Al Lukas
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Written by John The Rock Doctor
³In My Soul² Al Lukas (Diningroom) ***
This is the third solo album by this Toronto-based singer/ songwriter. ³The
title is not just about the music being in my soul² he notes, ³but in the
soul of everyone who came in and performed on this album.²
The songs on the disc cover a wide stylistic range, from acoustic blues to
nimble electric rockers. Lukas¹ voice if mesmerizing, a smoky blues shout
that, at times, sounds like Howlin¹ Wolf- especially on ³Wild Child².
Others have also compared it to Tom Waits, Van Morrison and Richie Havens-
hard to believe he¹s only 25. ³I don¹t really think about the genre of a
song when I write² he says. ³I just write, and with my pool of influences it
comes out the way it does.² This isn¹t a blues album, but the blues are
certainly present- same goes for rock & roll, with a touch of light jazz. I
guess the only real tag you lay on this with hope of it sticking is this is
Al Lukas music- and I suspect that suits him just fine, his fans too.
Sweet Spot: ³Wild Child², ³It¹s Not Hard², ³Restless Flames² - GONZO MAGAZINE/Lloydminster, AB
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Written by John The Rock Doctor
³In My Soul² Al Lukas (Diningroom) ***
This is the third solo album by this Toronto-based singer/ songwriter. ³The
title is not just about the music being in my soul² he notes, ³but in the
soul of everyone who came in and performed on this album.²
The songs on the disc cover a wide stylistic range, from acoustic blues to
nimble electric rockers. Lukas¹ voice if mesmerizing, a smoky blues shout
that, at times, sounds like Howlin¹ Wolf- especially on ³Wild Child².
Others have also compared it to Tom Waits, Van Morrison and Richie Havens-
hard to believe he¹s only 25. ³I don¹t really think about the genre of a
song when I write² he says. ³I just write, and with my pool of influences it
comes out the way it does.² This isn¹t a blues album, but the blues are
certainly present- same goes for rock & roll, with a touch of light jazz. I
guess the only real tag you lay on this with hope of it sticking is this is
Al Lukas music- and I suspect that suits him just fine, his fans too.
Sweet Spot: ³Wild Child², ³It¹s Not Hard², ³Restless Flames² - GONZO MAGAZINE/Lloydminster, AB
Who is he:
The guy is a dedicated guitarist, a
singer-songwriter and an adventure
taker. His latest independently
released album is available and
called Fall & Flight.
His sound:
Raw, deep, emotional folk rock with
a touch of Blues and a hint of Roots.
Hometown:
Kapuskasing, Ontario (small town
in Northern Ontario near the border
of Quebec). The project is now
based out of Toronto, Ontario.
Artist name history:
This is a solo project disguised as
a band.
Musical inspiration/
philosophy:
His current inspiration is drawn
from a pretty unusual idea. Check
this out: Last fall, Al decided
he’d take a vacation. knowing he
wanted to travel to the West Coast,
he thought of booking a few gigs
here and there to help with travelling
costs (not so much a vacation
anymore). Not to be restricted with
specific cities to be in, he thought
of booking his shows ‘on the go’
and on the basis of the barter
system (to trade by exchange of
commodities rather than by the
use of money). So Al started going
about the Canadian country’s roads
and offering his ‘music’ for free in
exchange for some food (he does
have his van to sleep in). He’s been
on the road for over three months
(with what he now calls The Good
Faith Tour) and has been blessed
with making new fans, meeting
relatives and even friends from his
hometown (six degrees of separation,
eh?) all while creating a buzz
with his music!
How it all started:
Al’s been playing music since he
was fifteen (he picked up his dad’s
guitar. Mr. Lukas senior was an
accomplished blue grass musician).
After studying to be a paramedic
and realizing that jobs didn’t come
easy (even in the medical field), he
renewed with music to help with
finances. And guess what? After
some open mic nights and bar gigs,
he got an offer to record an album.
He’s since changed his mind about
pursuing a music career…
How he gets ready for
a performance:
A very large coffee (double double)
and some quiet time.
Touring Soft Spot:
Winnipeg (Hey, this was Folk Rock
legend Neil Young’s home base for
a very long time).
If he wasn’t passionately
dedicated to
music, he would…
He tried that, remember? (See
above). So he isn’t going back.
You should check him
out because:
-He keeps his Good Faith Tour blog
well alive while on the road (he
‘borrows’ Wi-Fi in parking lots!).
-There will be a one hour documentary
built around his innovative
barter system tour.
-He doesn’t sing fairytales – his
songs are true stories from day to
day life that he wants to be able to
relate to on stage. - Urban Male Magazine - Spring Edition 2010 - Andreanne Sasseville
Who is he:
The guy is a dedicated guitarist, a
singer-songwriter and an adventure
taker. His latest independently
released album is available and
called Fall & Flight.
His sound:
Raw, deep, emotional folk rock with
a touch of Blues and a hint of Roots.
Hometown:
Kapuskasing, Ontario (small town
in Northern Ontario near the border
of Quebec). The project is now
based out of Toronto, Ontario.
Artist name history:
This is a solo project disguised as
a band.
Musical inspiration/
philosophy:
His current inspiration is drawn
from a pretty unusual idea. Check
this out: Last fall, Al decided
he’d take a vacation. knowing he
wanted to travel to the West Coast,
he thought of booking a few gigs
here and there to help with travelling
costs (not so much a vacation
anymore). Not to be restricted with
specific cities to be in, he thought
of booking his shows ‘on the go’
and on the basis of the barter
system (to trade by exchange of
commodities rather than by the
use of money). So Al started going
about the Canadian country’s roads
and offering his ‘music’ for free in
exchange for some food (he does
have his van to sleep in). He’s been
on the road for over three months
(with what he now calls The Good
Faith Tour) and has been blessed
with making new fans, meeting
relatives and even friends from his
hometown (six degrees of separation,
eh?) all while creating a buzz
with his music!
How it all started:
Al’s been playing music since he
was fifteen (he picked up his dad’s
guitar. Mr. Lukas senior was an
accomplished blue grass musician).
After studying to be a paramedic
and realizing that jobs didn’t come
easy (even in the medical field), he
renewed with music to help with
finances. And guess what? After
some open mic nights and bar gigs,
he got an offer to record an album.
He’s since changed his mind about
pursuing a music career…
How he gets ready for
a performance:
A very large coffee (double double)
and some quiet time.
Touring Soft Spot:
Winnipeg (Hey, this was Folk Rock
legend Neil Young’s home base for
a very long time).
If he wasn’t passionately
dedicated to
music, he would…
He tried that, remember? (See
above). So he isn’t going back.
You should check him
out because:
-He keeps his Good Faith Tour blog
well alive while on the road (he
‘borrows’ Wi-Fi in parking lots!).
-There will be a one hour documentary
built around his innovative
barter system tour.
-He doesn’t sing fairytales – his
songs are true stories from day to
day life that he wants to be able to
relate to on stage. - Urban Male Magazine - Spring Edition 2010 - Andreanne Sasseville
"Lukas has a natural gruff voice that perfectly suits his original roots/rock/pop songs like Room To Breathe and One & One. " - The Daily Press - John Emms
"Lukas has a natural gruff voice that perfectly suits his original roots/rock/pop songs like Room To Breathe and One & One. " - The Daily Press - John Emms
"Lukas sang with a voice that belied his 21 years, a voice that commanded the listener to pay attention"
"Drummer, Duncan MacMillan and Bassist, Oliver Heywood-Jones did such a remarkable job,this trio works extremely well!" - The Northern Times - Rob Wills
"Al Lukas combines elements of blues, folk, rock and country like a man twice his 21 years of age."
"What’s really cool are his vocal shadings, moving from crooning to gravel-edged, often in the same song."
- The Mississauga News
"Al Lukas is a musician with a sound you won’t soon forget. Between his acoustic guitar and his soulful voice, Al can certainly please a crowd. I asked Al to describe his sound and the genre his music falls into, and he described it as “an eclectic mix of roots rock, soul, and some blues.” He has had lots of experience in genres of music that range from pop to heavy metal, and prefers not to restrict himself to one genre. This is a wise decision for a musical artist, as it leaves your music open to interpretation and the possibility of reaching a much wider audience. Al enjoys listening to music that is undefined, and his musical tastes are often drawn to those with an eclectic mix as well. When I inquired about how Al first got into music, he spoke about learning music as a kid.
He just wanted to learn to play the guitar, but was told repeatedly that he should learn how to sing, too. The fact that he was coerced into taking up singing is hard to believe, given his natural singing abilities. Al’s original sound was somewhat apparent, when he noticed that the music he played didn’t really sound like the songs he heard on the radio. His love for playing the guitar blossomed into the musical career he has today, since he “just started writing whatever [he] felt and it went from there.” I asked Al about his thoughts on the Toronto indie scene. He spoke about its competitive nature, and the challenges of trying to distinguish yourself from all the other performing musicians. Luckily, this doesn’t affect Al much as he travels and performs outside of Toronto quite frequently. Al also spoke of a danger that many artists run into – the online world.
Al feels that with so many ways to promote yourself on the internet, many artists are lagging in getting themselves out there and performing for people live. He believes it’s very important for musicians to “circulate their music in real life, as opposed to the virtual sphere.” As a testament to the impact of live performances, Al fondly spoke of one of his more memorable performances at the Magic Bag in Detroit. With the war going on, he sang a political protest song – and he got a great response. That promising response, along with Detroit’s awe-inspiring history of Motown and the blues, made that performance stand out from the rest in his memory. He is still thrilled and grateful that he was able to put out that message and release it to the world. If you want to hear Al’s soulful voice and distinct sound, have a listen at www.lukasproductions.com " - Planet Exclusive - Ani Artinian
"Al Lukas is a musician with a sound you won’t soon forget. Between his acoustic guitar and his soulful voice, Al can certainly please a crowd. I asked Al to describe his sound and the genre his music falls into, and he described it as “an eclectic mix of roots rock, soul, and some blues.” He has had lots of experience in genres of music that range from pop to heavy metal, and prefers not to restrict himself to one genre. This is a wise decision for a musical artist, as it leaves your music open to interpretation and the possibility of reaching a much wider audience. Al enjoys listening to music that is undefined, and his musical tastes are often drawn to those with an eclectic mix as well. When I inquired about how Al first got into music, he spoke about learning music as a kid.
He just wanted to learn to play the guitar, but was told repeatedly that he should learn how to sing, too. The fact that he was coerced into taking up singing is hard to believe, given his natural singing abilities. Al’s original sound was somewhat apparent, when he noticed that the music he played didn’t really sound like the songs he heard on the radio. His love for playing the guitar blossomed into the musical career he has today, since he “just started writing whatever [he] felt and it went from there.” I asked Al about his thoughts on the Toronto indie scene. He spoke about its competitive nature, and the challenges of trying to distinguish yourself from all the other performing musicians. Luckily, this doesn’t affect Al much as he travels and performs outside of Toronto quite frequently. Al also spoke of a danger that many artists run into – the online world.
Al feels that with so many ways to promote yourself on the internet, many artists are lagging in getting themselves out there and performing for people live. He believes it’s very important for musicians to “circulate their music in real life, as opposed to the virtual sphere.” As a testament to the impact of live performances, Al fondly spoke of one of his more memorable performances at the Magic Bag in Detroit. With the war going on, he sang a political protest song – and he got a great response. That promising response, along with Detroit’s awe-inspiring history of Motown and the blues, made that performance stand out from the rest in his memory. He is still thrilled and grateful that he was able to put out that message and release it to the world. If you want to hear Al’s soulful voice and distinct sound, have a listen at www.lukasproductions.com " - Planet Exclusive - Ani Artinian
Street Sounds: Artist has blues in his soul
Al Lukas brings his gritty, yet honed voice to new CD, In My Soul.
By Dean Gordon-Smith – Vernon Morning Star
Published: August 19, 2011 1:00 AM
Kapuskasing native Al Lukas is an old school musician across the board: touring in a van, booking shows as he goes, and (most apparent here) releasing spontaneous feel-based recordings.
Lukas sets up songs, brings in the players (usually just bass and drums), and goes.
In My Soul is Lukas’ third recording and showcases two things thoroughly: Lukas’ guitar skills (acoustic and electric) and his rough whiskey-toned voice.
It’s his vocal performance that elevates the bare bones, blues/rock songs that Lukas and company knock off.
The material takes its cue from the vocal and stays close to a gritty core (The Answer, Wild Child). The drive within the songs, coupled with the exuberant wailing of Lukas’ axe, makes them appealing on a straight ahead level. There’s no showboating, wanking or posturing here that can sometimes plague a genre noted for over-the-top hero poses.
A touch of the low-down lurks in Lukas’ sound. It’s Not Hard (It’s Simple) keeps the rough-and-tumble edges slightly affray –– a dark take on a Randy Bachman? style jazz/blues feel.
The path grows darker but not down on some of Lukas’ acoustic cuts (In My Soul and One True Friend) –– moody songs that take in atmosphere and release it easily.
No frills; the mood is deep; the vibe is strong and Lukas’ voice rocks.
–– Dean Gordon-Smith is The Morning Star’s music reviewer. His column, Street Sounds, appears every Friday. - VERNON MORNING STAR/Vernon, BC
Street Sounds: Artist has blues in his soul
Al Lukas brings his gritty, yet honed voice to new CD, In My Soul.
By Dean Gordon-Smith – Vernon Morning Star
Published: August 19, 2011 1:00 AM
Kapuskasing native Al Lukas is an old school musician across the board: touring in a van, booking shows as he goes, and (most apparent here) releasing spontaneous feel-based recordings.
Lukas sets up songs, brings in the players (usually just bass and drums), and goes.
In My Soul is Lukas’ third recording and showcases two things thoroughly: Lukas’ guitar skills (acoustic and electric) and his rough whiskey-toned voice.
It’s his vocal performance that elevates the bare bones, blues/rock songs that Lukas and company knock off.
The material takes its cue from the vocal and stays close to a gritty core (The Answer, Wild Child). The drive within the songs, coupled with the exuberant wailing of Lukas’ axe, makes them appealing on a straight ahead level. There’s no showboating, wanking or posturing here that can sometimes plague a genre noted for over-the-top hero poses.
A touch of the low-down lurks in Lukas’ sound. It’s Not Hard (It’s Simple) keeps the rough-and-tumble edges slightly affray –– a dark take on a Randy Bachman? style jazz/blues feel.
The path grows darker but not down on some of Lukas’ acoustic cuts (In My Soul and One True Friend) –– moody songs that take in atmosphere and release it easily.
No frills; the mood is deep; the vibe is strong and Lukas’ voice rocks.
–– Dean Gordon-Smith is The Morning Star’s music reviewer. His column, Street Sounds, appears every Friday. - VERNON MORNING STAR/Vernon, BC
Al Lukas- In My Soul
Stone-true to himself and his muse Lukas puts his head
and heart into what he does. Nowhere is this more true then on the album¹s best track Did¹nt Get Lost In Losing You. Tight focused arrangement and playing by Lukas, bassman Carson Webber and drummer Rob Benvegnu is right on the money. In a more blues vein the same is true for the very cool It¹s Not
Hard it¹s Simple.
Elsewhere the title track adds an almost Eddie Vedder like dark vibe to it¹s core and Lukas¹ vocal, while Tell My Mind has a bright acoustic attack. A worthy new talent you should check out. - DAILY PRESS/Timmins, ON
“Another superb singer/songwriter/guitarist from Toronto ... recorded with a top-notch cast of players in
Thunder Bay. Lukas’ gutsy virile voice has drawn TOM WAITS references, and he’s also an ace blues-rock guitar player.” - TANDEM MAGAZINE/Toronto, ON
After Al Lukas released his 2009 sophomore Fall & Flight, he did not want to book a tour; as a result, he set out on the Canadian tundra with just his van, some arctic sleeping gear and his guitar. Booking shows along the way he had a few ground rules for what he calls, The Good Faith Tour.
As he states in his bio, “I couldn’t rent a hotel room, it had to be bartered. If I was playing music, I couldn’t ask for a price. All I could say was what I could offer, and by saying that it was then ‘give me what you think it is worth”. It takes a lot of guts to accomplish what Lukas has done, sure confidence and luck have something to do with it, but I guarantee you that it was Lukas’ music that saved his ass on the road more than once.
From the very beginning, In My Soul has a very familiar Canadian rock sound; both “The Answer” and “Wild Child” reminded me of Chris Colepaugh and The Cosmic Crew and are funkier, bar-band grooves. Third track “Didn’t Get Lost in Losing You” is a mellow pop number that could have been featured on The Watchmen’s McLaren Furnace Room. He quickly changes gears on the Tom Waits inspired “It’s Not Hard (It’s Simple)” and “Wolf like Me” where Lukas’ powerful voice takes centre stage, with his distinct growl.
Really solid stuff, however, the bottom half of this record is easily Lukas’ strongest material. Starting off with the title track Lukas manifests a sound that is wholly his own; the track features some amazing production with passionate guitar and piano interplay and a dark string arrangement. While acoustic based tracks “Sara Jane” and “One True Friend” bring a live, intimate feeling to the record before ending with the rocker “Restless Flame”, where you really appreciate how intricate Lukas’ guitar playing is.
All of his hardships and achievements on the road are chronicled on In My Soul and his cross-country experience has enriched and honed craft readying him to become a major player on the Canadian scene. (Independent)
Rating: 4/5 Stars - STAGE DOOR/Winnipeg, MB
“Al Lukas' In My Soul has a great old-school blues/rock feel with some cool husky vocals and great guitar playing, at times very Blues Traveler in spirit. “ - SEAWAY NEWS /Cornwall, ON
“Al Lukas' In My Soul has a great old-school blues/rock feel with some cool husky vocals and great guitar playing, at times very Blues Traveler in spirit. “ - SEAWAY NEWS /Cornwall, ON
“it's obvious that Lukas is a formidable musician; his
guitar is flawless and his voice has that "honey rolled in gravel" quality.” - EXCLAIM/Toronto ON
Al Lukas – In My Soul
(Independent, 2011)
Written By: David Reed
Al Lukas is a singer/songwriter/guitarist with some impressive guitar chops and a memorable voice. I hear a mix of Tom Wilson (Blackie & the Rodeo Kings), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and some of the old Chess Records blues singers.
The music is honest and the delivery is dynamic. In My Soul deserves a listen. The album opens with some stellar acoustic guitar playing on The Answer.
Wolf Like Me captures that ‘dark alley at night’ feel with some smoky trumpet playing from James Langridge. The title track, In My Soul is coloured with some lush cello work by Anthony Bacon (who also plays on Find Me and Restless Flames).
Many of the songs on this album were written on his Good Faith Tour. In a remarkable experiment, Lukas set out in 2009 to explore the notion of goodwill and the barter system. He built a bed in his van, bought some arctic sleeping gear and took off in winter with no gigs booked. Lukas would roll into a town and try to find a place to play.
His road rules included no hotel rooms and no set fees for his playing. He simply asked for folks to pay what they thought it was worth. Sometimes he got a room, a meal or some gas money. The generosity of strangers fueled the songwriting and an album was begun.
If Lukas ever comes through Belleville, I’d gladly give him a warm meal, a couch and some gas money in exchange for sharing his musical talents.
- THE BELLEVILLE INTELLIGENCER
?Sunday, 28 August 2011 17:37
Written by John The Rock Doctor
³In My Soul² Al Lukas (Diningroom) ***
This is the third solo album by this Toronto-based singer/ songwriter. ³The
title is not just about the music being in my soul² he notes, ³but in the
soul of everyone who came in and performed on this album.²
The songs on the disc cover a wide stylistic range, from acoustic blues to
nimble electric rockers. Lukas¹ voice if mesmerizing, a smoky blues shout
that, at times, sounds like Howlin¹ Wolf- especially on ³Wild Child².
Others have also compared it to Tom Waits, Van Morrison and Richie Havens-
hard to believe he¹s only 25. ³I don¹t really think about the genre of a
song when I write² he says. ³I just write, and with my pool of influences it
comes out the way it does.² This isn¹t a blues album, but the blues are
certainly present- same goes for rock & roll, with a touch of light jazz. I
guess the only real tag you lay on this with hope of it sticking is this is
Al Lukas music- and I suspect that suits him just fine, his fans too.
Sweet Spot: ³Wild Child², ³It¹s Not Hard², ³Restless Flames² - Gonzo Magazine – Rock Doc Reviews
?Sunday, 28 August 2011 17:37
Written by John The Rock Doctor
³In My Soul² Al Lukas (Diningroom) ***
This is the third solo album by this Toronto-based singer/ songwriter. ³The
title is not just about the music being in my soul² he notes, ³but in the
soul of everyone who came in and performed on this album.²
The songs on the disc cover a wide stylistic range, from acoustic blues to
nimble electric rockers. Lukas¹ voice if mesmerizing, a smoky blues shout
that, at times, sounds like Howlin¹ Wolf- especially on ³Wild Child².
Others have also compared it to Tom Waits, Van Morrison and Richie Havens-
hard to believe he¹s only 25. ³I don¹t really think about the genre of a
song when I write² he says. ³I just write, and with my pool of influences it
comes out the way it does.² This isn¹t a blues album, but the blues are
certainly present- same goes for rock & roll, with a touch of light jazz. I
guess the only real tag you lay on this with hope of it sticking is this is
Al Lukas music- and I suspect that suits him just fine, his fans too.
Sweet Spot: ³Wild Child², ³It¹s Not Hard², ³Restless Flames² - Gonzo Magazine – Rock Doc Reviews
After Al Lukas released his 2009 sophomore Fall & Flight, he did not want to book a tour; as a result, he set out on the Canadian tundra with just his van, some arctic sleeping gear and his guitar. Booking shows along the way he had a few ground rules for what he calls, The Good Faith Tour.
As he states in his bio, “I couldn’t rent a hotel room, it had to be bartered. If I was playing music, I couldn’t ask for a price. All I could say was what I could offer, and by saying that it was then ‘give me what you think it is worth”. It takes a lot of guts to accomplish what Lukas has done, sure confidence and luck have something to do with it, but I guarantee you that it was Lukas’ music that saved his ass on the road more than once.
From the very beginning, In My Soul has a very familiar Canadian rock sound; both “The Answer” and “Wild Child” reminded me of Chris Colepaugh and The Cosmic Crew and are funkier, bar-band grooves. Third track “Didn’t Get Lost in Losing You” is a mellow pop number that could have been featured on The Watchmen’s McLaren Furnace Room. He quickly changes gears on the Tom Waits inspired “It’s Not Hard (It’s Simple)” and “Wolf like Me” where Lukas’ powerful voice takes centre stage, with his distinct growl.
Really solid stuff, however, the bottom half of this record is easily Lukas’ strongest material. Starting off with the title track Lukas manifests a sound that is wholly his own; the track features some amazing production with passionate guitar and piano interplay and a dark string arrangement. While acoustic based tracks “Sara Jane” and “One True Friend” bring a live, intimate feeling to the record before ending with the rocker “Restless Flame”, where you really appreciate how intricate Lukas’ guitar playing is.
All of his hardships and achievements on the road are chronicled on In My Soul and his cross-country experience has enriched and honed craft readying him to become a major player on the Canadian scene. (Independent)
Rating: 4/5 Stars - Stage Door Music Reviews - Jason Gladu
After Al Lukas released his 2009 sophomore Fall & Flight, he did not want to book a tour; as a result, he set out on the Canadian tundra with just his van, some arctic sleeping gear and his guitar. Booking shows along the way he had a few ground rules for what he calls, The Good Faith Tour.
As he states in his bio, “I couldn’t rent a hotel room, it had to be bartered. If I was playing music, I couldn’t ask for a price. All I could say was what I could offer, and by saying that it was then ‘give me what you think it is worth”. It takes a lot of guts to accomplish what Lukas has done, sure confidence and luck have something to do with it, but I guarantee you that it was Lukas’ music that saved his ass on the road more than once.
From the very beginning, In My Soul has a very familiar Canadian rock sound; both “The Answer” and “Wild Child” reminded me of Chris Colepaugh and The Cosmic Crew and are funkier, bar-band grooves. Third track “Didn’t Get Lost in Losing You” is a mellow pop number that could have been featured on The Watchmen’s McLaren Furnace Room. He quickly changes gears on the Tom Waits inspired “It’s Not Hard (It’s Simple)” and “Wolf like Me” where Lukas’ powerful voice takes centre stage, with his distinct growl.
Really solid stuff, however, the bottom half of this record is easily Lukas’ strongest material. Starting off with the title track Lukas manifests a sound that is wholly his own; the track features some amazing production with passionate guitar and piano interplay and a dark string arrangement. While acoustic based tracks “Sara Jane” and “One True Friend” bring a live, intimate feeling to the record before ending with the rocker “Restless Flame”, where you really appreciate how intricate Lukas’ guitar playing is.
All of his hardships and achievements on the road are chronicled on In My Soul and his cross-country experience has enriched and honed craft readying him to become a major player on the Canadian scene. (Independent)
Rating: 4/5 Stars - Stage Door Music Reviews - Jason Gladu
Street Sounds: Artist has blues in his soul
Al Lukas brings his gritty, yet honed voice to new CD, In My Soul.
By Dean Gordon-Smith – Vernon Morning Star
Published: August 19, 2011 1:00 AM
Kapuskasing native Al Lukas is an old school musician across the board: touring in a van, booking shows as he goes, and (most apparent here) releasing spontaneous feel-based recordings.
Lukas sets up songs, brings in the players (usually just bass and drums), and goes.
In My Soul is Lukas’ third recording and showcases two things thoroughly: Lukas’ guitar skills (acoustic and electric) and his rough whiskey-toned voice.
It’s his vocal performance that elevates the bare bones, blues/rock songs that Lukas and company knock off.
The material takes its cue from the vocal and stays close to a gritty core (The Answer, Wild Child). The drive within the songs, coupled with the exuberant wailing of Lukas’ axe, makes them appealing on a straight ahead level. There’s no showboating, wanking or posturing here that can sometimes plague a genre noted for over-the-top hero poses.
A touch of the low-down lurks in Lukas’ sound. It’s Not Hard (It’s Simple) keeps the rough-and-tumble edges slightly affray –– a dark take on a Randy Bachman? style jazz/blues feel.
The path grows darker but not down on some of Lukas’ acoustic cuts (In My Soul and One True Friend) –– moody songs that take in atmosphere and release it easily.
No frills; the mood is deep; the vibe is strong and Lukas’ voice rocks.
–– Dean Gordon-Smith is The Morning Star’s music reviewer. His column, Street Sounds, appears every Friday. - Vernon Morning Star - Dean Gordon-Smith
Street Sounds: Artist has blues in his soul
Al Lukas brings his gritty, yet honed voice to new CD, In My Soul.
By Dean Gordon-Smith – Vernon Morning Star
Published: August 19, 2011 1:00 AM
Kapuskasing native Al Lukas is an old school musician across the board: touring in a van, booking shows as he goes, and (most apparent here) releasing spontaneous feel-based recordings.
Lukas sets up songs, brings in the players (usually just bass and drums), and goes.
In My Soul is Lukas’ third recording and showcases two things thoroughly: Lukas’ guitar skills (acoustic and electric) and his rough whiskey-toned voice.
It’s his vocal performance that elevates the bare bones, blues/rock songs that Lukas and company knock off.
The material takes its cue from the vocal and stays close to a gritty core (The Answer, Wild Child). The drive within the songs, coupled with the exuberant wailing of Lukas’ axe, makes them appealing on a straight ahead level. There’s no showboating, wanking or posturing here that can sometimes plague a genre noted for over-the-top hero poses.
A touch of the low-down lurks in Lukas’ sound. It’s Not Hard (It’s Simple) keeps the rough-and-tumble edges slightly affray –– a dark take on a Randy Bachman? style jazz/blues feel.
The path grows darker but not down on some of Lukas’ acoustic cuts (In My Soul and One True Friend) –– moody songs that take in atmosphere and release it easily.
No frills; the mood is deep; the vibe is strong and Lukas’ voice rocks.
–– Dean Gordon-Smith is The Morning Star’s music reviewer. His column, Street Sounds, appears every Friday. - Vernon Morning Star - Dean Gordon-Smith
Al Lukas- In My Soul
Stone-true to himself and his muse Lukas puts his head
and heart into what he does. Nowhere is this more true then on the album¹s best track Did¹nt Get Lost In Losing You. Tight focused arrangement and playing by Lukas, bassman Carson Webber and drummer Rob Benvegnu is right on the money. In a more blues vein the same is true for the very cool It¹s Not
Hard it¹s Simple.
Elsewhere the title track adds an almost Eddie Vedder like dark vibe to it¹s core and Lukas¹ vocal, while Tell My Mind has a bright acoustic attack. A worthy new talent you should check out. - The Daily Press - NEW REVIEWS – BY JOHN EMMS
Al Lukas- In My Soul
Stone-true to himself and his muse Lukas puts his head
and heart into what he does. Nowhere is this more true then on the album¹s best track Did¹nt Get Lost In Losing You. Tight focused arrangement and playing by Lukas, bassman Carson Webber and drummer Rob Benvegnu is right on the money. In a more blues vein the same is true for the very cool It¹s Not
Hard it¹s Simple.
Elsewhere the title track adds an almost Eddie Vedder like dark vibe to it¹s core and Lukas¹ vocal, while Tell My Mind has a bright acoustic attack. A worthy new talent you should check out. - The Daily Press - NEW REVIEWS – BY JOHN EMMS
Al Lukas – In My Soul
(Independent, 2011)
Written By: David Reed
Al Lukas is a singer/songwriter/guitarist with some impressive guitar chops and a memorable voice. I hear a mix of Tom Wilson (Blackie & the Rodeo Kings), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and some of the old Chess Records blues singers.
The music is honest and the delivery is dynamic. In My Soul deserves a listen. The album opens with some stellar acoustic guitar playing on The Answer.
Wolf Like Me captures that ‘dark alley at night’ feel with some smoky trumpet playing from James Langridge. The title track, In My Soul is coloured with some lush cello work by Anthony Bacon (who also plays on Find Me and Restless Flames).
Many of the songs on this album were written on his Good Faith Tour. In a remarkable experiment, Lukas set out in 2009 to explore the notion of goodwill and the barter system. He built a bed in his van, bought some arctic sleeping gear and took off in winter with no gigs booked. Lukas would roll into a town and try to find a place to play.
His road rules included no hotel rooms and no set fees for his playing. He simply asked for folks to pay what they thought it was worth. Sometimes he got a room, a meal or some gas money. The generosity of strangers fueled the songwriting and an album was begun.
If Lukas ever comes through Belleville, I’d gladly give him a warm meal, a couch and some gas money in exchange for sharing his musical talents.
- Belleville Intelligencer / Belleville, ON
Al Lukas – In My Soul
(Independent, 2011)
Written By: David Reed
Al Lukas is a singer/songwriter/guitarist with some impressive guitar chops and a memorable voice. I hear a mix of Tom Wilson (Blackie & the Rodeo Kings), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and some of the old Chess Records blues singers.
The music is honest and the delivery is dynamic. In My Soul deserves a listen. The album opens with some stellar acoustic guitar playing on The Answer.
Wolf Like Me captures that ‘dark alley at night’ feel with some smoky trumpet playing from James Langridge. The title track, In My Soul is coloured with some lush cello work by Anthony Bacon (who also plays on Find Me and Restless Flames).
Many of the songs on this album were written on his Good Faith Tour. In a remarkable experiment, Lukas set out in 2009 to explore the notion of goodwill and the barter system. He built a bed in his van, bought some arctic sleeping gear and took off in winter with no gigs booked. Lukas would roll into a town and try to find a place to play.
His road rules included no hotel rooms and no set fees for his playing. He simply asked for folks to pay what they thought it was worth. Sometimes he got a room, a meal or some gas money. The generosity of strangers fueled the songwriting and an album was begun.
If Lukas ever comes through Belleville, I’d gladly give him a warm meal, a couch and some gas money in exchange for sharing his musical talents.
- Belleville Intelligencer / Belleville, ON
Discography
Self Titled (LP)
Al Lukas
2007
Fall&Flight (LP)
Al Lukas
2009
In My Soul (LP)
Al Lukas
2011
Photos
Bio
“As an artist I've seen and heard my music change over the years, in order to make a living in the arts. Playing in Ontario based bluegrass, rock, pop, swing, blues, and soul bands has allowed me to cultivate a unique songwriting style by incorporating all of these genres to suit the lyrics and the mood that a song, or setting, calls for. While my earliest point of reference is Northern Ontario, my second homes across the country have also shown me the importance in remaining true to my down to earth roots, while keeping an honest vision as an artist.
I pursue my art because it never felt as if I had a choice. My previous occupations were but vessels for new songs and fuel for the fire I've kept lit since my first introduction to the stage in my early teenage years.”
- Al Lukas
Al Lukas was born in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada. He started playing the guitar at the age of fourteen, after his father showed him his first chords on the family guitar. He then started taking guitar lessons from his uncles and grandmother who raised a musical family that formed Kapuskasing’s only bluegrass band, Nothing in the Crib. Al soon took his father’s place in the band as the acoustic flat-top guitarist and as a back-up vocalist.
Al actually had to be coerced into becoming a singer, as his skills on acoustic guitar kept growing with the bluegrass band while touring Northern Ontario in his mid teens. His uncle and music mentor, the late Maurice Desilets, encouraged Al to sing lead in order to give the singer in the band a break during sets. “As I started to sing and project more I noticed I had this rather gruff voice” Al remembers.
Lukas quickly noticed its impact. “It’s interesting to see how people react when I sing that first note onstage. I do see heads turn,” he says. That’s a natural response to a voice that is more a force of nature than an instrument. It has been compared to the likes of Van Morrison, Howlin’ Wolf, and Richie Havens.
If forced at gunpoint, Al would describe his style as “just something Al Lukas would sing.” His rich and resonant voice seizes your attention from first listen and never relinquishes its hold, giving his music a coherent focus. Lukas has distilled his diverse influences into a sound that is all his own, and his songwriting style is now equally original.
Honesty is the crucial and consistent ingredient of an Al Lukas song. These songs are all personal interpretations of situations that have happened to him. His latest album, In My Soul, released in July 2011, confirms the songwriting strides Lukas has made since his two previous albums, 2007’s self-titled debut and 2009’s Fall & Flight.
Fuelling many of the tunes on In My Soul was the remarkable experience of his Good Faith Tour. Beginning in the fall of 2009 and lasting seven months, this was far from your average cross-country musical tour. You see, Al didn’t book any dates in advance, but instead relied on the barter system. “I’d heard a few things on CBC about people exchanging one service for another, like dry-walling a cottage in exchange for a weekend getaway with their family,” Al explains. “I then wondered what I could do with a tour. I didn’t want to book one, but rather make it like a pilgrimage. I built a bed for my van and got some arctic sleeping gear because I was going out in winter. I stopped in as many communities as I could and on the go I’d book my dates. I’d walk around town, go to the bars that had music and see what I could do. I had my rules. I couldn’t rent a hotel room, it had to be bartered. If I was playing music, I couldn’t ask for a price. All I could say was what I could offer, and by saying that it was then ‘give me what you think it’s worth.’ That could mean meals, or a place to stay, but most gave me money. The generosity was quite striking.”
The novel idea caught the imagination of fellow musicians and the media, and Al was able to tour from Windsor to Victoria and back, including a stop in Vancouver during the Olympics. A camera crew met him at different locations, and film footage of his extraordinary experiences is now being edited. This tour was a great leap of faith, but the gamble paid off handsomely, turning Al into a real troubadour and providing fertile material for new songs.
Band Members
Links
