Imperfectly (CD - 1992)

Personnel: Ani DiFranco (vocals, acoustic & slide guitars, percussion); George Puleo (electric guitar); Mary Ramsey (viola); Tim Allan (mandolin); Greg Horn (trumpet); Geoff Perry (bass); Andy Stochansky (drums, percussion).

Recorded at Audio Magic, Buffalo, New York in April 1992.

Personnel: Ani DiFranco (vocals, guitar).

Recording information: Audio Magic, Buffalo, NY (04/1992).

Photographer: Scot Fisher.

On her first two albums, ANI DIFRANCO and NOT SO SOFT, young Buffalo, New York native Ani DiFranco was a woman alone with her acoustic guitar. She cut through the "sensitive folkie" cliche with punk-inspired intensity and a rhythmic ferocity that had at least as much in common with early Elvis Costello as it owed to early Joni Mitchell.

On 1992's IMPERFECTLY, her exceptional third album, DiFranco wisely expands her musical palette. She adds drummer Andy Stochansky (her only constant collaborator from this album onward), an electric bassist, and subtle washes of electric guitar, mandolin, and trumpet to her smartly rendered folk-punk songs. The most inspired musical contribution is the viola solo by Mary Ramsey (10,000 Maniacs, John and Mary) on the Lisa Germano-like "Served Faithfully." The album opens with the stunning "What If No One's Watching?" and "Fixing Her Hair," DiFranco's two finest songs up to that point. minimize