We at NLG have come across a lot of people who don’t know who Dan Mangan is, but judging by the back to back sold out shows at the Vogue Theatre he just put on in Vancouver, there are a lot of people who do know this curly mop top baritone belter. And for good reason. If his cunning songwriting and uniquely addictive delivery were good enough to pack two shows on an otherwise bumping Remembrance Day weekend, they were also good enough to bring NLG (temporarily) out of (semi) retirement. NLG’s delegate to the show, Serge (Gene being still on assignment to Acadia), was delighted to experience firsthand all the favourites from Mangan’s Polaris prize nominated album Nice, Nice, Very Nice. However, Serge was even more delighted by the new songs Mangan chose to try out on the willing crowd. Each of them happened to pluck a different heart string of Serge; as well as the entire audience it seemed, judging by the number of calls for Mr. Mangan to remove his top. Serge’s top three new songs from Mr. Mangan, based entirely on Serge’s subjective favour of what they referenced:
1. Rows of Houses for being written about the classic film Stand By Me
2. Jeopardy, for being introduced by an impression of Sean Connery ("I'll take Anal Bum Covers for $500")
3. Leaves, Trees, Forests for Dan suggesting that he drinks beers alone by the phone
Dan Mangan - Sold
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