(Cover photo by Danny Moloshok)

A movie begat an obsession.

When it comes to building a soundtrack for his movies, director Paul Thomas Anderson shows tremendous care and taste. His choices beautifully reflect what’s being shown on the screen.

It was through Anderson that I learned and absorbed The Beach Boys “God Only Knows,” which he used toward the end of Boogie Nights. I was so moved by what it was hearing, I made a conscious effort to check the end credits until I found out where the song came from. Next thing you know, I’m obsessing over Pet Sounds.

Anderson struck again when he directed Magnolia. Not only was the film unique, but the soundtrack was of of sight, too. Turns out Anderson had hired a talented singer/songwriter named Aimee Mann to provide a good chunk of the movie’s soundtrack.

The first tune I heard her sing was a cover of Harry Nilson’s “One,” which was already a classic. Aimee treated the song as the beautiful and delicate tune it is. But she still made it sound like her and it was wonderful.

Then I heard three original tunes in Mann’s in “Deathly,” “Wise Up,” and “Save Me.” There are others, but these three tunes really put the hook in me.

Next thing I knew, I was at the record store buying both Magnolia and her new solo album Bachelor No. 2. As far as I was concerned, I’d never hear anything better, where the latter was concerned.^

Turns out I’d heard Mann’s voice before. She played in a new wave band called Til Tuesday a decade before, who had a hit called “Voices Carry.” She also cameoed on a Rush song called “Time Stand Still,” which had been in my collection for a decade. Funny how small the music world really is.

From Bachelor No. 2 forward, if Mann releases a new album, I’m there. I’m particularly taken by Lost in Space. I made a conscious effort to learn how to play “The Moth” from that album. There are a couple of others on my personal setlist. I’m working on them.

I’ve seen Mann in concert three times, each a transcendent experience. Her concert album “Live At St. Ann’s Warehouse” recaptures that magic nicely. Which is why all the songs I selected came from that gig.

Check ‘em out and let me know about your favorites.

^ — And to think, Geffen, Aimee’s label at the time, didn’t want to release the album. They didn’t hear a single. Aimee had to buy her own album back in order to release it herself. Fortunately, the move was highly successful.

https://youtu.be/tZN-IV9yH7g?si=XPRLF6WGXLYG6pLA

https://youtu.be/X3hB283GeN4?si=eAby56XRPzGKBHG3

https://youtu.be/tQ6XqSU4VP4?si=azHcNg8L-llRkXwy

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music anytime or have your band photographed while in the Chicago (USA), contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com