I saw Aimee Mann in concert last night. Aimee Mann's music has always been there for me when I needed it. Somehow her lyrics capture the melancholy moments in life, the screwed up nature of relationships, and many other subjects that most other artists can barely shed light on. Perhaps this is why her popularity has never been that great (although her most recent album showed up as number 32 on the charts).
I discovered Aimee Mann as an artist when I become a fan of the film Magnolia. Since then, I have purchased all of her albums and fallen absolutely in love with her voice, sound, and ingenuity. There isn't a better female artist out there, and I personally don't think there has ever been a better one or will ever be a better one. People can talk about Janis Joplin all day, but she was pretty contrived. Billy Holiday was nothing more than a smacked up loser. And Diana Ross was more a of a studio invented songstress than anything. No solo female artist has put out the amazing songs that Aimee Mann has put out in her almost 30 years career and there is almost no one to compare her to.
When I saw her last night I knew she was going to be amazing, but I had no idea how amazing. As I watched her thin frame strum her guitar and sing with a voice that seems far too strong for her, I felt a sense of escape, like I was reliving all those moments that her music had helped me through. The highlight of the show for me was when she kicked the band off stage and did her miniature acoustic solo act. When she did "Cigarettes and Redvines," easily one of her best songs, the crowd tried to start out singing along, but when it became clear that the was going to sing the song the way she wanted to, everyone stopped and gazed mesmerized as she sang falsetto and much more slowly than the original song was performed. I felt the sting of tears in my eyes and she grasped the audience for those three minutes and didn't let go. And when the song was over, the crowd erupted with applause.
This video is a live sample of how she does the song, but seeing her on stage performing by herself was something I have trouble even put into words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izR4UH2o42Q&feature=related
Like I said, her music has gotten me through so many times that just sucked. But I wish more people could experience the joy that his her music and that is why I write this post. You can buy any Aimee Mann album and find a few songs that you will never forget. I am completely in love with all of her music and as a lover of music I feel it is my obligation to share it with everyone else.
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08-03-2008 03:39 PM