Customer Reviews

Turf

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard Luka Bloom's Acoustic Motorbike and happened upon this album by chance. Having liked what I had heard, I picked it up on impulse. It's turned out to be one of the best CD purchase decisions I have ever made.

The songs are all enchanting, filled not only with deep lyrics but with skilled guitar tunes that will keep you hooked. Even the most uptempo tunes on the album seem to put me in a very serene mood. I found myself moved by more than a few of the tunes. Diamond Mountain and Black is the Colour are two of the best written songs, sung soulfully, that I have ever heard.

If you are a fan of acoustic guitar, pure music, lyrical mastery, I can't recommend this album enough. You may also find yourself digging through the store for every shred of Luka Bloom you can buy -- but you'll always return to this incredible collection.

I first heard this in Canada about 5 years ago. It immediately captured me and drew me in. On our drive home from Alberta to Utah, we listened to it probably 5 or 6 times and each time I heard something new. Over the years, I've listened to it probably 50 or 60 times. I started singing the songs and learning them, even on my guitar although not even close to what LB does. Obsessed? No. But this is one of those cd's that only comes along every year or so for me that really moves me. Seals 2nd cd was another one for example. I highly recommend it. You just may be one of those who views this as a found treasure too.

Can an album get more than 5 stars? :) This is by far my favourite Luka Bloom album. It's an album that I FEEL as much as I hear. There is some gorgeous songwriting here.. 'Cold Comfort', 'True Blue', and 'Diamond Mountain' will take you in, hold you close, make you feel warm. 'I Did Time' and 'Sanctuary' are immensely beautiful; immensely sad. The first is about prison, the second about the death of Luka's mother. Both get inside you; become a part of you.

I listen to this CD almost every day at work. In those times where I feel like I'm losing my mind in all the chaos, I pop in Turf and it has a calming effect on me. It's the only Luka Bloom album I own, but it would certainly be one of the only ones I have that I want to keep forever.

Luka Bloom's third album, Turf, is clearly his best effort to date. Riverside was an excellent debut album, promising the listener that this was an artist to watch for. While his follow-up, The Acoustic Motorbike had some wonderful moments, overall it was too uneven and disjointed to fulfill those promises. Bloom keeps his word with Turf. He brings every emotion into his music, from the excitement of fantasy on "Sunny Sailor Boy" to the extreme grief of "Sanctuary". With superb songwriting and and the plaintive quality of his voice, which is accentuated by his guitar's acoustic musings, this is not a "must-have" for fans of Irish and Folk music. This is a "must-have" for all who love music.

It takes a brave soul to stand in a studio with a guitar and a microphone to record an album's worth of songs, but Luka Bloom made that bravery into magic. While listening to "Turf," it's hard to imagine that this multi-layered sound is coming from just one man and his instrument. Such is the beauty of this CD. There is the joy of discovery ("Sunny Sailor Boy") to the crush of heartbreak ("Sanctuary," written about the death of his mother). Luka has the amazing range as a singer that brings to mind the likes of Van Morrison or Richard Thompson, and his guitar skills are also reminiscent of Thompson's.

I was fortunate enough to catch him performing behind this album. He's even more powerful live, and personable from the stage. As dreamy and eloquent as "Turf" is on disc, it takes on even greater life during a concert performance. Consider this an endorsement to see him should he ever come to your part of the world.

"Turf" is also, compositionally, the best of Bloom's many albums. I would never tell anyone to just stop here, but it's a great place to start. Get "Turf" for the terrific "Right Here Right Now," the politically feisty "Background Noise" and the elegiac "Sanctuary." Then get "Riverside," "The Acoustic Motorbike," "Keeper Of The Flame" and the recently released live "Amsterdam."

Four and a half stars, and a shame he isn't better known.

I had the pleasure of being introduced to Luka Bloom's music by my Irish boyfriend about a year ago when we were in Dublin. Purchasing this CD was part of my quest to get my hands on everything he's done. I loved every note of it.

I first heard of this fella when I was in Australia and I can't understand why no one knows him in the UK... Buy the album.. It's the best, if you get a chance go and see him live.. It'll touch your soul... Big Time..!

What can I say? A friend gave me a tape of both Turf and Riverside. The tape has worn to warp stage and I just can't go another day without replacing this music. These songs won't wear out like a cassette will, so do yourself a favor and buy the CD in the first place! Everything about the artist exudes REAL and this release once again proves his depth. In his heart warming voice, Luka poignantly paints another lyrical masterpiece. A must have for anyone who "feels" music. Bloom On!

I was there in Utrecht (Holland) when Luka asked the audience to sing the intro of the Fertile Rock. And it was so warm and emotional that evening, that it was a very big surprise for me that it was much more warmer and emotional on this cd. Whit this cd Luka has made the best of this century. I can't imagine that there will be a better one ever. The most beautiful song is Diamond Mountain. Sorry for any mistakes, but I'm Dutch. --MAA26555.907270522/online-1.amazon.com--