Dixie Chicks (Wide Open Spaces): Wide Open Spaces CD Track Listing

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Dixie Chicks (Wide Open Spaces) Wide Open Spaces (1998)
Originally Released January 27, 1998\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: When sisters Martie Seidel and Emily Erwin founded the Dixie Chicks in 1989, could they have possibly known the success that would someday be theirs? After three independent records and several lineup changes, the group was re-energized by new lead singer Natalie Maines and the support of a major label, and exploded onto the contemporary country scene with the release of Wide Open Spaces. As always, their strengths lie in their honey-sweet harmonies and superb musicianship, now topped off by the sassy power of Maines' lead vocals. Apparently, they know how to pick songs as well, with "I Can Love You Better," "Wide Open Spaces," and "There's Your Trouble" all breaking into the Top Ten and pushing album sales into the multi-platinum category. Wide Open Spaces is a wonderful blend of traditional elements such as banjo, fiddle, and steel guitar and contemporary attitude, most notably a strong female perspective. As far as subject matter goes, they cover all the bases by tossing in a great honky tonk/bar/broken-heart song with "Tonight the Heartache's on Me," several touching ballads, including "I'll Take Care of You," "Loving Arms," and "You Were Mine," and an in-your-face, unapologetic breakup anthem ("Let 'Er Rip"). When choosing tunes to cover, they tip their hat to some great, though perhaps surprising, women songwriters in Maria McKee and Bonnie Raitt with the last two tracks on the record. The charm and talent of the Dixie Chicks earned them well-deserved popularity across genre borders, and rightly so. Wide Open Spaces is a highly enjoyable listen. -- Kelly McCartney\n\nAmazon.com essential recording\nThe major-label debut from this Texas trio proves their instrumental abilities, blending more traditional twang with slow melodic blues, foot-tapping rockabilly, and bluegrass-inspired pop harmonies. From the opener, "I Can Love You Better," the Chicks let their love of music and genuine joy shine through while the energy on this album reminds one of Carlene Carter. Solid musicianship, topnotch vocal performances, and infectious pop hooks make this a stellar project. --Paula Ghergia \n\nCountry Music\nLike a lot of young Nashville acts, The Dixie Chicks borrow a lot from 70's and 80's California pop-rock; unlike a lot of their peers, The Chicks go to the originals for their material, and cover songs written by J.D. Souther, Maria McKee, Tom Jans and Bonnie Raitt.... Until they can make a song crackle with danger and lust, The Dixie Chicks will merely be a pleasant but inconsequential diversion. \n\nPeople\nThis Dallas Trio ... have a lively delivery and tightly harmonized sound reminiscent of Georgia's Forester Sisters. Although the politically correct may growl at the Chick's throwback tendencies--they do a lot of stand-by-tour-man and grieve-over-the-loss-of-him songs--this is an old-fashioned, good-time album, affable and rich with sweet-toned melodies. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nTerrific Major-Label Debut, October 27, 2004\nReviewer: Westley (The South)\nThe Dixie Chicks had been kicking around the country music scene for years with a variety of personnel before they added Natalie Maines as lead singer and released "Wide Open Spaces" - their major label debut. The CD, of course, was a huge smash and established them as one of the biggest country groups ever. In fact, with over 12 million copies sold, "Wide Open Spaces" is the best-selling CD ever by a country group (#2 is their "Fly" CD). After they released this CD, the group also won the Country Music Association (CMA) Award for Vocal Group of the Year in 1999. \n\nFive songs on the CD were major hits, starting with the "I Can Love You Better" (#7 in 1998), a playful up-tempo song. The group then scored three #1's in a row: "There's Your Trouble" (2 weeks in 1998), "Wide Open Spaces" (4 weeks in 1998), and "You Were Mine" (2 weeks in 1999). "Wide Open Spaces" has really become their signature song; it's a great sing-a-long about a girl's need to find her own place in the world. In addition, it won the CMA Award for Song of the Year. They finished with "Tonight the Heartaches on Me" (#6 in 1999), which is a very fun swing tune. Of note, "Let 'Er Rip" also scored some airplay and peaked at #64, although it wasn't released as an official single. \n\nIn addition to these hits, the CD is filled with terrific songs. "Loving Arms" has been a hit before for several artists, including Elvis Presley; the Chicks add some nice sweetness to it. Perhaps the prettiest ballad on the CD is the top-notch "Once You've Loved Somebody." I'm also impressed with "Give It Up or Let Me Go": a cover of a Bonnie Raiit song that the Chicks have made into a serious barn-burner. \n\nI hadn't heard of the Dixie Chicks until this CD was released, so I don't have the bias against them that a few others seem to have; that is, thinking that the group "sold out." Although this CD is clearly more mainstream than their older work (which I've heard on TV shows), their music is still more country-oriented than that of many contemporary hit groups. I really admire their music, and this CD is a great listen.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nFantastic musicians ! (a little note for fans), November 6, 2004\nReviewer: ira moon (Stikkittathamon, USA)\nI'm no fan of most of the country music that comes out these days, but I do like the Dixie Chicks. Call it male bias, but I do find female country singers far more tolerable. \n\nMy appreciation of the Dixie Chicks, however, largely stems from the fact that I went to school with "Martie" (as she calls herself today) way back in the day. I can't say that I knew her, but I saw her play violin on several occasions and her considerable skill had clearly blossomed by 8th grade. \n\nI must say, I feel a strange sort of pride for her and sister Emily. Truth be told, it's more like a feeling of vindication, although I'm not one to hang on to ancient grudges. Martie was never among the popular crowd, but if any of those jerky kids from our school had a clue where she was headed she'd surly be worshipped. But she never seemed concerned about them, just seemed to stick to her own thing, keeping a low profile. Her mom taught our class in both 6th and 8th grade and she was a super great teacher. The "Green and Gold" was a private school for pretty smart kids. After failing Algebra, I switched to public school (which did wonders for my social life). \n\nAfter I left that school, a friend was thumbing through my yearbook and saw Martie's 9th grade picture. \n\n"Who is THAT? Do you know her?" \n\nI was initially amused with my friend's interest until he pointed out to my astonished, newly pubescent mind, that she was the prettiest girl in the grade. How funny: I had been so clueless. I'm sure that Martie, if so inclined, can look back on those grade-school days and laugh. As my mom would say, she is one smart cookie. The Dixie Chicks are top drawer hitmakers and deserve their success. I also admire their willingness to speak their minds which is their right as Americans. I wish them all the best.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nQuality album that catapulted Chicks to superstardom, August 22, 2003\nReviewer: P D Harris "Pete the music and horse racing fan" (Leicester England)\nThis was actually the fourth album by the Dixie Chicks, but the first on a major label and it was also the first since Natalie joined the group. It features many great tracks, including covers of songs previously recorded by Elvis Presley (Loving arms), Marie McKee (Am I the only one who's ever felt this way) and Bonnie Raitt (Give it up or let me go). All those covers are quite impressive, given the distinctive Dixie Chicks treatment. However, it is the original songs that really are outstanding.\nThe album even yielded a British pop hit (There's your trouble) which is not easy for a country act to achieve, especially one that owes so much to the traditional roots of the music. Somehow, the Dixie Chicks found a way to sound sufficiently contemporary to appeal to people who normally don't like country music, yet still managed to sound traditional enough for the majority of diehard country fans.\n\nApart from There's your trouble, I can love you better, Wide open spaces, You were mine and Tonight the heartache's on me are other notable highlights, although every song here would be a highlight on most country albums - that's how strong this album is.\n\nWhether singing ballads or up-tempo songs, the Dixie Chicks set a standard that others can only dream of matching. The years of obscurity paid off in a big way with this, one of the best country albums ever released.\n\nHalf.com Details \nProducer: Blake Chancey, Paul Worley \n\nAlbum Notes\nDixie Chicks: Natalie Maines (vocals); Emily Erwin (vocals, dobro, banjo, acoustic guitar); Martie Seidel (vocals, fiddle, mandolin).\n\nAdditional personnel: Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Paul Worley (acoustic & electric guitars); Mark Casstevens, Billy Crain (acoustic guitar); George Marinelli, Tommy Nash (electric guitar); Lloyd Maines, Tony Paoletta (steel guitar); Matt Rollings (Hammond B-3 organ, piano); Bobby Charles, Jr., Michael Rhodes (bass); Greg Morrow (drums); Tom Roady (congas, shaker, tambourine).\n\nAll tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.\n\nWIDE OPEN SPACES won the 1999 Grammy for Best Country Album. Dixie Chicks were nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. "There's Your Trouble" won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.\nThe Dixie Chicks' WIDE OPEN SPACES is flavored with tight-knit harmonies and acoustic instrumentation within the center of very tastefully understated arrangements. Their own acoustic underpinnings of fiddle, guitar, banjo and dobro are complimented and raised up by Paul Worley and Blake Chancey's respectful and organic production. This music is decorated with antique store furnishings, not the usual gaudy, regurgitated guitar licks and cheap generic production tricks. The trio is propelled by their delightful vocals and the very natural and easy country sway that the producer and the fine accompanying musicians have created.
This country cd contains 12 tracks and runs 43min 52sec.
Freedb: 8e0a460c

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