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Ani Di Franco - Live

About a week ago ANI DIFRANCO was in Amsterdam. Although she has made 12 albums in 9 years, Ani is not widely known. And that's the reason why we are reporting on the phenomenon and her concert...

Tekst: Lonneke de Bruin

Publicatiedatum: 03 december 1999

Paradiso, Amsterdam (Holland), November 22th, 1999

It's nearly nine pm and I'm waiting to see one of the greatest and most remarkable female singer-songwriters of all time, Ani DiFranco. Doing it all on her own special way, she has grown out to be a cult hero and a role model to many feministic women, queer girls and lesbians. When I look around in Paradiso, I surprisingly notice that amongst all these women there are some men too, young, old and also couples.
There she is, the little thing (she's 5'2", although she doesn't seem so) with her funny hairstyle and great laughs is accompanied by her guitar. The band starts to play and the first song 'Virtue' is performed in a great way.

Next songs 'Two Little Girls' and 'Little Plastic Castle', about ex-girlfriends of her (she's bi-sexual, yes the prejudice is confirmed) are performed so spontaneously and enthusiastic, the crowd is dancing and all singing along. Suddenly, a string of her guitar breaks but no one really cares. Ani just laughs, like 'hey, this was bound to happen'.

Ani has made 12 solo albums so far in only the short period of nine years. Starting off in 1990 as a bold feminist girl, playing only the acoustic guitar, singing quiet songs about what bugs her in life (such as abortion, sexist men, the U.S. government and none-working relationships). More recent albums and Di Franco's latest 'To The Teeth', is bringing more jazzy funky and soul like songs and she uses more musical instruments.

During the Paradiso gig it strikes me that the lighting is subtle but good. It is creating a nice confident atmosphere. There's is no smoking allowed, 'cause one of Ani's bandmembers has astma. Good thing, keeps the air clean (and your clothes).

Every other song Ani changes her guitar for either the acoustic or the electric one. Then, she's handed the luit, and I, as well as loads of people in the audience, know that Ani will play 'Not Angry Anymore'. A good, musical song about the folksinger's childhood.

The band's being introduced, Ani's sitting on the floor watching all the members doing their little solo, and she's giving all the crowd's attention to them. Julie (keyboards and backvocals) does a cover of Marley's 'No Woman No Cry' and Ani joins in humming the melody of the vocal part.

One more song and it's over. They leave, everyone starts stamping their feet and the band returns, to play a groovy song called 'Shameless'. The band leaves and all attention goes to Ani playing a very old, sweet song called 'Both Hands' from her very own, first album. "Thank you very much for listening to us" and she leaves the stage.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/achtergrond/ani-di-franco/ani-di-franco-live/489/
Meer Ani di Franco op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/ani-di-franco