Tír Na HiFi

Ivor wrote:I've been keeping an eye out for any of Karen Dalton's two albums at a reasonable price - the reissues were very very dear. Anyway, today I had a rare browse in my local Oxfam and spotted this gem on CD for a €5



It is stunning. Every track better than the last. "Katie Cruel" - a very simple recording, has tingles going all over my head and neck. Her version of "When a man loves a women" redefines everything about the song. I may well divide the world into those who "get" Karen Dalton and those who don't.

I remember that on vinyl! To this day I regret not snapping it up there and then....

Fran wrote:You have me intrigued Ivor - never heard of her, need to go and find something now!!

she was a hugely influential figure in the NY folk scene of the 60s and 70s. Dylan and Cohen both learnt to push their voices into strange places from hearing her. Nick cave gives a big nod too. She didn't do big gigs, rather she had sessions in her living room! Her first album was recorded "by stealth" by engineers hitting the "rec" button when she was really just fooling around. The above album was recorded using unknown session musicians - neighbours and friends really - and swings from jazz to soul to folk and blues seamlessly, all held by her incredible voice. Like all great voices she sounds fragile and venerable and simultaneously strong and a bit scary!

http://youtu.be/vAs7wCzaADQ

cybot wrote:
I remember that on vinyl! To this day I regret not snapping it up there and then....

very few copies around and they go for several hundred dollars a pop. Hopefully the vinyl will be rereleased sometime. Whatever the cost I'll buy it!

Ivor wrote:

cybot wrote:
I remember that on vinyl! To this day I regret not snapping it up there and then....

very few copies around and they go for several hundred dollars a pop. Hopefully the vinyl will be rereleased sometime. Whatever the cost I'll buy it!

I know the feeling :)

Ivor wrote:I've been keeping an eye out for any of Karen Dalton's two albums at a reasonable price - the reissues were very very dear. Anyway, today I had a rare browse in my local Oxfam and spotted this gem on CD for a €5



It is stunning. Every track better than the last. "Katie Cruel" - a very simple recording, has tingles going all over my head and neck. Her version of "When a man loves a women" redefines everything about the song. I may well divide the world into those who "get" Karen Dalton and those who don't.

One of my favourite Female artists.
What a voice.

I came across her a couple of years ago on a free Uncut magazine CD sampler. Had to find more then.

Same CD had a Richie Havens track on it. "High Flying Bird" I believe. great stuff also.

Those magazine CD's, Uncut and Mojo in particular are great for turning up gems sometimes.

Ivor wrote:

cybot wrote:
I remember that on vinyl! To this day I regret not snapping it up there and then....

very few copies around and they go for several hundred dollars a pop. Hopefully the vinyl will be rereleased sometime. Whatever the cost I'll buy it!

Now's your chance Ivor! See link here

Ivor, thanks for the suggestion. I am going to check her out. Turns out her stuff is actually standard/relatively cheap on Amazon
$15 for CD http://www.amazon.com/My-Own-Time-Karen ... 314&sr=8-1
$19 for Vinyl http://www.amazon.com/My-Own-Time-Vinyl ... 76&sr=8-10

I just read a short bio on her after reading the posts - quite a sad ending to her life.

cybot wrote:

Ivor wrote:

cybot wrote:
I remember that on vinyl! To this day I regret not snapping it up there and then....

very few copies around and they go for several hundred dollars a pop. Hopefully the vinyl will be rereleased sometime. Whatever the cost I'll buy it!

Now's your chance Ivor! See link here

That is cheap alright. Thanks.

I have this a while now and if it's the same girl you are talking about she must have improved no end.
I admit it's poor quality recording, but...

Derek wrote: I have this a while now and if it's the same girl you are talking about she must have improved no end.
I admit it's poor quality recording, but...

Wasn't that the one recorded in a small club in Boulder? I've never heard it but I like her even more now than I did at first. Every listening session includes the CD mentioned above nowadays!