I’m a big soft-rock listener…the “adult contemporary” demographic, as radio programmers would call it. I’m not really into country music…but I do like stuff by Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Leann Rimes.
The Dixie Chicks are the most popular up-and-comers in country music at the same time as these three are peaking. Are they cut from the same or similar cloth? Would I enjoy their stuff?
If I were to buy one of their albums to sample, which should I try, “Wide Open Spaces” or “Fly”?
They Sing?!?! :eek:
And I thought they were just HOT! 
You should like the Dixie Chicks if you like the singers you listed. But the Chicks have a little more country chops than those people. “Fly” sounds like it might be more to your liking.
IMO two of the Chicks are hot, but the other one sings.
I like Fly a little better, but both albums are good. When I first heard of the Dixie Chicks, I dismissed them as sort of a country Britney Spears act. Then I learned that they all know how to play an instrument, and they sort of grew on me from there. My brother-in-law managed to get his whole chapter of frat guys to like the Dixie Chicks. You know they’ve gotta be good if frat guys dig 'em.
“Wide Open Spaces” is my theme song.
It has an interesting parallel to my life.
I don’t like much country, but I do like them. And “Goodbye Earl” is apparently quite funny.
Not a big Dixie Twits fan here, but my wife & daughter like them. I think that only the two sisters play, and the singer just sings.
Something of a highjack, “Wide Open Spaces” was written by Susan Gibson, formerly of The Groobies. The Chix singer’s daddy was their producer, and brought the song to them (The Dixie Chicks). Susan wrote it when she left home to become a forest ranger. I met Susan and The Groobies when they opened for Junior Brown at the Elbow Room here in Columbia. Hung out with them all night long.
Susan’s a babe and smart to boot. See her at http://www.susansongs.com
They definitely have more “chops” than Shania Twain and Faith Hill, but Leanne Rimes has an amazing voice. The Chicks used to be more of a bluegrass group in their early days. I guess they changed their sound when the other members left and only the sisters remained.
As for actually knowing how to play instruments, you should’ve heard Martie play the violin when she was in highschool. You could tell she had genuine innate talent.
[sub]And I don’t even like Nashville country…
Natalie is mainly the singer for the Chicks, but don’t dismiss her as a musician. I believe she plays the guitar although I’m not sure if she’s at the same level as Martie and Emily.
The Dixie Chicks are mainstream country but the americana station will still play some of their bluegrass style music. I like both albums (cds?) but I find myself listening to Fly more than Wide Open Spaces.
Natalie doesn’t play guitar on either of their albums, but she may do so in concert. Likely its more in a George “I’m just holding this thing to have something to hold while I sing” Strait way than a Vince “I can actually play this thing well” Gill way.
The albums are very similar in style so chances are if you like one you will like the other. This means that you can start with either and if you like it, you can get the other one too.
You’ll most likely dig them. I basically cannot stand country music in any shape or form, but these girls are amazing. They’ve got a great sound. Imagine my friends suprise when after one of my normal alternative/metal/industrial songs get done playing and a Dixie Chicks song comes on. Suprised indeed!
At first listen I found the singer (natalie?)annoying and some how subconsiously irritating.
Over time,I realized she does have a great deal of spunk and energy that makes the songs rather toe taping and enjoyable.
Initially I thought the guitarist (emily?) I thought was very wooden and came across as a bit of a snob. Over time I started to realize her value as a guitarist… although she is still my least favorite Dixie Chick.
Now the Fiddle player Marti. I was initially impressed. She knows how to play her instrument. Her smile also portrays a guenuine Joy she has performing and was the initial reason I ever gave the Dixie Chicks a second change. Many of the tunes are enjoyable and the backround vocals are nice. I doubt you could go wrong buying either albumn.
The Dixie Chicks have a lot more going for them than the superficial “lets sell records” appearance. They have talent and their live shows are lively and fun.
I do not listen to country much but I enjoy the Dixie chicks a great deal, Not because of my initial reasons (I have SERIOUS weakness for female violin players with an amazing smile) But, because, they have talent that shines thru any of the superficial crap used to promote them.
Of course I despise Shanya Twain as much as I enjoy the Dixie chicks… but that would be a different thread entirely.
Osip
good evening, friends
i generally don’t care much for country music. a couple of years ago, my wife and daughter talked me into attending lillith fair. one of the headline act was the dixie chicks. they put on a great show! i have heard them on the radio a few times , and the sound is pretty good, but the live show was tremendous.
They are definitely a lot more country than Shania Twain or Faith Hill (who I DESPISE). I don’t like much country these days, but it’s because most of it’s not really country, it’s adult contemporary/soft rock with a few country licks in it. The Dixie Chicks are a bit closer to their roots than most modern C&W bands.
I’m not a fan, but I don’t mind listening to them.
Sure, if’n you got a hankerin for a heapin helpin of crap with a side of suck.
If you have only sarcasm and rudeness to add, but nothing of actual substance that adds to the conversation, please refrain from posting. Or start a Pit thread.
I hate Shania too. Faith is good. I like some of her stuff, but Shania is awful. She’s a beautiful woman, but no one will ever convince me that she has a lick of talent. I even skipped her concert after the Cowboys/Packers game last season. It doesn’t sound like much, but I was already at the stadium and it was FREE!
The only reason I didn’t mention her in my previous message was because she shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as the Chicks.
Which is Emily and Martie? I’m going by hair color b/c I know one is blonde and one is brunette.
Martie is the blond who plays the fiddle. Emily is the brunette who plays the banjo. They fight crime. [sub]That was another thread but I couldn’t resist![/sub] Emily is the youngest of the two sisters.
I’m not really into faux-country music. I like roots music and alt-country and was very surprised to find myself liking the Dixie Chicks. As widdershins mentioned, they definitely have more bona-fide country music credentials.
Give them a chance.
IMHO, the Dixie Chicks are a rare example of a very mainstream group with some legitimate country credibility. I too, am a roots music/alt-country fan and I don’t have any problem with them. Osip, if you have a weakness for female violin players with great smiles, you’d go ga-ga for Elana Fremerman of the Hot Club of Cowtown. If anyone out there is looking for a great swing record, their latest album is it. It’s out on Hightone Records and it’s called “Devlish Mary”. As a weird coincidence, the album was produced by Lloyd Maines, father of the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks. Incidentally, “the Professor” Lloyd Maines has grown into a legend over the years through his production and his stunning work on the steel guitar (the only guys I’ve ever heard who are better than him on steel are Kayton Roberts and Don Herron).