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DIXIE
CHICKS Back on top of the World
By: Daysi Calavia
& Stacy Rosario
The
euphoric sounds of Dixie Chicks' lovers filled the Office Depot Center's
Sunrise amphitheater on May 4th, followed by swinging cowboy hats
and tossed up beer cups. Tunes from Joan Osborne's opening act let
Dixie fans grab their Coronas and head straight into country magic.
The start of the third concert in the
Top of the World Tour was anxiously awaited. Without any warning,
the room became pitch black and in an automatic reaction the crowd
began to roar. Seconds later, the Chicks were elevated from center
stage and oh how their presence was felt! Eyeing the congested amphitheater,
it was apparent that the Bush remark didn't affect their concert sales.
Let's Rewind
By now we should all know about the
Chicks' new reputation, or have you been hibernating this whole time?
Here's the scoop: Chicks' lead singer Natalie Maines opened her mouth
two months ago in London, saying, "We're ashamed that the president
of the United States is from Texas." God forbid the chick has
an opinion.
To further express their emotions, the
Chicks posed nude on the cover of Entertainment Weekly; their Dixie
skin was adorned with phrases like, "Saddam's Angels," "Dixie
Sluts," "Proud Americans" and "Traitors."
They certainly got their message across in an artistic and provocative
fashion. Let's just say they are revolutionizing the country way.
It's about time; good job Chicks.
The Bigger Issue: their music
Thankfully, three talents persevered
despite the drama. Starting the night with an empowering song about
escaping an abusive relationship in Goodbye Earl, Martie Maguire
gave us a preview of her bad-ass fiddle playing. The anticipation
grew stronger.
Laughter
subsided as Long Time Gone's upbeat tunes penetrated the amphitheater.
Cheers for Maguire, as she burned through the chords of the fiddle;
let's not forget her sister, Emily Robison on banjo, adding the true
essence of country music. It's mind-blowing how in sync they are with
one another. Three more songs excited the crowd and there went Maines,
taking off her black and white punk jacket, before she started to
sing Hello Mr. Heartache. She was left with her olive green
tank top and black miniskirt, which made it a bit difficult for her
to sit on the stool. "I contemplated not wearing this skirt because
I'd have to sit like this," she said, "then I thought, heck,
you've seen me naked." Earsplitting laughter.
The groups' opinions were represented
in a different manner: "We better start some music, before I
get in trouble again," said Maines, who kept quiet about President
Bush. Prior to singing Truth #2, Maines made a comment that
the song's meaning, "originally escaped her, but now the song
makes a whole lot of sense."
Perhaps the controversy made her realize
that the song's meaning was relevant to recent events and their outcome;
hence the lyrics You don't like the sound of the truth / Coming
from my mouth, as well as the video of abortion, women's rights,
and civil issues protests that played throughout the song. "Then"
and "Now" footage was shown, illustrating the comparison
between Beatles' fans trashing their LP's, and children recently stomping
on Dixie Chicks CD's. Excellent way to bring this country-spirited
concert to an end, leaving fans' jaws open with amazement and bringing
everyone closer together, when different views tend to separate us.
The theme of the night was acceptance.
The Chicks' spinning on stage during
the song, Godspeed, proved that the effects of the concert
were incredible and innovative. Making way towards the end of the
night, sentiments remained on Top of the World, but quickly
disappeared with the joyful song, Sin Wagon. By then no one was Ready
to Run.
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