Loyal fans love Chicks, political or not

Mark Brown, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 28, 2006 at midnight

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If their single Not Ready To Make Nice didn't spell out the Dixie Chicks' feelings about the political controversies that overshadowed their career for a while, the women had no problem making it more clear.

They entered the stage at the Pepsi Center on Monday night to the tune of Hail to the Chief, a not-so- subtle dig at the president they've had no problem criticizing from the stage in the past. Then they went into Lubbock or Leave It, a song from the new album where they wonder "how will I ever get to heaven now?"

The political controversy has undeniably taken a tangible toll on the band's career. Last time around, it was a sold-out Pepsi Center with a crowd into the rafters.

On Monday, about a dozen sections in the upper tiers were blocked off and empty, and the production values were definitely scaled down from the high-tech extravaganza last time. Still, they brought in more fans than the recent Who concert did, so it looks like they'll do just fine.

With the political bent of some of the new material from Taking the Long Way, the show had a much more somber feel at times than in previous tours, although songs like the exuberant murder ballad Goodbye Earl blew the roof off the place. A rollicking version of White Trash Wedding was another highlight, especially with singer Natalie Maines taking great pains to dedicate it to Kevin Federline.

The trio and the crack backing band drew heavily off the new album, often to great effect. The song Neighbor is known to fans only as the song over the closing credits to their new documentary, Shut Up and Sing. Although many in the crowd hadn't heard the defiant anthem before, it got a huge ovation with its repeated chorus of "I'll still be here."

Lullaby, a love song with a quirky guitar rhythm written for the women's children, is a touching centerpiece of the new album and held the crowd rapt.

Not Ready to Make Nice got an even bigger response. Live, it lost some of the dirge- like elements that drag down the studio version, in part because the crowd sang every word, showing the band more support than ever.

As always the musicianship was top-notch, with Martie Maguire and Emily Robison handling multi-instrumental duties while providing perfect harmonies.

It wasn't all moments of intensity, with the band sprinkling in big hits such as Wide Open Spaces and Top of the World along with a strong version of Cowboy Take Me Away.

Dixie Chicks

• When, where: Monday night, Pepsi Center

• Grade: B

Mark Brown is the popular music critic. brownm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2674

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