Taking The Long Way - Dixie Chicks

The Dixie Chicks is made up of three females, Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines and Emily Robison. They are the highest grossing female band in the US, selling over 36 million albums as of March 2009! They actually formed in 1989 with a different formation but did not release their debut album, Wide Open Spaces, until 1998. The Dixie Chicks are one of my favourite bands. Their first album, Wide Open Spaces was a great introduction to country music for me as it's a bit more easy going than say Dolly Parton or the like but still allows you to experience a bit of the blue grass, country and that whole scene and get into the music. This album offers you upbeat, toe ...  Read the complete review

Dixie Chicks are one of the most successful modern-day country bands, winning a whole host of awards, including the 2007 Grammy Album of the Year Award for this album, TAKING THE LONG WAY. Back in 2003 the Chicks got into trouble over the statement the lead singer, Natalie Maines, made in concert in London, saying that she was ashamed that they were ashamed that the then-president George Bush was from Texas. This remark led to a huge backlash against the Chicks and their music and even lead to death threats made against Maines (this period is shown in great detail in the fantastic documentary movie DIXIE CHICKS: SHUT UP & ...  Read the complete review

It’s been a tough few years for the Dixie Chicks since the release of their third album, “Home”. Not long after it was released, singer Natalie Maines made comments against President Bush and the war in Iraq. As a result, people started burning their CDs, slinging insults at the group and threatening to boycott their records and gigs. As country fans turned their backs on the Dixie Chicks, they took a new musical direction in an effort to widen and increase their fan base. The new album is produce by Rick Rubin, better known for working in other fields, having produced artists as far apart on the musical spectrum as Jay-Z and Slipknot. What he’s not known ...  Read the complete review