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Ani DiFranco: The Freaky
Folkster |
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 Ani Difranco is
one of the most incredible artists around-Period. This is
a page devoted to the "Freaky Folkster" herself. She is by far
one
of the few "true" musicians out now. She is a woman who will not
bow
to corporate mogals. She is in a very enviable place, one that
very
few artists will ever be as privileged to be in, she's able to follow
her
heart, her compositions, her muse, wherever they may take her, without
compromise.
She has stayed true to herself, even after being offered the big
corporate
dollars of the majors. She said "You <record companies>
can give me
money, but you can't give me artistic freedom". The
opportunities the
'lil folksinger' has created for herself, on her own terms, are without
limits:
author, producer, bandleader, poet, arranger, dancer, artist, activist,
musician, vocalist, guitarist, composer, but these words fall short to
the wonder of her gifts.
Ani is one of the few musician/artists that can move from soft and poetic to hard and in your face. She can be as or more, powerful with just her acoustic and voice as ANY heavy metal band can be with a wall of Marshalls! And that's a fact. Anyone ever get a taste of anorexia when these big beumoths get 'unplugged'? Ani's music doesn't suffer from iron deficiency "Live" or on tape. Pure poetry and power. Her consistancey is unmatched. Every project is as strong as the last. Every project is adventurous, energetic, sublime and challenges as much as it welcomes.
Ani
DiFranco has been the most precious artists to come along in my life. I'm always in awe of her gifts. Ani DiFranco has been my biggest
musical influence over the last decade. I'm an instrumental
guitarist in the vein of Vai, Satriani, Johnson ect, I've
worked so hard to play like these musicians. I've learned so much
from
studying these guitar masters, but Ani has allowed me to break down
greater
barriors in my own abilities. Tearing down walls that once only
included
the drive for guitar virtuousity, and not say, playing your soul.
My
writing, my playing, my creativeness have grown by leaps and bounds
because
of Ms. DiFranco.
When I listen to Ani's music, I hear true integrity. Music today, the great majority of music, is not meant to be heard. It's meant to be seen, meant to push these cartoon chartacters that pollute the daily airwaves. They let their muse, their inspiration take a back seat to the 'Big Production' aspect, the show biz side. Ani's talent, my god, I have never in my life heard such consistancy from one song to the next, from her first album to her latest. I cannot find a weak song in her entire catalog-and I've heard them all. As a guitarist, I have taken on my idols, you produce a drive to be as good, be better-in every physical way. Always pushing through with great resolve to break down any physical limitations human fingers may have. With Ani, the lesson has been easier, yet much harder at the same time. It is to examine the world around you, the world within you and speak your own truth. The ability to create your art even if the truth is not pretty, or is not perfect. I love Ani's music because she is always growing as an artist. She is always searching for new and exciting things within. When people leave their own personal growth at what's trendy than I usually feel very sad for them, as they are missing so much. I created this place so anyone could share, experience and know of the wonderful creative soul Ani is. She's ventured from the solo acoustic coffee shop singer, through a three piece band, to the great 'Freakshow' band, and has evolved back to the lil' <solo> folksinger again, all the while, Ms. DiFranco has always remained true to herself. Uncomprimised. At the very least, anyone that has heard her story, should have only the greatest of respect for her as a human being doing her thing. She has accomplishmed what so many of us would love to have-the ability to create their own music, without any form of "say so" from anyone other than their own muse.
Ani
DiFranco will always be someone that I will look to in awe, an artist
that
I will always listen to. I hang on every note, on every lyric,
and
I thank her deeply for sharing her talents with all of us. This new musical
perspective
she's brought to my playing, my music, my life also has been a
tremendous
comfort during some very rough times in my life. Those aside, the
crossroads
I found myself at musically were desperately needing the spark she has
offered
my playing. Ani delivers the goods, time and time again, live and on record. I remember seeing a comedian talking about how women don't fight to impress, they fight to win. That very much describes this woman's take on music for me, she writes and plays music to make a point, to cut through any musical vanity and just accompany her ideas, her prose. I don't think she's much cared about making her music follow a formula, a popular genre. It's always been music for the sake of music, nothing more and certainly nothing less. Ani is going to be with us, those who truly love her musical soul, for decades to come. You can bet on that. And much like Zappa who has a 60 plus title catalog, we'll always be able to look at Ms. DiFranco's body of work and be amazed at all the sparkles that illuminate the diamond that is her career. She’s dancing Watching a womyn Falling into rhythmic
stances Juxtaposing the silence
of darkness I’m lost in the magic of her prose Words and music catch flight I’m speechless on this dear night Entranced by a freaky folkster being All herself soulful By Richard C. Gutierrez ©2001 Wet Willy Music/ASCAP
peace and Ani for everyone, Richard Now check out her
official website,
uh, her babesite: Righteous Babe
For additional
information, questions
or comments please feel free to email
Richard.     
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Ani is truly one of the
most inspirational musicians it's been my pleasure to see and
hear.
Not only is she one of the hardest working musicians, she is also one
of
the most talented. 
