Lacy J. Dalton Discography: Joe Sixpack's Guide To Hick Music

I suppose I have an irrational affection for Lacy J. Dalton, since I still remember the days when she was still known as Jill Croston, and had been adopted adopted by the fab folks at the legendary hippiebilly station, KFAT. But listening back to her early '80s hits, I have to admit, she was pretty cheesy. "Crazy Blue Eyes" has a nice Waylonesque lope to it, but the island-y pop lilt of "Takin' It Easy" is pretty far afield, countrywise. Her work had a soulful, rural core to it, but it got stretched pretty thin among the countrypolitan slick stuff. She's okay, though -- here's a quick rundown of her work.

Best-Ofs

Lacy J. Dalton "Greatest Hits" (Columbia, 1983)
This is a strong collection of her best work and biggest hits -- and that's just about all you can find these days, since most of her old, original albums remain out of print.

Lacy J. Dalton "The Best Of Lacy J. Dalton" (Capitol-Liberty, 1993)

Lacy J. Dalton "Somethin' Special" (Sony, 1995)

Lacy J. Dalton "Anthology" (Renaissance, 2000)

Lacy J. Dalton "Country Classics" (EMI, 2001)

Albums

Jill Croston/Various Artists "LIVE: CLUB ZAYANTE" (1973) (LP)
(Produced by Red Erickson, Dave Ferguson & Tom Louagie)
A memento of the Club Zayante, a folk-acoustic meeting ground in Fenton, California, near Santa Cruz, where Croston was a rising star... These tracks were recorded in June, 1973 during a couple of nights of live shows, featuring a young Jill Croston on two tracks -- "It's So Easy" and "Welfare Mother." Other artists include Michael Bellanger, Red Erickson, George Lee, David Manheimer and others.

Jill Croston "Jill Croston" (Harbor, 1978) (LP)
(Produced by Wayne Nelson)
Her independently-released debut was a regional favorite in Santa Cruz, California, and shows Dalton's folkie/bluesy, Janis Joplinesque roots... The record has a comfy, informal, down-home vibe that reflects the hippie-billy vibe of the time, with acoustic blues revivalist Bob Brozman backing her on an earthy rendition of "Good Time Mama," and newgrass fiddler Darol Anger sawing away on a tun or two... Croston's voice is so powerful -- a bluesy blast that pushes up against the sweet acoustic backing -- in retrospect it's clear that she was destined for bigger things. And why begrudge her her successes? For every ten thousand earnest, striving, coffeehouse/open mic singers, there's one Lacy J. that'll make it to the top, and I'm sure the folks who remember her from 'way back when still have their copies of this disc tucked away somewhere and think fondly of her success. Anyway, here's where she started -- it was hello, Nashville after that!