Aimee Mann never quite gives you what you're expecting.

I walked in to her Christmas Show late — hot, frazzled, and hoping to duck into a dark corner, watch the concert, and take notes in peace. But size necessitates intimacy in venues like The Birchmere, where you're forced to choose, quickly, what kind of concert experience you want to have.

You can lamely play the wallflower, coat in hand, moving around every few seconds to avoid wait staff or security, or you can strap on some courage, talk to a few people you don't know, and take advantage of one of the few empty seats in the venue.

I took a seat.

The show started with a characteristic early mistake when Mann's voice failed to reach a few of the high notes in "Jacob Marley's Chain."

No matter. Aimee Mann is endearing precisely because she's imperfect. She might make that one mistake in the beginning, but she's dialed in for the rest of it.

This night was no exception. Later, we'd learn that Mann's voice-related issues weren't misjudgments, but rather the result of the winter bug, mixed with an unrelenting touring schedule. Her voice problems never cleared up, but the show's variety structure and talented cast gave the audience plenty to enjoy nonetheless.

"I don't know what I'll be able to do out here tonight," Mann warned the crowd after her first song, "but let's see what happens."

What happened is a Christmas variety show featuring a good mix of the classics and fresh talent.

Tapping into her inner Larry David, Mann offered up a three-part video of her failed attempts to recruit A-list talent for her Christmas show.

The segments start with Mann asking Paul Tompkins (HBO's Mr. Show with Bob & David, VH-1's Best Week Ever) for advice on who to ask perform at this year's Christmas show, which Tompkins discourages because "us celebrities are just so busy."

First, Mann visits Emily Proctor, who comes to the door dressed like…Aimee Mann, even down to the wide tie. Turns out she'd been practicing "Save Me," all by herself, in her living room before Mann showed up. If that awkward admission didn't strain the dialogue enough, Proctor's singing eliminates her from further consideration as Mann slides out the back door.