I enjoyed the Rolling Stone article about Natalie Maines, former lead singer for the Dixie Chicks. The group was subjected to a severe lashing when Maines uttered aloud a thought crime about the Iraq war during a concert in London. She’s feisty as hell, and has not backed down, which is good to see. (I only urge that she avoid flying on small aircraft in the future.)
This part made me chuckle. I enjoy music but am not subtle or refined. Even so, country musuc has always grated on me. Mostly, I think, it is the 2-4 beat, which doesn’t lend itself to much diversity. Maines had another thought, which rang true:
I just didn’t like how blatant country music was. Nothing seemed poetic or subtle. Nothing could be interpreted two different ways! It’s all very spelled out. James Taylor can write ‘Fire and Rain’ and tell you it’s about a mental institution, this and that – and you listen to it, and you’re trying to decipher it all. And, you know, a country song would be like [sings twangily], ‘I’m in a mental institution!’
Piece of Mindful 
I like Natalie Maines voice. I listen to her frequently. Does this mean I will burn in Hell?
She made her money with straightforward country songs, so for here to criticize the genre is a bit…gauche? Hypocritical? Something like that.
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I meant no disrespect. People like what they like. She’s good, could have succeeded in any genre save perhaps opera.
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She’s good, could have succeeded in any genre save perhaps opera.
A bit much. Let’s not infuse her with too much glory.
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These folks with talent play a genre to the hilt. If it’s CW they wear hats and go all 2-4 all over everything. She could have easy been a Grace Slick rock and lead singer, or a KD Lang type. Sometime listen to Paul Simon’s Graceland, and then Willie Nelson same song. Willie speeds it up, 2-4’s it, puts in a wood block and electric guitar. Same song, different genre.
Humperdink’s Please Release Me was a 1940’s country hit. He took it the opposite way. It’s all about what audience you are playing to.
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At that level, along with talent, things have to break your way.
Maines has a “clear twang” that plays well in country. I don’t know if she had anything to recommend her in the other genres. Maybe.
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It’s a “twang” when placed in country music, but would be something else in another genre. She could be a lead singer for Fleetwood. She could belt out “Somebody to Love.” Since we would never have heard Slick do it, we would not reference her version. In each case the groups would have a different flavor.
We learn to identify the voices with the work retroactively. Great artists by and large can slip in anywhere.
That said, I hear John Denver do “City of New Orleans” one time. It’s Arlo Guthrie’s song, no one else’s.
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My typo: …so for her to criticize the genre…
Usually when you are in a business, one should promote it. I suppose an artist can cultivate an edge by trashing the enterprise. But then don’t complain when you have no friends.
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She pretty much topped out but as a young singer bounced from rock to rock until DC’s found her. She made a good pile but the genre deserted her after her thought crime. Then she went home and had babies. I would say she’s earned free agency.
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As I recall it was her timing — just before the invasion of Iraq — that made the moment an heroic and most memorable act. Also, as I recall what she said was very popular with the London crowd. The Iraq was was never popular in Europe, millions took to the streets to no avail. The punishment could have been worse. Pussy Riot members sit in Russian jails. In the U.S. now, post-posse comitatis/post-habeas corpus, Maines would likely be subject to anything ranging from rendition to an espionage trial.
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Shut up and sing.
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I agree. Lee Greenwood makes me wanna puke.
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