Ani DiFranco at her best

May 21, 2011
Issue 

Live at Babeville
Ani DiFranco
www.righteousbaberecords.com

In recent times, there’s been some conjecture over the quality of US singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco’s music.

The much acclaimed, fiercely political folk singer and poet appeared to some to have “mellowed” in topic and tone of her work after having a baby and getting married.

The singer’s latest DVD, Live at Babeville, puts those qualms to rest.

“Babeville” is an old church in DiFranco’s home town of Buffalo, New York which for some time was scheduled for demolition. It has since become the home of DiFranco’s label, Righteous Babe Records.

DiFranco, having observed the church and its importance to the local community, encouraged residents to mount a community campaign to keep the church open.

This campaign was successful and renovations began to turn the old church into a performance venue.

On September 11 and 12, 2007 DiFranco took to the stage of the packed venue sporting a new band featuring Todd Sickafoose on bass, Mike Dillon on vibes and Alison Miller on drums.

After a five-year hiatus, during which she recovered from serious wrist problems, DiFranco was as vibrant as ever.

She sung songs from every era of her career, including “Not a Pretty Girl” and “Shy”, as well as songs from her 2008 release Red Letter Year. The new band seemed to have perfect ensemble ― as if they had played together for years.

But more importantly, it signified the return to performing of one of the left’s most important musicians and cultural icons.

Although much of Grammy award-winning DiFranco's material is autobiographical, it is often also strongly political. Many of her songs are concerned with contemporary social issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, reproductive rights, poverty and war.

The combination of personal and political is partially responsible for DiFranco's early popularity among politically active college students.

DiFranco's rapid rise in popularity in the mid-1990s was fueled mostly by word of mouth rather than mainstream media.

On July 21, 2006, DiFranco received the Women of Courage Award at the American National Organization for Women Conference. DiFranco was one of the first musicians to receive the award, given each year to a woman who has set herself apart by her contributions to the feminist movement.

The Buffalo News called DiFranco “Buffalo's leading lady of rock music” and noted: “Through the Righteous Babe Foundation, DiFranco has backed various grassroots cultural and political organizations, supporting causes ranging from abortion rights to gay visibility.”

On Live at Babeville DiFranco is in top form.

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