#224 of 500
· Rolling Stone
“There's a case that Fly deserves to be higher, but #224 is solid company. Dixie Chicks's work here (1999) is the kind of thing that makes you play both sides twice. The original pressing is the way in.”
The Dixie Chicks emerged from Texas in the 1980s, initially performing bluegrass and country music before evolving into one of the most commercially successful country acts of the 1990s and 2000s. The trio—Natalie Maines (vocals), Emily Robison (fiddle, banjo, guitar), and Martie Seidel (fiddle, guitar)—achieved mainstream breakthrough with their 1998 album 'Wide Open Spaces,' which became a crossover hit and won five Grammy Awards. Their 2000 follow-up 'Fly' cemented their status as country superstars, becoming one of the best-selling country albums of all time. The group's career faced significant turbulence following controversial political statements in 2003, leading to a hiatus. They returned in 2020 with the critically acclaimed album 'Gaslighter,' marking a triumphant comeback and solidifying their legacy as influential artists who refused to compromise their artistic vision.
Style
Known for their blend of country, bluegrass, and pop sensibilities, the Dixie Chicks created polished, radio-friendly country music with virtuosic instrumental performances, particularly their innovative fiddle arrangements. Their sound evolved from traditional country roots to incorporate pop and rock influences, featuring strong harmonies and Natalie Maines' distinctive lead vocals.
Significance
The Dixie Chicks are essential to any country vinyl collection, representing the late-1990s/early-2000s country-pop crossover era. Their early albums 'Wide Open Spaces' and 'Fly' are considered modern country classics and remain highly sought after by collectors for their sonic clarity and commercial significance.
Fly, released in 1999, marked the Dixie Chicks' major-label debut for Monument Records and their commercial breakthrough. Recorded primarily in Nashville, the album showcased the trio's sophisticated musicianship and willingness to blend traditional country with pop sensibilities. Producer Blake Mevis helped craft a polished, radio-friendly sound while maintaining the band's instrumental identity. The album features the hit single "Wide Open Spaces," written by Susan Gibson, which became an anthem for independence and self-discovery. Other notable tracks include "There's Your Trouble" and "Cowboy Take Me Away," demonstrating the group's range from uptempo country-pop to tender ballads. The Chicks' three-part vocal harmonies, combined with Martie Maguire's fiddle and Emily Erwin's banjo work, created a distinctive sound that appealed to both country and mainstream audiences.
Historical Context
Fly arrived during a period of significant crossover success in country music, following acts like Shania Twain and Garth Brooks who had brought country to pop audiences. The album was a massive commercial and critical success, eventually selling over 10 million copies worldwide and helping to define late-90s country-pop. It won three Grammy Awards and established the Dixie Chicks as major commercial forces in both country and pop markets. The album's success preceded the band's 2003 political controversy by several years, making Fly representative of their pre-controversy peak popularity and universal acceptance in mainstream music.
Pressing Notes
Fly was released on CD and cassette initially, with vinyl reissues coming much later due to the album's CD-era production. Modern vinyl editions became available through reissue labels in the 2010s-2020s as vinyl collecting resurged. Collectors should note that original 1999 first pressings are rare on vinyl; most vinyl copies in circulation are recent reissues. The album's original Monument Records CD pressing is the most common format for collectors seeking vintage copies. When purchasing vinyl, verify the pressing date and quality, as early reissues varied in mastering and pressing quality.
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