The Chicks latest CD

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 10 Jun 2006 7:52 pm

Has any one heard it? How is it on a musical level? I have my own opinions about their opinions

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 10 Jun 2006 9:03 pm

Bill,

I just love those chicks. They got b^%ll*s.

This is a free country! Isn't it?

They are doing just fine, in spite of all the
crapola heaped on them.

Can't believe some radio stations actually banned the chickies.

Imagine that - one statement, about 10 words long, or so, and lasting 1/2 - 1 minute, caused such a fuss over what, NOTHING.

Who Cares? Those gals got it, own it, and have big time bravado. KUDOS to them. Too bad they are all married. You know, sometimes younger women dig older, balding men. Right?
I read this in AARP's monthly news-flash.

Dixie Chicks - yeah, yeah, yeah!

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 10 Jun 2006 9:06 pm

I heard the CD.........it sounds like they're trying to write their own material.......I think I'll leave it at that.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 10 Jun 2006 9:34 pm

They sounded excellent on GMA last week.

We're fans in our house - I expect my wife's already bought it!

RR

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 10 Jun 2006 9:34 pm

Chris - having trouble reading your reply.
The "Chicks" have written a lot of their own material. Expound please..DOH?????[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 10 June 2006 at 10:35 PM.]

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 10 Jun 2006 9:37 pm

Whether you agree with them or not, they ARE first class musicians.

I'm in lust with Natalie.

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My web site

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 10 Jun 2006 10:04 pm

Chip,

They didn't write "Earl", "Travellin' Soldier", "Wide Open Spaces", "Long Time Gone", "There's Your Trouble", or "Landslide".

These are only a few of the hits they've had. Did they have a major hit with a song they penned by themselves, with no other outside writer present? I don't know enough about them to say for sure. What I was trying to say is that I think they're now trying to write their singles exclusively. The above songs were tunes the Dixie Chicks decided to cover, and they became hits. I don't hear the same calibre in these new tunes that they had a hand in writing.
[This message was edited by Chris LeDrew on 10 June 2006 at 11:18 PM.]

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 10 Jun 2006 10:32 pm

Yes, Mike, I agree. The two sisters play their instruments with passion and precision. And the lead singer has a strong set of pipes. There's no doubting their musical talent, but I think it should be noted that they are not responsible for the songs that made them famous.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 10 Jun 2006 11:45 pm

Here we go again....

Didn't anybody read what Bill was asking for??? He asked a specific question about the musical quality of a specific new CD - so far there was no informative response...

Kind Regards, Walter

www.loydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 11 Jun 2006 12:08 am

I'm just a little bummed that the past few TV shows I've seen them on, Emily seems to have abandoned her banjo for a Tele.

When they first started having hits, MTV and CMT said they would play their videos if they would get rid of the banjo. Well the Chicks stood up for the banjo and dobro, and still had hit songs and videos.
Now it seams that MTV has finally won because I don't see or hear banjo and dobro anymore.

I did hear part of the album at a gig last week, and only heard steel on one song and banjo on one song(way in the background). It's mostly slow to medium tempo songs with lots of keyboard, electric guitar, heavy bass and drums with jingly acoustic strumming. The production sounds alot like Leann Rimes crossover pop CD's.

Another down side is this album is NOT produced by a steel player, as some of their others were.

I've also noticed that every thread about the Dixie Chicks on this forum gets closed up pretty fast. Is that, or was that, a banjo prejustice thing?[This message was edited by Alvin Blaine on 11 June 2006 at 01:20 PM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 11 Jun 2006 2:27 am

I too think they are very fine talented Lady's.

I have heard one or two cuts, don't recall the titles, ok, but not like the previous material.

For me it is kinda missing a spark or something. Maybe they are working too hard at finding there own roots or perhaps bypassed there roots.

we won't discuss any politics today...other than if you pay to go to a show, they should perform, not discuss politics.

Marriages have ended as a result of less than 10 words spoken.

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TPrior
TPrior Steel Guitar Homesite

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 11 Jun 2006 4:02 am

Well, Chris

With all due respect, what does it matter how many songs they wrote?

Likewise, as you have admmitted, I'm not too sure myself how many songs they have actually penned. So what?

Gheez - they sing great, they play their instruments great, and, most importantly, they look great. Not called "chicks" for nothing, ya know. Coulda been called "hens"; or worse, "old hens".

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 11 Jun 2006 4:56 am

Walter, I voiced my opinion that the songs on the CD are not good. That's an informative response.[This message was edited by Chris LeDrew on 11 June 2006 at 05:59 AM.]

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 11 Jun 2006 5:30 am

Chris, with all respect, your opinion if you like the CD or not is not very informative if you are looking for information about the musical aspects of the album itself, the style, the instruments used (is there steel or not, did Lloyd Maines play on it), does it follow a mainstream pop pattern, is it towards country/acoustic or more "electrified" etc.

I haven't heard a single note of the album so far, reading the responses doesn't answer any of these questions...

Kind Regards, Walter

www.lloydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 11 Jun 2006 5:53 am

I won't buy this album and I won't close this as long as you keep it on the music aspects of the album.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 11 Jun 2006 6:05 am

The Dixie Chicks latest has been on the Billboard top 100 for 6 weeks, currently at number 40. It peaked at 23. My understanding is that they have made a concious effort to position themselves as a mainstream act, and to distance themselves from their country roots. Seems like it was a good career choice based on recent album sales and their current standing with the country music buying audience.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 11 Jun 2006 6:32 am

Natalie wanted to be more of a rocker to begin with, so the switch in directions may have more to do with her leanings than the market. The Tele goes along with that, I think.
I think they were just ready to fly, do their own material.
'Home' really had legs; I don't think the new album will.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 11 Jun 2006 7:14 am

Walter, my take on any album is that if the songs aren't up to scratch, no musical talent can rescue them. In fact, bad songs with great musical back-up even seem that much more inferior. That's why I didn't elaborate beyond my comments on the calibre of the writing. I don't think any true music lover wants to hear an album of mediocre songs, no matter how talented the execution or production.

Having said all that, the music on this CD is performed well and the album was obviously done in a multi-million dollar studio with the best musicians and technicians money and fame can buy. But a talent for songwriting cannot be bought, and I'd rather listen to Townes Van Zant, Steve Earle and other honest, down-to-earth songwriters who can blow you away with just a guitar and a passionate heart-felt idea.....that comes from their own pen.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 11 Jun 2006 7:32 am

Got it, Chris! I fully agree on the songwriting issue, that is something that really sucks in so many modern day mass productions!

I just wanted to get an overall feeling in which general direction the album is going musically, I am one of the (probably few) folks who always read every part of the booklet and liner notes, to what is going on, who produced, who played etc....

Kind Regards, Walter

www.lloydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 11 Jun 2006 8:12 am

They enlisted Rick Rubin as producer on this one, which is obviously a conscious move in the Rock direction. He's known for getting to the heart of the matter artist-wise, which involves bringing out the true sound of the artist at hand. However, he likes to make sure there's an edge to the production which betrays his love for heavier, rock-oriented music. (Even his Johnny Cash productions display a distinct edge, sometimes with only acoustic and vocal.) I think the initial appeal of the Dixie Chicks lay in their country roots, and although there are traditional country instruments on the latest CD including pedal steel here and there (provided by the great Lloyd Maines), the overall atmosphere of the arrangements are more aggressive in a mainstream pop manner.

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 11 Jun 2006 9:46 am

Only their third album was produced by a steel player; Lloyd Maines. He plays on all their albums including the new one...

They have had hit songs in the past with songs that they wrote, and hits with ones that others wrote.

I personally like the new album a lot, and though it's a bit more pop than the earlier ones it's not a huge change in direction, just a natural progression, IMHO of course...[This message was edited by Pete Finney on 11 June 2006 at 03:39 PM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 11 Jun 2006 10:03 am

I have yet to hear it.
But I look forward to it.
They are getting positive press
for the album and music here.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 11 Jun 2006 10:51 am

The new album is on the Billboard top 200, not top 100. There is no breakaway single as of yet.

I wish them well..but this one is not for me..I feel the same as Chris above...

t[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 11 June 2006 at 01:06 PM.]

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 11 Jun 2006 10:54 am

Only there third album was produced by a steel player

NO, Steve Fishell produced The Dixie Chicks THIRD album, "Shouldn't A Told You That", in '93, and Lloyd Maines produced their SIXTH album "Home" in 2002.