Red Essay Ep 5 The Tragic Tale of Karen Dalton

[@masterr4922]

Red, thank you. I was one of those people Karen was playing with in Greenwich Village back in the '60's. It was so exciting when she got that Bearsville contract; it was such a hopeful moment. Damn that heroin. Karen's singing ripped your heart to shreds. We are fortunate to have the few recordings left. If anyone ever had and sang the blues, it was Dalton. I worked the counter at the NY Folklore Center in the late '60's.. Everyone came through those doors. Many where brilliant, but for purity of music, and honest soul, no one surpassed her. She defined music and a brooding soul, torn apart by booze, society and the horrible heroin epidemic of the time. Incidentally, as well as I knew her, I never know she had Cherokee roots until hearing your piece. It is interesting that she never mentioned that. Perhaps the saddest music I have heard in my life was one night when she and her husband at the time, Richard Tucker, sat outside the Kettle of Fish on the steps above the Village Gaslight, drunk and drugged and almost unable to enunciate; in fact both nearly unable to stay upright, with both playing and singing. It was remarkable, heart-breaking, chilling, and revealing of all that music can be and mean. The great 20th century composer Arnold Schoenberg said: "Art is the cry for help of those who experience in their soul the destiny of mankind." To me, that is the core of the great power and truth found in Karen's music.

[@donnyt7799]

Master R thank you for sharing that. I'm just starting to hear her. It's beautiful.

[@leonlawson2196]

Amazing story.

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

Thank you for sharing Master. I visited her old stomping ground in Summerville this past April. She was heavy

[@danielkuhn3214]

i'm a little ways outside the city can i buy you coffee sometime?

[@julescat1974]

Are you still active on KZbin? I'd love to chat with you about her as I am working on a project about her.

[@bobforbes3614]

i played 3 songs with karen dalton on my upright bass on woodstock tv, she was great and a friend, peace bob forbes

[@kubricksghost6058]

Dude I would have reached out to her if I knew she was struggling. God bless

[@bob5951]

Wow - how cool - something haunting about her ...

[@mosettastone]

I’m simply blown away by her haunting authentic voice. She also reminds me of a friend of mine, just like as a person. Calm, chill, from a tough past, but full of sweetness & remarkable talent. So grateful to know of her now. ♥️

[@charlotte87x]

@@kubricksghost6058 How do you know this person didn't? If they only played three songs together, maybe they never saw each other again?

[@tonifrancis2189]

Brandon, you were right on with people getting fed up with "over-produced voices." Her voice had that old timey sound that settles in one's bones like a warm bath soothes after standing in the cold.

[@musicetc2063]

+Toni Francis good words

[@peterslade2494]

I think she is my favourite artist. Her voice is such a wonderful combination of pathos and broken beauty. I'm so pleased to have discovered her.

[@joyceh2721]

Just discovered karen. My goodness what a soulful and poignant voice. Another lost treasure. Thanks for this.

[@strooomon]

Thank you David Johannson for introducing me to the great Karen Dalton. It took one note for me to jump out of my chair. It was only a few notes more, that I sobbed uncontrollably. The power of music.

[@bretttempleman5373]

I discovered Karen today and this video was very good as I felt I needed to find out more about her, such a tragedy. The video footage of her wondering through the trees is like a dream you have of a lost loved one.❤lovely voice

[@d.st.michael4195]

Been a music buff and amateur musician/singer my whole like and yet I’ve never heard of this girl but man did her music just hit me in some sorta strange way. First time I heard her voice I teared right up. That doesn’t happen often. You can tell her music is from a genuine place. It’s a shame she doesn’t get discussed more often. Thank you.

[@tjames9698]

Just discovered her a few minutes ago. Awesome! Sadly, she prob would never have believed that in 2021 she would be reaching people.

[@saltodefe9107]

Thank you for placing this beauteous talent in the forefront. A beloved friend shared her music with me and in his recent memorial we played her music because he loved her so much. Now so do his friends. Rip Karen and Jose, beautiful semblances of humanity.

[@eekowarrior4409]

Lovely tribute. Thank you very much. Over here in England there was a newspaper article a few years ago entitled "the greatest singer you never heard" which (almost) says it all, though of course Karen's beautiful sound lives on.

[@robbiet8583]

I believe that is 100% right!

[@boy_with_apfel]

My favourite singer of all time , I appreciate this video so much . Wish I was there to meet her . What a big soul . Thank you and blessings

[@fercrishart]

just her reading of a single word, for example "knowing' in "Reason To Believe" communicates so much that cannot ever be said in mere words on a page.

[@davejackson1281]

I just have to say I’m surprised at the quality of this production you have done. The sad story of Karen Dalton that was told by you is a beautiful testament to her life. Thank you.

[@frederickpierce3308]

Yes I heard it first time today-- really intense, genuine, a real experience. Never heard of her all through the 60s if I remember right. There were so many great singers you had to miss a few unless you were a pro in the thick of things, I think. But happy to know now. Hard to forget. BLess you, Karen.

[@bunmihenderson7181]

I have only just discovered Karen Dalton. While watching a UK TV series 'BRASSIC'. The last track to one of the episodes was, 'A little bit of rain'. (Obviously the producers know good music) such a humble beautiful soul & it's lovely that she's recieving the recognition she deserves🎶

[@robinremaily2268]

Thank you for that production, so well done..i knew Karen back in NYC early 60's..she is singing one of my songs in tbat move that just came out a out her..the song was atributed to her and no doubt 'owned', but i played the song for her one time coming into the city from the country..song entitled..'staring blue notions'...side light..thanks again..She is such a pleasure to listen to..

[@chuckburbank4155]

Nice. I was searching for Fred Neil songs and saw a few that she covered. Love them.

[@mdt471]

I hear Billie Holiday.

[@stpatstablet0652]

Raw! Genuine! Honest! Authentic and Beautiful! That was/is Karen Dalton! Loved this! Thank you!

[@newbeatphoto]

Wonderful. Thanks for doing this.

[@robchit1]

People have written that she was not homeless when she died, that there were friends there looking after her in the final time of her sickness

[@lydiainphoenix]

One can hope that was the case. So much sadness and loneliness, we all need some connection, some human kindness when we travel on from this earthly plane. xo

[@Berckert]

Just somehow caught your program - so good - please pronounce greenwich anyway you want - i will look for more of your blogs? And to find out about karen dalton - wow just deeply heart felt - goes to the gut - i walked through grinnich in 1971 and still feel the leftover vibes / stayed at the ymca - sat on the steps and somebody said Dylan has a new album out - now im in Hmb and you bring k dalton into my life - at this time - thank you

[@NoRosesForMe]

Karen Dalton is a feature on my channel. I have read about her ways and her attitudes but,,,,,,,from me...CHEROKEE PRIDE. From my family to yours From the heart to everyone . BLESS and thank you for featuring her here. love to all especially those most in need of comfort and safety and understanding. ....and love to Karen. ..but she did NOT die homeless. NO!fix that bit ok?? She was taken care of at the end of her life..THIS woman did not die homeless or any of that. Ok? .....fix that please bro'tha'?.....thank yoiu. ~ "Lil Jenny" ....** cherokee-Blackfoot-Irish** thank you very much

[@JohnnyFiveEagles]

+NoRosesForMe Her life's story sounds like the life my mother lived.

[@JohnnyFiveEagles]

+NoRosesForMe Now we know where Neil Young stole a Little closer from...Are You Leaving for the Country?

[@MichaelSchultzNZ]

Thank you so much man and greetings from New Zealand.

[@CatCasual]

A great and respectful tribute. Much appreciated. I'm originally from Oklahoma (and with Cherokee ancestry) and I find it very interesting and enthralling that so many of my musical heroes are Okies: Karen, Lee Hazlewood, Chet Baker, Don Cherry... Does anybody know where Karen is buried? Or if she was buried? I've been asking this for years...

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

She was cremated. I asked a family member the same thing awhile back. There is a documentary on her life in the works called Long Way Home to be released in 2016

[@Droctagon1]

Hey man thank you for doing this! I just found out about her from the Netflix film Gunpowder Milkshake…what a beautiful artist

[@tomazamorim]

Congrats on the great work, mate. Karen Dalton should be much more well-known. She had a unique voice and rhythim. I didn't know her life story and ethnic background. It almost makes the music deeper. Best regards from Brazil!

[@Sarah.Riedel]

"Green-witch Village" 😣 oh no

[@andrews527]

"Beardsville Studio" for Bearsville. Also, she died in hospice near Woodstock, NY, not on the streets in NYC. Read more, OK?

[@druharper]

I read Greek mythology and thought ‘Purse-a-phone’ for a while.

[@daviddortch2088]

I just found out about her from a John Prine Video. This woman has literally 10 minutes ago become my favorite singer.

[@pstampfel14]

she didn't die in nyc, it was up in woodstock.

[@lorisanpietro5560]

She was the best out of all the folk peeps, addiction is an awful disease and Native americans have higher rates. True greatness is right. she was amazing and her voice as you said was fabulous raw and one of great tone and her energy in her songs is felt.

[@NoRosesForMe]

ok wait,,,,,Karen was living with a dear friend who was takin care of her when she died- she did NOT die on the streets! ok?? she did NOT! Lets push her music farther!! Get it out there! But she was not homeless the years b4 she died ok? got that? BLESS U KAREN and CHEROKEE PRIDE ,,,,,RIP,,,,,and ROBERT ,,,CLYDE,,,the ones who gave more than anyone else. My grandfathers are the glory of US. ♥ blessings to all tho,

[@tlennox2991]

Right!!

[@HomieWitDaXtraChromie]

Everytime I hear Something On Your Mind, I have to listen to it till the wheels fall off of it, that is, until the next time I listen to it, which is quite often.

[@alllifematters]

That's cool... Most people probably don't realize she was cherokee... Back then being of indigenous heritage people didn't talk about it because it was looked down upon :(

[@arielvaldivia4416]

Excellent!! Thanks for this

[@alfrede.neuman8898]

Karen died in West Hurley NY in a mobile home owned by Peter Walker. It’s still there.

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

There is a documentary in the works on Karen titled Long Way Home . It is scheduled for a 2016 release.

[@bacfrere]

can't find it 2018

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

@@bacfrere looks like it has had a name change. "In My Own Time " now. Look up Karen Dalton documentary on FB

[@evamadelene]

@@MENFUSSMIKE It is called A BRIGHT LIGHT - KAREN AND THE PROCESS .

[@waynej2608]

@@evamadelene Ty. I shall look for it.

[@eddieblack4568]

You missed some important points , She was not just friends with folk Singer Richard Tucker for a time she was married to him , also you did not mention that she and Richard were very good friends with singer/songwriter Tim Hardin and his wife and muse Susan Hardin, in fact the first song she sings on here Reason To Believe is a Tim Hardin song. .On a little known Tim Hardin song called Mercy Wind that is here on youtube , on the posting of that song is a photo of Karen and Tim Hardin sitting on the steps of a cabin in Woodstock.

[@nataliedrapeau3859]

Hi I enjoyed your video and it’s one of the first I watched about her life. I just discovered this wonderful artist while researching the origins of a song Lisa Leblanc covered. I scrolled down to the comment section to comment that the French subtitles in one of the songs you included didn’t belong to that song. I checked the posted comments to see if that was already done. I haven’t read anyone point that mistake out and found out about the other mistakes made in this video. I checked Wikipedia and other sites to get the true facts and found out the commenters were right. If you read this, I am not commenting to best on you, but to encourage you to check your sources, make sure several give the same info, read everything that exists about your subject and, like one commenter wrote join a list of where you get your info. People, like myself, tend to believe what they hear or read. Thanks to the commenters, your comments reminded me to verify the validity of the content in videos like this. I did enjoy the video, appreciate the effort you made to share her music and how you appreciate her and hope this comment and others you appreciate as constructive criticism

[@ppetal1]

Wonderful blog mate.

[@boxpromotions]

Nice work man, Thanks for sharing! Will subscribe

[@Chesterton7]

Beautiful.

[@lighteningboy]

Thank you

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

thank you

[@northernmuse9]

I really want to "like" this, but you don't credit any of the sources you've used, which include biographical material I've read in published liner notes (and some that perpetuate inaccuracies about her death that have been corrected by commenter Anthony Monaghan--thank you), nor do you credit the French filmmakers for many of the clips. Nice that you've done this piece, but pls. cite your sources.

[@onehorsetown3434]

She and Jackson C Frank have had similar lifestyles. He was also homeless on the streets of NY. Even got his eye shot out by some kids with a pellet gun. He worked with Paul Simon, then just disappeared.

[@Lucasurfone]

Thank you so much... interesting stuff here- I just discovered Karen Dalton and I think her music is fantastic! I really needed quality music again, the planet is overcrowded with trashy music, trash-TV, trashy movies... thank you for sharing!

[@Earnshawfully]

I stumbled on Karen Dalton a few years ago. I love her version of Katie Cruel so much, and her individual style of voice. Thank you for this background.

[@ultraparadoxical7610]

I really enjoyed this essay. Thanks

[@jamesbass4388]

Class class ,,,Karen I just found you,,thank you,

[@NoRosesForMe]

Love Karen so much! I am so happy and proud of my grandfathers and my grandPARENTS all together- all of them - my Grandfathers god bless them--- cherokee & blackfoot !! Love forever to all and thank you for posting something about KAREN ♥ love n peace n blessings~~ "jen"

[@MrZodiac666]

She’s the best singer ,i’ve heard of now ❤

[@ginamenduni]

This was such a special watch on this lazy Sunday morning! Thank you :)

[@mayrasilva9874]

thank you so much for this. i've known Karen for years and I never heard the songs you posted in the video. great research also. :)

[@stevefranklin6041]

Her tone reminds me of Billie Holidays. Sadly melancholy, haunting but beautiful ❤

[@donbond3891]

i love her music an a she has a wonderful voice . she put's me in a trance like good bud !

[@bacfrere]

i hope that's real bud from czech

[@bacfrere]

or the devil's weed

[@sydbarrett5]

What a beautiful voice and guitar style she had! I just found out about her from Cheech Marin's What's in my Bag interview at Amoeba Records.

[@meredrums1]

I'm new to her. She appeared in a sidebar one day and I clicked. It clicked back. I'm still figuring out what I like about her voice.

[@MrPetdefouf]

1:31 Reason to believe 5:03 Green Rocky Road 9:27 are you leaving for the country

[@rhondajohnson1588]

Should have included "Something's on your Mind".

[@angelinagrimshaw6039]

A beautiful documentary, thank you so much for sharing Karen Dalton came in to my life 13 years ago her albums are the most precious sounds in my collection.....if you're ever putting on a live music event in the spirit of Karen i'd love to part of it, i'm a country folk blues jazz singer.....Thanks again Angelina

[@khomdrom8923]

She was born in Texas. But thanks for posting this footage (of her).

[@mickigoe]

Wow !! Knew she was from Oklahoma ........ didn't know she was Cherokee. Partly accounts for her stunning beauty then.

[@khomdrom8923]

born in TX

[@MentalFrizbee]

Three chords and the truth. Thank you Karen

[@empathic11]

A voice like a mellow alto sax. Unforgettable. Soul searing.

[@daniel749]

What is the name of the song that plays in the beginning of the video 0:00 - 0:14?

[@2mandolin]

Reason To Believe is the name of the song at the beginning, Tim Hardin wrote that song, and recorded it as well. Love how you asked about it, Tim was part of that whole NYC scene.

[@AlicedeTocqueville]

2mandolin Tim Hardin, another great singer, and songwriter, who left too soon.!

[@michellelekas211]

She died in Woodstock, bit the streets on New York. Greenwich Village is pronounce Grenn wich not Green wich

[@tlennox2991]

Near Woodstock NY

[@camarasaurus1]

It is very difficult to find accurate , detailed information about her background ; like all of us , she had two parents , and was born somewhere ! I'm curious about the fate of her two children . Also . "Greenwich " is pronounced " Gren-itch " . An interesting voice , albeit certainly not underrated , but the piece is certainly appreciated as a piece of music history

[@chadterblanche565]

An amazing voice one of the original legends. Great blues and folk music. Thanks Red from South Africa.

[@martinzitter4551]

She was an early Amy Winehouse.

[@STEINARPETTERSEN]

That voice ;) one of the best I've ever heard.... It hurst me to....hear her story

[@lolah3838]

I've never heard someone mispronounce Greenwich village....until now. Lol

[@eltoroluckypatientzero1355]

I wonder what happened to the cat....

[@erikmolnar6585]

Cheech Marin and his book, "Cheech is not my real name, but dont call me Chong" brought me here. He lived with her for a brief period. Good work here. Someone really needs to research her life and work and interview those still alive who knew her.

[@charlottahayes7310]

I'm on it ;) facebook.com/pg/karendaltondoc/posts/

[@annemiekedegroot82]

❤

[@brownson1970]

I dont think her demise has ever been correctly recorded?? people seem to sell her short in death?

[@geoffreymohan4698]

If Robert Johnson sang like Billie Holiday. ... maybe a pinch of Leadbelly in there, too?

[@CarolineMartin]

Did she grow up on the reservation? What do we know about her early life?

[@kevingallaugher2284]

Nice feature, but Karen Dalton was not a Cherokee. She is of Irish heritage. That's according to her daughter.

[@ecamifna]

what her daughter said was that she was of Cherokee descent, but not enough to qualify for benefits (or unable to prove it, it's unclear). also, as far as i know this information comes from a 3rd person quoting her daughter, not a direct statement.

[@VinylandKicks86]

Karen Dalton was of mixed Cherokee & Irish ancestry.

[@CarolineMartin]

She didn't live on the street in Manhattan did she? Think she was homeless in Woodstock....?

[@dennisgallagher]

I appreciate all of your efforts to make Karen better known and to get her the respect she deserves. Thank you. I have a criticism, nitpick if you will. The area of New York City where she lived was not pronounced 'Green Witch" but rather as if the W was not there and as if 'e' in the first syllable is short, in spite of the fact there is a double 'e. Something like "grennich."

[@brandoncaruso1192]

thanks dennis

[@dennisgallagher]

Brandon Caruso You're welcome. Keep up the good work.

[@mickigoe]

dennis gallagher Hi Brandon Caruso.Named after an area of London associated with Greenwich Mean Time ....... but isn't Green Witch a lot prettier and I'd be amazed if that wasn't the original name. Love to all First Nation people from Ireland ...... you sent us the only foreign aid we received during our Great Famine ( 1845 - 1848 ) and we don't forget.

[@gRosh08]

Thank you Brandon Caruso. She had won my heart with your help!

[@HaFannyHa]

Thank you for this great programme. it's taken me a long time to get used to Karen's voice, but I'm starting to really enjoy her music. Really something special!

[@Ettoredipugnar]

She died in her trailer in or near Woodstock Ny.

[@2mandolin]

Great job Red. She had some great psychedelic stuff (in my opinion) with gypsy violin. Contact Peter Stampel of The Holy Modal Rounders if you want some retrospect of her in the Village period. He knew her.

[@empathic11]

Stampfel wrote liner notes, I believe, for the CD reissue of her first album.

[@jbt6007]

How Did The Feeling Feel To You..........KD perfection......

[@eddieblack4568]

While Your On Your Way, a Tim Hardin tune, she recorded many of Tim's songs because well their great songs and Karen and her husband at the time Richard Tucker were good friends if Tim's

[@eddieblack4568]

Tim Hardin's widow Susan is in touch with Karen's daughter.

[@ianisles2537]

She has the same accent as my mom and aunts, 😂 or really similar Im from the ozarks, but close to the Kansas Oklahoma border

[@ianisles2537]

I also forget how beautiful she was. My sister is half Choctaw, with some other mixed in probably like me.

[@jackiehocking2848]

I learned of Karen Dalton from following Angel Olsen, I listened today for the first time and I'm blown away at the raw beauty that is her voice along with the melody made all the hairs on my arms stick up! There's so much love in these comments 🥰

[@kensims4086]

I want to like this but cant get into it...

[@146morgan]

died from Hiv/AIDS... A SISTER IN DEATH TO MY WORLD

[@koalabaz]

i love karen daltons music. i think her father was irish. thanks for posting.

[@henrysugar2493]

the easiest way to break your heart :( beautiful .

[@daviddortch2088]

Ok

[@Niamhdm7871]

thank you for sharing this..... subscribed. I never knew she was Cherokee. Lovely, me too :). Many Blessings.......

[@jimmyswope3057]

I love Karen Dalton! Thank you for sharing.

[@louisvanrenen947]

Thank. You. I never knew about this singer, incredible voice and music and story... louis

[@brownson1970]

surely a biopic on this incredible lost talent should be in the works? THAT VOICE!!!

[@Ma_rkw589]

boss

[@davidvanderheijden3404]

Thanks Red. Just heard about her and this is nice /sad to know