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Wed, June 3
97.3 KBCO and Celtic Events Present
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Presumably taking a page from the Leonard Cohen Book of Self-Explanatory Album Titles, Luka Bloom's 'Eleven Songs' finds the Irish singer/songwriter building on the strength and diversity of his previous sets, 'Innocence' and 'Tribe', and demonstrates that maturity is suiting Bloom quite well. While Bloom's early albums were compelling in their spirited insouciance (especially 'Riverside') and he hasn't entirely lost touch with this side of his muse (as he demonstrates on 'Fire'), there's a more graceful balance to most of these 'Eleven Songs', and he achieves a painterly sense of fine detail in songs like 'I Hear Her, Like Lorelei' and 'I Love the World I'm In' that's literate and engaging. Bloom's voice has also mellowed just a bit with time, and hearing him bring these songs to life with his rich, burnished instrument is truly a pleasure. 'Eleven Songs' was produced by Bloom in collaboration with David Odlum, and they've given the material a natural, unforced sound that's powerful in its simplicity; while a string section adds to the drama of several tracks.