Aimee Mann Shepherds Bush Empire, London ***
US artist Aimee Mann is in the strange position of having an Oscar nomination, for a song on the Magnolia film soundtrack, yet being without a record deal. She had two successful albums in the 90s, and recorded a third, but amid major label machinations and the pressure to come up with a hit single, she was dropped. Mann's popularity, though, is still intact. Tonight the venue is sold out and a rapt crowd listens to her every wry word.
The only problem is they also have to listen to her husband, Michael Penn, who shares the stage throughout. Brother of the famous Sean, he is a singer/songwriter of note in the US, but over here he is relatively unknown. The crowd sits patiently through his REM-meets-Phil Ochs musings, becoming more animated every time Mann takes the mike. The couple have dubbed their show "Acoustic Vaudeville"; efforts to keep things goofball also feature deadpan US comedian Patton Oswalt. "Neither of us is particularly funny or charming," says a self-deprecating Mann, "so Patton will do our banter for us." Oswalt darts on stage, grabs the mike and shouts: "Right you muthafuckers! Are you ready to rock?!!"
At which Mann, rangy in top-to-toe denim and long blonde hair, performs a number of her nasal, folky vignettes, backed by a three-piece band. On record Mann can be a prosaic experience, her songs never quite taking off, but live she is compelling. As she stands swaying with her guitar, each carefully observed line is casually brought to life, such as, "She's got the river down which I sold her," on 4th of July, or "Now you know/It's not going to stop till you wise up," on Wise Up. She plays her Oscar hit, Save Me, and is just beginning to get into her stride when Penn takes over. He warbles through five numbers and actually concludes the set.
By the second encore the crowd are bewildered and restless; it's Aimee Mann they want to see. When she asks for a request she receives a barrage of offers and is a little shaken. Somewhat reluctantly, she sings Ghost World, a strong track from her new (website-available) album Bachelor No 2. Penn sensibly retires to the wings while Mann allows her voice, vulnerable and emotive, to soar. It is a poignant moment.
