Amy Speace – The Blue Rock Session
This effort, recorded in 3 hours in Wimberley, TX, doesn’t sound like a rush job. Captured solo during a songwriter retreat in a “live” atmosphere makes it an exciting showcase. Author Jack Kerouac used to say, “first thought, best thought.” He wasn’t a fan of rewriting, polishing, buffing to the point of losing the material’s original soul & intent. But the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Amy Speace writes about serious subjects, like the Texas flood in 2025, true life stories, mysteries & tales brought to life.
The LP The Blue Rock Session (Dropped Nov 21/Windbone Records/42:14) is a sparse 11-song performance with Amy’s solo voice accompanied by her 1956 Gibson J-45 guitar & piano. Self-produced with engineer Hayes Howard. I’m an advocate for artists producing stripped back, bare song performances because many artists believe they need to embellish their work to bring out the composition when in reality, less is more. Many songs are often over-produced. It makes the work lose its emollient. Amy admitted she sang the songs once, maybe twice & that was it. The freshness had to be evident.
I think it’s important to know Amy was “discovered” by folk singing legend Judy Collins. When an artist is noticed by someone like Judy Collins, there must’ve been something that perked up her ears. On first listen, it’s obvious Amy has a deep warm tonality. “On a Monday In London,” is a good old-fashion folky story song rooted in the ‘60s with spare instrumentation. There’s a hint of Deborah Holland in her sound though Amy is more traditional.
The fact that Amy managed to sing this well within 1 or 2 takes is impressive. Ms. Speace’s confident sound confirms she doesn’t need overblown accompaniment to get her messages across. This is the furthest from an over-produced session as an artist can be. Yet, there’s a compelling grip (“In This Home” & “I Found a Halo”). It doesn’t need drama to captivate, or wild solos to affect interest. Amy’s voice has good pitch, range, & color. There’s late-career Joni Mitchell sensitivity on the well-written lyrics.
There are many well-played songs that are a little too folky (“Kindness”) for those less appreciative of the genre. But that doesn’t diminish the quality of the showcase. Amy is consistently well-versed & applies wonderfully melodic relevance to each tune. “Out of the Blue” sounds like a striking Judy Collins song. Near-operatic without adding any pomposity. More of an easy-listening lounge ballad. While other songs hover closer to Ferron & Cris Williamson (“Last Sweet Hour”).
Amy’s effort stretches out in formidable fashion. Quite a capable expressive artist.
Highlights – “On a Monday In London,” “God Came To Me,” “In This Home,” “The Sea & the Shore,” “Out of the Blue,” “I Found a Halo,” & “Both Feet On the Ground.”
Color CD image courtesy of Stacie Huckeba CD @ https://www.amyspeace.com/store/the-blue-rock-session-cd
