Thirty some odd years ago I found Karen's In My Own Time in a bargain bin at Zellers with a hole punched through the corner. The liner notes said she played banjo and had a Fred Neil quote about her "singing the shit out of the blues", so I decided to give it a shot. I immediately became a fan, but could not convince anyone else to listen past the first cut. I never heard any more about her till about 5 years ago I was in the Only restaurant in Peterborough, Ontario and heard her voice.
That's definitely a banjo. She's holding a 5 string in the pics, but there are 6 string banjos tuned like a guitar.
But I would guess a 5 string Tuned low. Steel strings. Although I'm trying to listen for the 5th string. Maybe a long neck played open?
I don't think she is doing scruggs style bluegrass rolls, although her hand at 1:12 seems to be in the position for it. But maybe more like guitar fingerpicking?
And I hear only one bass string. I'm trying to match the tuning on my banjo.
@Esqpainting It's a long neck 5string banjo, 3 extra frets means it can be tuned low, (open E is usual)
Pete Seeger invented it, I play one now. Check out also Hedy West on here, she played a long neck banjo, a contemporary of Karen Dalton, she recorded "Old Country" tunes and also had a distinctive voice
I just found out about Karen Dalton via a review of Alela Diane. And I can't believe I hadn't heard of her before! The "freak-folk" artists of today definitely owe her a debt. ♥
@thisismyname007 Could be that Australian instrument the didgeridoo -- sounds like it to my ears. I know in Karen's day there weren't too many synths and effects applied to folk music. Must be an acoustic instrument and that Australian one fits the bill. In those days "hippies" were experimenting with many instruments from foreign countries -- especially since George Harrison introduced the sitar. I think it sounds great in this song. Makes it different from others.
Maravilloso
Dedalde0ro 1 month ago
Thirty some odd years ago I found Karen's In My Own Time in a bargain bin at Zellers with a hole punched through the corner. The liner notes said she played banjo and had a Fred Neil quote about her "singing the shit out of the blues", so I decided to give it a shot. I immediately became a fan, but could not convince anyone else to listen past the first cut. I never heard any more about her till about 5 years ago I was in the Only restaurant in Peterborough, Ontario and heard her voice.
PHJimY 3 months ago
Karen Dalton was a protege of Fred Neil. Her version of Can't Find My Way Home is great. She also played great guitar
kezradio 3 months ago
Yes, great job you did to bring this great unknown artist to Youtube!
superfuzzymomma 7 months ago
best singer you've never heard of...
msgambate88 9 months ago 2
Beautiful Karen, beautiful photo montage. Thank you!
MrRossogood 9 months ago
@clevblue
Thanks! E-Tuning is so sad on the banjo, and that's me now.
Poor Karen too. I wish I could reach across time and space and try to cheer her up a bit.
But I'm a ridiculous and pathetic clown, born too late I guess. Born in the wrong decade and/or century.
Esqpainting 1 year ago
Comment removed
costin12 1 year ago
She has a mysteriously epic voice great song.
andrewmad08 1 year ago
That's definitely a banjo. She's holding a 5 string in the pics, but there are 6 string banjos tuned like a guitar.
But I would guess a 5 string Tuned low. Steel strings. Although I'm trying to listen for the 5th string. Maybe a long neck played open?
I don't think she is doing scruggs style bluegrass rolls, although her hand at 1:12 seems to be in the position for it. But maybe more like guitar fingerpicking?
And I hear only one bass string. I'm trying to match the tuning on my banjo.
Esqpainting 1 year ago
@Esqpainting It's a long neck 5string banjo, 3 extra frets means it can be tuned low, (open E is usual)
Pete Seeger invented it, I play one now. Check out also Hedy West on here, she played a long neck banjo, a contemporary of Karen Dalton, she recorded "Old Country" tunes and also had a distinctive voice
clevblue 1 year ago
She's basically singing the Holy Modal Rounders version of the lyrics here.
scruss0 1 year ago
this song makes my heart beat faster and shakes me to my shoes. beautiful, powerful, pure.
lynchiesoup 1 year ago
She got buried by the bull dozer that is corporate America, there is more talent in this girl than Dylan, Young and Morrison put together.
davidoffon 1 year ago
I just found out about Karen Dalton via a review of Alela Diane. And I can't believe I hadn't heard of her before! The "freak-folk" artists of today definitely owe her a debt. ♥
demolitionwoman75 1 year ago 6
@demolitionwoman75 You hippy mother. I bet you drink your own urine too. You hippy son of a... joking.
superarmysoldier12 3 months ago
Think Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom might have heard a song or two of hers?
BillyMacQ 1 year ago
It's hard to believe that she would be 73 years old if she was still alive.
frg8888 1 year ago
Who the f*** is Karen Dalton? And why haven't heard of her? This is magnificient...
redcrowdemon 1 year ago 7
i just found this gal by chance. words cant describe what im feeling
SpooksHill 1 year ago
Psaltery? Which is like a dulcimer played with a bow?
birdsaddle 1 year ago
the drone sound could be a harmonium ... not sure
whitsong1 1 year ago
Nice! Love the song and the slideshow is sweet.
nuck45fl 2 years ago
What is the drone sound?
thisismyname007 2 years ago
@thisismyname007 Could be that Australian instrument the didgeridoo -- sounds like it to my ears. I know in Karen's day there weren't too many synths and effects applied to folk music. Must be an acoustic instrument and that Australian one fits the bill. In those days "hippies" were experimenting with many instruments from foreign countries -- especially since George Harrison introduced the sitar. I think it sounds great in this song. Makes it different from others.
lastrada52 1 year ago
Great slideshow. Well done!
Bobbo293 2 years ago
Immediately added this song to my Favorites! Thanks for bring this song alive with the slideshow. First rate.
Jaalto 2 years ago