FDF Volume 3 Issue 275 - Luka Bloom - The Acoustic Motorbike

Album – The Acoustic Motorbike

Artist – Luka Bloom
Key Players – Luka Bloom – Acoustic/Electo guitar and vocals.
Produced By – Paul Barrett

Release Date - 1992

What caused me to blow off the dust? -This cd has been at work with me for months. Teasing me to give it the full listen. Its a good morning disc, so I decided this was the week

Overview – Luka Bloom was born in Newbridge, Ireland as Kevin Barry Moore. He is the younger brother of Irish folk singer Christy Moore. In his early teens Kevin would support his brother on tour of clubs. He'd release a few records on his own in the late 1970s. He'd front a band called Red Square and then move to the US in 1987. He decided on a name change. “Luka” was taken from the popular Suzanne Vega song of the same name. “Bloom” was taken from the main character in James Joyce's “Ulysses”. The album reviewed here  was his third as “Luka Bloom”.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) – (like most “solo” records the band on each track differs. I'll do my best to call stand out moments by name.)

A heavily phased and chorused acoustic guitar starts up “Mary Watches Everything”. Luka has a deep baritone, but has a wonderful range as well. Ed Tomney has a light electric guitar progression under it all but the song really seems to stand on just the acoustic and vocals. A pretty song filled with urgency and drama. A solid opener and builds steam as it reaches the close. Bob Riley slowly strikes the drums as the track “You” begins. The guitars are hushed and Ed Tomney plays a Bouzouki (a lower pitched mandolin basically) and the track slowly builds. Its a much less rowdy track than the opener, but it showcases the other side of what Bloom, and his crew can do. Frankie Kennedy has a short flute section, but you then realize you can hear him more often than not on the track. “I Believe In You” finds Bloom at the start just alone with this guitar, but in looking at the liner notes this is one of the more heavily backed tracks. Tomney is on guitar and bouzouki again, there is drums (Paul Byrne), a double bass (Garvan Gallagher) and organ (Paul Barrett). This is very similar to the prior track, in the laid back presentation and overall calming vibe. Bloom seems to push himself a bit more with his pitch and the guitar playing gets very bright. A very curious cover comes in “I Need Love”. The song, originally done by “L.L.Cool J” has the first appearance of Blooms brother Christy Moore on the track. It is a curious cover, as the lyrics as you could imagine are sung quickly, but Bloom takes a smooth approach to the track. The guitars ring out and the song does not to speed out of control. A curious cover for sure. Check it out down below, curious your thoughts if you never heard it. “Exploring the Blue”is another track that showcases the soulful and deep baritone of Bloom. A pretty song that is filled with a full band and lush soundscapes. Bloom seems to like to go quiet to loud (or slower to quicker) as “This is Your Country” seems to be almost double time than the previous track. Moore appears on this track doing backing vocals and we have the cast of Tomney on guitar gain. Riley on percussive instruments fills out the song. The track, lyrically, name checks Boston and Manhattan, so its more a song about the US than his home land. The title track appears next. “The Acoustic Motorbike” is a quick track as the title would indicate. Bloom sings quickly and his guitar bites the ears. It sounds like a tune that took shape on a front porch. Before you know it your feet are tapping and the banjo, drums, percussion, bodhran and didgeridoo fill out the track even more and you feel as if you are on a bike right with Luka. Elvis Presley made “Can't Help Falling In Love” (as did UB40 and others) a well known track. Bloom and co. give it a solid run as well. Harmonica opens the track before the acoustic guitars come up. Bloom is hushed and laid back on the vocals. A cover tune this well known can be hard to listeners since they are used to one version over another. This version, I find, is more a late night, sort of last call/last dance version. Pretty, to the point and solid. “Bones” finds just the group as four. Bass, drums and the two guitars. Bob Riley on the drums seems to get the most of a work out, and this is the first track you really notice “drums”. Pushing the track using the tom toms Tomney answers with his long sustained guitar notes. Moore appears ago on the dark and somber track “Bridge of Sorrow'. The guitars a long full/sustained sections and Byrne keeps things light on the drums as well. “Listen to the Hoofbeat” is similar to the the Acoustic Motorbike with its driving guitar and foot stomping feel. The album closes out with “Be Well” a solo track from Bloom, just a man and his guitar.

Where are they now? - Luka continues to write and perform live. Since the debut there has been studio, live albums (and DVDs) as well as compilations. His most recent record “The New Morning” was released this year.

FDF Personal Comments (aka the Live experience) – I have never seen Luka Bloom live.

FDF Overall Take – There are some really fun moments on this record. As an acoustic record you'll expect to hear some ballads and fine playing. It is all here. I am curious to check out more of his stuff based off this lone release.

Links

Official Site

Facebook
Fan Page

Curious? Check out some MUSIC!

I need Love

The Acoustic Motorbike (Live)

You can track the album down on amazon.com

Disclaimer – I am just a music fan. Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and saying hi. They need your support.