Music

Chick Power

November 20, 2006

Well, I saw the Dixie Chicks on Friday and I’m still trying to figure out if I’m a fan or not.  Cherry (over at Cherry Extract who has a Flickr slideshow of the concert HERE) and I went to the show (mostly because J and Eric weren’t interested), and they played their hits, the crowd was clearly happy to see the ladies sing their favorites, and overall it was a show that had me impressed with their musical virtuosity. 

 

Natalie Maines – clearly the front woman of the band – had the crowd in the palm of her hands has she belted out songs I didn’t know, but the crowd sure did. There was one moment where the crowd wasn’t entirely with her during an extra-long stage patter interlude. When she was talking about growing up in Texas and wearing Birkenstocks as an outward sign of rebellion, there were a few boos and groans from people in my section. Personally, I wouldn’t brag about wearing those, but I’m not from Texas where, to partially quote George Michael, the clothes and shoes do make the woman. But this show wasn’t about shoes, clothes, or even political statements.  It was about the music, and the Chicks delivered a wonderfully diverse 2 hour set.  Their songs alternate between twangy country numbers (you know, the kind the make you want to play the spoons and act like Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel on “The Simpsons”) to country pop that was more to my liking.
For me, it was the two sisters –Martie Maguire and Emily Robison — who were amazing to watch. They alternated on stringed instruments with such ease and played them with such skill, that it looked so effortless.  And they the were such pros when it came to the harmonies that it’s clear the sisters are the solid musical foundation that allows Natalie be the star of the show. 

My favorite songs of the set were “Lubbock or Leave It,” “The Long Way Around,” “Lullaby,”  “I Hope,” and their closer, Bob Dylan’s “Mississippi.”  The rest of the set certainly pleased the crowd and I only knew the songs were hits because of the response from the audience when they opening strains kicked in. 

So, am I a fan now?  Not quite.  You know that rush you get after a concert where you listen almost exclusively to the group you saw live?  I didn’t get that rush, but I’ll still listen to their music, and am really interested in seeing their film.

I suppose you can call me a partial fan!

🙂

–PK

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  1. Gina

    November 20, 2006 at 9:00 am

    I thought their cover of “Landslide” was just ok. Other than that, I don’t really think I’ve heard much from them. I tend to stay far away from country.

    I adore watching professionals play instruments. They make it look so easy, yet you are thinking- that’s gotta be so difficult

  2. Ml

    November 20, 2006 at 9:04 am

    Hey at least you went to see them and you appreciated their talent.

  3. J

    November 20, 2006 at 9:10 am

    I’m glad you had a great time, and also glad you didn’t get the urge to play the CDs all weekend. 😉

  4. Beenzzz (Bean)

    November 20, 2006 at 9:13 am

    The Dixie Chicks are cool. I have a new found respect for them!

  5. Py Korry

    November 20, 2006 at 9:23 am

    Gina: I’m not a country fan either, but their music has a lot of cross over appeal.

    Ml: I did appreciate their talents! They were really quite amazing.

  6. Shelliza

    November 20, 2006 at 9:28 am

    From your Mix Sixes and other post, I didn’t think that you would be a fan of the Dixie Chicks. I love them, and country pop, too. I know, country music isn’t the “cool thing” but there are a few song/artists that converted me. Besides, I learned to appreciate progressive jazz, so I figured I could listen to just about anything and like it!

    Glad you enjoyed the concert and gave the Dixie Chicks a fair chance.

  7. Dot

    November 20, 2006 at 10:22 am

    I think they are pretty talented and agree with what you said about the sisters being the great foundatin for Natalie. Glad you had a good time 🙂

  8. Michael

    November 20, 2006 at 2:34 pm

    I am the exact opposite, in that I don’t mind and in some cases sort of enjoy the country pop and cannot get enough of the jug-band, slack-jawed yokel approved hootenanny music.

    Sin Wagon is my favorite Chicks number (I’m sure they played it, it’s the one that uses “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition” in the chorus). The entire Home album is amazing (except for Landslide, but I’ve never been much for that song). If you like the pop stuff stick with Wide Open Spaces and Fly.

  9. lalunas

    November 20, 2006 at 3:34 pm

    Glad you like it Py. They are really a kick.

  10. Py Korry

    November 20, 2006 at 4:02 pm

    Sin Wagon was the closer before the encore. It’s a good song, but I’m just a pop freak when it comes down to it.

  11. Cherry

    November 20, 2006 at 7:15 pm

    Yeeee Haaaaa!

    Thanks Py for going to all the trouble to get us some great seats!

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