The first thing I noticed about this CD is that it is short. Less than 32 minutes, and that made me wonder. Would I know if it was on vinyl? Between flipping the sides and not having a digital counter that shows the absolute time, would I know or care? CDs allow 74 minutes (or more) of material and for an album release that's way too long. Hell, 60 minutes is too much. I'm calling for a bit of self-editing and restraint from musicians, something that Ms. Manning has always practiced. Besides being short, this album is beautiful, haunting and I love it. It was recorded all over New Zealand with Tex Houston at Fish Street Studio, with David Kilgour (The Clean, who's Whatever I do is right/wrong Barbara covers here), with Chris Knox (Tall Dwarves), and Stephen Kilroy. A virtual who's who of New Zealand of recording freaks. (Communion, 2525 16th Street, Third Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103)
Music Reviews | No. 11
Birds Don’t Think They’re Flying (Enchante) CD, American Water (Drag City) CD
by Larry Crane
People like Nicolas Vernhes and his Rare Book Room in NYC are the backbone of honest, real recording in this country. I'm not joking. There's million dollar studios with well-trained staff and full...
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