An Evening with the Dixie Chicks

Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable LIVE performance of the "Home" album
Review: Simply put, this is the Dixie Chicks performing their latest CD, "Home." When I got this DVD, I had not yet heard any of the songs from the CD save for their cover of "Landslide," but I still enjoyed the music and had a great time watching the Chicks perform. They display excellent musical versatility (supporting band included), mixed with fun songs and a great rapport with the audience.

This performance was recorded on August 16, 2002, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, just weeks after "Home" was released. The Chicks play every one of the twelve songs from the CD in the exact same order. This might be a plus for those who are already in the habit of listening to the entire CD, so you'll know what to expect. For me, I appreciated the way the songs were introduced, as explained most often by lead vocalist Natalie Maines. In addition to the "Home" songs, there are four others: three from the previous CD, "Fly," plus the title track to "Wide Open Spaces." Overall, the song count is seven more than what was seen on the original television broadcast. I would have preferred that the three albums were more equally represented, but I guess the point was to promote "Home" so . . . they gave us the whole thing! The Dixie Chicks are known for engaging the crowd, and that was definitely the case here. The crowd at the Kodak was definitely amped throughout the performance, and I was equally drawn in.

In terms of sound quality, this is a top-notch DVD. The mixers (one of whom was Lloyd Maines, Natalie's dad and a member of the band) did a virtually perfect job of balancing all the instrumentation so that not one musician either got drowned out or overwhelmed any of the others. I was perfectly content to have my system set on CD Stereo and to listen to superb sound through a nice subwoofer and satellite system. Dolby 5.1 is also available.

The camera work was excellent and highlighted a multitude of angles and perspectives. My only [slightly] negative criticism is with the video editing, which was far too rapid for my taste. Too many times, the camera selection changed faster than once per measure, which, over entire songs, became a little dizzying. The good news is that the DVD picture quality is awesome: sharp images and vivid colors. Extra features include a biography, discography and a twelve-page liner note booklet.

Rating:
Summary: Chicks Rule!!!
Review: The Dixie Chicks keep getting better. Their new release is the best. This shows everything you saw on the special that was aired on TV in Dec. plus 7 more songs. Great from start to finish. If you like anything about the Dixie Chicks, you have to love this release. A must have for any fan. I got it the day it was released, because the Chicks have become one of those bands that I just buy everything they do, and never worry about it being good. I know it always will be. Enjoy...

Rating:
Summary: Made me a Dixie Chicks convert!
Review: When I was younger, there was no way that I would listen to country music. I thought it was all steel guitars and twang. Sure, some songs had beautiful lyrics, but I just couldn't stomach the sound. I happened across the Dixie Chicks special when it aired on TV. My two year old son loves the Dixie Chicks, since his grandfather plays them all the time, so I agreed to watch. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the show. A few of the songs have a little too much banjo, if you know what I mean. But most of the songs are great. Either lots of fun, or hauntingly lovely. The song that really sold me on their music was Cowboy Take Me Away. I sang it my my head for days afterwards. I knew I had to buy their CD's. I'm so glad I did! This DVD is a wonderful showcase of the Dixie Chicks' talent. They play mostly songs from their new album (Home), but lots of old favorites, too. I was mighty pleased.

Rating:
Summary: An Evenong With The Dixie Chicks
Review: Having missed their television special, I was happy to see this one out on DVD. A very enjoyable show and excellent collection of songs. Not having their new album I was not as familiar with all their new material so this show was an extra treat! At the end of a long day...it's nice to spend it with these ladies. Excellent sound...Natalies voice is front and center...as if she were in your living room! And as a bonus...if you are a fan of well played, traditional music...these chicks and their backup guys have got it nailed!

Rating:
Summary: D.C. ROCK!!!
Review: !!! ATTENTION FADING AND FUTURE ROCK STARS !!! Want to know how to promote your music? SEE THIS DVD!! Dixie chicks totally blew me away by allowing fans and others a "sneak peak" into their new album. This was done in an unpretentious way with humor and - most importantly - quality music. Rarely have I enjoyed a music dvd as much as this one. Usually I skip through the boring or tedious numbers and go straight for the fan-favorites...not on this one though. Every song transitioned smoothly to the next and this performance really made you feel like you spent "an evening with the Dixie Chicks." Well worth every penny ... (and it's inexpensive too!) KEEP IT UP DIXIE CHICKS.

Rating:
Summary: music
Review: i`m a rock & roll person but listen to it all i bought this dvd and was blown away buy the audio mix and the music itself. a must for anyone who likes great music

Rating:
Summary: It's like your own private concert
Review: Chances are, if you're reading this, you're already familiar with the songs that are on this DVD, so I won't bore you with the details.

The production and sound quality of the DVD are both top notch. Natalie's voice is captured perfectly, and the crowd noise never overpowers the music (a problem with many music DVD's I've owned in the past).

If you want a great collection of the Dixie Chicks' best songs, then this is the DVD for you- in addition to the entire Home CD, they threw in a few older extras that are brilliantly performed, with a slightly different sound (no drums!).

Highly recommended for newbies and die-hard fans alike.

Rating:
Summary: Cuddle up to a fire, pop open a bottle of wine, and enjoy...
Review: This is one awesome performance. I saw the NBC special in December and loved it, so I knew I had to buy the DVD when it came out. The picture and sound quality are impeccable - right up there with the Eagles DVD. It's an hour and a half of pure enjoyment. They perform their new Home CD plus a few of there classic songs. Natalie has the strongest voice I have ever heard and she can also get foot stompin' crazy like she does in White Trash Wedding. Amazing performance! The Chicks seem relaxed on stage as they joke with the audience in between songs so it makes it feel like they are in your living room. I wish there were more LIVE DVD's like this by other artists.

Rating:
Summary: Bring it Home
Review: If you want a way to have an amazing concert experience, buy this DVD. The 5.1 Digital Surround Sound makes you feel like your actually in the audience listenting to the Dixie Chicks. The musical talents of these girls is simply amazing. Natalie also adds a down home feeling to the show with her quirky comments, and her interaction with the crowd. To sum it all up, this is a must have.

Rating:
Summary: A perfect introduction to "Home"
Review: For most of my college years, I remained immune to charms of the Dixie Chicks, deriding them at every chance as another in long line of drivel-drivin' opportunists in the "new country" revival. While most of that genre still to my mind seems mired in the schlock of "Achy Breaky Heart," I can genuinely say that seeing the Dixie Chicks in person awakened my mind and slowly but surely has won me over.

This DVD is a perfect welcoming to the skeptical fan who may doubt the Chicks chops or see the throng of neo-cowgirls who pack the concert halls and think this band is not for them. Taken on their own terms, the Dixie Chicks acquit themselves as top-level entertainers in any genre. Their infectious joy and aura of comfort on the stage should be more than enough to warm the hardest of hearts.

In this beautifully captured concert film, the Chicks introduce their 2002 album "Home" for the first time to a public audience. The rapt attention the band seamlessly garners from song to song provides a quick clue both to the group's connection with their audience and the strength of their material. While the music could scarcely be called challenging to most ears (in fact, it runs the rail from weepy to toe-tapping with ease), still, few bands have the moxie and ability to spring an new album in its entirety. This gives the perfomance a distinct "high-stakes" feel and certainly adds to the excitement as a viewer.

It does quite well at recreating the atmosphere I experienced seeing the Dixie Chicks for the first time, a raucous, crowded theatre full of fans, and a high-energy performance that so gracefully hits the line between intimacy and arena-level production. You'll never mistake this for a club show, but that said the Chicks ooze charisma and do their best to break down the wall between them and the audience.

My recommendation is to buy this DVD and watch it a few times before buying "Home," so as to get a taste of the faces and graces behind the pickers, pluckers and voices. The backing band is top notch and you'll love the visual cues that lend insight to the intricate instrumentation found throughout. The video quality is quite high and the sound mix is warm. It's truly hard to poke holes in this fantastic production.