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This year, 2003, could well be the year that the Dixie Chicks take Britain and Europe by storm. Now may be the time that we will be able to see and appreciate a musical phenomenon. Already they have played a speculative concert at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, been interviewed in the Sunday Times Colour Supplement and appeared on Top Of The Pops playing their recent single “Landslide”. They are currently on tour in America and plan dates over here towards the end of the year.
The Dixie Chicks hail from Dallas, Texas and served a long apprenticeship of nearly a decade playing in a variety of venues such as barbeque joints, nursing homes, grocery stores and street corners. Sisters Martie Seidel and Emily Robison, with original vocalists Laura Lynch and Robin Macy, released their debut album in 1990. They received national attention when they were asked to perform at President Clinton's 1993 inauguration. They released two more independent albums, though Macy left in 1992 and Lynch was replaced with Natalie Maines in 1995.
The trio reached the pinnacle of their success with the multiple award-winning album “Fly” in 1999 which was accompanied by a nationwide tour. They then went their separate ways for personal reasons and with contractual difficulties until they released their current album “Home” in late 2002. This album (“Wide Open Spaces”) was released in 1998 and started the whole thing off.
The Dixie Chicks are Natalie Maines (Lead vocalist), Emily Erwin (Banjo, Dobro, backing vocals) and Martie Seidel (Fiddle,
Mandolin and backing vocals).
THE ALBUM:
The running order is as follows. I have given my assessment of each track as a star rating out of five.
1. I Can Love You Better (3:54) ****
A well-tempo’d bouncy track with some gentle guitar whoops to open the proceedings. Natalie takes control of the situation and sets the standard for the album. This is a tale of a girl scheming to wrest the man she wants from her rival.
This was the first track to be released as a single and reached No.5 in the Country charts in October 1997.
2. Wide Open Spaces (3:43) *****
This is the seminal track in this collection and is certainly the most memorable. It is a gentle rocking ballad about leaving home – the hope, the sadness, the memories, the fears. It is introduced by a fiddle riff has a lilting verse and chorus. It features Natalie’s full vocal range and there are short integrated solos from the instrumentalists. The song was written by Susan Gibson, an established country singer / songwriter in her own right.
“Who doesn't know what I'm talking about Who's never left home who's never struck out To find a dream and a life of their own A place in the clouds, a foundation of stone”
This was the Chicks first big hit single. It has a catchy tune which was immediately taken up by the fans and it has become a firm favourite for audience participation at live concerts (See: “An Evening With The Dixie Chicks” http://www.ciao.co.uk/Dixie_Chicks_An_Evening_with_the_Dixie_Chicks__Review_5329688)
It reached No.1 in the US charts in July 1998
3. Loving Arms (3:37) *****
Here comes the first of the slower heart-rending country ballads - the story of love lost and hearts broken. This was written and originally performed by American singer / songwriter Tom Jans (1948 – 1984)
“I've been too long in the wind, Too long in the rain Taking any comfort that I can Looking back and longing for the freedom from my chains Lying in your loving arms again If you could hear me now singing somewhere through the lonely nights Dreaming of the arms that held me tight if you could only hear me now”
4. There’s your trouble (3:12) ****
Natalie sings a funny up-beat rockabilly song which earned a Grammy for its authors Tia Sillers and Mark Selby.
5. You Were Mine (3:37) ****
This is another slow ballad of broken hearts, broken marriages and changed partners. Natalie with harmonies from Emily and Martie (who also wrote the song – which is said to be a testimony to the pain of their parents’ divorce)
6. Never Say Die (3:56) ****
Here is a gentle rocker with some deep guttural bass and jangling piano refrains (showing my age – remember Duane Eddy and Floyd Cramer?) accompanying optimistic vocals.
7. Tonight The Heartache’s On Me (3:26) *****
This sounds so much like the cover version of a standard country song. It won an ASCAP County Music award in 2000 for the songwriters.
8. Let ‘Er Rip (2:50) ****
This is old fashioned rock’n’roll (honky tonk piano, twanging guitar) with bluegrass overtones. I could imagine (oh dear, showing my age again!!) Eddie Cochrane or the Everley Brothers being comfortable this one.
9. Once You’ve Loved Somebody (3:28) ***
Natalie performs another standard ballad with powerful accompaniment from massed guitars and percussion.
10. I’ll Take Care Of You (3:40) ***
A slow ballad with sounds of languid steel and slide guitars. This was written by J.D. Souther who had associations with Glenn Frey around 1970. Frey later left to form The Eagles.
11. Am I The Only One (3:25) ***
This is another cover version by an established country singer / songwriter – Maria Mckee. (It’s an interesting comparison to here a snatch of this song as it was performed on McKee’s 1989 album. You can find this at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/clipserve/B000000OZ3001003/0/102-7567267-2181734)
I prefer Natalie’s version and the overall performance. There is a short duet between fiddle and banjo in the middle-8 and the run out.
12. Give It Up Or Let Me Go (4:56) ***
This is a cover version of a bluegrass song written by Bonnie Rait. There is some rapid finger picking on guitar and banjo and swing fiddle sounds. Natalie can be heard introducing the soloists by Christian name.
The Chicks are back by a large combo of established country, American folk and bluegrass players. The collective instruments include Acoustic, bass, steel and electric guitars; drums; organ; piano and percussion.
The CD is packaged with a fold-out sheet that introduces the girls, includes photographs and gives the words of “Wide Open Spaces”. There are no other lyrics (although these are easily available on the internet).
CONCLUSIONS.
This is an accomplished album – one you must have if you are becoming a Chicks fan. It is a youthful sound but certainly not immature. It may not have the exuberance or range of “Fly” or the introspection of “Home”. Natalie Maines shows the power of her presence and her voice in front of the trio. The solo instrumental talents of the other two girls are somewhat subdued and overshadowed both by the words and the combined power of the fourteen-man backing group (which includes Natalie’s father, Lloyd Maines)
I bought my copy recently in the US where a jewel case sticker announces that this album has sold over 11 million. I confirm and admit that I owned both “Fly” and “Home” before buying this one.
Rolling Stone (American site) has a web page dedicated to this album which includes playable sequences of all of the tracks. The address is http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/cd/review.asp?aid=52269&cf=3566
WIDE OPEN SPACES – Dixie Chicks (1998) EPIC 4898422 £11.99
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The major-label debut from this Texas trio proves their instrumental abilities, blending ... more
more traditional twang with slow melodic blues, foot-tapping rockabilly, and bluegrass-inspired pop harmonies. From the opener, "I Can Love You Better", the Chicks...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The major-label debut from this Texas trio proves their instrumental abilities, blending ... more
more traditional twang with slow melodic blues, foot-tapping rockabilly, and bluegrass-inspired pop harmonies. From the opener, "I Can Love You Better", the Chicks...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The major-label debut from this Texas trio proves their instrumental abilities, blending ... more
more traditional twang with slow melodic blues, foot-tapping rockabilly, and bluegrass-inspired pop harmonies. From the opener, "I Can Love You Better", the Chicks...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
The major-label debut from this Texas trio proves their instrumental abilities, blending ... more
more traditional twang with slow melodic blues, foot-tapping rockabilly, and bluegrass-inspired pop harmonies. From the opener, "I Can Love You Better", the Chicks...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 6 to 10 days...
I Can Love You Better Wide Open Spaces Loving Arms There's Your Trouble You Were Mine ... more
Never Say Die Tonight The Heartache's On Me Let 'Er Rip Once You've Loved Somebody I'll Take Care Of You Am I The Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way) Give ...
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Apr 17th, 2003
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