End of Day mix...

Well it isn't right now as I'm writing this, but this is one of my favorite mixes.  It starts and ends with J.D. Souther's recent release "I'll be here at closing time"... God that song gets to me because I so easily fall in love with waitresses and barristas.   Each CD version has unique character to it... horns on one, and acoustic on the other.  In between there is a Baez cover Dangling Conversation which is almost more a morning song, but just longs to put in bed with the other person.  Easy from now on is Becky Schlegel is written by Susanna Clark & Carlene Carter Routh and originally put out by Emmy Lou Harris.  If that isn't easy enough for you, then Give yourself to Love... here in the mix by the author the late Kate Wolf.  Originally written for a wedding, but it always brings me back to a mantra in life... "Give yourself to love, if love is what you are after"

Next a surreal "Hearts and Bones" by The Pines, sung by Benson Ramsey who has a great youthful Dylan sounding voice... again it's all about waking up, but you have to go to sleep before you can wake up.  Hideaway Girl just picks it up a little, without getting you too stirred up.  Home... a Karla Bonoff song but I bet you only think Bonnie Raitt when you hear it.  Those trains come and go, especially in the distance with the window open.

Holy Now... what's the end of the day without a story... brought to you by Peter Mayer about his youth.  

There are three songs that tie the theme together and "I hope that I don't fall in love with you" by the master Tom Waits is one of them along with "It's too late to call it a night" by Amy Speace and the JD Souther pieces.    Of course I put a favorite Midnight and Mississippi song in there for fun too.

Amy sings with Sid Selvidge

Amy Speace sings duets with Sid Selvidge... sounds like I'm going to iTunes today... Amy is on video at 4:00 mark.

The sea and the Shore

Amy Speace is one of the artists I've blogged about the most... she has a new CD out and here's a video from it, and a nice article.



Twang Nation article.

Noisetrade - Best of Amy Speace

Amy Speace on NOISETRADE... http://noisetrade.com/amyspeace/best-of-so-far-noisetrade

I had to quickly check... this is the 12th time that I've tagged Amy Speace in this blog.  Suffice to say people, figure out she's good.  If you haven't heard hear before, here's a great free or TIP HER compilation of someone's thoughts of her top hits.  I'd argue where is "The Real Thing" or my two favorites:

Double Wide Trailer



It's too late to call it a night... (yes it's so easy to get lost in someone's eyes... mmm)  Still working on my band mate Paula to sing this.... her voice would fit it so.



I just might have to invite her to stop at my house concert... http://bluffviewconcerts.blogspot.com/

Happy Valentines day..

I thought there should be a little romance in the blog for Valentines Day... so why not a a different video on one of my all time favorite break down songs at the end of a band gig.  Amy Speace's "It's too Late to Call it a Night..."

Here's hoping that's the case for all you lovers out there tonight.

This is good..

Would I lie to you?

Dreaming by Blondie a country song?

So my 80's music culture is pretty weak, so I had to look up the original... dang I like Amy Speace's version better.

Amy Speace is the Real Thing..... III

Yes... I found another video of Amy doing this song... I love the audience reaction toward the end.

Amy Speace is the Real Thing..... definitely!

Here's a commitment... every new video of Amy doing her song "The Real Thing"... will be posted to this blog.

Now you have to listen to her interplay with the audience toward the end...



Great sound quality on this one...



Now I have passed her a note on how similar she looks to Virginia Madsen... see what I mean... hard to tell which is which:

Why a house concert?

Well the intimacy of the event will make you at first uncomfortable. You don't know why these people have opened their house, and will I look like a lush to bring a bottle of wine? Then the artist, I kind of know their music or I know nothing of their music.. both are so common in the decision anxiety. What if they suck, I'll be so noticeable if I'm bored.

Yep, I can not cure your anxieties; I have my own. What if I screw up the time again? Why don't the people I expect to show, show? Boy it would be nice if the artist had friend locally that would fill up the room. My God, what if I fart by accident... it happened 35 years ago and Lori won't let me forget it. HA.

Then think of the artist... wow, people so close they could see my pores. What if the host is a raving jerk, a controlling loud mouth? I'm sure the room will suck and the bed will be hard.

Gracious, why do these things even happen. Grace happens. We love the emotion the artist brings if the story moves fast or slow. We meet friends who both drink too much and too little, so we fit. We find out that Dave is the most gentlest soul who is in contol of his flatuence.

Now that brings me to an intimate video of a house concert with Amy Speace. I have no idea the attendance, if she wowed them with her "Love in Double Wide Trailer"... I just know I would have had a better sound system, and that I think I might want to try the wine they had.

Dog Days... by Amy Speace

Is it like Music Fog is reading my blogs?... this is one of the best songs on her new cd.

The Killer in Me by Amy Speace

CD Reviews are not typically what I post in page because I rather entertain you with a song, a story, a sponsor, or maybe a prose. Well today, let's turn our focus to one of the two new people I've discovered this year, Amy Speace. This year saw a release of a CD called The Killer in Me... and it's one that Amy admits is more soul searching and dark than some of her previous material. A statement like that makes me skeptical because I prefer music that are stories and not all depressing. Well I'm a proud owner five of the songs from the CD and I love what I've selected. (Yes it is iTunes) Maybe I'll go feast on more later... here's the playlist so far:

The Killer in Me... wow the hit and a potential big playlist item for Americana Radio Stations. Great structure and you can reach out the woman in the song and shake her and say wake up... you don't need to follow these dirtballs.

Haven't Learned a Thing... Another reality of a kid who keeps trying. I love the cello in the mix.

Dog Days... The song paints a summer memory, rich in color and smells of summer. Amy's voice beckons you to lay down with her; ok it sounds like a offer she meant.

Something more the rain... Actually a nice upbeat and positive song; with a great country type chorus or break.

I met my love... great country ballad with guitar and harmony work that reminds you of a John Haitt piece; but it's Ian Hunter from the old Mott the Hoople days.

Here's another review of her cd. http://podsafeaudio.com/jamroom/bands/3052/
Photo from her website.

And don't you expect that MusicFog would be all over her? Well they were:

Jersey City Parking Violations Authority

I heard Amy Speace do this song at a workshop at the LaCrosse Great River Folk Fest. I hounded her to see if she had a recording of it... she didn't but said oh there's a YouTube of it somewhere.... Ha... she needed a cheat sheet too during the workshop. Must not play it too often. Love the story both in the song and her story she told of playing it for the City Cops as the first time.

A jersey gril with hazel eyes, who'd know? or were they green?

Amy Speace is the Real Thing..... Really.

Ok... move over Coke ... Amy is the real Real Thing... I loved when she swapped Greg Brown during the workshop for James Brown during the Great River Folk Fest.

I don't like men who tell me how to talk and how to dress
I don't like girls who gossip when their own life is a mess
I don't like winter in New York 'cause I don't like too much wind
But I like the way you feel against me naked on my skin
And I'll tell you what I think and I won't sugarcoat it baby,
I am the real thing

I'm too young to know better but I'm too damn old to care
With enough tequila I might take up any dare
I'm as aloof as November and mean like July
But I can purr like a little kitten if you scratch me on my side
I like the way I look although I am not model thin
I am the real thing

Do I make you blush do I talk too loud
Do I drink too much, do I act too proud?
Well take me as I am or take another now
'Cause I am not going to change for nobody no how
I am not a good reformer I found a twisted satisfaction
When I went back to confession just to see the priests' reaction
After quite a pause he asked me if I was contrite then
He gave me 25 Hail Marys to repeat every night
Then I asked him am I free to go repeating all of my sins
I am the real thing

Chorus
You can look to the princess In her high glass tower
Or join us witches we keep very late hours
We are the real thing



oh yeah for regular readers... Yep I think I'm in love again.

Amy Speace - Double Wide Trailer

I had a chance to see Amy in a couple of workshops at the Great River Folk Fest; I was impressed. Great voice, great sense of humor, and an infectious smile. I'm sure I'll be posting more about her in the future.