Luka Bloom

Biography

Kevin Barry Moore (born 23 May 1955), known professionally as Luka Bloom, is an Irish folk singer-songwriter. He is the younger brother of folk singer Christy Moore.

Early life

Kevin Barry Moore was born on 23 May 1955 in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. His parents were Andy Moore and Nancy Power, who had already raised three daughters and two other sons. Moore attended a Patrician Brothers primary school and later studied at Newbridge College. In college he formed the group Aes Triplex with his brother Andy and a school friend. He later attended a college in Limerick, but he dropped out after a couple of years to pursue a music career.

Early career as Barry Moore

In 1969, 14 year old Barry Moore embarked on a tour supporting his eldest brother, Christy, at various English folk clubs. He subsequently spent all of his spare time practising and writing music. In 1976, Christy recorded one of his songs "Wave up to the Shore". In 1977, Barry Moore toured Germany and England as part of the group Inchiquin.
In 1978, Moore released his debut album, Treaty Stone. In 1979, having normally played guitar using a finger-picking technique, he was afflicted with tendinitis—forcing him to learn to play with a plectrum, which altered his guitar style. That year, he moved to Groningen in the Netherlands. In 1980, he recorded and released his second album, In Groningen. In 1982, he released his third album, No Heroes, which contained songs all written by Moore himself. For three years, from 1983 to 1986, Moore was the front-man for the Dublin-based band Red Square. During this time, in 1984, his son Robbie was born.

Musical career

In 1987, Moore moved to the United States and began performing using the stage name of "Luka Bloom". He chose the name "Luka" from the title of Suzanne Vega's song about child abuse and "Bloom" from the main character in James Joyce's novel Ulysses. Initially he lived and performed primarily in Washington D.C., but in winter 1987 he moved to New York City. The following year, he released his first album – later withdrawn – under the name Luka Bloom.
In 1990, Bloom released his album Riverside×Riverside1990 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Delirious3:482Dreams in America6:153Over the Moon2:594Gone to Pablo3:475The Man Is Alive4:446An Irishman in Chinatown3:137Rescue Mission3:108The One2:599Hudson Lady4:0710This Is for Life4:1411You Couldn’t Have Come at a Better Time2:5412The Hill of Allen2:22, which included the song "The Man Is Alive×The Man Is Alive2008 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1I Am Not at War With Anyone3:222Lebanon3:313Water Ballerina3:424No Matter Where You Go, There You Are5:235Innocence3:356Lonesome Robin4:387Primavera5:168Peace on Earth2:529Gypsy Music4:0610Thank You for Bringing Me Here3:3811Exploring the Blue4:2912Rainbow Day3:3313The Man Is Alive4:3414Hill of Allen2:4615Don't Be Afraid of the Light That Shines Within You5:0516Love Is a Place I Dream Of3:13". The album was recorded in New York, with its lyrics reflecting his experiences living and performing in that city. In 1991, Bloom returned to Dublin to record The Acoustic Motorbike, which included a cover version of LL Cool J's "I Need Love×I Need Love1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1I Need Love (edit)2Bridge of Sorrow (LP version)3Mary Watches Everything". The cover song was reviewed by Rolling Stone magazine, noting that "the prospect of a folksy Irish rocker covering a rap ballad may seem strange, but experimenting with different forms is precisely what keeps established traditions vital."
In 1993, Bloom again returned to Ireland to record the album Turf, this time with producer Brian Masterson and sound engineer Paul Ashe-Browne. The album attempted to capture the sound of a live performance, and was recorded in front of an audience that was asked to remain as quiet as possible. In 1998, Bloom released Salty Heaven, an album inspired by his return to Ireland.
Bloom's early albums showcased his frenetic strumming style (once described as "stadium rock for the bedroom"), including "Delirious×Delirious1990 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Delirious3:482Trains3:273Dreams in America6:11", the debut track on Riverside, and his penchant for thoughtful cover songs, an affinity that he maintains even in more recent work. He 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×The Acoustic Motorbike28 January 1992 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Mary Watches Everything4:102You4:453I Believe in You3:114I Need Love5:295Exploring the Blue4:026This Is Your Country3:537The Acoustic Motorbike4:158Can’t Help Falling in Love3:389Bones2:1210Bridge of Sorrow3:4411Listen to the Hoofbeat3:0612Be Well4:16.
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's 2004 acoustic mini-album, Before Sleep Comes×Before Sleep Comes2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1My Singing Bird4:102Before Sleep Comes2:533She Moved Through the Fair1:534I'll Walk Beside You2:315Camomile3:406Be Still Now2:217Nora2:458The Water Is Wide3:329She Sings Her Songs With Open Eyes4:1010Salt Water3:43, was recorded while he was recovering from tendinitis. He stated that the purpose of the album was "to help bring you closer to sleep, our sometimes elusive night-friend".
In 2005, Bloom released the album Innocence×Innocence2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Primavera4:462First Light of Spring3:033Innocence3:104Venus4:005Miracle Cure4:236Peace on Earth2:577Gypsy Music4:168City of Chicago3:299June3:5910Salvador2:4311No Matter Where You Go, There You Are5:2212Thank You for Bringing Me Here3:1813Larry Redicon's Bow1:16. Some of the songs feature a new-found interest in Eastern European Romany music and other world music. The album features Bloom playing classical guitar, and the resonant plucking associated with that style of instrument. In his previous work, Bloom relied almost exclusively on steel-stringed guitars that created his distinctive style.
In 2007, Bloom released the album Tribe×Tribe22 June 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Tribe3:572Sound4:393I Am a River3:584Change4:335Early Morning1:076Out There3:587Dead of Night4:068Star of Doolin2:359Homeless3:3110Lebanon4:0711Peace Rains3:1012Beara1:28 —a collaboration with County Clare musician Simon O'Reilly. O'Reilly composed the music and sent the recordings to Bloom for him to complete with lyrics and singing.
In February 2008, Bloom released a DVD titled The Man is Alive, featuring footage filmed in Dublin and at his home in Kildare, a question and answer session with fans, the documentary My Name is Luka, and a CD of music taken from the two performances.
In September 2008, Bloom released the album Eleven Songs×Eleven Songs17 October 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1There Is a Time4:202I'm on Your Side3:313I Hear Her, Like Lorelei3:594I Love the World I'm In4:425Sunday3:166Fire3:437When Your Love Comes6:088See You Soon4:069Eastbound Train4:2710Everyman4:2111Don't Be Afraid of the Light That Shines Within You4:45, which featured an expanded ensemble of instrumentation, giving the album a distinct sound within his catalogue.

Albums

Treaty Stone (1978, as Barry Moore)
In Groningen (1980, as Barry Moore, with Eamon Murray)
No Heroes (1982, as Barry Moore)
Luka Bloom (1988, withdrawn)
Riverside (1990)
The Acoustic Motorbike (1992) AUS #39
Turf (1994) AUS #93
Salty Heaven (1998) AUS #46
Keeper of the Flame (2000)
The Barry Moore Years (2001, compilation)
Between the Mountain and the Moon (2001)
Amsterdam (2003, live)
Before Sleep Comes (2004)
Innocence (2005)
Tribe (2007)
The Platinum Collection (2007, compilation)
The Man Is Alive (2008, CD/DVDs)
Eleven Songs (2008)
Dreams in America (2010)
This New Morning (2012)
Head & Heart (2014)
Frugalisto (2016)
Refuge (2017)
Breathe (2018, Meditation with Trea Heapes)
Sometimes I Fly - Live in Bremen 2001 (2018)
Live at De Roma (2020)
Bittersweet Crimson (2020)
Out of the Blue (2021, instrumental)
Wave Up To The Shore (2022, Triple CD, 50 Songs 50 Years)
A Second Wind (2025)