Salty Heaven

Luka Bloom | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 21, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B00000K2B9
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,000 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Attendees at the first Guinness Fleadh (festival) in New York were intrigued as the noted Irish singer-songwriter Christy Moore flogged his kid bother Luka Bloom's (the nom de plume is half Suzanne Vega and half James Joyce) gig from the stage, and those who took his advice were agreeably surprised. Salty Heaven shows why--it is a potpourri of soulful images and love songs: protests against France's atomic bomb tests in Polynesia, kisses at a Brigid well, laments commemorating Altan's late flautist Frankie Kennedy, and the Irish famine. Bloom sings in a strong, extremely masculine baritone that contrasts pleasantly with the sensitivity and relaxed tunefulness of his songs. His many long stays in the U.S. have given his songwriting a cosmopolitan, urban soft-rock, neo-folk blend. Even so, his point of view as a lyricist remains specifically Irish even as the concerns he addresses speak from a wider experience. --Christina Roden

Product Description

Out of print in the U.S.! Luka Bloom's 1998 album, Salty Heaven, is a fine recording by a contemporary Irish musician whose style is that of a singer/songwriter first, and an Irishman second. The Celtic influence is subtle, though his native country provides the setting for several of his songs. Bloom's distinctive electro-acoustic guitar sound remains a prominent part of the album, but this is also the most produced-sounding record of his career. With only minor exceptions, producer Peter Van Hooke (Van Morrison, Tanita Tikaram) keeps the added arrangements tasteful. As on his previous releases, Bloom's songs are lyrically exemplary, and his vocals have a good deal of charm. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have album, April 2, 2002

By 

3rdeadly3rd (Brisbane, Queensland Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Salty Heaven (Audio CD)

And that is certainly not a title I give albums very frequently, implying as it does that everyone should have it, rather than just those who like (in this case) folk music.

I was put onto Luka in general and this album in specific by an inspirational teacher and friend of mine who had the guts to play the entire 8-minute opus that is "Forgiveness" in front of some 500 students last year. While most of my friends were busy talking about other things, I was spellbound by Luka's guitar technique and the no-holds-barred, leave-it-all-on-the-stage nature of his imagery. Then and there I was converted to the work of this incredible man.

The album itself is simply amazing. "Blackberry Time", the opener, gives the merest hint of what is to come: Luka's baritone overlaid over gloriously catchy guitar strumming, all the while singing some of the most heartfelt lyrics ever committed to CD. The other 10 tracks offer more of the same, Luka's lyrical brush paints many pictures of life and love in which the one common denominator is his lived-in voice, making his stories all that more believable.

The coup de grace is saved for the final track, "Forgiveness". Here, Bloom leaves the 20th Century behind as he tells the heartbreaking tale of a young man and his wife fleeing the Irish Potato Famine. All pretences of sugar-coating (which does appear on this album every so often) are left behind as Luka travels with this couple to Canada and beyond.

Every song on the album has its own high points and barely any have low points, so picking favourites is almost impossible. The first three tracks "Blackberry Time", "The Hungry Ghost" and "Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" are utter gems just dying to be heard by many more people than will ever do so. The first and third of those songs I've heard live and am still in awe of, while the second should have been played as well. The other songs are also, as I have said, classics - although I recommend "The Shape of Love To Come", "Ciara", "Rainbow Warrior" and "Holy Ground" as well worthwhile. "Ciara", interestingly enough, is even better live as well. In fact, at the concert I saw it played at, it was requested from the audience as Luka tuned up for his next song - upon hearing it he responded "OK" and performed it, while keeping the audience completely silent.

There are always reasons that people have to hate artists. Luka is sometimes accused of predictability in guitar technique or vocal range, however this simply accentuates his lyrics - and certainly makes "Rainbow Warrior" a spellbinding listen. Certainly his lyrics do venture a little close to the sappy side of things on occasion, but the complete package of the performance salvages them.

Overall, as I said above, this album is important to own regardless of your musical tastes. Folk-lovers will, of course, derive the most utility out of it, but all bar hardcore rappers and metalheads will certainly enjoy it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This cinches it. Irish musicians are fabulous!, October 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Salty Heaven (Audio CD)

Luke Bloom's "Salty Heaven" is a soulful march into passion and it begins to bud in your ear with "Hungry Ghost" and blooms with eye shattering beauty with "Forgiveness" Check this artist out. I guarantee that if you like other genuine Irish musicians you'll enjoy this CD.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sound of Passion, November 3, 2000

By 

John S. (Sayreville, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Salty Heaven (Audio CD)

This is actually the first Luka Bloom CD I owned. The compositions on this CD truely represent a beautiful compilation of passionate music. Bloom has found a way to paint a portrait of his soul through the music on this disc. Songs such as Hungry Ghost exemplify this through the haunting vocals and delicate chord choices. Blackberry Time, the first track, starts off the CD with an upbeat rythmic tone. Perhaps the strongest piece is the last, Forgivness, the story of the pilgramage of his people inmto Canada. If I could meet this man I would gladly tell him how much I appricate this CD being created! Other honorable tracks are, Rainbow Warrior, Holy Ground, and Water Ballerina. Whether you're a fan of Folk or a fan of extraordinary music you must buy this CD! You will not be disappointed!