Ani DiFranco - Canon

Idiosyncratic retrospective from self-styled ‘little folk singer’

Eighteen or so albums in, punk-folkie Ani finally pauses for breath. But while this double-disc set includes two tracks for each LP recorded, they’re far from evenly spread – indeed, five have been newly re-recorded. Selections are included from 1990’s debut and last year’s Reprieve, but all songs originally on 1996’s Dilate (excluding the title track) are either re-records of versions from the live Living In Clip. This is a surprise, as Dilate was the album through which many fans discovered her; maybe she now feels it over-arranged, compared with her original stark musical vision. That said, the re-records of Napoleon and Shameless add little to the originals. The commercial release (unseen by RC) has a third, 11-track DVD disc of live performances from several venues, which makes the price of an average single CD a total steal. There are omissions, certainly. Superhero, Schoolnight or Done Wrong would have been on many fans’ wish list, but given Ani’s hands-on attitude to her career, which went as far as forming her own label, this was always going to be a very personal choice. Love her or hate her, Ani DiFranco is here to stay. What on earth will the next 16 years bring?

Righteous Babe | RBR 055 DEX

Reviewed by Michael Heatley
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