Dixie Chicks have a good, rockin' time　

By Rattaya Nimibutr, The Daily Cougar U. Houston

Chicks rock.　

Dixie Chicks rock even harder.　

The country trio proved this brilliantly during Friday's concert at the Compaq Center.　

That isn't surprising. The women, consisting of the pregnant Natalie Maines and sisters Martie Seidel and Emily Robison, have been reigning over the country charts with the debut Wide Open Spaces and its follow-up, Fly.　

Their emergence comes at a time when female artists Shania Twain and Faith
Hill have made country music even more popular than before.　

Those looking for true talent in the wake of the Britney Spears saturation need look no further than the Dixie Chicks. Their two albums are great and their live performances are even better.

Performing to a capacity crowd, the Chicks incorporated all their songs with instrumental ability that made the audience appreciate the sound quality. Seidel's fiddle playing was filled with passion while Robison teased the audience with her banjo picking.

"There's Your Trouble" and "Cowboy Take Me Away" filled the almost two-hour set. The energy was full blown and the playful, yet professional approach in playing the songs was extremely enjoyable.

With Maine's pregnancy and another album on the way, this will probably be
the Chick's last tour until 2002. The Dixie Chicks made sure to leave a mark on the music scene that won't be forgotten.

The women didn't hold back any energy when playing "I Can Love You Better." With attractive lights and three screens showing various images, the Chicks rocked the Compaq Center into a full swing.

Looking for a more intimate setting, the women performed some slower songs, including "Let Him Fly" and "You Were Mine," while sitting on a big red couch.　

They also covered Sheryl Crow's "Strong Enough," in which Maines' voice sent a thrilling, yet charming, tone throughout the arena.

One of the highlights of the show was when Robison and Seidel demonstrated
their bluegrass background. Before they were the Dixie Chicks, Robison and
Seidel rocked to bluegrass and they stayed true to their roots and offered an excellent set.

Another highlight of the concert was the awesome performance of "Goodbye
Earl," a current hit single with a hilarious music video. The three women performed the song with each one in different places. Maines placed herself midstage while Seidel and Robison played in various upper levels.　

Accompanying the different setting was the music video, which added more to the hilarity. This live performance was very amusing.

The Dixie Chicks then returned to the stage with an encore of "Wide Open Spaces," their debut title track hit. It was superb in every way.

Opening act Joe Ely had a full grasp of what it means to be a country musician. Showing that he deserves a tour of his own, his set was hyped and full of energy.

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