Ani DiFranco
Eagle's Ballroom
Milwaukee
Nov. 19, 2000
Story and Photos by Phil Bonyata
Ani DiFranco is a modern Renaissance woman. She is a complete do-it-yourselfer. Intelligent, pretty, singer, songwriter, musician and owner of Righteous Babe Records, Ani has upped the ante on creativity and ambition.
Ani's army showed up en masse to the Eagle's Ballroom in Milwaukee last Sunday night. She empowers the lost and disenfranchised with her lyrics boiling over with blistering power and rage. Her rock 'n roll snarls pepper her folk rock roots throughout.
On "Little Plastic Castle" hints of ska, enhanced by the two man brass section, added to it's rich soulfulness. "Both Hands" had Ani's lyrics dart in and out like a pissed-off rattler that has just been stepped on by a wayward camper. On this puzzling and introspective song bled Ani's heart.
"Untouchable Face" and "Shameless" sped out of the gates like dragsters bent on reaching Mach 1.
On this night, Ani checked her coat at the door so her audience could easily see the bearing of this talented young woman's soul.