Ani Difranco

I saw her at the New Orleans Jazzfest a few weeks ago. A great live act...terrific energy. She's almost more poet than songwriter and really lays herself bare in her lyrics. Very powerful and moving to hear live. Her band, including Mr. Sickafoose (what kind of name is that?), was killer.

Hey, Ms. Difranco leaves me feeling rather sickafoose any time I happen to have the misfortune of hearing her...TEHO! ;^)

Voice, music and politics. I dig them all, especially her politics.
Check out Dan Bern's cd titled "Fifty Eggs" which Ani produced. It's a riot with a nod to Ani Difranco in the song "Chick Singers." Probably pick it up on half.com for little $.

I'll second Dilate. I also like Knuckle Down (2005) and Living In Clip (a live album).

She does several versions of Amazing Grace which are worth a listen or two. One is on Dilate and another on Living In Clip. Both versions are nicely irreverent. Ani has always done her own thing, and has kept her music away from the influences of producers by having her own label (Righteous Babe).

Although I like much of what she has produced, I have to be in the mood for her music. Thinking about it, I'm more apt to listen to her when I'm pissed off about something.

John

don't have upupup but i do have

educated guess
revealing/reckoning (double album)
evolve
knuckle down

all of which are coming with me if i ever get
sent to a desert island

she also presents the discs very well, they all are packaged
in cardboard fold-out cases with booklets of her artwork
i think she has been up for and won grammys for packaging