Ani DiFranco has wrapped up the recording of two new albums, both due April 10th. The twenty-eight songs that make up the sister records, Revelling and Reckoning, will be divided between them according to the album titles' themes. Among the tracks included are "Subdivision," "So What" and "Garden of Simple," which DiFranco has performed in concert over the past year.

The albums were recorded in Austin, Texas, with DiFranco's touring band: Jason Mercer (bass), Daren Hahn (drums), Julie Wolf (keyboards), Shane Endsley (trumpet) and Hans Teuber (sax). DiFranco's last full-length release, To the Teeth, emphasized the horn section and Revelling and Reckoning will continue that, as well as feature several instrumentals. The album also features special guests Maceo Parker, who also played sax on To The Teeth, experimental composer/trumpet player John Hassell and slide guitarist Lloyd Maines, father of Dixie Chick Natalie Maines.

Not one to stay off the road for too long, DiFranco begins touring Europe again at the end of January and returns to the U.S. for a North American tour beginning in March 27th in Portland, Maine. Other confirmed cities are Ottawa; Buffalo; Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri. More dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

CHRISTINA SARACENO
(January 13, 2001)