Amy Speace will play at Charles and Myrtle's Coffeehouse on Friday at 8 p.m.
Robby Hecht will play at Charles and Myrtle's on Saturday at 8 p.m.
There is a $10 suggested donation at the door.
Review for Amy Speace:
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.
Songs for Bright Street was produced by multi-talented veteran James Mastro (of Bongos/Health and Happiness Show/Ian Hunter fame) and features Speace's longtime backup combo, the Tearjerks, along with guest appearances by Jayhawks frontman Gary Louris, noted troubadour
Cliff Eberhardt and fiddler Soozie Tyrell of the E Street Band.
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.
Review for Robby Hecht:
Robby Hecht’s music represents a return to the early 70s golden era of acoustic pop where thoughtful, well-crafted lyrics were blended with timeless melodies to impact mainstream music and culture. His debut album Late Last Night, produced by Lex Price (Mindy Smith) and mixed by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Josh Rouse), was released in May of 2008 and features an impressive list of guest performers including Mindy Smith, Jeff Coffin, Thad Cockrell, Jill Andrews (The Everybodyfields), John Deaderick (Patty Griffin), Andrea Zonn (James Taylor) and more.
Raised in Knoxville, Robby first began writing and performing while attending The University of Wisconsin-Madison, developing and pairing his soulful voice and unique finger-style guitar. After spending time living in Paris and San Francisco, and a period fronting the band AllDay Radio, he eventually returned to his home state, settling in Nashville.
A 2008 Kerrville New Folk Winner, Robby has played folk/roots festivals and venues across the country, sharing the stage with such legendary artists as Richie Havens, Greg Brown, and Patty Griffin, and garnering comparisons to early James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Amos Lee. Like these celebrated artists, Robby Hecht is a unique voice -- one that is stirring, instantly recognizable and truly original.
Charles and Myrtle's Coffeehouse is located inside Christ Unity Church at 105 McBrien Road.