Down on the Chicks? Your loss.
John M Flora | Brookland, AR United States | 12/31/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Let me say up front that I approve of the way G.W. Bush is running things and regardless of the pretext, I think we did a very good thing in liberating the Iraqi people. Natalie Maines disagrees and she's proud about disagreeing and I think that's fine too.
We don't have to agree about everything all of the time.
But most people with unbiased ears will agree that the Dixie Chicks are supremely talented. They understand the soul of country music and are able to interpret it in a fresh way that makes it accessible to people like me who never much cared for country. For my money, Natalie has the best voice and command of style and nuance of any woman performing today. (Granted, with competition like Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Madonnna, Whitney Houston and even Shania Twain, that statement seems like damning with faint praise, but nobody else even comes close.)
Live albums are usually a little rough around the edges and this one has a few flat spots, but the highs so far outweigh the lows that those of us who didn't see the Chicks on tour find ourselves wishing we'd gone.
There are a lot of grins and appreciative laughs in this 2-disc set. Natalie has the grit and spunk to tell her critics to go to hell and make them love her for it.
The high point of the 22-song set - for me, at least - is Bob Dylan's "Mississippi," which gets a high-energy, up-tempo reading that makes you forget Dylan's original version on his "Love and Theft" album. It's worth the price of admission all by itself. The other new track, "Am I the Only One," is a powerful piece of music too.
If you've been estranged from the Dixie Chicks because they had an opinion that didn't match yours, you owe it to yourself to: 1. Go read the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, 2. Get over it, and 3. Buy this album.
There's room in the American tent for everyone. That's why the wackos of the world hate us."
Jada Greenway-online disc jockey-acoustic paradise radio
Rhiannon Singer-Writer | gate city, virginia, usa | 12/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Travelin' Soldier is my favorite song by the Dixie Chicks--it reminds me of another song I heard before I ever heard Travelin' Soldier called "Soldier And The Fortune Teller" by the artist "Rhiannon"---Like 'Soldier And The Fortune Teller'....'Travelin' Soldier' is a wonderful bluegrass song with beautiful imagery, outstanding instrumentation...and out of this world vocals...this is by far their best work ! hear it -love it-buy it !!!"
Dixie Chicks shine again
ciccia | Virginia | 12/09/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 2-CD set is perfect for both the diehard Dixie Chick fan (like myself) who wants a couple of discs to keep around with all of their great songs together, and for someone who is new to the Chicks who wants to find out what they're all about. Anyone who thinks these women are not among the most talented musicians out there either doesn't know music very well or is too blinded by political ignorance. The Chicks blend the best elements of country and pop to create a voice and style that is all their own. While I would recommend getting all of their studio albums in addition to this live set, you really can't beat the deal here for getting all of their best songs for $13. And to the reviewer who said that the CD and DVD were too "perfect," I suppose it really can be hard to believe in this day and age of manufactured music "stars" that there are still people out there who can sing in tune on a nightly basis, but the Chicks can and do. That's called being a true professional musician. And of course the sound quality from show to show is going to be excellent. That's what professional sound engineers are for."