There were those there specifically to see Barbara Manning, and those there thinking they may just stumble onto something interesting. Both should have left happy, though, my guess is, some didn't.
Barbara Manning has led a scattered existence in recent times, to say the least. Signed to Matador back in the early 90s, then unceremoniously dropped, Manning has bounced around quite a bit; she's spent time in Germany, in her "hometown" of San Francisco, and livin' on the road. Now she's back in San Fran, and let's hope she finds some security.
Of course, most remember Manning for her brilliant "Scissors" EP, selected by New York's Village Voice as one of the best of the '90s. Her work with such varied projects as 28th Day, World of Pooh, and the 6ths should not be overlooked as well, in addition to her records with her band, the SF Seals (named, of course, after Joe D's minor league squad).
So, lo and behold, she shows up at NxNW, presumably in support of her latest record, a collection of singles and oddities released by Innerstate Records (see Jukebox). I, for one, have ached to hear many of these songs for years (Mary Walz, are you listening?) Mary once told me, while we were listening to "One Perfect Green Blanket," that Manning had all these wonderful 45s that I should hear. After months of searching the bins of Mpls, I gave up. Now, I am fulfilled.
Set list:
-Arsenist Story
-Ladies of the Sea
-Isn't Lonely Lovely?
-Don't Let it Bring You Down (Wings cover)
-Crazy Man Michael (from forthcoming Sandy Denny tribute)
-Old Woman
-Life Luck
-Ipecac
-Bud's Won't Bud (dedicated to Phil Harris)
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-Scissors
All in all an excellent show, with Barbara's cute sister Terri joining on some type of woodwind instrument.
Lc.
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