All songs written and composed by Luka Bloom
(IMRO/MCPS Ireland)
Recorded at Windmill Lane Recording Studios, Dublin in February 2020,
and at various home studios through March and April.
Recording engineered by Brian Masterson
Assistant: Sarah Branigan
Mixed and mastered by Brian Masterson
at Soundscape Studios, Dublin
Produced by Luka Bloom & Jon O'Connell
Musicians: Luka Bloom: Guitar, Vocals Jon O'Connell: Double Bass, Electric Guitars, Backing Vocals, Banjo, Synths Steve Cooney: Guitars, Bouzouki Robbie Harris: Percussion Niamh Farrell: Vocals Adam Shapiro: Fiddle
Cover Painting & Sketches by Lorcan Walshe
Graphic Design by Myriam Riand
Band photo by Maurice Gunning
The first line of the first song we are releasing from my new record Bittersweet Crimson.
I’ve been quietly beavering away in North West Clare for 2 years. I wrote about 20 songs and
narrowed it down to the 11 songs which will emerge on this record on July 20th.
This is, I hope, the perfect song to begin with.
In the Summer of 2019, I wrote this, while re ecting on the simple beauty of life in Ireland,
especially when the summer slowly unfolds.
Crowds descend on beaches, and into sports grounds, consuming icecreams.
Life moves outdoors.
We love it, and it passes too soon.
So lets enjoy it all, and celebrate it, hoping it lingers…..
The joy in this song for me, as with all the songs on this record, lies in the brilliance of the
musicians around me, and the singing of Niamh Farrell.
The musicians here are Steve Cooney, Robbie Harris, Jon O’Connell and Adam Shapiro.
Steve, Robbie, Jon, and myself recorded the songs live in Windmill Lane in mid-February,
before talk of lockdown.
Adam and Niamh performed in isolation during the lockdown. the song was mixed and
mastered by Brian Masterson
It is such a joy to have this completed, and to release this happy song, as the summer unfolds
in Ireland.
Have a great summer. You’ve earned it.
Luka Bloom
THE BEAUTY OF EVERYDAY THINGS
Filmed by Matthew Kelly at Clahane, Co Clare (June 2020)
MY OLD FRIEND THE OAK TREE
Filmed by Matthew Kelly in Birr Castle Gardens, Co Offaly (June 2020)
CAN WE STAY
Cover painted by Lorcan Walshe
VISION FOR 2020
Filmed by Matthew Kelly in County Clare