs since I became Luka Bloom. I think in some way I lost some of the old self-consciousness. It's almost an embarrassing thing, to be writing songs but there's something about having a stage name that makes it more acceptable, makes it easier."

His career as a songwriter began at the tender age of 14 and a few of the early songs were recorded by his brother Christy Moore. Luka has been playing guitar since primary school, first when his sister Eilish brought one home and later when Christy bought him a new guitar. Since then music has been his life. "I'm very privileged and that's why it's so important for me to want to give what I can because I know how fortunate I am to have known at such a young age what a great thing this could be, and then to be able to do it. Besides I wasn't much good as a footballer!"

Luka was never drawn to the ballads that his brother was doing but the moment he heard James Taylor, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell he knew where he was heading. "I don't know how it happened because I was just a kid in Newbridge, Kildare, but the minute I heard those guys I instantly connected and that's kind of what I've done ever since."

Over the years he has written and recorded an eclectic collection of songs on twelve albums. This variety can be found in the taut emotion of a song like 'Ciara', the sense of fun in 'I'm a Bogman' and the thundering bongos in 'Monsoon'.

His new album, 'Before Sleep Comes' is yet another change of direction. The idea for this album resulted from a recurrence of tendonitis and another later problem that resulted in an operation for his throat. "I was only able to play very gentle things on my little Spanish guitar and I grew to really enjoy it. I just went down the local Mill where there's a little studio and recorded it over two nights at 11 or 12 at night when everything was very quiet. I deliberately went in there when my voice was tired because I wanted the thing to be authentic, to be very dreamy."

The album is a combination of soothing instrumental tunes such as 'Nora', familiar ballads and whispery original songs such as 'Camomile'. The calm soothing quality of the songs is like having your head caressed before sleep takes over. Luka puts it more poetically in the song 'Before Sleep Comes': "there is a moment of surrender, just before sleep comes, I turn over my life's business to the god of the setting sun." At twenty-eight minutes long the album is just the right length to take the listener to the land of nod.

Playing in Ireland is important to him, especially now that he has written new material and he is looking forward to his gigs in Dublin. After that, he is in America in June to give "the place where the first incarnation of Luka Bloom was born a whole new show."

A live gig with Luka is not to be missed. He captivates the audience with his charismatic performance and afterwards it is hard to believe that what you have heard came from just one voice and a guitar.

Luka Bloom plays the Helix on Saturday 15 May and the Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire on Saturday 29 May.

Nicola McMahon
www.news4.ie/april/frame3/luka.htm


Luka Bloom concert rescheduled from 7 February to 15 May.
Due to unforeseen circumstances Luka Bloom will now play The Theatre
at The Helix on Saturday May 15.
All tickets purchased for the original date are valid for the re-scheduled date on the 15 May.
Tickets can also be refunded at point of purchase at The Helix Box Office 01 7007000.
Check out www.thehelix.ie for more information!


The Helix - Dublin
Luka Bloom - Saturday 15 May 2004

with special guest Claudia Chambers (cajon)
Venue: The Theatre - Time: 8.30 pm - Tickets: € 15 / € 12
Support: Louise Killeen

The Helix are delighted to welcome back Luka Bloom after his sellout night in The Space last October. This time around, Luka is in The Theatre, where he'll be displaying his talented musical wares....

www.thehelix.ie/07_02_2004_lukabloom.html


Club News from Saint Mary's G.F.C.
Naomh Mhuire C.L.G. - Pairc Mhuire - Teach Sagart - Co. Ath Cliath

There will be a benefit concert in the clubhouse for the Christina Noble Children's Foundation on Saturday 22nd May. Performances on the night from Barbara Dunne, Mick Broderick and Friends and Special Guest Luka Bloom.

Tickets are limited and cost € 25 each. All ticket and raffle proceeds will go to this cause. For information contact Derek Hennessy 087-6377040.

homepage.eircom.net/~stmarysgfc/clubnews.htm

Luka Bloom on RTE Radio & TV3's Ireland AM

Sunday, May 23rd, 2004 - Raidió na Gaeltachta 93.2FM
Raidió na Gaeltachta's mandate is to provide a national Irish language
radio service as part of RTÉ's public broadcasting service.
www.rte.ie/rnag/english/listen.html - Real Audio Player


Weekly Programmes from Raidió na Gaeltachta
21:00-22:00 - Rogha John Spillane
Singer-songwriter John Spillane's music choice.
Luka Bloom - for the first time singing a song in Irish:
Caoineadh Na Dtrí Mhuire

(Lament Of The Three Marys)

Clar ceoil agus amhran den sean agus en nua a chur i lathair o Chorcaigh ag John Spillane.
Leiritheoir: Jeaic O Muircheartaigh
www.rte.ie/rams/rnag/roghajohnspillane.smil


Wednesday, May 26th, 2004 - Rattlebag
Rattlebag is a live, daily, magazine style radio programme dedicated to the arts and entertainment.
On air from 2.45 pm to 3.30 pm Monday to Friday on RTE Radio One and hosted by Myles Dungan.


>> Luka Bloom plays live in studio
and talks about his new album, Before Sleep Comes.

Songs: Salvador - Nora - Camomile

www.rte.ie/arts/2004/0526/rattlebag.html [12:39 mins]
Real One Player


Thursday, May 27th, 2004 - TV3 Ireland AM
TV3 is Ireland's first national, commercial, independent television network.
Ireland AM is hosted by Claire Byrne and Mark Cagney.

7:00 am to 10:00 am - www.tv3.ie


Summer Events 2004 @ Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire

Luka Bloom in Concert
Saturday, 29th May 2004

Time: 8 pm - Tickets: € 16/12

Luka Bloom will be accompanied by very special guests, Suzi Ng, a classical violinist from Amsterdam and Claudia Chambers from Australia playing percussion on the cajon. Following a sold out show a few weeks ago in Holland this promises to be a truly wonderful evening with songs from 'Before Sleep Comes' and some never heard before new material. Early booking advised.
Support for Luka will be Louise Killeen.

"A combination of tunes, original songs and familiar ballads, the entire project glows like the embers of a warm turf fire on a bitter winter night..... A soothing balm to any psyche, it perfectly portrays that moment of total peace and calm before sleep comes."
CINDY REICH Boulder CO USA


www.paviliontheatre.ie/seasonataglance.php

River Sessions on Moon River
June 2004 - Live Review by Susan Ryan

Some enchanted evening -
Luka Bloom goes down a storm on Moon River


Take the Luka Bloom gig on Moon River in Leitrim on Thursday June 10th. Not only was it an evening of great music, but also a kind of surreal up-river nature trail. 'Wind in the Willows' set to Spanish guitar rifs if you will.......... Indeed, when the Moon River set sail last Thursday evening, the air held a silvery light that told the mixed crew on board they were in for a very special evening indeed. With a breeze that stirred up the river and a full house, tickets having completely sold out in advance, the crowd settled into the evening with a very pleasant opening from special guest, Alyanya........

When after a short interval Luka Bloom took the stool, the lights dimmed and a hush fell over the crowd. The distinctive finger picking of the softly spoken Kildare man filled the Moon River with sound, as a semi-overture of 'Before Sleep Comes', his new album, lulled the audience into a gentle dream world that matched the intimacy of the gig perfectly. 'Before Sleep Comes', recorded last summer when a bout of tendonitis restricted him to playing gently on his Spanish guitar, is a gem of soft and whispery style playing. Cutting through the countryside and into McGahern country, an unusual moment of art imitating nature had spring lambs and calves grazing on the banks to 'Innocence'.

Then at Knockvicar falls, when preening swans again distracted the audience momentarily, the man himself amused, told us that "there's something very humbling about playing a gig when no one is looking at you." Cruising out onto Drumharlow lake, the last of the evening sun broke through a pink cloud and Luka Bloom's beautiful, deep harmonies reverberated through the appropriate 'Venice' (Venus) and classic 'Nora'. Fluid storytelling woven in between each song added weight to the performance and Mike Scott's 'Sunny Sailor Boy', the upbeat 'Summer and Friends', apt 'Thank you for bringing me here' and spine tingling 'Gypsy Music' mesmerised a silent audience that even contained a few token Australians who'd flown over from London especially. Indeed the only sound on the boat was the swish of the air con and the odd ferocious 'shush' to anyone who dared speak!

As the light drained from the evening and seeped into the rushes, the lights of Manfred's spilled onto the river at Cootehall while holiday makers on their cruisers played cards under the lamplight and an undoubtedly talented musician, head back and eyes closed put his guitar through its paces. It was a proud vessel that sailed back into Carrick, where looked on by a floodlit Hatley Manor, everyone joined in 'Couldn't have come at a better time'. Several encores later, including the lovely 'Love is a place I dream of' (it is impossible to escape your audience when you're performing on a boat!) Moon River docked and her passengers disembarked, genuinely blown away by a generous two hours of nature set to a truly great soundtrack.

And watch this space - brainchild of promoter Aoife McCormack in a bid to bring more acts West of the Shannon, you can expect a few more gigs on Moon River this summer. For those of you who missed out on Luka's sell out gig, he will be back. Just remember to book your tickets to avoid disappointment.

Susan Ryan
www.riversessions.com/luka.htm
www.riversessions.com/luka2.htm


Sligo Weekender - Tuesday, August 24, 2004

This riverboat song will have you singing along as you cruise

The town of Carrick-on-Shannon has always been a happening place for music and entertainment. In its full summer flush, with the population swellled considerably by tourists the buzz around Carrick is palpable and nowhere more so than on the busy Shannon river.

The Moon River is just one of the boats which ferries tourists and sightseers up and down the river around the year, but the large cruiser has become more than just a mode of transport. It has, in recent months, turned into the hottest live music venue in the Leitrim town. The River Sessions, as they are called, have already played host to some of the biggest names in entertainment in Ireland. In the intimate atmosphere of Moon River, musicians of the calibre of Luka Bloom, Eleanor MacEvoy and Mundy have performed magnificent acoustic sets, leaving audiences spellbound......

You can expect Luka Bloom to return in the near future too. He had a whale of a time when he first visited the River Sessions, revelling in the intimate, personal surroundings. He even liked competing with the magnificent views along the Shannon for the attention of his audience, although he won in the end......

The River Sessions will not stop for the winter either. Promoter Aoife McCormack and boat owner Kenny Murtagh intend to keep the music going throughout the year.... "When I saw Moon River I thought it would be a nice venue to use," said Aoife. "The idea was to bring quality live music to Carrick, to bring good acts who may not otherwise perform here." She has achieved her goal and the proof of her success is visible on the faces of the audiences and the smiles of the performers.

www.sligoweekender.ie


Éigse Carlow Arts Festival 2004

Tir na nOg - Eigse Festival at Devereaux, Carlow
Tuesday, 15th June 2004 - 9pm


"Luka Bloom was our surprise guest in Carlow. He opened with a wonderful set of all new songs, and joined Tir na nOg (Leo O'Kelly & Sonny Condell) at the end to play his beautiful 'Gypsy Music', and Sonny's classic 'Down in The City'."

www.leookelly.com/gigguide.asp

Some news from Christy Moore:
"... Soon as Box Set 1964-2004 is released in March I'm taking two weeks off and then I'm gonna get stuck in to a new album. Luka has written a song for me and there are some other bits and pieces simmering..."

01-01-04 www.christymoore.com/christy_chat.asp


Gavin Moore - 'Until Today' - New Album

Wednesday, 30 June 2004
Album Launch @ De Barra's, Clonakilty

Tonight see's the launch of Gavin Moore's latest offering and first studio album 'Until Today'. It is a collection of ten self-penned songs range from tender love songs, to some hard edged rock influenced compositions............ Christy Moore and Luka Bloom guest with Gavin on track one - 'Your Way Home', while the talents of Wexford lap slide guitarist Clive Barnes, Liverpudlian guitarist Matt Churchill & the melodic voice of Deirdre Hayes can be heard on other tracks.

Gig guide: www.debarra.ie/thismonth.htm


The Irish Times - 2 July 2004

GAVIN MOORE - Until Today ***
(Crazy Mo Records)

... there's an honesty and freshness in the production that ultimately overrides the creaking joints.
He could so easily have been distracted by a heavy duty guest list that includes uncles Christy and Luka, not to mention Roy Harper, but this Moore is one with his eye on his own prize...

Siobhán Long
www.ireland.com/theticket/articles/


July 2004 @ De Barra - Clonakilty, West Cork

De Barras Thursday July 8th, 2004
LUKA BLOOM


After sell out shows in Europe and stateside, Luka Bloom is back with a blast, albeit a quieter one, to promote his new album 'Before Sleep Comes'. Recorded last fall when a bout of tendonitis restricted him to playing gently on his Spanish guitar, a new soft and beautiful style of playing was born.

The internationally renowned singer-songwriter has done it yet again and describes his new work as a gentle non-performance. Singing in a whispery style that draws the listener in, his habitually expressive and reflective lyrics will take his audience on a journey filled with imagery, lulling them into a sense of dreamland. Sensitive and melodious, you wouldn't expect anything less from the softly spoken Kildare man.

A combination of tunes, original songs and familiar ballads such as 'The Water is Wide', 'Nora' and 'She Moved Through the Fair', each bear the unique velvety stamp of the man himself. Described by critics as an album that glows like the embers of a warm turf fire on a bitter winter night. If you are in search of a chilled and intimate evening, then grab a stool and spend it at de Barras. You can expect classic Bloom favourites and some gentle new gems. Tickets € 15.00 on sale @ Bar.

Gig guide: www.debarra.ie/nextmonth.html


Talk Ireland - Tuesday, 22 June 2004

Sirius Arts Centre - Cobh, Co. Cork
Presents
LUKA BLOOM - Saturday 10 July - 8pm
Supporting Luka will be Annette Buckley.

After sell out shows in Europe and stateside, Luka Bloom is back with a blast, albeit a quieter one, to promote his new album 'Before Sleep Comes'... If you are in search of a chilled and intimate evening, then grab a stool and spend it at Sirius Arts Centre on Saturday 10 July at 8pm. You can expect classic Bloom favourites and some gentle new gems.

For more information or to book ticket contact Sirius Arts Centre at (021) 481 3790.

www.talk-ireland.com


Burren College of Art - Ballyvaughan
10th Anniversary Weekend 16th - 18th July 2004
Newtown Nights - Concert Series

Newtown Castle Courtyard

Friday 16th July, 8.30pm
'Spiorad' - The Liosmorahaun Choir Gala Concert

Saturday 17th July, 8.30pm
'Spleodar' - An Explosion of Clare Music - Gala Concert

Featuring: John Spillane, Sean Tyrrell, Chris Droney & Friends,
The Josephine Marsh Band & more!


10th Anniversary Celebrations of Burren College of Art - July 2004

The Lismorahaun Choir presented 'Spiorad', a concert of choral works and on the following night a Gala Concert -'Spleodar' featuring many of the best traditional and contemporary Clare musicians such as John Spillane; Sean Tyrrell; Chris Droney & The Josephine Marsh Band, entertained the packed castle-courtyard. Luka Bloom also appeared as a surprise guest and delighted the audience.

www.burrencollege.ie/recent-events.html


The Clare Champion - Friday, July 23, 2004

Dramatic skies set appropriate scene for art college celebrations

Red and grey clouds whizzed over the top of Cappabhaile at a ferocious rate. It was a spectacular backdrop for Saturday night's gala concert which took place at the Burren College of Art and provided a fine closing scene to days of celebration.

The Ballyvaughan college is ten years old this month and a full programme of events was pencilled in for North Clare last week. Co-founded by the late Michael Greene and his wife Mary Hawkes Greene, the education facility stands as an example of forward thinking at its best. So of course, there was plenty to toast....... Then to Saturday night and those menacingly beautiful clouds. The odd eye was thrown to the sky in anticipation of a raindrop, but, thankfully, it never came.............. Local champion concertina player Chris Droney was joined by friends to start Saturday evening's concert and from there, John Spillane took to the stage, followed by Sean Tyrell and the Josephine Marsh Band. Finally a long-time friend of Burren College of Art, Luka Bloom, was unveiled as the surprise guest of the night. Last year, Luka gave the first live performance at the college. It was fitting that he should round off the celebrations with some of his North Clare and Burren fuelled songs.

TJ Flynn
www.clarechampion.ie


Burren College of Art - Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
Summer Courses in 2004

During the Summer months, the College opens its doors to a much wider audience through an exciting programme of courses and workshops...

Week-long courses Summer 2004

Mon 26 - Fri 30 July 2004
'The Fertile Rock', a practical course in song-writing, with Luka Bloom and guests
Please Note: 3 June 2004 - cancelled!

...This course will enable you to share the experience of Luka Bloom and his guests - including John Spillane - as well as that of fellow students. You will engage in practical songwriting and performance, participate in critique sessions and develop at least one song to performance standard.... Additional public concerts during the week will be given by Luka's guests as part of this course...

More Info: Burren College of Art, Newtown Castle, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, Ireland

www.burrencollege.com/workshops/wk_songwriting-luka-bloom.html


Christy Moore & Declan Sinnott @ The Cork Opera House
Thu 22, Fri 23, Mon 26 and Tue 27 July 2004
Luka Bloom - Special Guest

from Christy Moore chat:
The Lunny fellow lashed off to the Far East after Glastonbury to leave myself & Declan to face The Cork Opera House two handedly. We did the 4 nights... and we had 4 deadly gigs... We were joined by the brother, Luka Bloom, who delivered four wonderful opening sets and joined us each night to encore with 'City of Chicago' & 'Black is the Colour'.

14-09-2004 www.christymoore.com/christy_chat.asp


Spirit Store - Dundalk
Thursday, 29 July 2004 - 9 pm

Barry Moore - Luka Bloom Bio

Before Sleep Comes is chill-out music for the soul. Irish singer-songwriter Luka Bloom created this intimate album specifically for late night listening, for those last moments of wakefulness when the imagination remains fertile but the flesh is often worn out. Its purpose, he explains, "is to bring you closer to sleep, our sometimes elusive night-friend." But Luka may have thwarted his stated purpose: he performs elegantly austere new songs and covers traditional ballads in such a quietly compelling manner that one would find it almost impossible to drift off while these gorgeous grownup lullabies are spinning.

It was in the early months of 2003 that fate, not design, pushed Luka away from his signature style - the high-energy, quick-handed attack he took on his steel-string guitar - towards a more contemplative approach on a nylon-stringed instrument. A bout of tendonitis in his right hand, a recurring ailment, had seriously sidelined him, making it painful to do gigs or even write songs. While being treated by a physical therapist, he picked up his Spanish guitar and gingerly started to pick. As Luka explains, "After a few weeks of really soft playing, I became fond of it, and began to feel very relaxed with this style of playing, almost non-playing. I began to play ballads, and soon found myself singing and writing whispery songs. I was doing this daily, and by August, I realized that this needed to be recorded."

Luka completed Before Sleep Comes over the course of two windy nights in autumn 2003 at the Old Mill, a lovely, off-the-beaten-path studio near Naas, County Kildare. He'd previously cut most of his 1998 Salty Heaven there, the most elaborate production Luka had undertaken in his then decade-old recording career. This time was dramatically different: just Luka's bedroom-volume voice, his Spanish guitar and his midnight confessions, all captured in the wee small hours.

"Rarely does quietude translate so powerfully on record," said Irish Times critic Siobhan Long in a four-star review, "and rarer still is the bottling of an artist's personal happiness as successful as this beautifully somnambulant album... Luka fuels this gentle mix of original and traditional tunes (including a finely understated reading of 'The Water is Wide' and an even finer snapshot of the twilight zone that is the title track) with minimum intervention beyond strings and larynx. One for the witching hour." - The Irish Voice simply declared, "It feels like Luka has made a record just for your nightstand."

Before Sleep Comes is not so much a radical change for Luka as a deeper exploration of a particular aspect of his craft. He's long been known for creating rousing, anthemic tracks like 'The Acoustic Motorbike', 'Delirious' and 'Perfect Groove' that bring crowds to their feet at his concerts. But Luka has been equally adept at composing romantic slow-burners - like 'True Blue', 'Don't Be So Hard on Yourself' and 'Love is a Place I Dream Of'. Evocative new after-hours tunes like 'Camomile', 'She Sings Her Songs With Open Eyes' and 'Before Sleep Comes' will surely come to rank with the best of Luka's balladry.

www.spiritstore.ie

Ballyshannon Folk & Traditional Music Festival
30th July - 1st August 2004


The Ballyshannon Folk & Traditional Music Festival takes place annually on the August Bank Holiday Weekend. 2004 will see the Festival in it's 27th year. A full programme consisting of concerts and open air concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is always guaranteed.

The Nightly Entertainment Line Up for 2004
Friday 30th July - Begley & Murray - The Fureys & Davey Arthur - North Cregg
Saturday 31st July - Beoga - The Sands Family - Dervish
Sunday 1st August - Sliabh Notes - Luka Bloom - Beginish

www.ballyshannonfolkfestival.com


The Belfast Telegraph - 23 July 2004

Live Music: Folk and roots
By Neil Johnston

Down in Ballyshannon, everything is set up for the town's 27th annual folk and traditional music festival, which gets merrily under way a week from today. The longest running festival of its kind in Ireland north or south, it has over the years become one of Co. Donegal's major midsummer attractions for music followers from all over the world......... This year's festival (Guinness are the main sponsors) will run for the usual three days from July 30 - August 1, and the organisers are to be commended for putting together a superb all-Irish bill.

The big departure from previous years is that this time, the three main nightly concerts are not being held in the famous festival marquee beside the Erne. The tent has gone into retirement, and in its place the venue is to be the Abbey Arts Centre at the top of the town,....

The running order for the three concerts in the Abbey Centre has now been confirmed, and will be as follows:
Friday - Seamus Begley and Jim Murray - The Furey's and Davey Arthur - North Cregg.
Saturday - Beoga - The Sands Family - Dervish.
Sunday - Sliabh Notes - Luka Bloom - Beginish.

Festival director Ray Gaugan tells me that advance bookings have been going well, particularly for weekend tickets, and he has been getting inquiries from Belgium, Holland, England, Scotland and Wales. "What is also very encouraging," he said, "is that apart from our regulars, we have also been taking quite a few bookings from first time visitors. So hopefully, that trend will continue during the coming week." ...... For further info, phone Ray Gaughan at 00353 71 9851088 or visit the website www.ballyshannonfolkfestival.com.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk


Sligo Weekender - Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Double-header in music for the Glens Centre

The August weekend sees a bumper programme of music at the Glens Centre with the terrific line up of Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill playing on Sunday August 1 and Luka Bloom playing the following night.

On Monday, August 2, Luka Bloom is back with a blast, albeit a quieter one, to promote his new album 'Before Sleep Comes'....... Singing in a style that draws the listener in, his habitually expressive and reflective lyrics will take his audience on a journey filled with imagery, lulling them into a sense of dreamland. Sensitive and melodious, you wouldn't expect anything less from the softly spoken Kildare man. A combination of tunes, original songs and familiar ballads such as 'The Water is Wide', 'Nora' and 'She Moved Through the Fair', each bear the unique velvety stamp of the man himself. Described by critics as an album that glows like the embers of a warm turf fire on a bitter winter night, if you are in search of a chilled and intimate evening, then spend it with Luka at the Glens Centre.

Both shows start at 9pm and cost €15 each. Booking in advance is highly recommended on (071) 9855833.

www.sligoweekender.ie/news/


Events for June, July & August @ The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton

Luka Bloom
Monday August 2nd - 9 p.m.

Tickets € 15.00 - Booking advisable

After his sell out show here last summer, Luka Bloom is back with a blast, albeit a quieter one, to promote his new album 'Before Sleep Comes'. Recorded when a bout of tendonitis restricted him to playing gently on his Spanish guitar, a new soft and beautiful style of playing was born. The internationally renowned singer-songwriter has done it yet again and describes his new work as a gentle non-performance. You can expect classic Bloom favourites and some gentle new gems. Booking advisable

www.theglenscentre.com/June_July.html


The Claire Champion - Friday, July 30, 2004

Royal welcome awaits Luka in Lisdoonvarna

"I love The Royal Spa. The Royal Spa in Lisdoonvarna is one of the greatest venues. It's one of the best places to play. You're guaranteed a good night and it's one of those sure fire certainties you look forward to. I'd be disappointed if a summer went by and I didn't go down and play there." These are the words of Luka Bloom, aka Barry Moore, singer/songwriter, Kildare native, youngest of the musical Moore clan, and fervent admirer of the Banner county and its inhabitants.

The musical troubadour, who has of late released his ninth album 'Before Sleep Comes', takes in the North Clare venue on Thursday next, August 5, as part of a short tour of Ireland to promote the record. Despite a lifelong vocation to touring, recording and song writing, Luka's insatiable appetite for hitting the road, guitar in hand and a bunch of songs in pocket, has not diminished.

"One of the things I love about living in Ireland is the opportunity to go around in the summertime and do a few gigs. I love going up to Westport or down to Lisdoonvarna and the various other places around the country one can go to and meet Irish people and a few Europeans. It’s really enjoyable," said the performer from his Cork hotel-room last week. "I've a lot of friends and some family in Clare. Whether I'm doing a gig or writing a few songs or just hanging around it’s always a great joy. I feel a great sense of homecoming when I go to Clare," he added.

Luka recently made a surprise appearance at the Burren College of Art's tenth anniversary celebrations in Ballyvaughan. His love affair with this part of the world was evident in his account of that memorable musical episode. "Oh yeah, a fantastic two nights there," was his reply when quizzed about his visit to Newtown Castle. "The college is a wonderful achievement. It's a beautiful place. They built a stage outside in the courtyard and they had the magnificent Lismorahan Choir play there on the Friday night of the celebrations. Then on the second night they had Josephine Marsh, Sean Tyrrell, and John Spillane. I also got up and did a few songs. It was a lovely, lovely night."

Luka readily admits that Clare, it’s music and musicians played a big part in launching his career. Back in the seventies Barry Moore was, as he describes himself, "a finger-picking folkie". He did gigs around Ireland, from the Meeting Place (a hot spot for music in the 70s and 80s) in Dublin, to McGann's in Doolin.

In 1977 he toured Germany and England as part of the group 'Inchiquin', the other members being Claremen Noel Hill, on concertina, and fiddler Tony Linnane. Micho Russell was also part of the tour and Barry became close to Micho. His song 'Hands of a Farmer' is dedicated to the late musical legend from Doonagore, Doolin. "I remember that German tour so well," he reflected, casting his mind back on a madcap sojourn as a young hopeful. They did 27 dates in 30 days. "I was asked to go to Germany on one of those Irish Folk Festival tours with Noel and Tony. De Dannan were on the bill and so too were Andy Irvine and Mick Hanly. There was Jackie Daly and Seamus Creagh, and also Micho Russell, my great hero, a man I loved very much, a great Clareman. I had a wonderful time, particularly with Noel and Tony. It was a special experience and one of the first lengthy tours I did. I have nothing but fond memories of that time, both playing with Inchiquin and getting to know all these other people. Some of them, particularly during the seventies, were legends of the revival of Irish music," he said.

In 1987 Barry Moore left Ireland and moved to the USA, where he changed his name to Luka Bloom. "I lived in Washington DC for a year and then I moved to New York, where I stayed for three or four years." While in the Big Apple he got his big musical break. "Living in New York turned my whole working life around," he said. "I encountered an openness to my songs that kick-started 17 years of my career and I'm still reaping the rewards of that time today. I had a residency in The Red Lion on Bleecker Street, and that's where Warner Brothers and all the other record companies came to see me play. They signed me and off I went."

Now happily repatriated in his native Kildare, Luka still tours the world and a recent return to American shores last June allowed him to realise that US audiences still value his talents. "It was a great trip," he mused on the Stateside visit. "I've written an entirely new show. The kind of gig I'm doing is very different from what I would have been doing a year ago. So to go to America with a new show was a little bit daunting. But people really loved it. I feel rejuvenated now with the new set and I think I'm shifting slightly into a new gear. I sort of feel like, once again in my life, I'm at the beginning and I'm really enjoying my songs and enjoying singing them."

Clare, Clare music and Clare people are very much part of that experience. The spirit of Micho Russell and a musical journey that began in Germany 27 years ago still shine clearly in Luka Bloom's eyes. Make no mistake, his Royal Spa show will certainly be a special one.

Luka Bloom plays The Royal Spa, Lisdoonvarna on Thursday, August 5. Doors open at 9 pm. For information contact 065-7074288.

Gerry Quinn
www.clarechampion.ie


Royal Spa Hotel - Lisdoonvarna
Thursday, 5 August 2004
Ticket Royal Spa Hotel
Ticket & Setlist: Jürgen Weykenat
She Moved Through The Fair
My Singing Bird
Innocence
Summer And Friends
Salvador
Venus
Gypsy Music
June
Miracle Cure
Nora
Sunny Sailor Boy
Thank You For Bringing Me Here
Primavera
Make You Feel My Love
Caoineadh Na Dtrí Mhuire
City Of Chicago
No Matter Where You Go, There You Are

Doing The Best I Can
In Between Days
I'm A Bogman
Camomile

Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, County Kildare
Upcoming Events at Riverbank 2004

Luka Bloom
14 Aug 2004 at Riverbank Arts Centre

Time: 8.00pm - Tickets: 18 Euro
Box office: boxoffice@riverbank.ie

Luka Bloom is playing live in the Riverbank Theatre in Newbridge with Alyanya.

Kevin Barry Moore was born on 23 May 1955, in Newbridge, County Kildare. The youngest of six children he was born into a very musical family and started writing and honing his guitar playing skills from a young age. He first took to the road at the tender age of 14 on a tour of English folk clubs…that was back in 1969.

Barry has toured extensively in Europe and the US, and has made his home in various locations along the way, including Holland, Washington and New York. It was while travelling to America that he thought new country, why not a new name. And so some 35,000 feet above the Atlantic Luka Bloom was born. The name came from Suzanne Vega's song 'Luka' and James Joyce's 'Ulysses'.

www.riverbank.ie

Belfast Telegraph - 23 July 2004

Ardoyne lays on week of fun with big fleadh
By Ashleigh Wallace

The people of Ardoyne today put their recent troubles behind them to launch an eight-day programme of events for this year's Fleadh Cheoil. North Belfast Assemblyman Gerry Kelly was due to launch the Ardoyne Fleadh at the Flax Centre today.

And with events ranging from music and drama to sport and debate, the programme - from August 7 to 15 - aims to be bigger and better than ever before. Fame Academy star Sinead Quinn, Irish singer Luka Bloom and Italian group Folk Rose are just some of the performers taking part in this year's fleadh....... Many of the events are free but a ticket for the open-air concerts taking place over the weekend will be £5, with one ticket covering the entire weekend.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk


News Letter - Friday 6th August 2004

Spoilt For Choice With So Many Sounds To Savour
By Geoff Harden

As so often, there are some tough choices this weekend between the various musical delights on offer... Problems again, though, as Sunday is the best night to get along to the Ardoyne Fleadh's open air concerts, with Luka Bloom and Bavan among the temptations.

Bavan is that fine duo Meabh O'Hare and Conor Byrne, on fiddle and flute; Conor is a nephew of Luka Bloom (his mother is Eilish Moore) and is the spitting image of a younger Luka.

www.newsletter.co.uk/story/14320


Ardoyne Fleadh Cheoil - Belfast
Sunday, 15 August 2004

Fleadh Main Stage - Holy Cross Boys Pitch

08.45pm - Bavan (Meabh O'Hare & Conor Byrne)
09.15pm - Leeson O'Keefe & Band
10.00pm - Luka Bloom
10.45pm - Seanchai And The Unity Squad

www.ardoyne.org/events/august15.htm

The Moving Stairs - Boyle
Thursday, 16 September 2004
Moving Stairs She Moved Through The Fair
My Singing Bird
Innocence
Salvador
Venus
Summer And Friends
Gypsy Music
Miracle Cure
Nora
Sunny Sailor Boy
Thank You For Bringing Me Here
June
Primavera
Make You Feel My Love
City Of Chicago
No Matter Where You Go, There You Are

Peace On Earth [instrumental]
Water Ballerina
I'm A Bogman
Camomile
Luka Bloom @ The Moving Stairs

Luka Bloom @ The Moving Stairs


Galway Independent - Vol 4 - Issue 36 - Wed September 8, 2004

Luka Bloom at Campbells

Campbell's Tavern is honored to have back one of Ireland 's most accomplished performers Luka Bloom on Friday 17th September. Launching his career in the 1970s, Luka was encouraged by his brother Christy, who hired him to play with his groups Planxty and Moving Hearts....

His latest album is called 'Before Sleep Comes' and has been described as "Nine Soft songs for insomniacs, running time 28 minutes, Sweet Dreams, Luka".

www.galwayindependent.com


Galway Advertiser - 09 September 2004

Blooming good time with Luka in Campbell's

LUKA BLOOM, brother of Christy Moore and accomplished singer songwriter in his own right, will make a welcome return to Galway on Friday 17 when he plays in Campbell's Tavern.... Tickets for his upcoming gig in Campbell's are available from Mulligan Records at (091) 5649561 or from Campbell's Tavern at (093) 35454. For more information on Luka Bloom see www.lukabloom.com/biography.

www.galwayadvertiser.ie


The Blue Moon Music Club presents

Fri 17th September 2004
LUKA BLOOM

Tickets: €18.00 - Doors: 9.30pm

A solo performer whose trademark is his thunderous and exhilarating acoustic
guitar playing, his fine voice and his warm and passionate delivery.
For more see: www.lukabloom.com

Campbell's Tavern, Cloughanover, Headford, Co. Galway, Republic of Ireland
Booking: Campbell's Tavern 09335454 - sandra@campbellstavern.com
www.campbellstavern.com


Campbell's Tavern - Headford, Cloughanover
Friday, 17 September 2004
Campbell's Tavern She Moved Through The Fair
My Singing Bird
Innocence
Salvador
Venus
Doing The Best I Can
Miracle Cure
Nora
Sunny Sailor Boy
Gypsy Music
Thank You For Bringing Me Here
June
Summer And Friends
Primavera
Make You Feel My Love
City Of Chicago
No Matter Where You Go, There You Are

Arise [Alyanya with Luka]
In Between Days
I'm A Bogman
Peace On Earth [instrumental]
Love Is A Place I Dream Of
Luka Bloom @ Campbell's Tavern

Luka Bloom @ Campbell's Tavern


Christy Moore & Declan Sinnott @ Gleneagle Hotel INEC, Killarney
Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd October 2004
Luka Bloom - Special Guest

It's Christy-mania as thousands of fans hit Killarney to see the master

Thousands of Christy Moore fans descended on Killarney at the weekend to catch a rare glimpse of the master live on stage. And the legendary balladeer did not disappoint, receiving standing ovations at the INEC on both Friday and Saturday night.... Christy had the audience at the INEC by turns misty eyed and roaring with laughter as they sang and clapped along to the wide variety of his classics such as 'Ride on' and 'Nancy Spain'. Accompanied throughout by acclaimed guitarist Declan Sinnott, and with his brother Luka Bloom as special guest, he rounded off a performance with a rousing rendition of 'Lisdoonvarna' that brought the audience to their feet...

The Kingdom - Thursday, October 07, 2004
archives.tcm.ie/thekingdom


Saturday 2nd October 2004 - Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Tickets: €20 INEC Box Office - Location: Ballroom - Doors: 9pm

Charity concert in aid of The Children's Medical & Research Foundation
at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children and a local charity South Kerry Life Education.
Featuring: Ian Whitty, Roesy, Mark Geary, Glen Hansard & Luka Bloom

The concert is part of an ongoing fundraising campaign.... While raising much needed funds
for charity the concert will provide a unique and intimate opportunity to hear
Ireland's leading singer-songwriters.


The Kingdom - Thursday, September 30, 2004

Making music for charity

An opportunity to experience some of Ireland's bestknown singer songwriters, while raising funds for a worthwhile charity, this week the Gleneagle Hotel will play host to a charity concert in aid of local group the South Kerry Life Education and Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children.

The line-up for the concert includes local maestro Ian Whitty, who will be joined on stage by Glen Hansard, better known as the front man of The Frames, Mark Geary and Roesy. The concert is part of an ongoing fundraising campaign to raise funds for both charities ... Our Lady's is one of the largest hospitals in the world devoted exclusively to children ... Local charity South Kerry Life Education is a registered charity visiting primary schools and offering age appropriate information on issues of health and substance abuse awareness.

archives.tcm.ie/thekingdom


Kerry Times, for the time of your life in Kerry
Entertainment in Kerry - Music

Luka goes west for concert

Luka Bloom makes his way west this weekend to perform in Siar O Thuaidh in Kane's Bar Ballyferriter on Sunday, October 3rd.

It is sure to be a memorable performance in this unique setting from an artist who has been making fine music over the oast three decades. In 1987 after working away in the music business in Ireland, Barry Moore made the decision to head to America and check it out!.......... Luka's performance is summed up in his own words - "Every gig is precious. Whether the Spa in Lisdoonvarna, Carre in Amsterdam, or the Melbourne Concert Hall, the privilege is the same, as is the commitment to the gig." - and you can expect that same commitment in Siar O Thuaidh on Sunday October 3. The gig starts at 9pm and tickets priced €15 are available from Kane's Bar and the Dingle Record Shop, Green Street, Dingle.

www.kerrytimes.com/entertainment


Siar Ó Thuaidh. Tigh Uí Chatháin
Europe's most westerly live music venue

The music club Siar Ó Thuaidh [pronounced shear o whoig and roughly translating into the English, Three Sheets to the Wind], was established on mid-summer's night 2002. The venue, the most westerly in Europe, is situated to the rear of Kane's Bar, Ballyferriter and caters for an intimate audience of just over 50 people. The club has attracted the best of local, national and international musicians and is now part of the regular circuit for national tours.The club has hosted performances by Luka Bloom, Maria Doyle Kennedy, and Glen Hansard (The Frames) among others..... Siar Ó Thuaidh hopes to expand the variety of events in the coming year. Concerts start at 21.30 unless otherwise stated and tickets for concerts can be purchased in the bar.


Luka Bloom packs them in

Luka Bloom kicked of proceedings for the month of October with a sell out concert in the club on Sunday the 3rd. A well seasoned performer Luka played a memorable non stop 2 hour concert to the delight of a captivated audience with songs from his new album Before Sleep Comes along with many of his hits over the years.

www.dinglearts.com


The Kingdom - Thursday, October 14, 2004

Round of applause for Luka in Ballyferriter

A huge audience gathered in Ballyferriter to see singer Luka Bloom in Siar O Thuaidh in Kane's Bar. It was truly memorable performance by the Kildare man, AKA Barry Moore. This was a unique setting for the gig from an artist who has been making fine music over the past three decades. Luka sure got a huge reception in the heart of the West Kerry Gaeltacht. Back in 1987 after being involved in the music business at home for a number of years Barry Moore made a decision to head off to the United States. Before he left home he changed his name, getting inspiration from the Suzanne Vega song 'My Name Is Luka'. Bloom came from James Joyce's Ulysses, so on his transatlantic trip to New York Luka Bloom was born and the rest is history.

www.the-kingdom.ie


Gig Reviews on CLUAS - www.cluas.com

Christy Moore & Friends @ The Keadeen, Newbridge
12 October 2004


A sort of homecoming. Christy performed with Declan Synott, Donal Lunny & Luka Bloom at this hometown venue for the first time in over 20 years.

As a special guest of Christy, his brother Luka Bloom opened the show with a bit of humour. "I just flew in from Blacktrench here this evening, and this is a song I wrote about summer and friends called 'Summer and Friends", before launching into a short 30-minute set of beautifully written, and easy listening songs.

His next song had a similar tale. Written about his time as an altar boy (a time which he recalled as an enjoyable experience, he said "this song is about the innocence of being an altar boy". Appropriately titled 'Innocence', it was followed by 'Miracle Cure'. He continued with a song about Mohamed from Nigeria (Algeria) called 'No Matter Where You Go, There You Are' before he proceeded to tell us about the 27 years he has spent living in several cities throughout the world. "I sang this next song in Finland last week, and I asked them how you'd say 'I'm A Bogman' in Finnish, and they said 'Ole Yenti'," and he finished the six song set by dedicating his final song to Christy, Declan & Donal with the suitably titled 'Thank You For Bringing Me Here'.

There was no interval so Christy and the lads made their way onto the stage immediately and kicked off with a couple of ballads............ His locals gave him a standing ovation and ensured he return for an encore.

"It's good to be back in Newbridge with Declan & Donal, and my brother Barry" he shouted on his return, before himself and Luka performed a duet on the formers 'City of Chicago'. They finished with 'Black Is The Colour' almost two hours after walking on stage and from the audience reaction he is still a God in these parts.

Mick Lynch
www.cluas.com/music/gigs


RTÉ Series Other Voices - Songs from a Room
a celebration of Irish Music.

When last year over 20 musicians gathered in the most westerly town in Ireland to perform in front of a small but privileged audience in a 200-year-old church, nobody could have predicted the success. The 'Other Voices' Album went to number one and helped raise awareness of contemporary musical talent in the country. With such a response and huge interest from musicians, bands and music fans a second series has recently been filmed in Dingle, County Kerry and will begin broadcast on Tuesday 10th February on RTÉ Network 2.

Presented this year by Jerry Fish the second series of 'Other Voices, Songs from a Room' brings together musicians from various backgrounds, traditions and disciplines to celebrate the sounds and styles of Irish music and voices. In a region steeped in tradition and heritage that has long attracted musicians from different disciplines, cutting-edge artists gathered at the most westerly point of Europe for a week in December, and in this very special atmosphere created an exciting mix of modern sounds and new voices.

Once again 'Other Voices, Songs from a Room' captures a moment in music time and gives audiences an unmissable opportunity to witness and experience the diverse sound of new Irish Music as it echoes out from the west of Ireland.

www.rte.ie/tv/othervoices
www.dodingle.com/othervoices.html
www.rte.ie/arts/2003/1126/othervoices.html


Broadcast Schedule Other Voices, Songs from a Room
10-02-2004 Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club
17-02-2004 Paddy Casey
24-02-2004 Gemma Hayes
02-03-2004 Simple Kid
09-03-2004 David Kitt
16-03-2004 Bell X1
23-03-2004 Rodrigo y Gabriela
30-03-2004 Glen Hansard
06-04-2004 The Jimmy Cake
13-04-2004 Christy Moore

www.rte.ie/tv/othervoices
08-10-2004 The Handsome Family
15-10-2004 Luka Bloom
22-10-2004 Tychonaut [The Tycho Brahe]
29-10-2004 Cara Dillon
12-11-2004 Declan O'Rourke
19-11-2004 Karan Casey
26-11-2004 Turn
03-12-2004 Pauline Scanlon / Bic Runga / Q
10-12-2004 Best of [26 mins]
17-12-2004 Best of [52 mins]

Other Voices - Songs from a Room
The second show in this series features Irish singer-songwriter Luka Bloom.
Friday, 15 October 2004 - RTÉ TWO - 23:50-00:20
Luka @ St James Church
Luka Bloom @ St James Church, Dingle
Wednesday, 10 December 2003
Luka @ St James Church
Primavera - You - Exploring The Blue - The Man Is Alive / The Hill Of Allen
No Matter Where You Go, There You Are
Setlist: Dirk Goris
Photos: RTÉ 'Other Voices' - www.rte.ie/tv/othervoices/lukabloom.html

The Sunday Business Post - December 05, 2004

Preview: TV programme highlights of the week

Other Voices: Songs From A Room, Friday, 11.50pm, RTE 2: Jerry Fish presents the first of two compilation programmes featuring a wide variety of acts who performed in St James's Church in Dingle, Co Kerry, earlier this year. Among the performers are Gemma Hayes, Luka Bloom, Pauline Scanlon and Rodrigo y Gabriela.


What's on: Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis

The Hospital Saturday Fund presents Luka Bloom
Fri 19th November 2004 - 8.00pm

Tickets: €20/€18 conc/€12.50 children

This evening is in aid of two Clare organisations: Caring for Carers and Clare Care.
The headline act is Luka Bloom. Support is provided by Alyanya and by
Nuala Fitzgerald, an Irish/Canadian actress.


The Clare Champion - Friday, 19 November 2004

Benefit Show

HSF Health Plan, the trading name of Hospital Saturday Fund has been in operation a health cash plan in Ireland for 55 years. In 2003 it moved its national office to Ennis and through its Charitable Trust it helps medical charities, hospitals and hospices. With this in mind, a benefit show in aid of 'Caring for Carers and Clarecare', featuring Luka Bloom, with Alyanya and Nuala Fitzgerald will take place at Glor Irish Music Centre, Ennis, on Friday night, November 19, commencing at 8.00p.m. Admission to this show will be €20 with children under the age of 16 years costing €12.50. Tickets are available from Glor Box Office 065 6843103.


The benefit of Luka's involvement

The troubadouring Moore brothers are no strangers to Clare - in fact they could call the place a home away from home, such are their longstanding links with the county...... His younger brother Luka has carved a niche for himself on the same circuit and has played many gigs in Clare down the years. Only last year Luka showed his support for those protesting against the use of the airport by the US military by visiting the Shannon Peace Camp. His song Fertile Rock became an anthem and benefit song for those opposed to the building of an interpretative centre in Mullaghmore, while last year he also joined forces with Christy to play a benefit gig in the Armada Hotel organised by his nephew who lives in Spanish Point.

Now, Luka is on his way back to Clare for another benefit gig that takes place in Glór on November 19. He has been busy touring these past months with shows in the United States, Belgium, Holland, Finland and of course here at home. He will be performing songs from his current album, Before Sleep Comes, and showcasing new material.

This concert is being sponsored by HSF Health Plan, the new name for the Hospital Saturday Fund, which moved its national office from Dublin to Ennis in 2003...... "It was making this link with Caring for Carers which inspired HSF to think of a way in which the organisation could be even more identified with Ennis and County Clare," said Keith Bradley, chief executive "What has been a really big coup is that Luka Bloom is going to appear and give his services for what we know will be a great evening," said Sharon Phelan, HSF office manager and the local contact for the show.

Nuala Fitzgerald will also be performing in the show with Luka. She is a Dublin woman who has lived and worked in Canada for some years. She is a noted actor with many films and television programmes to her credit. She will be performing Cupla Focal, a piece which she devised herself. She has chosen her favourite pieces from great writers and delivers them with warmth, sincerity and fun.

Completing the trio is Alyanya. A young Dublin singer songwriter, she has been touring with Luka Bloom for the past couple of years, and is currently working on her first album.

www.clarechampion.ie


The River Sessions and Moon River welcome back Luka Bloom

Luka Bloom plays The River Sessions,
Moon River, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, Thursday 25th Nov.

The River Sessions is about to enter it's 6th Month! And as an early celebration of the half year marker we're welcoming back he who was first to play - Luka Bloom. Luka was first to give us a taste of the magic that is The River Sessions, a magic which has been sustained over the past short months by such brilliant artists as Liam O'Maonlai, Mundy, Declan O'Rourke, Juliet Turner and Don Baker to mention but a few. And now, due to the indelible impression he left behind the pressure was on to chase him down and secure another date with this much loved Kildare man. He's been a busy man since we saw him last in June between dates in Europe and the States and more recently recording a new album. And now, before he disappears again to master his latest CD, he has agreed to come our way!...

Aoife McCormack - Promoter of The River Sessions
www.riversessions.com/lukapreview3.htm


Sligo Weekender - Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Take a Luka who's going cruising in Carrick town

The River Sessions is about to enter its sixth month and as an early celebration of the half year marker the Moon River is welcoming back he who was first to play - Luka Bloom...

Luka Bloom will go on board Moon River at The River Sessions on Thursday November 25. He sold out in June in a matter of days and no doubt he'll do the same again, so it is recommended that you book as early as possible. Tickets, priced at €18, are available at Murtagh's House of Fashion, Main Street, Carrick-on-Shannon or by calling (071) 9620098. Doors at 8pm, sailing at 8:30pm and returning to quay at 11.30pm.

Here's what Luka has to say about his last year to date: "This is a gas old year indeed. It started with uncertainty; with tendonitis restricting my guitar work, and then a throat problem which caused the sudden cancellation of my Australian tour. It's a weird thing when you are gearing up for travel and songs only to be stopped in your tracks. So I went quiet. Through these quiet months, I got into a new writing groove. I have penned a lot of songs now and yes, the work on the new CD has already begun." Luka has since toured the States and with more dates in Europe under his belt he's gearing up to get back into studio to put the finishing touches to his new CD.

If you are in search of a chilled and intimate evening of music with Luka Bloom while sailing down the majestic Shannon, then grab a stool and get on board the unique Moon River and relax in the magic of The River Sessions.

www.sligoweekender.ie/news/


Sirius Arts Centre - Cobh, Co. Cork

A very special evening with Luka Bloom
Saturday, 4 December 2004

Support: Claire and Dave
Tickets €20 (includes reception & concert)
7:30 pm Reception - 8:30 pm Concert
All proceeds to benefit Sirius Arts Centre's Restoration programme.

Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork
Phone +353 21 481 3790 - Fax +353 21 481 3790 - Email cobharts@iol.ie


Planxty @ The Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway
Monday 6, Tuesday 7 & Wednesday 8 December 2004
Luka Bloom - Special Guest

The older the fiddler the sweeter the tune

PLANXTY. They came. They saw. They conquered. Again. Two weeks ago audiences at The Galway Radisson Hotel learned why Planxty are one of the shining jewels in the crown of Irish folk music when they were treated to three whirlwind performances that would have left even ould Julius' head in a spin...

On Wednesday night week, the Radisson provided the kind of reception normally reserved for homecoming heroes. And from the opening murmur of The Starting Gate, the audience greeted each number with rapturous approval. This response, as heartfelt as their performance, was no more than they deserved...

Support was ably provided by Luka Bloom whose talent as fine singer/songwriter shone through. It is Bloom's ability to both reflect the times we live in with songs like No Matter Where You Go, There You Are and the days gone by with City of Chicago that make him a compelling performer.

It was refreshing to see that the audience was a mixture of young and not so young. Indeed some of those present weren't even weaned when Planxty took to the stage for the first time. But for the older members of the audience who remember the group in the early days, I am sure it felt like 1972 all over again. - N.E.

Irish Independant - 23 Dec 2004
www.unison.ie/index.php


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