Top of the World Tour: Live

by

Dixie Chicks

Edit

I don't care what anyone says, but the Dixie Chicks rock. And it will be sad if we let their beliefs (or anyone's beliefs) from preventing them from greatest. After saying that, let me just say that this is one of the best live album I have ever heard. A collection of their biggest hits from their previous 3 albums, this cd shines BRIGHTLY. Not only do these girls ROCK, but you can hear the passion in their voices and the way they play. You can feel the energy of the fans and it really inspires you. This double cd makes you feel like you are at an actual show. Also there are great pics that goes along with this release. I almost missed this cd, because they are not promoting it. Most people don't even know about it. But don't let that prevent you from buying this cd. Can't wait for a new album.

Buying a live cd has its risks. Sometimes a group sounds more passionate and energized on a live cd. Sometimes the vocals and each of the instruments of the group all blend together in what turns out to be a live performance that lacks sufficient separation and clarity. Sometimes both high energy and passion of the musicians and a performmance that lacks sufficient separation and clarity can be found on the same live cd! This last possibility is, unfortunately, the condition of a number of the songs that appear on Top of the World Tour. The passion, energy, and great musical talent of the Dixie Chicks is clearly evident on this live cd. However, on some of the live songs it becomes very difficult to clearly distinguish some or much of the lyrics from the instrumental backing. Plus we are given a big dose of audience applause, which adds nothing to the Dixie Chicks' music. I am one who demands sufficient separation and clarity in my music. That way I can clearly hear the vocals as well as clearly hear each, or at least most, of the instruments that contribute to the music. Insufficient separation and clarity are found in some of the songs on Top of the World Tour; this is a problem that haunts many live cds. Thus, while I admire the Dixie Chicks' passion, energy, and musical talents on all of the songs found on Top of the World Tour, I do not enjoy the overall sound of those songs which suffer from insufficient separation and clarity. Hence, it is my decision to give Top of the World Tour a three star rating. Top of the World Tour is a satisfactory cd; a person who does not have high expectations for his/her music might enjoy and much appreciate Top of the World Tour. The problem with satisfactory cds which are found in a larger cd collection that contains many outstanding cds is that the satisfactory cds don't get played. There is always a better sounding cd to enjoy. For instance, I would listen to most of the Dixie Chicks' studio-produced releases plus The Essential before even considering Top of the World Tour. Thus there is no good reason for me to keep Top of the World Tour as part of my extensive cd collection. This satisfactory review of Top of the World Tour is not intended as a reflection upon the great musical talents of the Dixie Chicks. They have given us some of the best country music that has been recently recorded. My advice to you is to purchase and listen to many or all of the Dixie Chicks' studio-produced cds and The Essential, which was compiled from the studio-produced releases, and NOT BUY Top of the World Tour. If you want to listen to a live cd that does have sufficient separation and clarity and also appreciate soul blues music, I suggest that you purchase and enjoy Robert Cray's Live at BBC.

John