Customer Reviews

Before Sleep Comes

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whether intentionally or not, some of the reviews I've read seem to make this sound like a novelty album. It is not - it is a beautiful work of art as the first reviewer says. If you like music, you will love this album. I was impressed by his guitar work myself - very subtle, but very accomplished. I own 3 Luka Bloom albums and on first listen, this one shot right to the top of my favorites.

As a guitar player myself, I can only imagine the horror of dealing with a potentially career-threatening medical condition. This is the backdrop against which Before Sleep Comes was written and recorded. While most musicians would likely brood about the possible end of their musical journey, Luka Bloom continued to create. The result is a quietly beautiful work of art. The songs are gentle, rolling and stark - but always pretty and introspective. This collection of songs is the silver lining in what could have been a very dark cloud for Luka Bloom. Of his more recent works, this is his most intimate and moving.

Before Sleep Comes has been one of those releases that has quietly, in the style of the album itself, found a market in those looking for soothing music. There's a conscious progression leading the listener toward sleep or a relaxed, meditative state, without being in the 'new age/easy listening' category of relaxing music which I've found sometimes lacks for interesting songs.
In this collection, each song is played with what is deceptive simplicity, but actual masterful guitar and vocals by Mr. Bloom. The arrangement of traditional tunes such as My Singing Bird, Nora, She Moved Though the Fair, The Water is Wide and the truly beautiful I'll Walk Beside You, suit this musician's new style and ability to breath unique life into well known tunes.
His orginal songs on this album are lovely visual as well as musical journeys. The lyrics, affecting and warm, paint engaging pictures of the subjects he choses. As in Camomile, Before Sleep Comes, or She Sings Her Songs With Open Eyes. Which took a while before I got to hear in full wakefullness as I'd not last awake to the final track which is the album's exact intentions.
This songwriter has a gift with creating a visual medium in his lyrics which make him a wonderful storyteller. And with your mind involved in seeing as well as hearing the various portraits and interactions, you find yourself lost in a collection of wonderful bedtime stories. And all this comes complete with the sound of wind rustling trees, floorboards creaking and birds singing while it was being recorded in an old mill converted into a studio in the Irish countryside.
I've found people who enjoy a wide variety of music during the day to very much enjoy adding this cd to their collection for when they want to unwind or let go of a hard day and rest.
If it is possilbe to package warm soothing tea and/or a relaxing book being skillfully read to you, in a musical element, this is where you'll find it.

This is possiblly one of the most relaxing CD's ever released. This CD does exactly what it wants to do. It's a CD of lullabyes for relaxing the body and mind. The guitar work is gentle, delicate and well executed and Luka's voice is so smooth and sweet that it just lets you shut out the rest of the world and relax. I love his renditions of of the traditional melodies and the originals are beautiful. This album is so serene. The only qualm that I have with this album is that it is too short. A total playing time of under half an hour is just a little too short for an album. But I guess that's ok. If it were much longer, you may never return back to reality after one listen.

I originally heard part of Luka Bloom's excellent album when in the car. Even in the middle of the day it was hard not to drift off, lifted by the gentle singing and quiet guitar.

Unfortunately some of the songs are instrumental renditions of classic Irish songs. That's okay once you get used to not hearing the words.

I bought a copy and have enjoyed relaxing to it myself. We've also used it very successfully as bedtime listening for our 4 year old. He still listens to it today. Recently I also bought a second copy and I've sent it off as a gift for my grand-daughter.

I highly recommend this album anytime you're looking for an easy way to relax and drift off.

I have been a fan of Luka Bloom for many years. From his CD "Riverside" to the most recent "Innocence," one of the things I've always found most attractive about his music has been the robust passion he invests in his art. Not so on "Before Sleep Comes." You are getting excatly as advertised: music to put you to sleep. While some may call this soothing concoction "chill-out" music, I prefer my Luka Bloom listening to be a bit more exuberant. That is not to say that "When Sleep Comes" is a bad CD, far from it. In fact, I don't think Bloom is capable of making a duff disc.

Just be prepared for "Before Sleep Comes" to be exactly what it's billed as. Bloom sings softly, seductively atop gently played Spanish Guitar. He mixes originals with traditional songs here, and carries it off with dignity. In fact, I hope that he eventually revisits "Be Still Now" and the title song with a fleshed out arrangement. If you are a fan of Iron and Wine, there is a good chance "Before Sleep Comes" will be your spoonful of sleep medicine. Just be aware that, when it comes to Bloom's best work, there are better discs to choose from.

I've been a Luka Bloom fan for years. This CD is wonderful. When my 4 month old granddaughter is fighting sleep, we put it on, she protests for the first two songs and is asleep by the third. The adults in her life then get to mellow out with the rest of the CD. Wonderful!

...is the perfect title for this wonderful album. Luka Bloom managed to remain true to his songwriting and singing style, even though he was in the midst of recovering from injuries that could have ended his career. It is refelctive and relaxing. Enjoyable.