The Irish Times - CD Reviews Rock/Pop - Friday, April 14, 2014
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Luka Bloom: HEAD AND HEART
BigSky Records
Luka Bloom is mining the space between the notes with increasing precision.
In Head And Heart he continues the exploration, in intriguing company.
The Phil Ware Trio accompany Bloom, but there’s a disconcerting
looseness to the arrangements that misses the chance to fully capitalise
on the ensemble’s possibilities. Bloom’s song choices are interesting
and at times inspired (his reading of Ewan MacColl’s The Joy of Living
is just that: a joy).
Others grate against their own timeworn fabric (Danny Boy).
His guitar lines breathe fresh life into covers of John Martyn’s
Head and Heart and the Keith Jarrett-inspired choice,
My Wild Irish Rose. His spirit of adventure is palpable,
even if his choices disappoint and his encounter with The Phil
Ware Trio might have yielded more, given a longer gestation period.
SIOBHÁN LONG
www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/luka-bloom-head-heart-1.1722307
TheMusic.com.au - Album Reviews - 12 May 2014
LUKA BLOOM - Head & Heart
Label: Stem/The Planet Company
The Irish folk singer returns with songs that are noteworthy for their
skeletal, laid-bare arrangements and the instrumentation provided
by The Phil Ware Trio - Ware on piano, Dave Redmond on double
bass, Kevin Brady on drums. Comprised of a number of covers
and a couple of Bloom originals, this is an album that keeps its
focus on the simple beauty of a great song. Dylan (Every Grain Of Sand),
John Martyn (Head And Heart) and Ewan MacColl (The Joy Of Living)
are some of the songwriters Bloom pays tribute to in this heartfelt collection.
CHRIS FAMILTON
themusic.com.au/reviews/album/2014/05/12/luka-bloom-head-and-heart-chris-familton
Alternative Media Group Australia - CD Reviews Rock/Pop - 13 June, 2014
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Luka Bloom - HEAD AND HEART
Irish folk singer Luka Bloom returns with a heartfelt portrayal of ten
classic songs and two new tracks. Recorded in home studios,
Head And Heart sounds organic and honest, featuring beautiful
string and piano arrangements.
Danny Boy and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face are
perhaps the best-known covers here - as for the two originals, Bloom pays
homage to his hometown with Liffeyside and gives tribute to loved
ones lost on the haunting Give You Wings.
This album is the perfect soundtrack to your next dinner party,
a rainy afternoon, or a great gift for Nanna's next birthday.
LAURIE HACKNEY
www.altmedia.net.au/luka-bloom-head-and-heart/94290
Stack Magazine - JB Hi-Fi - June 2014
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Luka Bloom - Head and Heart
On his latest album, Irish singer/songwriter Luka Bloom continues to balance his own songs
with imaginative covers of material from some of his favourite songwriters and clever arrangements
of well known classics.
On six of the 12 songs, his acoustic guitar is complemented by a jazz trio (piano, double
bass, drums), breathing fresh life into John Martyn’s title track, Gentle On My Mind,
And I Love You So and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.
A standout track is his own composition, Give You Wings, the story of families
dealing with a life-changing-tragedy.
BILLY PINNELL
www.jbhifi.com.au/