Maria Dallas "Country Girl" (Viking Records, 1966) (LP)
(Produced by Ron Dalton)
This was her debut album, with a repertoire mostly spotlighting covers of American country hits, as well as the first version of her big hit, "Tumblin' Down." The song was re-released in America a few years later, when she was signed to RCA Victor.
Maria Dallas "The Second Album" (Viking Records, 1966) (LP)
(Produced by Ron Dalton)
Maria Dallas "Western Take-Off" (Viking Records, 1967) (LP)
(Produced by Ron Dalton & Frank Douglas)
Maria Dallas & Ken Lemon "Face To Face" (Viking Records, 1966) (LP)
Maria Dallas "Maria Dallas In Nashville" (Viking Records, 1967) (LP)
(Produced by Felton Jarvis)
This is mostly the same as the American-issued Tumblin' Down album on RCA Victor, listed below. The US edition came out later and also included a version of "Tumblin' Down," which was not included in the New Zealand release. Tons of classic country covers, along with some homegrown kiwi twangtunes.
Maria Dallas "Maria Dallas In Nashville" (RCA Victor, 1968) (LP)
(Produced by Felton Jarvis)
An American edition of her In Nashville album (above) which adds her hit single, "Tumblin' Down," into the mix...
Maria Dallas "Pinocchio" (Viking Records, 1970) (LP)
Maria Dallas "Town And Country" (CBS Records, 1972) (LP)
(Produced by Keith Southern)
A mix of sunshine country and perky pop, with covers of "Me And Bobby McGee" "Put Your Hand In The Hand" and Lynn Anderson's "Rose Garden," but also stuff like "Life's Carousel" and slightly bizarre selections like "Cinnamon Cinder" (originally a 1963 pop novelty hit for the California-based Pastel Six) and of course yet another version of "Tumblin' Down." Ms. Dallas seems to have pretty much moved out of the country camp by this time; whether you're into these slightly manic, uptempo pop arrangements is really between you and your ears.
Kiwi singer Maria Dallas (nee Marina Devcich) catapulted to national fame in 1966 when her performance of the song "Tumblin' Down" won a New Zealand music contest sponsored by the shampoo company Loxene. The song was written by pop artist Jay Epae, but was adapted to Dallas's country style. Her success opened doors in Australia and the United States, where she landed a contract with RCA Nashville, and worked int he United States for several years before returning home to New Zealand, where she gradually shifted towards a more pop orientation.
