Tony McMannus and Luka Bloom

Among the many great performers at the Irish Music & Arts Fest today -Tony McManus and Luka Bloom left me with some great memories (and memorabilia).

I'll start with Tony McManus - phenomenal! And I was also thrilled to get a good, close look (from 2' away )) at his Melville acoustic guitar - beautiful guitar, amazing sound. I took a nice shot of Tony while he was warming up on stage, but it didn't come out all that great.

Luka Bloom...wow! Well 1st I was lucky enough to get his setlist from his performance the evening before! Also, he signed my "The Man is Alive" DVD/CD set and "Turf" CD. He released a new CD last week, but it wasn't for sale at this event . Had my photo taken with him -sorry I can't post it here because I look like hell! I didn't get much sleep the night before and then got soaked in the rain at the festival. After getting to talk to him and having the photo taken...ran into him 2 more times during the afternoon. One brief chat and the other still blows my mind. He gave me a blessing and some advice and unbelievable -he recited a prayer for me . And then he thanked me for performing his song ("Better Time" - I told him I played at an open mic) and in turn -I thanked him for writing it!

I only hoped for the autographs and a photo with Luka Bloom - everything else here was beyond anything I expected!!!

[Patti]

Hi Pam,
Couldn't Have Come at a Better Time sure is a good song. Real nice of Luka Bloom to give you a blessing and some advice. Was that the first time you met him?

[Patti]

I love this one so much.

YouTube - Luka Bloom & Sinead O'Connor - view...

[Patti]

Could this be the blessing?

http://www.amaranthpublishing.com/GaelicBlessing.htm

Once, just a couple years ago, a priest prayed something for me in another language, but I don't know what he said.

That's awful about those pushy fans back in the early 90's. Where do they get off?

It sure is nice to have someone nice to talk to. (meaning you getting to talk to Luka Bloom.)

Hope you are feeling the blessings.

I have no clue Patti, but what you found is very nice . The subsequent prayer - I hadn't mentioned, is meant to help with stagefright.

Originally Posted by Patti

Could this be the blessing?

http://www.amaranthpublishing.com/GaelicBlessing.htm

Once, just a couple years ago, a priest prayed something for me in another language, but I don't know what he said.

That's awful about those pushy fans back in the early 90's. Where do they get off?

It sure is nice to have someone nice to talk to.

Hope you are feeling the blessings.

[Patti]

I'm sure his prayers help. He sounds like a kind and faithful person.