It’s harder now, thanks to the endlessly networked/press-release-papered world we live in, but man, do we love being surprised by from-the-depths reissues of records that we thought were lost to time. Which is why one of your Idolators was pretty thrilled to hear that a box set of Barbara Manning’s first two solo albums and rarities will be released shortly, although the profile that couched the news was somewhat depressing. (Blogstars of now, take note.) Manning’s plain-sung indie rock has been in perpetually heavy rotation since our college days, and we’re actually somewhat shocked that we haven’t posted about her yet. Anyway, the SF Gate piece has a few truncated samples of the set’s offerings, including a gorgeous cover of “Walkin’ After Midnight,” so we figured we’d complement that with two pieces of her early-’90s output, including the somber “Still?” and a cover of Lora Logic’s “Martian Man”:
San Francisco Seals - Still? [MP3, link expired; from Nowhere (1994)]
Barbara Manning - Martian Man [MP3, link expired; from Sings With The Original Artists (1993)]
Once a darling on the indie music scene, Barbara Manning makes a rare SF appearance [SF Gate, via Largehearted Boy]
Barbara Manning [Official site]
I would characterize the SF Gate profile to be more than just “somewhat depressing”. Eek. That being said, she had a track on a Clean tribute disc (with Calexico as her backing band) that was great.
I’d go to that roller rink if Barbara was the DJ!
True. And yet, of course. :-/
I last saw her at Terrastock 5 in Boston in 2002, great show. I’m going to dig out some of the albums tonight. (Also Peter Jefferies’ version of “Lately I Keep Scissors.”)
This is wonderful news! I used to have some Manning/SF Seals stuff on cassette that never got replaced once I made the cd switch. I’ve been missing it.
@brasstax: if you’ve got a record player those seals recs on matador are generally pretty easy to find. as well as the record she did with calexico, also on matador, totally rad. though i think scissors may be her first (other than 28th day) and best moment.
I love her. Saw her with the Go Lucky’s in 2001 at Tonic.
I chatted with her after the show and she was very cool.
I’ve been a big fan for years, but I prefer her earlier stuff to the SF Seals.
@iantenna: Don’t forget World of Pooh, whose one album is long overdue for a reissue. I’ve only seen it once, and that person made a cassette dub for me over a decade ago. That omission aside, the existence of this box set is very welcome news for one of the nicest and most gracious (and talented) artists I’ve ever met.
Trademark of quality/scarcity/respect — K Records currently sells the World of Pooh 7″ (G.H.M. b/w Someone Wants You Dead) for $12 while all the other available singles in the IPU series are under $4.
We have an excerpt of a demo of “Scissors” at Washington City Paper’s blog, City Desk:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.ph...