From first song ‘The Moth’ onwards you’ll be drawn to the screen like said insect to a flame. Ostensibly playing folk-tinged rock, Mann’s songwriting ranks up there with legends of the field including the likes of Elvis Costello, Glenn Tillbrook and Chris Difford. Fans will be licking their lips at the anticipation of her forthcoming studio album if tracks 'Going Through The Motions' and 'King Of The Jailhouse' which are showcased here are anything to go by.

After a difficult 1990s, which included wrangles with record companies, an impervious Mann bounced back in 2000 with the soundtrack for the Paul Thomas Anderson classic Magnolia. Exquisite renditions of the majestic ‘Wise Up’ and cathartic ‘Save Me’ taken from that album go down a storm with an enthusiastic audience. My personal favourite Aimee Mann track, though, remains 'Pavlov's Bell' which featured on last year’s self-released epic Lost In Space.

Aimee is, by all accounts, a reluctant tourer. Yet this DVD, which incidentally comes with a live, though slightly abridged CD of the same concert proves that few artists have greater stage presence. She puts on such a show, one worthy of being besainted even. For back on that balmy New York evening of last summer, St. Ann’s Warehouse became, unofficially, at least St. Aimee’s Warehouse.
(4/5)

Release Date: 24 January 2004

Live at St. Ann’s Warehouse