Ani DiFranco-Reprieve

Every new album from singer/songwriter/guitarist Ani DiFranco gives listeners a reason to get excited about music all over again, and Reprieve, is certainly no exception. Across 12 tracks, DiFranco ignites more of her signature blend of poetry, politics and musicianship. Ani and touring bassist Todd Sickafoose are the only two players on the new album - something you'd never guess from its rich and detailed sound. In addition to the usual array of acoustic and electric guitars for which she is justly noted, Ani can be heard on keyboards, drums, and other instruments, while Todd contributes not only bass but wurlitzer, pump organ, piano and "fakey-bakey" trumpet and strings (then there's the bicycle pump and other found sounds and sound effects orchestrated by Ani). The album was tracked in her New Orleans studio in early 2005 during a break in her usually heavy touring schedule. Forced to leave the master recordings behind when she evacuated before Hurricane Katrina, she drove back in