The Dixie Chicks don't need a plug from me. They're going to sell a lot of copies of their new CD Home. They had chart topping success with their last two efforts Fly in 1999 and Wide Open Spaces in 1998, selling more than 10 million copies, each. Even the dry spell resulting from their several year legal fight with Sony couldn't kill all the market momentum behind the Chicks.
I came to know of and appreciate The Dixie Chicks quite reluctantly, being introduced to them by my then 12 year old daughter. Their over-hyped Nashville image was a big turn-off for me and my cynicism led me to prematurely judge them as another extruded country top forty product. But everytime my daughter played their cds I found myself listening and liking what I heard.
Still, nothing prepared me for how much I like Home. Once again, I came to their latest effort reluctantly. I read about their long legal battle with their record label and admired their tanacity. It also didn't hurt that fellow bookbinder and leading Austin session bassman, Glenn Fukunaga, is on at least half of the tracks. Plus, beside several songs of their own compostion, they have chosen songs from some of Austin's and country music's best singer songwriters including Bruce Robison's "Travellin' Soldier", Patty Griffin's "Truth No. 2" and "Top of the World", and Radney Foster's "Godspeed" (with Emmylou Harris providing backup vocals), among others.
They recorded and co-produced Home on their own terms, away from the influence of Nashville's hype-machine and their label's lawyers, right here in Central Texas, at Austin's Cedar Creek Studio with Natalie Maines' father, legendary steel guitarist and producer, Lloyd Maines. I have read that the total cost of recording and production was $150,000 — pretty cheap by big-label best-selling artist standards. The music has a warm and intimate feel, like live music in a small but acoustically superior space. There is no evidence of over-dubbing or layering that is so common today. This suits me just fine, as lately my musical taste has been leaning more toward a woody acoustic sound. Mind you, I still like to rock, fortunately bluegrass seems up to the task as is evidenced by "White Trash Wedding" and the instumental "Lil' Jack Slade".
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Eric Olsen
Great job Craig, thanks!
2 - Dirk Deppey
I've avoided the first two albums by this second incarnation of the Dixie Chicks, mainly because I've always been a big fan of the original foursome. (Oh yes, the original foursome -- you do know that the Dixie Chicks have been recording since the early 1990s, right?) Has anyone familiar with their now-deleted back catalog heard this yet? How does it stack up against, say, Thank Heavens for Dale Evans?
3 - Cheryl
I am wanting to mail somethng to the dixie chicks. Can i please get a mail address
4 - Eric Olsen
I would send it through their label, Sony Nashville.
5 - Marilyn
I want to show my support to the Dixie Chicks, I am proud that Natalie exercised her right to free speech, I mean that is why we are a war, right? So the people of Iraq can have the same right we as Americans do? I say Natalie keeep exercising that right because if we stop we will not be heard!!! How artists have done or said something offensive to a lot of people and have not gotten the negative publicity they should have gotten. Keep up the great work ladies, And I am one fan that will continue to buy and listen to your music.
6 - Patty
Those traiting wenches...how can anyone want to support them..after turning on their own commander and chief. I never liked them, now I HATE THEM. And furthermore my daughters will never be allowed to listen to them ever again. They are forbidden from me home. I hope they end up hungry and homeless just like alot of the iraqi's were. On second thought why don't they go live in Iraq now.
7 - Joe
I wish the little chubby blonde with the big mouth would just shut up. No one cares what she thinks, and just so you'll know, "Being from the south, I'm ashamed that dumb blonde uses the word 'dixie' in their name."
8 - Taloran
"after turning on their own commander and chief"
Isn't the greatest part of this country the ability to speak out, free of fear of persecution as a result of one's opinions? Boycott the Chicks if you think that's right, by all means. But suggesting they be sent to Iraq for voicing their opposition to Bush is the ultimate slap in the face to what this country stands for.
9 - Natalie Davis
"after turning on their own commander and chief"
"traiting wenches"
waHAhahahahahahahahaha!
10 - Taloran
I thought so too, Natalie.
11 - Taloran
Gotta love these folks who think dissent is unAmerican.
To trait: To act in a treasonous manner.
Kinda like my kids when they say "Hey Dad, who are the Broncos versing today?"
12 - Natalie Davis
I am just aghast that someone considers Natalie Maines "chubby."
We gotta love everyone, Tal.
"Who are the Broncos versing?" That's adorable.
13 - John Parsem
I truly believe that the fat blonde has no idea what shes talkng about. She's just following the hollywood liberal trend. I feel sorry that she had no mental knowledge and power and could be brain washed so easily by left-wing deutches(spelling).
14 - John Parsem
Oh yeah I almost forgot, Their music is absolutely gut-wrentchingly horrible.
15 - Victor Plenty
How nicely symbolic that a "patriotic American" would choose Christmas Eve, more than two years after the original article was posted, of all the possible times to spout ugly, hateful, and totally unsupported claims that anybody who disagrees with his own views must be "brain washed" by someone.
Sure, this is the time for Peace on Earth and goodwill to men, maybe, but apparently not goodwill to women if they happen to be "liberal" in your pointy-haired little mind.
Also how deliciously ironic that when he wants to claim she must have "no mental knowledge and power" he cannot even manage to spell the derogatory term he feels compelled to use.
Just remember, when a man of that caliber calls a woman "fat" he is really only admitting she's damn hot, and that he knows he'd never have a snowball's chance in hell of picking her up, even at closing time, after buying spiked drinks for her all night long.
Also remember that it is the highest compliment when a man with such obviously defective powers of observation attempts to insult the products of anyone's artistic endeavor.
16 - No Chicks
They just can't keep there mouths shut. I threw away there other 2 CD's and will never buy a Dixie Chick CD again. Yes, it is freedom of speech,but I don't have to support what they are saying.
17 - Jen
The 'Dixie' Chicks would be alot better off if the fat one kept her mouth shut. I'm ashamed they use the name 'Dixie'
18 - Sigmund
Before the most negative of You Out There posts your rather ... hollow comments, please take a minute to raise your head and look anywhere else outside your country. Take a trip to another continent and try to see how your "dear" President rules from the outside. It's not impressing! I support the Dixie Chicks 100% in their critics.
When that is said: a good discussion with good reasoning is always welcome.
19 - Jamie
Ya know, I have never like the Dixie Chicks, but am compelled to go out and buy all of their albums now. That beautiful woman has every right to speak out about this president. I think it is our responsibility to speak up when our leaders are messing up (and this president is piling one screw up on top of another). But they aren't just mistakes, he intentionally misleads the people, abuses his power, infringes upon our rights, etc.... All intentional!! How can anyone continue to support this man?! Just look at what he is doing. Please, people, open your eyes.
And regarding the comments about not letting your children listen to their albums...how silly. First, that will only make them want to listen to them more. Second, as parents we should teach our children to think for themselves, not just follow blindly (others or us). Instill the basics and let them develop! I doubt you want your children following all of the popular trends...
20 - Jamie
Bye the way...Victor and Sigmund, nicely stated.
21 - Jamie
Um, last one...I had no idea what Natalie Maines looks like, but I just looked up photos of the Dixie Chicks because I was curious after all the talk about the "fat" or "chubby" girl. Once I figured out which one she was, I gotta suggest that those of you who call her "chubby" go to the optometrist. They are all pretty, and she is HOT! I am not a guy, but I can still appreciate when a woman is nice to look at. And she is nice to look at.
22 - Steve
I saw N.M. say in an interview the other day; "We're musicians, not politicians". That's the most intelligent thing that's come out of her mouth since those shameful and fateful comments in England. My only question is why doesn't she live up to the statement and just make music and keep her political opinions to herself? She, and we all, would be much better off.
I for one, and I believe there are a lot more like me, absolutely detest when "entertainers" abuse their public status as a stage to espew their political views. They have absolutely no right to use that status to promote their personal political agendas regardless what they may be. The public doesn't pay them for their opinions, it pays them for their talent. They should all keep their opinions to themselves.
23 - Jamie
I don't think there is anything wrong with them using their positions to be activists regarding what they believe in. And, they have every right to say how they feel.
However, if they were to go by your standards [Steve], then the same should apply to Toby Keith, and everyone else who disagrees with those of us who disapprove of the job our president is doing.
24 - MCH
"I for one, and I believe there are a lot more like me, absolutely detest when "entertainers" abuse their public status as a stage to espew their political views."
- Steve
I agree with Jamie's response to this, re Toby Keith, etc. And don't forget Charlton Heston, Tom Selleck, Charlie Daniels, Ted Nugent, et al.
Another good example is Rush Limbaugh, who before he became a know-it-all talk show host, had done more than being a PR man for the Kansas City Royals and a radio Disc Jockey.
25 - joseph h. smith
i am an 82 year old widower. if you were available i would propose. you are the greatet! i loved your bill maher program. i hope i live long enough to see you beat "dubya" to a pulp. he makes me ashamed that i am an american. may you go on forever. our country needs you. you would do me a great honor if i could have your comments to leave for my grandchildren. VIVA THE DIXIE CHICKS!!!
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