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Ani DiFranco Explodes with "George"

"George"

Posted May 26, 1998 12:00 AM

Ani DiFranco, who has been working the small club circuit since 1990, seems to have finally gotten too big for her leather britches, so she's decided to let out the hems a little. |

Coming off a sold-out spring club tour that spanned Europe, Australia and Asia (yes, Ani is big in Japan), DiFranco has booked time at a series of multi-thousand-seat ampitheatres for her upcoming summer jaunt across North America. With the exception of a short stint opening for Bob Dylan early last fall, the Folksinger has never played in venues this large.

The move is not unexpected, as DiFranco's latest album, Little Plastic Castles, is achieving an unprecedented level of commercial exposure. A spokesperson for her label, Righteous Babe Records, told JAMTV that more than 300,000 copies of the record had already been shipped, and two singles -- "As Is" and "Little Plastic Castle" are enjoying heavy rotation on several major radio stations.

Dubbed "George" in a tongue-in-cheek response to the horde of named tours this summer ("Furthur," "Lilith Fair," etc...), Ani's tour will feature New Orleans' ReBirth Brass Band as the opening act. ReBirth lays down a jazz/funk groove, and their latest release, We Come To Party is being put out by Shanachie Records, a label known for producing quality world music. Former Brand New Heavies lead singer N'Dea Davenport recently featured the band in the video for the first single off of her eponymous solo debut, due out June 30.

DiFranco came across ReBirth while playing a show in New Orleans, and immediately invited them to join her on "George." In addition to her now-famous DIY ethic, Ani is known for using her station to bring exposureto smaller musicians. On several previous national tours, she has brought friends or local musicans along as her opening act.

"I choose people to open for me that I'm really impressed by, that I think would be great in front of my audience," DiFranco told JAMtv in an interview last fall. (Isaac Josephson)

Ani DiFranco summer tour dates: