More Joy, Less Shame

Released in late 1996, More Joy, Less Shame is a six-track EP that serves as a companion piece to the Dilate era, though it tonally stands apart. The centerpiece is 'Joyful Girl,' presented in four distinct versions that showcase DiFranco's evolving interest in arrangement and production. The 'Danger and Uncertainty' mix utilizes vocal layering as a rhythmic foundation, while the live recording with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra marks one of her first major forays into orchestral collaboration. This release is historically significant for DiFranco fans as it signaled a shift away from the 'angry folk singer' stereotype, emphasizing her technical versatility and emotional range. The inclusion of a live version of 'Both Hands' - a staple from her debut - provides a grounding link to her roots, though performed here with a matured, weathered perspective. Critically, it is viewed as a transitional document that paved the way for the expansive double-album sounds of 'Little Plastic Castle' and 'Up Up Up Up Up Up'.