Court Yard Hounds

You may recognize the two women on this CD cover if you are a fan of the Dixie Chicks. The sisters in that famous trio have started making their own music under the name Court Yard Hounds. Emily Robison (right) is taking lead vocals and most songwriting credits on this debut album with her sister Martie Maguire. The interesting choice of band name came from a novel Emily was reading called "City of Thieves" by David Benioff. Robison was going through a divorce from Texas singer/songwriter Charlie Robison, which provided most of the material for her songs on this album. Maguire contributed one song to the album called "Gracefully" and she takes the lead vocals on it. This is not the end of the Dixie Chicks, but rather a new venture for the sister duo, who have always fallen into the shadow of lead singer Natalie Maines. The songs on "Courtyard" have a softer sound than what we were used to with the Chicks, mainly due to the softer edge of Robison's voice compared to Maines. Maguire compares Emily's sound to Shawn Colvin, while the LA Times compared her voice to Sheryl Crow.

I was lucky enough to receive the "Courtyard Hounds" CD from my boyfriend Rob as a parting gift when he left for Africa, and I've been listening to it constantly. The songs are heartfelt and applicable to all of life's typical struggles with love, heartache, children, career, etc. I find Robison's voice to be very soothing, and the harmonies with her sister are just beautiful. I'm OK with the long wait for a new Chicks album as long as the Hounds continue making lovely music like this! Go out and buy the album. You won't regret it...