Women of Country - The Internet's #1 Guide to Female Country Music

Album Review

Dixie Chicks
Top Of The World Tour Live
Open Wide/Monument/Columbia Records

Live albums are hard to pull off. All to often the recordings capture none of the energy of the actual concert and end up being nothing more than a second filling of the same songs you’ve heard before. In short, it’s hard to make a live record which offers much over the studio records you already own. But then you have the Dixie Chicks, who have one of the most highly energetic and entertaining stage shows in the country music world. They have managed to make a live record which is what all live albums should be. It’s a highly entertaining double disc set and if you turn it up real loud you would swear you were sitting in the front row.

There is a lot of Dixie Chicks for you money on this album. You get 22 tracks and all of them are winners. If you ever needed further proof that the chicks are the best thing going in country music right now just throw CD1 into your stereo and listen to the opening track “Goodbye Earl”. This song had attitude in the studio but live it’s taken to a whole different level. The first disc contains other huge hits like “Some Days You Gotta Dance”, “There’s Your Trouble”, “and Cold Day In July”. It also gives some great versions of songs from their outstanding record Home. “Long Time Gone” could very well be the best single these girls have put together yet. The humorous “White Trash Wedding” works in ways that only a Dixie Chicks song can. There is no other band that could pull songs of that nature off. The blazing instrumental “Lil’ Jack Spade” shows off the chicks talents on their respective instruments. There are even some album tracks off of Wide Open Spaces which never made it to singles but should have. Natalie’s voice absolutely soars on “Am I The Only One (Who’s Ever Felt This Way)” and “Hello Mr. Heartache”. This is a very balanced first CD.

The second disc contains the two Patty Griffin tracks “Truth #2” (which deserved to be a number one) and “Top of the World” (easily the best ballad written in recent memory and another single which was unjustly ignored). They even cover a Bob Dylan tune titled “Mississippi” and perform it with the same flare that Sheryl Crow (who also recorded this tune) has done. You’ll also find “Landslide”, “Cowboy Take Me Away”, “Ready To Run”, and “Wide Open Spaces” on disc 2. They end the show with the roaring “Sin Wagon”.

When the final note is played on Top of the World Live you’re instantly aware of just how damn good these three women from Texas are. Over two CDs and 22 tracks you manage to keep the illusion of actually being at a Dixie Chicks concert. The performances are masterfully executed and it’s truly amazing that after only three albums they have this much top notch material. This is everything that a live album should be. It captures the essence of a Dixie Chicks concert. Bottom line, the Dixie Chicks kick ass and you should own this album.

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

The WOC Rating Scale

The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection.

This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level.

This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there.

A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy.

This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark.