Luka Bloom at Warwick Arts Centre 27/04/2008

My nonchalance in buying a ticket for Luka Bloom's visit to Warwick Arts Centre on Sunday evening was borne out of an ignorance that appeared to have kept all other teenagers away. I had just a passing acquaintance with a couple of tracks - most familiarly 'Exploring the Blue' - but sufficient interest to judge attendance worthwhile, or at least, worth a fiver.

Born Barry Moore, ten years the junior of brother Christy, Bloom adopted his new moniker on a flight to New York in 1987. Repeated tours of the USA, Australia and Europe followed, including support slots for the Pogues and the Dixie Chicks among others. Now a dozen albums later, this intimate theatre gig was the last night of his first UK tour in ten years - and there can't have been a better one all run.

From the moment of his briskly cheery entrance, accompanied by attentive applause, to the deific closing notes of encore Sunny Sailor Boy that heralded a final swelling ovation (he played right through the interval), Bloom enraptured and enthralled the crowd. He exuded warmth, wit, sincerity and incredible skill. In truth, I cannot begin to describe the mesmeric, beautiful and engaging quality of this performance - let's just call it bloody good.

Particular highlights were instrumental Peace on Earth (see below), Radio 4 documentary-inspired Monsoon, audience sing-along Eastbound Train, rousing set-closer You Couldn't Have Come At A Better Time and the indisputably logical No Matter Where You Go, There You Are - but to elevate these at the expense of all others would be most unfair. There was not a dull, duff or difficult song to be heard and if you ever have the opportunity to see him live, do not spurn it lightly (the next chance, for the geographically mobile, comes at Belgium's Labadoux Festival on Friday).

At the post-show signing I couldn't resist a cheeky shot at booking a RaW Folk session upon any future return (he is looking to make up for lost time in the UK with further gigs aplenty). He shook my hand and made my week.


Luka Bloom performing Peace on Earth from new CD/DVD release The Man Is Alive.

Show 1 26/04/2008

The first show was broadcast live from 1800-1900 on Saturday 26th April. A downloadable version can be accessed here [link expired]. Unfortunately full songs must be removed for legal reasons but Theme Time Radio Minute remains and the track listing is reproduced below for reference. Happy listening!

Music Played
Time Artist - Song (Album)

18:03 Nick Drake - Introduction (Bryter Later)
18:05 Richard Thompson - Needle & Thread (Sweet Warrior)
18:12 Eliza Carthy - Miller & the Lass (Rice)

Featured Album: Chumbawamba - The Boy Bands Have Won
18:15 Chumbawamba - Words Can Save Us
18:17 Chumbawamba - Add Me

18:20 Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice, It's Alright (The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan)
Theme Time Radio Minute (Arrows)
18:26 Aberfeldy - Love Is An Arrow (Young Forever)

Featured Album: Chumbawamba - The Boy Bands Have Won
18:29 Chumbawamba - El Fusilado
18:32 Chumbawamba - (Words Flew) Right Around the World
18:33 Chumbawamba - To a Little Radio

Folk On or Folk Off (Working Title)
18:37 Beautiful South - This Old Skin (Golddiggas, Headnodders & Pholk Songs)

18:42 Martin Simpson - Little Musgrave (Prodigal Son)

Featured Album: Chumbawamba - The Boy Bands Have Won
18:48 Chumbawamba - Word Bomber
18:51 Chumbawamba - Charlie
18:54 Chumbawamba - Fine Line

18:55 Show of Hands - Roots (Witness)

RaW Folk is on its way!

Tune in on Saturday April 26th at 18:00 to hear the first show live on RaW 1251am and at radio.warwick.ac.uk/listen.

This blog has been set up to create an interactive forum for listeners to leave feedback, request songs and discuss anything folk-related. Check back regularly to keep in touch with the latest playlist info, artist biogs and whimsical bits and bobs.