Pierce Turner returns to NYC / Luka Bloom is ready to hit the road again

TURN BACK: Pierce Turner is back home in New York after a highly successful concert in London where, he played with his the brilliantly oddball compositions from 3 Minute World with an English string quartet. He also received raves in the Irish press for his summer tour, so he will be well-oiled when he pulls into Joe’s Pub in Manhattan on Sunday the 19th. Turner and Fred Parcells, trombone player with Black 47, conceived the quartet arrangements and they are a welcome addition to the acoustic masterpieces in Turner’s repertoire. This may be the only New York concert of this Fall, and fans will not want to miss the new tunes that he will be experimenting with in his latest show. 

In other Turner news, the Wexford native plans a return to Ireland in what is billed as a solo piano tour. He will perform extensively throughout Europe next year in private family houses.

“Basically anyone who has a good piano, (playable and in tune) and a crowd of at least fifteen or twenty people can have my performance,” he writes in an email over the weekend. “It’s all preparation for my next CD which will be piano orientated.” The Joe’s Pub shows at 7:30 p.m. sharp. For more information, log onto www.joespub.com or www.pierceturner.com.

LOOK, LUKA: Fresh from an extended summer rest in Ireland, Luka Bloom is ready to hit the road again. He has been receiving treatment for an old tendonitis condition, according to his website. 

“The U.S. tour was wonderful,” he recalls on a website post. “I loved every gig, but the highlight for me happened in the first night in Chicago. A wonderful teacher named Jen presented me with a book of letters and drawings from her class, in gratitude for my song ‘I am Not at War with Anyone.’ I sometimes forget the power of songs, and this moment was a great reminder to keep at it.” The singer will take a break from recording, though he does hint at a possible Christmas project in the works.

U.S. fans of Christy Moore’s kid brother will have to wait a while to see him, as he is intent on performing in Ireland for the next few months. “I recently realized that in the last 10 years I’ve done more gigs in Australia than Ireland, so I’ve decided to redress the balance a little. Between now and next March I hope to perform in many venues throughout the island of Ireland. This will include a tour of the north of Ireland, and a tour of County Dublin in late October, as well as a scattering of gigs throughout the country. I won’t be leaving Ireland until next March.” So, plan on looking Luka up in a town near you if you are making a trip over. For a list of Irish gigs, log onto www.lukabloom.com.