Ani DiFranco's Not A Pretty Girl was her sixth release. Ani has always walked a line that crossed through virtuoso guitar playing, next level songwriting, politics, activism, and beat poetry. I've always been a casual fan and was honoured to attend her show in Toronto earlier this year.
Today marks 20 years since Not A Pretty Girl was released. It continued to showcase Ani's incredible singing, songwriting and guitar playing along with the fantastic drums and percussion of Andy Stochansky. I just happened to feature what is probably my favourite Ani tune, "32 Flavours". Just take a listen to some of these amazing tunes and reflect on Ani's accomplished canon.
Firsts come in all sizes and as firsts go, my first time in The Danforth Music Hall configured as a soft seat theatre as opposed to an open floor is not a big one. Seeing Ani DiFranco for the first time was a much, much bigger first.
I've been a huge fan of Ani DiFranco since I first heard songs like "Anticipate", "32 Flavors" and the impeccable "Untouchable Face". Songs like "Two Little Girls", "Swing" and "Both Hands" also feature on my personal best of Ani DiFranco.
I featured Ani in one of my 5-star songs posts back in 2012. I've always been in awe of her guitar playing, loved her song writing, and respected her DIY attitude that proved to many others that they didn't need a major label to be a major force in music. I will admit that I haven't kept up with her as much as I could have over the last 8 years or so, but when I saw she was coming through town I knew I wanted to be there.
Ani and her band, a cool power trio consisting of the super tight rhythm section of Terence Higgins on drums Todd Sickafoose on bass, stopped in Toronto at the Danforth Music Hall on Monday night in support of her latest album Allergic to Water. From the amazing sound that flowed from The Danforth's sound system to the superb musicianship on display, to the beauty of the songs, to the very enthusiastic crowd, it was a fantastic night. We were all taken on a dynamic ride through Ani's songbook.
To say that Ani has a loyal and devoted fan base is a huge understatement. They've followed her and evolved with her over her more-than 20-year career. Ani has grown up with her audience, starting off edgy and rebellious, now a more mature family woman, all while retaining her strict sense of independence.
Her set was career spanning, starting with "Not A Pretty Girl" which dates to 1995, up to some new songs written in the past weeks and months. She talked about inspiration for the new, young and raw songs, from the European cathedrals that evoked rational thoughts, to her power chord laden fantasy James Bond theme song for a film where Ani's hand-picked Bond girls deny James' mojo before Bond confronts his true feelings and the world ends, and the "culture of attack" currently present in America. They played new songs and old favourites, satisfying everyone while leaving everyone saying, "I just wish she played..." It was perfect.
Her set (as best as I could capture it):
"Not a Pretty Girl"
"If He Tries Anything"
"Careless Words"
(missed song)
"Allergic to Water"
"Shy"
"Dithering"
"Happy All The Time"
"Genie"
New song - "Alrighty"
"Swandive"
"Fire Door"
"Harder Than It Needs to Be"
New song - James Bond theme
"Untouchable Face"
"Shameless"
Encore
"Both Hands"
"32 Flavors"
Take a listen to some of the show highlights (in my humble opinion):
"Careless Words"
"Swan Dive"
"Fire Door" which Ani described as "So a song written by a 19 year-old."
"Harder Than It Needs to Be"
"Untouchable Face"
"Shameless"
"Both Hands"
"32 Flavors" My heart swells with joy when I hear this song. Live it's even more powerful. The feeling I get during songs like this is the reason I love going to shows and why I evangelize for exciting music. I wish I could feel like that forever.
Here's a curated list of five songs all rated 5-stars in my iTunes library. I just might make this a regular addition to the blog.
LCD Soundsystem with "Daft Punk is Playing at My House". It's the first LCD Soundsystem song I heard. Instant addiction.
Storm Large with "Thank God". The Rockstar reality program was a guilty pleasure for me. It focused on harder edged music than the pasturized pop of shows like Idol, X Factor and The Voice. You got some actually talented singers who had experience doing their thing. Storm Large was one of the most unique artists on the show. This is one of her early songs from when she was going by Storm, Inc. If you get the chance, see her live.
Feist with "Inside and Out". I took some time to really get into Feist. This amazingly cool cover of the Bee Gees song certainly didn't hurt. It's from her 2004 album Let It Die.
Here's one thing from the early 80s. Romeo Void with their big (only?) hit "Never Say Never". I never get tired of this song.
"Untouchable Face" by Ani DiFranco is one of the most incredible songs. Listen to this song and try to deny Ani's talent. Just try. Her guitar playing, her singing, her songwriting are all awesome. Her coy use of the f-word makes it art.
Okay, I can't resist sneaking in another incredible Ani song. "32 Flavours". Gives me shivers.
Okay, Okay. Just one more. Here's "Two Little Girls".
