KRFC 88.9FM Ft. Collins, Colorado
""Live at Lunch"" (08.24.06)
1. Double Wide Trailer
2. Dreamin'
3. Make Me Lonely Again
4. The Real Thing
5. Row Row Row
6. Shed This Skin
7. Step Out of the Shade
8. Two

On her new album Songs for Bright Street, New York-based singer/songwriter Amy Speace demonstrates why she's quickly become one of her adopted hometown's most celebrated emerging artists. Possessing a commanding voice, a distinctive melodic sensibility and an uncanny knack for nailing complex emotions in song, Speace makes music that's both illuminating and effortlessly accessible.

From the rustic rush of "Step Out of the Shade" to the bittersweet lilt of "Water Landing" to the gentle acoustic intimacy of "Two," Songs for Bright Street's 12 original compositions (plus a slyly countrified reading of the Blondie classic "Dreaming") showcase Speace's unique gifts, offering catchy Americana with indelible hooks, sharply observed lyrics and a gritty urban edge. Among those impressed by her sassy songcraft is legendary folk-pop songstress Judy Collins, who chose Songs for Bright Street to release on her new Wildflower label.

Amy Speace has already won a loyal grass-roots fan base, thanks in large part to live performances that merge warmth, humor and emotional immediacy, and to a tireless touring schedule that's already taken her across the United States. She's also won considerable critical acclaim, with The Village Voice observing that Speace is "taking her Americana away from twangy contemplation toward tangy confrontation" and noting that she's "not another of those breathy would-be child poets, but a real singing writer of songs." Time Out New York stated, "Amy Speace plays sweet, twangy folk music with a clear voice and an innocent vulnerability," while The Nashville Scene noted that she "balances wry humor with open-hearted honesty." And renowned Nashville critic Robert K. Oermann, writing in Music Row, dubbed her a "new star."

"[Speace's] arresting voice combines the best parts of Lucinda Williams with Roseanne Cash ... [and] brings an unflagging sense of 21st century hipness to all her songs. Produced by James Mastro, Songs For Bright Street delivers big-budget sound worthy of any A-list performer." - Steven Stone, Vintage Guitar Magazine

"Rarely do I receive a CD that is complete in its brilliance...songwriting, music, production. Amy Speace's most recent release is one of those rare CDs. Like a relieving wind on a hot day, Amy reminds me that there is always someone out there who has The Goods" - Michael Jaworek, The Birchmere Theatre, Alexandria VA

"Amy Speace has one of those fetching voices, the kind that taps you on the shoulder and motions seductively for you to follow it around corner after dark corner. You don't know where you're going to end up or how you'll ever find your way back, but that doesn't matter right now: you're enjoying the trip." - Scott Brodeur, No Depression

"The talented Ms. Speace is lately taking her Americana away from twangy contemplation toward tangy confrontation. Paste magazine has discovered her, and you should too... she's well worth checking out." - Barry Mazor, The Village Voice

"[Songs for Bright Street] is a superior example of stunning music at its best ... guaranteed to make waves this side of the Atlantic. ... a unique country-folk sound that can be best described as an Americana Dido... both illuminating and effortly accessible." The Verve

"... a baker's dozen of heartfelt, soul stirring, uplifting and crashing down again songs ... Ms. Speace knows how to rip your heart out and shred it to pieces." - Zeitgeist-scot.co.uk

"If you're a fan of Lucinda Williams / Caitlin Cary / Roseanne Cash then give this girl a whirl and wonder why you haven't heard of her before... [Songs for Bright Street]'s got the lot - lots of sad country twang, a dollop of folk and just a smidge of pop... In short, it's full of melodic treats that will make your heart ache." - Lonesome Music

"This cool little lady ... has one of those spellbinding voices that just draws you in ... soft and seductive, yet witty and street smart, and a little dangerous ... Her voice is to die for but the Americana foly, twangy country arrangements ... and the confrontational songwriting come up to the same level. This album is like the summer we never had ... she gets two fullhearted thumbs up. Hell, I'll give her a few digits extra. She's that good." - Irish World

"New York broad Amy Speace kicks off this Groove-CD in the manner of an americana-tinged and headstrong version of PJ Harvey. Her band, The Tearjerks, roar along with blistering slide guitars while Amy sounds like the tough chick in high school you always wanted to be best friends with. She is cool, funny and on her way to become a really big star. High time to discover her already now." - Groove

"If Lucinda Williams is the queen of Americana, Kathleen Edwards is about to be challenged for the title of princess by this New York resident. Imagine both their spunk in combination with Roseanne Cash's elegance and you get Amy Speace. That she gets helped by Gary Louris from the Jayhawks on the duet Two is clearly a sign. We'll be hearing a lot more about Speace." - Trots Allt

"Speace's powerful voice combines well with her poetry and her songs that show many country influences such as Emmylou Harris or Lucinda Williams. In her more pop-influenced songs she also regularly reminds me of Tift Merritt. "Songs For Bright Street" excels not only with the tremendous singing, but also with the high quality of the songs, songs that fall for the vast part in the category of Americana with some excursions into Country. The musical accompaniment ranges from exuberantly to very restrained. Amy Speace writes ultimately beautiful, intimate songs that have a strong autobiographical character. It includes a couple of tearjerkers, but despite all the sorrow "Songs For Bright Street" is an optimistic CD." - Roots Time (Belgium)

"This one's a really nice surprise. Amy Speace, currently at home in New York, takes a huge step out of the shade with her second record 'Songs For Bright Street'. A fully convincing Singer-Songwriter / Roots-Rock, in short Americana album, that excels with a refreshing variety, superb musicians and wonderfully crafted lyrics. Whereas master James Mastro earns plenty of bonus points as a sidekick, producer, co-author and skilled guitarist. Speace's lyrical elegance and the inventiveness of her finely selected metaphors intertwine very convincingly with the craft of her band, The Tearjerks and give each of the 13 songs its very unique identity. Boredom never comes near the listener, of course." - Home of Rock (Germany)