So, Lady Turpentine asked why I thought the documentary “Shut Up & Sing” was flawed, so here are my thoughts.
Like I said, it was interesting, and it succeeded in reminding me how much I like the Dixie Chicks. It did have a few problems though…it jumped around in time in ways that I found distracting. Also, it lost focus and meandered at times. Rand commented that it was more of a VH-1 documentary (minus the voice over), and I would agree with that.
Right after watching it, though, I went down to the basement into my boxes of CDs and brought out my Dixie Chicks albums. I went to iTunes and downloaded Taking the Long Way, and now I’m inspired to create a guide to the Dixie Chicks for anyone who might be interested in hearing what they have to offer other than “Not Ready to Make Nice.”
Wide Open Spaces (1998) was the Chicks’ first commercially succesful release. The title track won one of the country music awards, and the ladies impressed me by calling the songwriter to the stage to accept the award.
As is usually the case in Nashville, there is very little on this album written by the Chicks themselves, but their musical and vocal talent is clear.
Download me: Wide Open Spaces, I Can Love You Better, There’s Your Trouble, You Were Mine, Tonight the Heartache’s On Me
Fly (1999) allowed the girls a little bit more creative freedom. The song Cowboy Take Me Away, written by Emily Robison for her husband, is a sweet, touching love song. The girls got a lot of attention for numbers like Goodbye Earl, an upbeat, irreverent anthem about the murder of an abusive husband. (I don’t have access to YouTube at the moment, but I’d recommend checking out the video. It’s hilarious. Natalie Maines’ husband, Heroes’ Adrian Pasdar, makes a brief appearance as a police officer. ADDED–here’s the video)
I like this album a lot, so recommending songs is gonna be tough…
Download me: Goodbye Earl, Cowboy Take Me Away, If I Fall You’re Goin’ Down With Me, Cold Day in July, Let Him Fly
Home (2002) is a less polished “back to our roots” kind of album. The first track (and lead single ) Long Time Gone is an upbeat bluegrassy number. This is also the album that features the cover of Stevie Nicks’ Landslide, which I love on the album. There was a pop radio version that I found incredibly annoying. The other track I simply love from this album is Travelin’ Soldier, which is simply heartbreaking. It still makes me cry.
Download Me: Long Time Gone, Landslide, Travelin’ Soldier
Taking the Long Way (2006) is, of course, their current album. The Chicks worked with producer Rick Rubin, who you might remember was responsible for Johnny Cash’s last album. As I said yesterday, this album is personal, raw and emotional, and because of that, it’s beautiful. I’m only on my first or second listen to these songs, but those are my thoughts so far.
Download me: Not Ready to Make Nice, Taking the Long Way, Easy Silence, Lullaby