Urban Folk music reviews

I am the owner of around eleven Ani DiFranco CDs, and Imperfectly remains my favorite. This CD is a showcase of how amazing her music can really be. Every song on Imperfectly is great. As usual, the guitar is beautiful and the lyrics are thought provoking and well written.

This is another of Ani's excellent earlier albums that earned her the reputation (at least in the eyes of anyone dismissive of those who think for themselves) of being just an angry, scary lesbian with a big mouth. Of course that description of Ani is utterly false, but when did these people ever let something like the truth get in the way of anything?

This man-hating beacon of lesbian angst view of Ani is a myth created by the horrible listening skills of the people who are intimidated by Ani... or by any strong, intelligent woman. Listen to her lyrics. In the instances where Ani does indeed dislike men, they are the men we should all dislike. Those who will do anything as long as significant financial gain will come from it... and/or the men who use bodyparts and emotions as weapons. A society that dislikes these types of men is on the right track. It's unfortunate that the USA is largely governed (both politically and "morally") by these types of people, and they are actually respected for it.

I think we have all known the woman in Fixing Her Hair. Every State Line (in this, its original incarnation) has the musical feel of some sort of southern national anthem, even though its lyrical content is anything but. If It Isn't Her is the perfect lyrical capture of new love (or at least new feelings) when the world seems to blur around all but... her (or him).

This album will certainly touch you in some way if you've ever let yourself really feel.

Once you've got NOT A PRETTY GIRL, it's time to get IMPERFECTLY.

This is another hard-hitting, melodic, but deeply honest set of songs you can't live without.

It's got some political, like "Make Them Apologize" which pulls no punches and "In or Out", which could basically be the official bisexual anthem. It's got the occasional existential crisis when the opening track asks, "What if no one's watching? What if when we're dead, we are just dead?"

And for anybody who thinks of Ani as being mainly a political singer, songs like SERVED FAITHFULLY remind us that she can write a deeply personal love song like nobody's business. In fact, when she writes one, it's MORE romantic than average, because it lacks corny platitudes.

As usual, her voice is fantastic and her guitar is slamming.

Don't miss the title track, IMPERFECTLY, which declares, "We don't look like the cover of a magazine, but that's all right."

I remember receiving this CD from my sister when my first child was born. I would sit in the rocker with her and sing each song to her as she looked up in amazement. My favorite is "If I Didn't Have You to Wake Up To." My children, now 7 and 10, still occasionally ask me to sing a lullaby to them for fun. This song is always my first choice. Other than one song which feels a little bit intense, maybe even scary (my daughter would cry whenever it played, with tears running down her face), all the songs are pleasant, and fun to sing if you like singing. I have given it as gifts to several of my family and friends when they have their first child. It is a timeless piece. Great music, especially if you like female vocals! The variety of artists keeps it fresh...forever.

We purchased this in summer of 2004 when our daughter was 1 1/2.
We, the parents, fell in love with it right away. Such a refreshing change, and all new songs to us. Now our little girl is over two, and has to hear it before bed each night. Track two, Child of Mine, is our special song, and instantly brings calm and cuddles to an otherwise stressful time of day. I can't imagine a time in the future when I won't love this CD. I will likely take it to my retirement home -- everybody needs a little lullaby once in a while -- not just the kids.

I received this CD as a gift 11 years ago when my daughter was born. She listened to it every night for the first five years of her life. It comforted her and soothed her to sleep! Today she pulls it out and remembers the times we laid together and sang the songs until she couldnt keep her eyes open anymore. It evokes wonderful memories for both of us. I would buy this CD again and again and would recommended it any mother! It's truly a treasure!

I added this one to my Ani's collection relatively late (after Living in Clip and many others), and right now this is the Ani's album i listen to more frequently.
Simply put, there is so much fun and energy in this album, but at the same time some lyrics are very poetic, powerful and empowering, and arguments such as woman condition (a classic for Ani), religion, poverty and social inequality are treated, together with others very funny but not shallow (meaningful and casual encounters, friendship, differences in personalities and body features, etc.). The music is just as funny and energetic, there is not only Ani and her guitar here, but a bunch of other instruments: violins, drums, accordion, bass, harmonica, piano and some others appear in several songs, and make the album look like it was recorded in a summer music festival with a funny and happy atmosphere.

The tracks i love more?

Names and Dates and Times: Ani declares she's not good at remembering a person's name or when she met him/her, but she's definetely better at remembering faces. The song is simple fun, but makes you think about how similar everyone is to each other, with no difference of sex, race or social condition, and that "we are of one kind", we're all humans.

Anyday: very sweet love song.

4th of July: Ani tells the story of how she met her only friend in Iowa, a 7 years old boy, Jason, and how their friendship overcomes all the biases.

Willing to Fight: this is the definitive statement of her activity as a songwriter, very deep and emotional.

Egos Like Herdos: another funny song, mainly about the different personalities everyone has ("depending on how we slept the night before")

My IQ: this is a spoken word that, i bet, will live you breathless (at least that's what usually happens when I make my friends to listen to it for the first time). Infact, being a spoken word (but with a kinda solemn background music) makes you focus on the words, which are very important neverthless. The beginning is very funny, Ani just laughs and asks "are we taping?".

God's Country: beautiful closure to the album, again fun and deep lyrics put together to express her vision about america's "mr. holinesses".

I guess however that everyone can find his/her own favourite tracks in this gorgeous collection: fully recommended!

I LOVE this album! Ani is really brilliant and her writing inspires me so much. There is a lot of diversity on this particular record. Some soft beautiful songs like "Anyday" or "Back Around" and then there are some sprawling crazy acoustic numbers like "Born A Lion" and "Egos Like Hairdos"...all great! I love Ani's whole Righteous Babe Record label. Such great music! Check it out today!

This is one of the best albums I have ever heard. It's original, it's fresh, it's very smart and it has all the charm Ani can bring to it, with - besides her strong, convincing vocals - great guitar playing and a lot of guts. There's no monotony, there are no fillers. Give it a shot.

I heard the song 'Troubled Mind' from Truth From Lies and was amazed, so I immediately went out to look for the CD ... they didn't have it, in fact, they didn't have anything by Catie Curtis in the record store. I was disappointed but decided I'd wait until I had more money to get it off the internet. I still don't have it - but, I stumbled upon this CD at a used music store and decided to buy it since I liked 2 of her other songs.
This is such a mellow CD, a perfect listen for those lonely or moping around days. I am so glad I bought this gem. Some songs speak better than others, my favourites being 100 Miles, Fall Away, Wise To The Ways, Burn Your Own House Down and Magnolia Street. Even though some songs seem lacking such as Gave Me Love which seems to repeat too much and Start Again which sometimes seems a bit boring, this CD is a great listen and a good buy, I recommend it to anyone.

Even if the world "don't owe her nothing," Catie Curtis is still willing to lay her troubles down and play one more song. Many songs seems to be dealing with the confusion we often feel in relationships when our world if falling apart. Whether it is a relationship where you have been completely honest or one where you have secrets.

Catie Curtis delves into the world of pain, love, loss and even hope. You can hear the longing for unconditional love in her lyrics. She seems to be singing about a woman who has a deep need for understanding and is exploring life in a thoughtful way. The lyrics also express the desires of a heart that is ready to fall and fall hard, but only for someone willing to help her understand the complexities of relationships.

"Gave Me Love" - Seems to be speaking about a friend who loves unconditionally. Maybe the type of friendship we all secretly desire and sometimes try to give. "Don't give up on me now."

"World Don't Owe Me" - If you have ever realized how much we are not owed and how blessed we are by gifts from friends we never thought we'd ever meet or gifts we receive as surprises. This is about resolution, about just sitting back and saying that even though we are not "owed anything" there are things that could make our lives easier and happier and more beautiful.

"100 Miles" - One of my favorite songs. If you've ever wondered where you are in a relationship this will make so much sense to you. It seems to deal with insecurity and a fear of ending a relationship that already seems to be ending on its own. I love the lyrics:

"It's gonna rain, it's gonna pour
Through sickness and worse can I love you more
You carried me when I fell
Can I carry you, can I love that well."

"Far Away" - A wistful song about taking a lover for granted and asking for a deeper commitment. "Are we building trust, or just taking chances?"

"Wise to the Ways" - She doesn't know what makes her cry anymore. Does this mean she is crying over everything? A world-weary song. If she said what she should say, she would be screaming. A stark picture of reality.

"What's the Matter" - The moon dances on the waves in a town where there are no city lights. She questions why people fear other people because of their choices or backgrounds, religion or nationality.

"I'll Cover You" - Mysterious and caring all at once and strikes me as being quite beautiful in meaning. If you were ever worried about life, this is the song you'd want to hear a friend sing. Emotionally satisfying.

"Burn Your Own House Down" - Seems to be speaking about a friend who is giving up on a relationship and wants to destroy their world. Maybe it is about staying in a relationship and trying to find love where you first found it. How often does anyone believe in you and tell you that they see hope in a failed relationship? She seems to be saying that her friend should look at the relationship from a new perspective.

"Roses" - An entire landscape of emotions.

"Look at You Now" - Tribute to a friend who made it through the tough times.

"Stay Up All Night" - Sassy seduction. If she could just stay up all night with the person of her dreams.

"Magnolia Street" - This song really gets to me. It is about destiny and knowing you love someone when you first meet them. "A dream, but it's true, I am not the same since I met you."

"Start Again" - Cute lyrics about a second chance.

Hidden Track - Keep listening after Start Again. A song appears! ;)

I love Catie Curtis' voice and how it mingles in an ethereal beauty within an intimate circle of warmth created by the added energy of improvisation. Each song is filled with deep feelings and lots of introspection.

Thanks to you. ;) Another find from a friend who knows where my heart lives.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

There just really isnt anything that I can write to explain to you the pure.....power, of this CD. It is so heart felt and moving and will, without a doubt, leave a mark on your soul.I cant prais it enough. Its simply...amazing

What I like best about Billy Bragg is his wonderful, quirky sense of irony. While he croons on about his working class `identity,' social justice, and the wonders of multiculturalism, he is careful to live in a posh mansion in 100% rural White Dorset - as far as one can get socially and geographically from the multicultural chaos, confusion, and high crime of his native Barking.

Oh well, I guess musical Socialism sells quite well to its niche market.

While anyone who has only heard more recent Billy Bragg music may find this hard to believe, this album is a stunner. It has both politically charged gets-you-thinking music like "To have and to have not" and it offers some beautifully romantic, love songs, like "The Saturday Boy".
This album should be regarded as a social document of what it was like to live in thatcherite britain. Superb.

This album is possibly one of my favourite albums ever. Most of the plus points about this album have already been covered, in the previous reviews; so read through them (the positive ones) and take their points onboard.

I think, if you like folky guitar music and are prepared to put a bit of effort into this album (i.e. Give it a few careful listens) then I am sure you will benefit greatly from it.

If you want a couple of standout tracks to listen to before you make the purchase, try 'St. Swithin's Day' - a song of greaty beauty and poetic ideals; and 'Between The Wars' - a song of pure emotion and a fantastic guitar arrangement.

This album is a definite grower, and I'm sure after a few listens you will think the same thing.

Ani Difranco is now the patron saint of artist who make it on their own. Through her copious energy and sheer strength of will, she has become a popular icon, a heroine and an inspiration to many.

But her success was not always assured. Back before the magazine covers, the duets with Prince, the sold-out shows and screaming fans, she was a struggling young artist with little chance of making it in the music industry. These songs are from that time period. And although not as polished or experimentally mixed as her later material, these songs show a raw passion in a young musician who wants, not to be liked, but to be respected. And over a decade later, the album still feels fresh and powerful.

Songs like "Anticipate", "Rush Hour", and "The Slant" show how she is able to experiment musically, using her voice and guitar in new ways to express strong emotions. Her abilites as a singer/songwriter/poet were firmly established by such lyrical works of art as "Not So Soft" and "Out of Habit". And lest anyone confuse her for a fluffy bit of entertainment, her bold political stances are made clear in "Gratitude", "Work Your Way Out", and nearly every other song to one degree or another.

Ani Difranco's later albums range from polished masterpieces to tired and mellow collections. She is now all grown up, married, having bucked the system and created her own. It's inspiring to see an artist change and grow and mellow, and yet never give up her principles. But sometimes it's exciting to peek back to the days when she had to work for every fan, when each tiny college concert meant one more day of having enough money to eat. These songs are from that time, and they're a joy to hear.

One thing about Ani's albums is they're always different. Really, other than the truth, you never know what you're going to get. "Like I Said" brings us back to when Ani was just starting out in her amazing music career, back in the days where it was just her, her guitar and her head full of thoughts and emotions. Personally, I feel that of the six Ani DiFranco cds I have so far acquired, this is one of her best works. It's my second favorite right after "Not A Pretty Girl" and a must for any feminist. On this album, she tackles everything from freedom of choice to why having sex with someone isn't her obligation, no matter how thankfull she is to them, among many other personal ballads and lyrics that will really move you and maybe even influince your own politics. I'd suggest this cd to anyone.

"Talk To Me Now"

he said ani, you've gotten tough
'cause my tone was curt
yeah, and when I'm approached in a dark alley
I don't lift my skirt
in this city
self-preservation
is a full time occupation
I'm determined
to survive on this shore
you know I don't
avert my eyes anymore
in a man's world
I am a woman by birth
and after nineteen times around I have found
they will stop at nothing once they know what you are worth
talk to me now
I played the powerless
in too many dark scenes
and I was blessed with a birth and a death
and I guess I just want some say in between
don't you understand
in the day to day
and the face to face
I have to act
just as strong as I can
just to preserve a place
where I can be who I am
so if you still know how
talk to me now

Ani is unique in many ways from her music to her poetry. She defentally has opened my eyes to the world that we live in. I have listened and chereshed Ani sence the begining, all 14 years and all 25 albums or so,(I even met her) and I have seen her music evolve, but when i look back I always go to this album. "Like I Said" is a album of poetry and simplistic music of Ani and her guitar. The three most chereshable Ani songs are featured on this CD: Fire Door, Out of Habit, and most importantaly Both Hands. Ani's music has defined a generation. Buy it and you WILL love it.

If she ever comes to your town see her live and you will understand why music is here!

i first heard of vic last year when i caught the tail end of sessions at west 54. i was hooked. i liked the real raw orginality. so i bought the salesman and bernadette. it's not my favorite and i have not heard them all. but now i have two.we saw vic in chicago and bought autographed copy.well worth the money! go see him. he's funny and witty. a very enjoyable fellow! o

Athens, GA is one of those southern artsy/fartsy cities that is a creative well of talent. It has that art house aura that draws attention from, but still protects against, the guardians of morals that inhabit the bible belt that runs through the south and the midwest. Vic Chestnut might have ended up as a wheelchair bound, bible thumper spouting hellfire and brimstone, but instead we get a man who can play a convincing role as a contemplative drunk that can pen a damn good song.

The Salesman and Bernadette is Vic Chestnut's sixth album. Lambchop is the backing band on this album. The collaboration is similar to the one Chestnut did on the album Nine High a Pallet, which involved Chestnut and members of the bands Widespread Panic and Cracker. Lambchop is an indie band out of Nashville that plays everything from country to the avant-garde.If you are familiar with Vic Chestnut's other work then I can say this is one of his more upbeat albums. If you're not familiar with Chestnut's work let me just say it is a somber album with upbeat moments. Think Faulkner... Tennessee Williams... Lush greenery thriving in humidity under weeping willows. Think of plantations past their prime and southern cities grappling with their heritage and changing times. Think bourbon and the occasional Valium.

I First Heard This Disc About 6 Months Ago, I Just Had Read About Vic, Never Heard Him, But This Guy Opened A Whole New World Of Music For Me,His World. Sure I'm A Tom Waite Fan, But Mostly I'm A Folk,Country,Rock Fan And I've Never Heard Anything Quite Like This. Totally Original Style. Since Then I've Bought All His Music,Twice, Just In Case I Break One Or They Go Out Of Print.

i first heard of vic last year when i caught the tail end of sessions at west 54. i was hooked. i liked the real raw orginality. so i bought the salesman and bernadette. it's not my favorite and i have not heard them all. but now i have two.we saw vic in chicago and bought autographed copy.well worth the money! go see him. he's funny and witty. a very enjoyable fellow! o

Athens, GA is one of those southern artsy/fartsy cities that is a creative well of talent. It has that art house aura that draws attention from, but still protects against, the guardians of morals that inhabit the bible belt that runs through the south and the midwest. Vic Chestnut might have ended up as a wheelchair bound, bible thumper spouting hellfire and brimstone, but instead we get a man who can play a convincing role as a contemplative drunk that can pen a damn good song.

The Salesman and Bernadette is Vic Chestnut's sixth album. Lambchop is the backing band on this album. The collaboration is similar to the one Chestnut did on the album Nine High a Pallet, which involved Chestnut and members of the bands Widespread Panic and Cracker. Lambchop is an indie band out of Nashville that plays everything from country to the avant-garde.If you are familiar with Vic Chestnut's other work then I can say this is one of his more upbeat albums. If you're not familiar with Chestnut's work let me just say it is a somber album with upbeat moments. Think Faulkner... Tennessee Williams... Lush greenery thriving in humidity under weeping willows. Think of plantations past their prime and southern cities grappling with their heritage and changing times. Think bourbon and the occasional Valium.

I First Heard This Disc About 6 Months Ago, I Just Had Read About Vic, Never Heard Him, But This Guy Opened A Whole New World Of Music For Me,His World. Sure I'm A Tom Waite Fan, But Mostly I'm A Folk,Country,Rock Fan And I've Never Heard Anything Quite Like This. Totally Original Style. Since Then I've Bought All His Music,Twice, Just In Case I Break One Or They Go Out Of Print.

This is his second best album, but only slightly. If you do not like unions, equality and taking care of your fellow man, he is not for you! I have had this album since 1991 and still listen to it regularly (I realize that "every day" would be an exageration). I love the "thick" accent and have gotten used to it over time. His web site has covers other bands have done of some of these songs, but I can't get into it without him singing it. Very good listen....

Billy Bragg. Though he is nowhere near Elvis or Dylan on the scale of rock'n'roll fame, this socialist punker has nevertheless opened up a pretty wide audience to the politics and philosophy of underdog rebellion. Bragg had turned away from most punkishness and toward almost pure folk music by the time Taxman came out (though he more recently collaborated with Wilco and others), though the attitude of many songs, even here, sounds eerily reminiscent of The Clash or the Dead Kennedys, albeit in folk format.

From "Shirley" and "Marriage," more personal love-based songs, the album blossoms into statements of justice, equality and nonviolent resistance. "Ideology" is an anthem to the schism that frequently exists between British (and American) politicians and the people, the perversion of democracy. Some of the songs are just fun, like "I'm a Big Boy Now." But then you get to the best treat of all, "There Is Power In A Union," sung to a traditional folk melody with howling, twanging guitar licks. "Help Save The Youth Of America" is another hearty, danceable song dealing with solidarity and resistance.

It's good music to begin with, the political message makes it better, and when you combine the two in the combination he does on this album, what you get is a million times better than the best $ex in the world. As someone aspiring to start my own socialist punk band, my heart is won Billy!

TALKING WITH THE TAXMAN ABOUT POETRY is my favorite of Billy Bragg's albums. All the songs are strong, especially "Greetings to the New Brunette," and Billy's passion for his subjects has never seemed so strong as it does on "Ideology" and "Help Save the Youth of America."

The lyrics are great too.

Here's a sample: "If I share my bed with you / Must I also share my life / Love is just a moment of giving / And marriage is when we admit our parents were right"

Bragg's political edge is only sharper on THE INTERNATIONALE. His personal songwriting excels on "The Marriage" and a few others, but it's no wonder why Billy lacks success on the USA pop charts. These intelligent, mature love songs and political anthems surely don't help to sell suntan lotion and diet colas, do they?

I first heard this in 1988 or 1989, most likely, and it just sounded true and authentic. It was sincere without being sappy. I realized I was listening to something great, and I became a fan of the album. Only later did I discover other albums by Billy Bragg.

If I could thank Billy Bragg for one thing, it would be TALKING WITH THE TAXMAN ABOUT POETRY. If you've enjoyed other albums by Bragg, I recommend this to you wholeheartedly.

Another beautiful album from Ani! This is her second album and last album which has just her and an acoustic guitar. The lyrics are amazing! The spoken word title track gives me chills, and so does "On Every Corner"...there are many brilliant political protest songs on here, some of her best ones in fact! There is such passion and honesty in her voice and I love it! I'd defineity recommend this or anything by Ani.

This is a fabulous album by a fabulous artist. It has a wide variety of songs on various topics, including lesbianism (or the possibility thereof), rape, homelessness, poverty, and politics in general (those are my favorites), and so on.
If you're an Ani fan and you're looking for a new album, or you're just getting into Ani, I highly recommend, Not So Soft.

One of Ani's classic albums, this isn't one to skip. I sometimes wonder what Ani now thinks of her earlier albums such as this one. Always an intellectual with soul and compassion, she can't help but to have grown as a person since the release of her earlier albums. I wonder if she herself still relates to all her earlier songs the way she once did. I know I do. Most people at age 40 can't even write songs with the depth and emotional power of these songs, so it makes it even all the more impressive to think how young Ani was when she wrote these.

I assume over the years she has outgrown (or at least doesn't really enjoy performing) some of her older songs, but in the case of some of these great songs, I just think maybe she is so prolific that she just doesn't remember her own songs anymore. Roll With It is one example I'm thinking of here. I should look up some recent setlists to see if she has played this one at all in the past couple years. Over 10-years-old now, Roll With It has never (since it was written) been more appropriate to the USA's current mess than it is right now. This song deserves to be performed again if it has been years since she last brought it out.

Anticipate, Roll With It, Gratitude, The Whole Night, Next Big Thing, etc... this album has everything a classic Ani album has... lyrics that will pull you together, lyrics that will break you down, great guitar playing, and expressive singing. Not So Soft itself, always one of her best spoken-word pieces was great when first unveiled here, but now that there have been so many fantastic, yet drastically different live variations of it, this studio one doesn't have the impact it once had. The words are still perfect, but in the years since, it has been delivered better elsewhere.