Tampa Calling

The only thing sadder than a country singer wailing about her dog dying may be a folk singer having to say goodbye to her car’s transmission while on a cross-country tour. If that wasn’t enough, her dog died, too.

Former Orlando resident and Sacred Grounds favorite Amy Steinberg returned to the Temple Terrace coffeehouse last Friday night begging for life to “beat me some more. See if I quit!” About 40 people crammed into the living room-style space, pulling up a patch of carpet when the couch seats ran out.

Steinberg, a one-woman show who alternates between her electric piano and acoustic guitar, began with a new song she wrote for the fans who often put her up when she’s on the road.

A classically trained musician and actor also well versed in slam poetry, Steinberg, 35, is a little Tori Amos, a lot of Ani DiFranco and a big old potty mouth. At one point, she sarcastically apologized to anyone in the mostly under-25 crowd who might have been “fuck-sensitive,” offering that at least she’s helping them find their boundaries.

A former teacher and self proclaimed “cool aunt,” Steinberg’s tune “Let’s Make Love,” is more spoken-word than song, reflecting on the joys of loving instead of fighting: “Let’s have ourselves a spiritually spawned orgasm,” and then she quickly ad-libbed:“In the philosophical sense.”

“My shows are kind of self-help meets crackpot,” Amy explained in between songs. She admitted to listening to self-help books on tape instead of music while on the road, and related some of the jewels between songs.

Her most popular song, “Exactly,” from 2005’s Must Be the Moon, exemplifies her self-growth mind set: “When I think I know what’s best for me/Fate she takes me back to exactly where I need to be.”

Amy will be back in Tampa in September for a CD release party, venue TBD.

Bookmark to:

Posted in News, Reviews | Leave a comment