MAY.99 et me start out by saying that I love Ani Difranco’s music. Love it, live it, cherish and respect it. Her insightful and biting lyrics inspire; delight, and challenge me in ways I constantly struggle to articulate. That out of the way, let me get to what I really want to say: If you love what Ani says she’s all about — folk music, gender revolution, radical refonn of the “oxymoronic” criminal justice system — do not, I repeat, do not, pay $26.50 to see one of the shows on her latest tour. And if you really need that live fix, be warned — this is not your first girlfriend’s Ani. _ It’s not so much that sheis changed. Yes, she got married; yes, she’s grown her hair; yes, in one song on her new album, she happily proclaims “I’m not angry anymore.” Still, her passion for activism and do-it-herself work ethic are both alive and kicking ass. She just received a Gay and Lesbian American Music Award for her work as an out bi performer; she headlined a recent benefit for a criminal justice system reform project; she’s playing new songs about the cultural and environmental ills of the US of A. So it’s not really her, it’s...her audience. At the last two Ani shows I’ve seen — this one being the second — I’ve been embarrassed to be in the increas- ingly impolite and clueless crowd. There was a time when the audience was as queer-friendly and progressive-minded as The Folksinger herself. Now I’m not so sure. It used to be that fans would scream and roar at appropriate moments, but settle into a sudden, respectful hush during quieter and more intimate interludes. Not so at Memorial. During “‘Tis of Thee,” a political ballad/lament that’s arguably the best song on her new album (“my country ‘tis of thee/to take swings at each other on the talk-show TV”), the persistent hum of conversation practically drowned out the lyrics — and I was directly in front of the eight-foot-high speakers. I looked around to see who was talking and saw the lobby doors swing- ing open for an exiting flock of folks who needed a break. It was also jarring to see the tank-top, tattooed- shoulder, tight black Gap pants crowd wriggling and squealing with glee — presumably because they knew the words — during songs like “Two Little Girls.” This is a song about a woman in an abusive relationship. Its not pretty — it’s sad and angry. The way these girls were holding hands and bouncing around, one might infer they were playing a hyper- active “ring around the rose-y.” And Azii plzt_yr:cl a few clunkers. l nearly ducked out earl_-.‘ when she played bland versions of"Not 2'. Pratt} Girl" and “ ‘W M55 Find i{€\'bC\D.. . .2 ;:,-crane... hfiiwfi ; ‘Tis of An a review by Cathy Resmer Ani DiFranco, April I4, I999, Memorial Auditorium, Burlington ing simplicity of older songs. Bassist Jason Mercer and scene-stealing super-keyboardist Julie Wolf seemed unnecessarily occupied during much of the show. Although I think Ani’s lyrics are still right on, I’m resigned to the fact that I don’t like the new musical territory she’s exploring. It seems mediocre compared to the innovative songwriting and collab- orations on her earlier recordings. But perhaps I’m being harsh. It was still an Ani show. She did her trademark slash-and -bum guitar- ing. She threw her head back and let loose remark- ably full and poignant wails. She forgot somewords and took cues from the front row. She improvised ’ and threw in things only Ani could do, like a seam- less version of “Shy” that jumped to “Hat Shaped Hat" to “Take Me Home” to “I love my band” intro- ductions to the final chorus of“Sliy." With all her witty commentary and ex ezierg).', she‘s one ofthe most l.’:llC.7l'5I(;‘.i :s.n.r.i er acts on the Billboard charts. It just seems like she used to be so much more. So if you’re really into the new music — and the new fans — and you like the experimental ensemble and you’ve got loads of spare $26.50s, it might be worth it to check out the “Up Up Up Up Up Up” tour roaring across the states this spring and sum- mer. ' ' But ifyou’re really into the .politics and righteous ways of this righteous babe, buy the CDs — or T- shirts, caps, and bumper stickers ~ from RBR or your local music store, and save a few bucks on tickets. Then support your local up-and—coming folksingers instead. The Burlington Coffeehu:ls'c hosts foll-: perforimtrs v:"ery Saturday ?‘.l_‘7ll! ii»: :1 fraction of the cost 0:” use Ani show. and I l\’as‘.herine ‘Quinn 't>:;«-“E-. t‘Y"‘-ll.) her West (L-txsc ‘ to tune um tor the —'~,urnmer ‘\/villl :4 tag’: mi ;7~.-’r.‘.x.I...'r_.-rain .. - » photo: Cathy Flesmer nw. cm;