Canon

Ani DiFranco

There is a great quote in the book Rock Troubadours from DiFranco;

"Folk music is not an acoustic guitar-that's not where the heart of it is. I use the word 'folk' in reference to punk music and rap music. It's an attitude, it's an awareness of one's heritage, and it's a community. It's subcorporate music that gives voice to different communities and their struggle against authority."

That attitude and awareness is at the heart of this fantastically talented singer/songwriter, she has released nineteen albums since 1990 and collaborated with other musicians as diverse as Prince and Dar Williams. She has a distinctive guitar style, percussive and staccato, that complements her committed and confrontational lyrics perfectly.

Over those nineteen albums she has produced some beautifully compassionate songs, the two CD album Canon is a retrospective of her career. Of the Thirty six tracks five have been re-recorded with a new band. Every song is a gem, there's not one dud here, if you have never come across her before (shame on you) it serves as a perfect introduction.

Difranco pulls together a slew of styles and creates her own space with them, her vocals range from breathy monologue to the powerfully soaring. Setting up her own recording label also allowed her to exercise creative control as well as freedom, this is evident in the excellent production values of the compositions. there's a hell of a range here too, she can do a sensual laid back jazzy song (Swim, Subdivision) and then pump it up with the pedal to the floor (God's Country, Gravel). Her lyrics have real bite and an honesty about herself and the world around reminiscent of Joni Mitchell or Tracey Chapman.

Canon is a superb testament to one woman's vision and talent, Ani DiFranco has forged her own path, long may she follow it.

Iain Hazlewood