Taking the Long Way by Dixie Chicks (CD, May-2006, Open Wide Records)

Update 03/07
Well I guess it goes to show you that good music is just that, good music. Now that this album has won 3 Grammy's (including best album 2006). In fact, this album is the first country album to ever win the Album of the Year award. I knew it was a great album about a year ago, and now the Chicks have been given the recognition they deserve for their talent.

I still believe this album is an elegant answer to the abuse they received following their comments about our 43rd President. Since I wrote this review, I've learned a bit more about the hatred and malice that, so called "patriotic americans", have expressed against these three talented women. Shame on them all ! ! ! The malicious individuals shun the very basic inalienable rights that our country was founded upon, "freedom of speech and freedom of expression". Here's one for the good gals of the Dixie Chicks!

Read on for my thoughts about this wonderful album. I would suggest you purchase this album from iTunes where you'll also get a bonus interview by the chicks in which they discuss some of the threats that they've had to endure of the past several years.

I admit that I'm not an audiophile, but I do know what kind of music I like, and this album is great! I don't usually remember lyrics, but the meaningful lyrics of this album seem to stick in my head.

American's behaved reprehensively to these three talented ladies after Natalie Mane's expressed her political opinion about George Bush and the war in Iraq. They got death threats and had all kinds of nasty things occurred in each of their lives because of a comment that radical conservatives couldn't accept.

Well isn't our great nation built on the premise of "Freedom of Speech"? I happen to agree with Natalie's political expression. Even if you don't agree with her political position, she has the right to express it. Isn't that what we're fighting for in Iraq? To all those who express anger towards the Dixie Chicks, shame on you! Maybe you need to think about what it means to be an American!

This is a GREAT album with great lyrics and terrific arrangements. Even if it wasn't so great, I probably would have bought it just to show my support for the freedoms and liberty we enjoy here in these United States! Go Girls Go ! ! !