It’s been over 10 years since I last reviewed an Ani DiFranco album so I greeted the release of ¿Which Side Are You On? You could call Ani DiFranco a political activist. "Angry Anymore" was released to radio, but did not chart. She has released more than 20 albums, and is widely considered a feminist icon. A monthly update on our latest interviews, stories and added songs. The album has a score of 69 out of 100 from Metacritic based on "generally favorable reviews". The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs. The result? with some trepidation and excitement. This year is our time. by independent American folk artist Ani DiFranco, is an album that raises significant issues facing artists today—above all, how to view society critically. Which Side Are You On? Thankfully, this doesn’t apply to the majority of tracks. In 2009 DiFranco appeared at Pete Seeger 's 90th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden, debuting her revamped version of the 1930s labor anthem " Which Side Are You On? " The collection features 11 new songs alongside a radically reworked rendition of the classic title song, famously popularized by the one and only Pete Seeger nearly five decades ago, but no less relevant today. (feat. DiFranco transforms it from a labor protest tune to a leftist anthem over marital drums. ANI DIFRANCO Which Side Are You On Lyrics. Up Up Up Up Up Up is the ninth album by singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco, released in 1999 on Righteous Babe Records. For her, the personal is political and it is so wonderful in the age of bland singer-songwriters to have an album full of songs with meaning, songs with words that matter, songs about the state of the world and contemplative songs about more than just love or breakups. Feminist icon Ani DiFranco has released 17 studio albums over the last three decades and, with Righteous Babe Records in 1990, became one of the first independent artists to launch her own label. FAVORITE (2 fans) Ani DiFranco. In the more upbeat ‘Promiscuity’ Ani likens promiscuity to travelling the world – “some of us like to stick close to home and some of us are Columbus.” It’s a fun song, yet there’s a serious message behind it. While that kind of delay might not be significant for most artists, the folk icon’s punctuality has always gone hand in hand with the relevance of her politically charged songs, and, to that end, Which Side Are You On? 6:27 PREVIEW Splinter. 4. Backing DiFranco … It's been almost four years since Ani DiFranco's last album was released and now 2012 is greeted with the release of her newest album, Which Side Are You On? We voted for an end to war. One of the things I’ve always loved about Ani’s work is that she is a songwriter with something to say and her music is the perfect vehicle for her lyrics. 5. Lyrics. 2. ¿Which Side Are You On? A poet. “I’ve been pushing my own boundaries of politics and art. A … The album’s title comes from the union song ‘Which Side Are You On’, popularised by folk legend Pete Seeger and also familiar to Billy Bragg fans. by Ani DiFranco. (Righteous Babe Records, 2012), songs vacillate between two major topics: politics and love. 3. Ani DiFranco performs "Which Side Are You On? Ani DiFranco ( /ˈɑːniː/; born Angela Maria DiFranco on September 23, 1970) is an American singer, guitarist, poet, and songwriter. This is big band Ani and it works on all levels. This song is by Ani DiFranco and appears on the album ¿Which Side Are You On? The album’s title comes from the union song ‘Which Side Are You On’, popularised by folk legend Pete Seeger and also familiar to Billy Bragg fans. is not a major departure for Ani DiFranco. Music review by Sebastian Gahan 17/1/2012. Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? These come as very little surprise to those who have followed DiFranco through the vast changes in her songwriting approach and personal life over the past twenty years, but on Which Side she adds a new spin to the situation. "Hold on for one more day" is something she heard in AA meetings. Co-directed by DiFranco herself, the clip was set to a trip-hop remix of the song “Joyful Girl” and featured DiFranco wearing an evening gown and enough makeup to send many of her militant feminist followers flying off the handle. they stole a few elections, still we the people won We voted out corruption and big corporations we voted for an end to war new direction we ain't gonna stop now until our job is done come on all good workers this year is our time “I’m testing deeper waters with the political songs on this album,” she says. It’s been over 10 years since I last reviewed an Ani DiFranco album so I greeted the release of Which Side Are You On? Seeing DiFranco perform live is essential to fully understanding the breadth of her talent. Seeger’s distinctive banjo playing opens the title track, reminding us of the song’s origins, before the electric guitar kicks in and a great full brass sound makes an appearance later on. by Paul de Revere. She sticks to what she’s good at and she does it well. Big corporations. Lyrics to 'Which Side Are You On?' A look at the good (Diana Ross, Eminem), the bad (Madonna, Bob Dylan) and the peculiar (David Bowie, Michael Jackson) film debuts of superstar singers. Until our job is done. 4:09 PREVIEW Unworry. The other is with Alanis Morissette. By Ruth Rosselson. It was the first ever song to spend over a year on the chart before entering the top 20. Which SIde Are You On? (feat. I won’t think her wrong but I do believe it would be a shame for such an eloquent writer to give up now, as we currently need songs with power, hope and politics more than ever. And a mom. Ruth Rosselson is a writer and music lover based in Manchester. ¿Which Side Are You On? Which Side Are You on 2012 Righteous Babe Unworry submit Which Side Are You On? ‘Mariachi’ is a simple love song, celebrating the partnership itself rather than the subject of her love: “You and me, we make a mariachi band,” she sings joyfully. Lyrics. The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs. This mood contrasts strongly with the album’s final song. New direction. Another bright point on the record is her cover of Pete Seeger’s famous protest song “Which Side Are You On?“ Are you part of the solution or are you part of the con?” Seeger himself joins her on banjo and backup vocals. 4:36 PREVIEW Promiscuity. Ani DiFranco Righteous Babe Records . But that is the problem I’ve always had with Ani’s work – so it’s probably just a matter of taste. I have to admit I do find some of the tracks a little too musically downbeat, meaning that my attention wanders easily; the tracks that work best for me are those where the tune keeps me entertained and the lyrics keep me engaged. Seeing what people have the ears to listen to.”. “My mother was a feminist, she taught me to see, the road to ruin is paved with patriarchy,” she sings, pointing out that feminism isn’t just for women – it’s about a shift in consciousness. One of the things I’ve always loved about Ani’s work is that she is a songwriter with something to say and her music is the perfect vehicle for her lyrics. The lyric to "Hold On" by Wilson Phillips was inspired by Chynna Phillips' struggles with addiction. Ani DiFranco – Which Side Are You On? I’m happy to report that this new album does not disappoint and that, reassuringly, Ani DiFranco has not lost any of her politics as she’s matured. Her music taste spans far and wide, from traditional English folk music to obscure electronica, Congolese soukous to 1970s funk and Cuban reggaeton to Shakira, Ani DiFrancofeminismfeministsfolkMusic Reviewspolitics, It’s rare enough for a musician to admit to being a feminist, let alone for them to openly sing about it, For Ani, the personal is political and it is so wonderful in the age of bland singer-songwriters to have an album full of songs with meaning, Compilation ©2001-2018 The F-Word. Ani DiFranco feat. Southern gospel musician Buddy Greene later added music to his words. A folkie in punk's clothing, Ani DiFranco battled successfully against the Goliath of corporate rock to emerge as one of the most influential and inspirational cult heroines of the 1990s. We ain't gonna stop now. scans as a little unfashionably late. He called it "an old, long song about a guy at a depressing piano bar.". She has never been one to follow the mainstream, nor to sacrifice her principles or artistry in pursuit of chart success. On Ani DiFranco’s latest studio record, ¿Which Side Are You On? They stole a few elections Still we the people won We voted out corruption and Big corporations We voted for an end to war New direction We Pete Seeger - Which Side Are You On? All of these facets have contributed their distinct ingredients to her new album, ¿Which Side Are You On? If you saw DiFranco live at anytime over the past few years she'll probably have played one of the songs on this album and the … It is also one that highlights Ani’s skills as a lyricist. “If I should ever quit your spotlight, I hope you won’t think me wrong,” she sings. They stole a few elections / Still we the people won / We voted out corruption and / Big corporations / We voted for an end to war / New direction Nobody picks up an Ani DiFranco album because they ride the fence politically. DiFranco was inspired to record her version of this protest anthem after being invited to perform at Seeger's 90th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden in May 2009. Ruth Rosselson listens to her first album to be released in over three years and finds that DiFranco is still not afraid of tackling thought-provoking issues while making us smile and sing along. All rights reserved. with some trepidation and excitement. on January 06, 2012, 8:00am. Come on all good workers. Overall, this is not an album to be bopping round the living room to, but one to make you think, smile, sing along. in a duet with Bruce Cockburn and also duetting with Kris Kristofferson on the folk classic "There's a Hole in the Bucket". Joining DiFranco and Seeger on the song are a Hudson Valley-based children's chorus, The Rivertown Kids, and a brass band consisting of students from The Roots of Music called The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders. ¿Which Side Are You On? Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Two Tribes" features British actor Patrick Allen reading extracts from a government civil defense leaflet. A lover. The music, while tuneful, never overshadows Ani’s lyrics and never obscures them either. A fighter. The music, while tuneful, never overshadows Ani’s lyrics and never obscures them either. ‘Zoo’ is a downbeat piece with powerful lyrics and you sense that this is introspective Ani, wondering whether or not the songs she writes really do make a difference. The lyrics for "Mary, Did You Know?" If you’re into gentle acoustic singer-songwriters with attitude and haven’t heard her yet, this album is a fine place to start. The title track of singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco's seventeenth album is a revised version of a 1931 Florence Reece song, which was later popularized by Pete Seeger. The collection features 11 new songs alongside a radically reworked rendition of the classic title song, famously popularized by the one and only Pete Seeger nearly five decades ago, but no less relevant today. ", a cover of Pete Seeger's original song, from her 2012 record with the same name. The openly bisexual feminist icon has made a career out of her fearless commentary-ridden folk songs. "Sail" by AWOLNATION had a remarkably slow climb up the Hot 100. The Boston Globe gave it a favorable review and stated that most of it "strikes a natural balance between matters of the heart and causes close to DiFranco's heart." Backing DiFranco … DiFranco brings this all-too-real situation to life with striking imagery juxtaposed against rather simple guitar work . Amendment Lyrics: Wouldn't it be nice if / We had an amendment / To give civil rights to / Women / To once and for all just / Really lay it down from / The point of view of women / I know what you' Musically, it’s a skilful updating of this folk standard to a rousing upbeat and fresh-sounding protest song. Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories. Pete Seeger) submit Splinter submit Promiscuity submit If Yr Not submit Mariachi submit Amendment submit Unworry submit Which Side Are You On? Album review: Ani DiFranco's “¿Which Side Are You On?” January 16, 2012 | 5:40 pm For those who have been complaining that there are no protest songs in pop music right now, ’90s icon Ani DiFranco serves up a well-meaning but predictable specimen in the title song to her new studio album. Radiohead's "Paraonid Android" was written after a confrontation in a Los Angeles bar with an irate woman. We voted out corruption and. The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father. marks DiFranco's first studio album in more than three years. B. At the age of 92, Seeger pops up on the track providing accompanying vocals and banjo. (2012). I love this version, with the chorus “which side are you on?” reminding me that it’s all about taking responsibility – and being the change we wish to see. 2012 Preview SONG TIME Life Boat. They stole a few elections, Still we the people won. Ani Difranco - Which Side Are You On? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction. Billy Joel is surprised that "Piano Man" is so successful. A free spirit. by Ani DiFranco. ¿Which Side Are You On? As a result, she has had a prestigious output, started her own record label and garnered a loyal and enthusiastic fan base. were written by Christian singer and comedian Mark Lowry, after his pastor asked him to write a Christmas musical for their church. Then, from here, you can work through her extensive back catalogue! Pete Seeger) submit Splinter submit Promiscuity If Yr Not submit Mariachi submit Amendment submit Unworry submit Which Side Are You On? She contributed her own verses to the song and has used it to close her own live shows ever since. marks DiFranco's first studio album in more than three years. U ntil now, Ani DiFranco has never taken more than two years between albums. DiFranco transforms it from a labor protest tune to a leftist anthem over marital drums. | Built by, I’ve got one hand in my pocket. Not afraid to tackle the theme we don’t hear in songs very often, the sombre ‘Amendment’ takes up the thorny (especially in America) issue of abortion, arguing that it is central to the civil rights of women. They stole a few elections Still we the people won We voted out corruption and Big corporations Ani DiFranco Buy This Song. 4:16 PREVIEW Which Side Are You On? 1. Which Side Are You On? They stole a few elections, Still we the people won We voted out corruption and Big corporations We voted for an end to war New direction W Lyrics to 'Which Side Are You On' by Ani Difranco. It’s not just the music that Ani’s updated, she’s worked on the lyrics too, incorporating America’s recent political history: Obama’s election victory, consumerism and feminism. I love it when she sings: “How you gonna know what you need, what you like, ’til you’ve been around the block a few times on that bike?”. It’s not all politics though. ¿Which Side Are You On? Ani DiFranco (Angela Maria DiFranco) Which Side Are You On? A tasty concoction that ranges from goose-bump inducing love songs to … It’s rare enough for a musician to admit to being a feminist, let alone for them to openly sing about it. The title track of singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco's seventeenth album is a revised version of a 1931 Florence Reece song, which was later popularized by Pete Seeger. 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