Dixie Chicks - Taking the Long Way
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Free Music Notes for Taking the Long Way
Free Music Review: Not Ready to Make Nice
Hit: 5 Stars
This song hit quite a nerve with me. I grew up in the deep South, a born and bred progressive Democrat, and I can still recall a dozen bruising clashes with people on the other end of the ideological spectrum that I neither sought nor enjoyed. "Not Ready to Make Nice" is about Natalie Maines' and the rest of the Dixie Chicks' enduring defiance in the face of the harsh backhand they got (and continue to get) for voicing dissent and dissatisfaction over the President's foolhardy rush to what a great number of Americans now agree was and is an ill-conceived, unnecessary war.
As I listened to this song for the first time, I had a disorienting rush of memories fly up at me. Like my former father-in-law banging his hand on the table and -- with a vein bulging on his forehead and spittle gathering at the corners of his mouth -- screaming at me to "name one social program that's ever worked." This, because I had simply answered another relative who asked if I listened to Rush Limbaugh, that I was not a big fan. That and a rush of other blood-pressure-raising moments ran through my mind as I listened to this song.
I wish I had the kind of courage it took to write and sing this song. I live in California now, with my second husband (who has a lovely set of parents), and our two kids. I love the tolerant atmosphere here -- even Republicans aren't ridiculed in my liberal enclave. But I miss the South. I miss the trees and the woods and swimming and fishing on the Tennessee River. I miss Southern accents and cooking. And I miss the people who are often so much more graceful and polite in everyday life than in many parts of the country. (No one has ever asked me here in Los Angeles, "And how is your mother?" ... even if they have met my mother several times.)
But I don't miss that heart-thumping feeling -- when talk turns political and I am the lone dissenter in a group -- of knowing that I have to either bite my tongue, deferring demurely, or respond earnestly and probably make a roomful of enemies.
I've never had my life threatened or had to live through heaped-on, possibly orchestrated, public scorn like the Dixie Chicks have. So from my perspective, it was an act of unimaginable bravery for that woman to sing this song, and for her bandmates to back her up.
Natalie, it must be a bad feeling to know that some mother somewhere is teaching her daughter to hate you and what you stand for. But remember that even though much of this sentiment is directed at you, it never was about you. It was about the fact that your remarks made people uncomfortable with the giddy rush to war and the flimsy pretense under which it was done. And as it continues, it is strongly related to the cognitive dissonance a lot of people are now feeling who voted for Bush in the last election.
I'm one mother who is teaching my daughter that you're a good example of a very brave woman, with some loyal friends. Who can sing her butt off.
Free Music Review: In Your Face
Hit: 5 Stars
I heard the single first and thought to myself: "Good, Natalie's still angry.'' Then I heard the album and I went way beyond that to 'Wow!' They really are good musicians.''
I liked the first three albums. But they really nothing more than nice, catchy, pop-country things with my two favorites written by others: Stevie Nix' "Landslide,'' and Patty Griffin's "Top of The World.'' This, written by the three Chicks, goes beyond that to real music, a little country, a little rock, a little pop, a little who knows. It defies category (why can't the country fans take that?) and spits in the face of the country radio idiots who want their stars to turn out formula garbage and won't play (as the Chicks pointed out in "Home'') Cash, Haggard, and Hank Williams. In fact, Nashville-based GAC won't play Haggard's "America First'' video, presumably because it seems critical of the administration. Maybe the country stations won't play this _ they'll probably lose listeners that way, but who cares. Better to let Toby Keith and Gretchen Wilson parade around waving (and wearing) flags. (Funny they pose as 'outlaws' when the first of their breed were Willie, Waylon and Johnny, who were consistently bucking the forumla stuff.)
Politics. It's a good thing that they're not ready to make nice. What that really means is that they were a few years ahead of some of the rest of the U.S. in recognizing the Bush administration for what it was and is. One review called Natalie a hypocrite for apologizing and now going back to Bush-bashing. She didn't apologize: She simply said she shouldn't have respected the office of president. The Chicks' views are consistent and their anger remains _ as this album makes clear.
Beyond that, it's a brilliantly written album. There's anger, loss, love, tenderness, even a bit of humor, though far less than on their earlier albums.
I loved the Buddy Holly reference on "Lubbock or Leave It.'' with a "rave on'' in one verse and "that'll be the day'' in another. The city has good musical genes. Not only are Buddy and Natalie (and her father) from there but so is Roy Orbison.
I also loved the gospel tinged finale co-written by Keb' Mo. They're keeping good company on this album: Keb, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer. All of them at the highest level of pop/rock. Not to mention Rick Rubin, the producer
So go on ladies: keep sticking it to Nashville. And to the administration. If Nashville doesn't like you, it looks like the buyers will. And if you lose some of your old fans, you'll get a lot of new ones _ like the reviewer who bought it to show her political support and ended up liking the music.
One reviewer welcomed the Chicks to the blue states. They were always there. My hope is that we are no longer divided into red and blue. If nothing else, the Chicks (with Dubya's help) seem to be turning a lot of red people into blue ones.
Free Music Review: Dixie Chicks should always take the long way home...
Hit: 5 Stars
I for one was very happy to have another Dixie Chicks album so soon after the debacle in 2003. Their 2002 album "Home" was one of the best country albums in years, and as you all know their cover of Stevie Nicks' (Fleetwood Mac) "Landslide" was one of the most played songs of the year, Stevie Nicks even received a BMI Songwriters Award in 2003 due to the intense airplay of the Dixie Chicks version of her 1975 Fleetwood Mac classic.
It seemed that their song "Top of the World" said it best. Their album was one of the best selling of the year, their tour sold out, and then Natalie Maines makes a simple snide comment about the incompetent "President" of the USA, and it all goes to hell. It seems as if NOW in 2006, that 65% of Americans don't approve of President Bush, that the Dixie Chicks argument has turned to the allegation that the Dixie Chicks have "abandoned" country music. Natalie Maines has commented that she doesn't need country, or whatever. And in reality, why would they make nice now? Why would they suck it up just get to played on country radio? What Country Music as a whole did to them was evil, and one of the most shameful moments in music history. They have every right to tell country music to shove it if they want. The fact is, this album is still good country.
I have only gotten to listen it once all the way through so far, and I already have some favorites. As with all Chicks albums I'm sure as I listen more and more I will have even more songs stuck in my head. So far "Not Ready to Make Nice," "Lubbock or Leave it," "I Hope," are my favorites. The fact that they were gutsy enough to release "Not Ready to Make Nice" as the first single, just goes to show the reality of who this band really is. I for one am glad that Dixie Chicks aren't "ready to make nice," and that they are "mad as hell..." as the song says. Remember Alanis Morrissette and "Jagged Little Pill" ? Many people's best albums are made under distress and/or madness. The same holds true for the Dixie Chicks.
Now don't get the wrong message. This isn't a real fiery political album. Sure they as writers are going to write about the major events in the lives since the last album. And since their last album a lot has gone on. They have been abandoned by country radio, had death threats on their family, and saw their careers flash before their lives. Obviously this will play some part of their writing. However, there are just as many songs on this album that are obviously about other aspects of their lives (love, heartache, the usual country subjects) as their are songs about "the incident."
I definitely recommend this album, for any fan of music in general. The Dixie Chicks are by far undeniably one of the greatest and most talented bands in country music, and possibly in all genres of music. Support this album, support free speech. Support this album, and support good music.
Free Music Review: The Dixie Chicks' Finest Hour.
Hit: 5 Stars
"I'm not ready to make nice,
I'm not ready to back down,
I'm still mad as hell and I don't have time to go 'round and 'round and 'round.
It's too late to make it right,
I probably wouldn't if I could,
`Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is you think I should."
Taking the Long Way was released in May, 2006, three years after the infamous March 10, 2003 "Incident" in which Natalie Maines criticized President Bush Iraq during a Dixie Chicks' London concert (chronicled in the excellent 2006 documentary Shut Up & Sing). Taking the Long Way sounds more like rock than country. In fact, the CD includes Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on drums. Produced by Rick Rubin (known for his work with Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, and the Beastie Boys), the album features some of the best music of the Dixie Chicks' twenty-yeat career, including the brilliant songs "The Long Way Around," "Not Ready to Make Nice," "Favorite Year," and my personal favorite, "Silent House."
"The Long Way Around" is an intelligent anthem of nonconformity. "Not Ready to Make Nice," the album's first single, offers a defiant response to the controversy surrounding Maines' comment three years earlier, with an anger in her voice that rivals Alanis Morrissette. "Favorite Year" was written in collaboration with Sheryl Crow, and "Silent House" was written in collaboration with Neil Finn of Crowded House. (Finn's own more haunting rendition of the song may be found on his Crowded House album, Time on Earth). The lyrics are pure poetry:
"And I will try to connect
All the pieces you left
I will carry it on
And let you forget
And I'll remember the years
When your mind was clear
How the laughter and life
Filled up this silent house
Silent house.
In the garden off the living room
A chill fills the air
And the lilies bloom."
Proving perhaps there is justice in the universe of public opinion, The Dixie Chicks swept the 2007 Grammy Awards with Taking the Long Way, winning all five categories for which they were nominated including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year. Complete album tracks include:
1. The Long Way Around
2. Easy Silence
3. Not Ready To Make Nice
4. Everybody Knows
5. Bitter End
6. Lullaby
7. Lubbock Or Leave It
8. Silent House
9. Favorite Year
10. Voice Inside My Head
11. I Like It
12. Baby Hold On
13. So Hard
14. I Hope
G. Merritt
Free Music Review: Chicks Keep Chirpin' Beautifully
Hit: 5 Stars
Frank Sinatra famously sang "Regrets, I have a few," and when asking lead singer Natalie Maines of Dixie Chicks if she has any, she'll tell you of one major regret she has - she regrets apologizing to President George W. Bush for the remark she made three years ago on a London Stage. While on tour in 2003, the Lone Star state native told the British audience, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." She now says of her subsequent act of making nice, "I apologized for disrespecting the office of the President, but I don't feel that way anymore. I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever." I have to admit, when Maines made it clear she wasn't sorry, I had already become a major fan of this new CD without even hearing it. I was so proud of her for not backing down to one of the most immoral administrations in our nation's history. I knew I was going to love every song. Is that any way to review a new piece of art? Of course it isn't. That's why I'm thrilled and delighted that the latest disc from the Chicks, Taking The Long Way, is absolutely brilliant - BRILLIANT!!! Speaking of not making nice, "Not Ready To Make Nice" is the wonderful leadoff single released to radio. Although several country stations have banned playing Dixie Chicks forever, they're the losers for missing out on some of the best written and performed music of this decade. This is also the first time the Chicks have co-written every song on one entire album, and the lyrics are not only political, they're heartfelt, sweet and out `n out the edgiest rock-oriented sound that these chicks have ever chirped. Producer Rick Rubin, who is just coming off of the great success of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Diamond and Neil Young's latest epics, is the go-to man for a great rock and roll album. At the time of the album's commencement, Rubin stated, "I think this should sound like a great rock act making a country album, not a country act making a rock album." Maines concurred, "It was a very different style of working. You have to learn to relax and be okay with experimenting. We just knew we wanted to do something different." And they have done something different. I always appreciated the Chicks for their vocals and their accolades (seven Grammy Awards), but I've never been wowed by an entire album of theirs - until now. I suppose the pop/rock angle of this album is what I love the most, not to mention Maines' powerhouse vocals and the trio's writing abilities. It's all here wrapped up neatly with a pretty bow on top. The only thing missing so far is a Best Album nomination. I suspect that will be their Christmas present when the Grammy nominations are announced next December. Until that time, enjoy this magnificent CD - it's one hour and five minutes of sheer democratic beauty.