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AN EVENING WITH THE DIXIE CHICKS
Review by Mark Wiechman
Stars: Natalie Maines, Martie McGuire, Emily Robison
Director: Joel Gallen
Video: Full Screen only
Audio: Dolby digital 5.1
Features: Discography, Biography
Length: 92 minutes
Studio: Columbia
Release Date: February 11, 2003
When I first heard of the Dixie Chicks I assumed they were
Nashville’s Spice Girls; three twangy blondes put together to sell records.
No one with such a goofy name could really be any good.
I stand corrected! While
they do not write their own material, they are otherwise a self-made ensemble
that does things their way, and very well, thank you very much! This is half the reason for their success—they sound
like no one else. So many Nashville
artists use the same musicians and studios that they cannot help sounding the
same.
So what is it about Natalie’s voice that is so amazing?
Why is she so obviously a country singer but not a typical one?
For one thing, she is not a sad crooner, she sounds joyous even when the
song is sad. She has the power of a
rock singer and her natural Texas twang does not interfere with it. Having some training at the hallowed Berklee school of
music, she can project and control her voice and the twang almost disappears on
some tunes. But I can only
imagine the effect this hell-raising blonde had on the quaint town of Boston! How come ya’ll
don’t serve cheese grits with thuh fish? And no cornbread?
Their newest album Home,
another Grammy winner (of course), was not very interesting to me, but when
the songs are played live they are much more listenable.
Travelin’ Soldier stands out
in particular.
The other interesting thing about this show is that is was
filmed in Hollywood in front of a very enthusiastic country-fried audience.
Who woulda thought, in California?
Songlist:
Long
Time Gone, Landslide, Travelin' Soldier, Truth No. 2, White Trash Wedding, A
Home, More Love, I Believe in Love, Tortured Tangled Hearts, Lil' Jack Slade,
Godspeed (Sweet Dreams), Top of the World, Wide Open Spaces, Cowboy Take Me
Away, Goodbye Earl, Sin Wagon
Video **
The footage is outstanding, but the view alternates between video and film every few seconds like a music video designed to cause epileptic fits. Why not just stick to one or the other? Like many music DVDs, bad judgment in editing marred what could have been a beautiful production.
Audio ***
The sound and mix are great, but no DTS, so only three
stars. Get with the times, people!
None except a biography and discography.
No interviews? Say what?
Summary:
