CD Review: "What Remains" by Jamie Manning

It's unusual to find a high-quality music CD intended, not for children with autism, but for their parents. Jamie Manning's "What Remains" is the equivalent of a musical memoir -- a heartfelt tribute to his son, his wife, and the work of coping with autism.

A Solid Musical Performance

Jamie Manning's CD "What Remains" is a solid, professional product. Somewhat reminiscent of James Taylor, it includes both brooding, folky pieces and an upbeat, bluegrass sound. It's the type of singer/songwriter album most likely to be played on "alternative" radio.

Heavy Lyrics

This is not a cheerful or upbeat album. The title song, "What Remains," seems to say it all: "all this worry/ Is draggin' us down to the floor/Our lives, as we knew them/ Like our money and our friends are all gone." Several of the songs seem to reflect the experiences of Jamie's wife (or perhaps a fictional mom of an autistic child), who -- according to "The Story of Her Life" -- "used to laugh, but that was long ago."

Delivering a Sense of Community

For many families, autism has created feelings of isolation, sadness, and even despair. For those families, "What Remains" may deliver a sense of community. Manning reassures parents that they are not alone; for many, that in itself may be valuable. For others, though, the pervasive message of autism as a source of grief, anxiety and loss may seem a bit overwhelming.

Music as a Gift

"What Remains" is a handsome CD, a nicely-produced album, and a caring gift to the autism community. For the right person, it makes a thoughtful gift -- not only to the recipient, but to the autism community (since five percent of proceeds go to autism-related charities).