The Dixie Chicks went on hiatus back in 2008. Maguire and Robison decided to record a new Dixie Chicks album in 2009, but when Natalie Maines stated that she was not ready, the sisters decided to record a side project under a different name. And so The Court Yard Hounds was born.
"It was time," said Emily Robison. “We had been on hiatus from The Dixie Chicks for about a year, I was getting very restless and needed to be creative for my own sanity. And at the same time I was going through my divorce so it was very fertile ground for writing.” Emily took her sister’s advice to heart and held onto the songs, thinking perhaps they could be new material for The Dixie Chicks.
The Court Yard Hounds’ features Emily Robinson on lead vocals and the songs are profoundly personal and evocative songs (some tracks are based on her divorce from Charlie Robison). The lyrics are woven into melodies that are both individual and universal. Jakob Dylan of the Wallflowers, makes a guest appearance on the album.
Their self-titled debut album, recorded in Maguire's home studio was released last week. This summer, the ladies will be back on tour as The Dixie Chicks (performing with The Eagles) and then Court Yard Hounds will tour amphitheatres at the end of summer, as part of the Lilith Fair tour.
Finally got a chance to listen to CYH release - simply put, phenomenal.
I'm a huge Dixie Chicks fan and I've always been in awe of the incredible talent of Emily Robison and Martie Maguire as musicians. Emily on lead vocals is a fantastic musical treat. You will not be disappointed. The sisters manage to explore a more homespun storytelling style than whet they did with the Dixie Chicks and they do it with an incredible talent that seems almost effortless.
The Court Yard Hounds are definitely worth checking out.
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