eye for a photo no brains on camera. thinking xsi but would like priority modes, and as many manual options as possible. What can you suggest?

The xSi is probably the best starter SLR camera out there, and I know tons of amateur photographers that still use the older version, the xTi. Unless you go very professional very fast, you won't need much more than the xSi, and even if you do, the xSi is a great camera to learn the manual controls and SLR world. Just be weary that you're going to have to make an investment in some lenses if you want to take good pictures, so don't expect much from the lens that comes with the camera. Finally, if you ever do outgrow your camera, the good news is you can take all of the lenses you have already bought and move up to the next camera body with only paying for the body, instead of for the body plus brand new lenses.