The Dixie Chicks worked hard to give a Hampton Coliseum audience its money's worth last week. The country trio dazzled the crowd of about 8,000 with great songs, hot playing, and good and glitzy production values. Before the show, a giant insect-shaped balloon buzzed through the air of the Coliseum -- a nice visual reference to the Chicks' new album "Fly." And just before they took the stage, Lenny Kravitz's song "Fly Away" pumped from the sound system.

The band's set featured tunes from the new album as well as their earlier multi-platinum disc "Wide Open Spaces." For the tune "Cold Day in July" from the new CD, fake snowflakes drifted down from the Coliseum's rafters. Musically, the three Chicks were right on the money Martie Seidel's fiddle playing was fiery Her sister Emily Robison impressed with snaking dobro guitar licks. And lead singer Natalie Maines nailed her gutsy vocals all night long. The group's three-part harmonies were nearly as clean as they are on disc. Criticisms? This was the Chicks' first headlining tour, and the pacing of their concert was a bit ragged. A segment where the three women cracked jokes about their baby pictures projected onto big screens lasted too long. And the sound quality wasn't as crisp as it should have been. Otherwise, though, the Chicks' show was sizzling.