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This record has been a long, long time coming. I can't recall anytime
in his history that Luka Bloom has released a record that felt
like a "band" record. Whether there have been drums and
bass and other instruments on his previous records, they've always
felt like a solo record with backing musicians, if that makes any
sense. Eleven Songs has a more "band"-like feeling…
an almost collaborative spirit that adds an entirely new dimension
to the music of Luka Bloom.
The songs remain unmistakably Bloom… from the opening strums
of the near-rocking "There Is A Time" to the closing chords
of "Don't Be Afraid Of The Light That Shines Within You".
And while there are tracks that approach rock, with drums and bass
in full force, the inimitable character that is Luka Bloom is never
hidden. The drums tend to take a nice rolling beat, with a light swing,
perfectly complementing the smooth guitars and occasional piano. "There
Is A Time" is a beautiful tune, with lounging piano, the aforementioned
drums, and Luka's unmistakable vocals… but with the extra instruments
it allows the man to stretch and play some very nice single note lines
on his guitar, revealing what some of us have known for ages; the
man is a virtuoso. Things really get rolling as the drums shuffle
out an Americana beat on "I'm On Your Side" as electric
guitar slides stealthily around the background, thickening the sound
and adding the perfect amount of tension… this track almost sounds
like a Bob Dylan track, which I believe is the first time I've
ever been able to say that about Luka's songs. The softer side of
Bloom's sound is still extant, as evidenced on the visceral and earthy
"I Hear Her, Like Lorelei". It's a softly strummed number
backed with supple strings and piano backing the perfect melodies
that only Luka seems to be able to write.
There are two songs on Eleven Songs that were first heard
recorded on last year's The Man Is Alive DVD/CD set. The first
is the amazing "See You Soon'. This is quite possibly the greatest
song that Luka Bloom has ever penned, and most definitely one of the
most intimately powerful. In this fully recorded version it maintains
the same simple power that his solo acoustic performance contained,
but the sound is fleshed out lightly, creating a more powerful vehicle
for the strength of the lyrics. "I hope I love you enough to
let you go/And loosen the hold you have on me" is understatedly
sung as Luka's amazing guitar playing is wonderfully offset with hobbling
drums and soft electric guitars. The second is album closer "Don't
Be Afraid Of The Light That Shines Within You" that Luka has
been performing for a couple of years. With a fully arranged band
the song is even more anthemic and dynamic; a song to truly enliven
the human spirit, which is something that Luka has always been very
good at doing.
There is a treasure trove of other great songs on the record, and
not a single one is a sleeper. There are edgier songs and softer songs
and songs that truly make one wonder how a man who has seen as much
as Luka Bloom has seen in his life can hold such a great, lively spirit
within his body. The man is alive, and his music continues to get
better and better. Check out Eleven Songs and rejoice in the
living with Luka Bloom.
-Embo Blake
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