I’ve been an Ani DiFranco fan for many years, and was pleased to see her performing “Decree” on the Conan O’Brien show, off her new album, Reprieve.
I’d guess “32 Flavors” is her most widely known song, though possibly it is “Little Plastic Castles.” My favorite Ani DiFranco album is Dilate. Some of the tracks make prodigious use of the f-word, it’s truly music for these times! Here is an excerpt from the lyrics of the title track:
so i’ll walk the plank
and i’ll jump with a smile
if i’m gonna go down
i’m gonna do it with style
and you won’t see me surrender
you won’t hear me confess
‘cuz you’ve left me with nothing
but i’ve worked with less
She has a myspace page here. She’s wonderful in concert, too; her fall tour info is here. An hour long concert video is available here.
NB: I’ve noticed that some of the Supposedly Liberal Dudes seem to be Ani DiFranco fans, and if they help make her rich and popular I guess that is a good thing, but I can’t help thinking about the wealthy lawyers I know who unironically warble these lyrics along with the Grateful Dead song “Throwing Stones”:
…In a whole world full of petty wars
Singing I got mine and you got yours.
And the current fashion sets the pace,
Lose your step, fall out of grace.
And the radical, he rant and rage,
Singing someone’s got to turn the page.
And the rich man in his summer home,
Singing just leave well enough alone.
But his pants are down, his cover’s blown…
Talk about oblivious. Anyway, here’s a goofy and apropos Dead clip.
–Ann Bartow
