In order to avoid the pressure of being related to Christy Moore, Bloom adopted his pseudonym. "Luka" is taken from the title of Suzanne Vega's song "Luka" about child abuse and "Bloom" refers to the main character in James Joyce's Ulysses. Bloom is, however, very forthcoming about being Moore's brother and does not hide behind his stage name.
Luka Bloom's style of guitar playing is very distinctive and is generally referred to as "electro-acoustic". In his early career as Barry Moore, Bloom used a fingerpicking style. However, tendonitis in his hands forced him to adopt a strumming style which is the one he still uses and is often credited with his success.
He began his career in the United States playing small clubs in Washington DC and later in New York City. He was a frequent performer in New York's Greenwich Village--at the Lion's Den (a center for American folk music in the early Sixties), and at the Red Lion, where he played with Eileen Ivers backing him on fiddle, during his "Irishman in Chinatown" tour. (Ivers would also appear on the Riverside album.)
He toured America frequently through the Nineties, although his contemporary touring schedules take him mostly to Europe. He remarked during his 2006 US tour that he has grown fond of playing in Eastern Europe, "now that I don't need a work visa."
His early albums showcased his frenetic strumming style, including "Delirious" the debut track on Riverside, and his penchant for thoughtful cover songs, an affinity that he maintains even in more recent work. Released in 2000, Keeper of the Flame was an album of cover versions, featuring renditions of ABBA's Dancing Queen, Bob Marley's Natural Mystic and the Hunters and Collectors' Throw Your Arms Around Me among others. Bloom had previously covered LL Cool J's I Need Love and Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling In Love on the album The Acoustic Motorbike. Bloom is often heard to remark in concert about Natural Mystic that "...there are considerable similarities between Jamaicans and Irishmen".
Bloom's 2004 acoustic mini-album, Before Sleep Comes, was recorded while Bloom was recovering from tendonitis. Bloom stated the purpose of the album was "to help bring you closer to sleep, our sometimes elusive night-friend."
Bloom released his most recent album Innocence in 2005. Many of the songs feature a new found interest in Eastern European gypsy music and othe World music. In his previous work, he relied on steel-stringed guitars that created his distinctive style. His aubergine and yellow guitars were often introduced by name at gigs. The most recent album features a more classical guitar and the resonant plucking associated with that style of instrument.
Sanctuary
Luka Bloom Lyrics
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A shock to know how quickly time steals
I dreamed I stopped the sunrise that day
Stilled the breeze that carried you away
This loss is everywhere
I can touch and feel your light there
By the power of my desire
Sanctuary
Days and weeks go by - somehow
And I will leave daffodils where you lie now
In words that echo through the night
Sanctuary
An easy voice making everything all right
Sanctuary
This loss is everywhere
I can touch and feel your light there
By the power of my desire
Be warmed and made secure
Sanctuary
The lyrics of Luka Bloom's "Sanctuary" talks about the experience of loss and grief. The song begins with a description of the Kildare fields, which is peaceful and calm. However, the peace is disrupted by the realization of how quickly time can steal things away. The singer then shares a dream about stopping the sunrise and preventing the wind from carrying something away. This dream speaks of a desperate desire to hold on to something that seems to be slipping away.
The refrain of the song, "Sanctuary," speaks to the desire for a safe space - a place of refuge that can provide comfort and security. The lyrics express the pain of loss, but also the power of love and desire to warm and provide comfort. The singer is willing to leave daffodils and words to honor the one who is lost, but also seeks comfort and care in this time of pain. The song ends on a note of hope, with the idea of a soothing voice that can make everything okay.
Overall, "Sanctuary" is a poignant song about loss, grief, and the search for comfort and solace in difficult times. The lyrics are beautifully written, with powerful imagery and a sense of longing that is palpable. Luka Bloom's soulful voice and acoustic guitar create an emotional connection with the listener, making the song a truly moving experience.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so calm here on the Kildare fields
The Kildare fields are peaceful, which is in contrast to how quickly time moves on.
A shock to know how quickly time steals
It's unsettling to realize how quickly time passes and how things can change.
I dreamed I stopped the sunrise that day
The singer had a dream where he could stop time to prevent a painful goodbye.
Stilled the breeze that carried you away
The singer wanted to stop the natural forces that separated him from a loved one.
This loss is everywhere
The pain of losing a loved one is all-encompassing and ever-present.
I can touch and feel your light there
The memory of the lost loved one is still vivid and powerful.
By the power of my desire
Through the strength of his will, the singer seeks to create a sense of safety and comfort.
Be warmed and made secure
He wants to feel safe and warm despite the loss he has experienced.
Sanctuary
The singer is seeking a place of refuge or safety from his grief and loss.
Days and weeks go by - somehow
Time continues on, even though the singer is still grieving.
And I will leave daffodils where you lie now
The singer will leave flowers at the place where his loved one is laid to rest, as a way of honoring them.
In words that echo through the night
The singer's words are a reflection of his love and longing for his lost loved one.
An easy voice making everything all right
The singer is seeking comfort and reassurance that everything will be okay.
Sanctuary
The singer is still seeking refuge and safety from his grief and loss.
Contributed by William P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.