Lacy J. Dalton - The Last Wild Place Reviews

•

The Last Wild Place
REVIEWS

Dirty Linen – Issue #116 (Feb/Mar 2005)

It’s been a good while since Lacy J. Dalton has released a recording. “The Last Wild Place” proves it was worth the wait. The woman who was once known as country’s Bonnie Raitt hasn’t lost a note from her signature alto voice, and she’s returned to her singer/songwriter roots with a fistful of fine original tunes laced with thoughtful interpretations of the work of others.

Her voice and guitar are well-framed with acoustic instruments, and the substance of the dozen tracks could be called celebration, connection, and exploration, tinged with the landscapes of the West, and a few landscapes even further away.

There’s a refreshing take on the traditional “Old Dog Blue,” a lively co-write with husband Aaron Anderson called “The Alaska Song,” a consideration of being the mother of an adult child in “Little Boy Blue,” an encouragement to remain open in the face of trouble in “Heart of Hearts,” and an inspiring-without-being-preachy invitation to reflection and healing in “Standin’ Knee Deep.”

Then there are those landscapes further away: It could be enigmatic, it could be revelatory, it’s certainly the reason that Dalton’s press material calls her a little bit country and a little bit UFO. In any case, it’s a fine song, called “The Wanderers.” (Kerry Dexter)

DISClaimer Musicrow Robert K. Oermann

LACY J. DALTON/The Last Wild Place Writer: Lacy J. Dalton; Producer: Tom Bocci/Lacy J. Dalton/Aaron Anderson; Publisher: Blue Piggie, BMI; Song Dog (track) (www.lacyjdalton.com)

The title tune to Lacy’s new CD is one of the most gorgeous pieces of acoustic music I’ve ever heard. Gut-string guitar notes shower around her like silver raindrops. Her voice remains a thing of perfect eloquence, wonder and personality. The whole album feels like a letter from an old friend. She’s now based in Reno, which in my opinion is a great loss to Nashville.

Alanna Nash: Entertainment Weekly, USA Weekend, Reader's Digest, Amazon.com

Lacy J. Dalton’s “The Last Wild Place” proves what fans have known all along: No secular artist blends the spiritual and the physical as movingly, or as profoundly, as Dalton. In singing about a race horse with the heart of a champion (“She Could Run”), Dalton underscores the best of her 25-year career. Obviously, this pure-hearted singer—who has long straddled the country/folk line—has legs, too.

Folkwax.com – October 2004

Lacy J. Dalton returns to her songwriter roots with a set of tunes which explore the hopes, the heartaches, and the possibilities of survival life brings, framed with musical and lyrical infusions of Dalton's well loved western landscape and life. A Country hit maker in the 1980's with songs such as "16th Avenue" and "Everybody Makes Mistakes," Dalton left the city lights some years ago and this is her latest release in a good while. She has a distinctive voice and style which caused People magazine to compare her with Bonnie Raitt; FolkWax readers might also hear Rory Block and Ruthie Foster as comparable voices.

Dalton's songwriting invites the listener to courage and hope amid troubles. It's an earthy and earth-rooted spirituality that finds the invitation to open one's heart in the original tune "Heart of Hearts" existing just fine alongside the traditional "Old Dog Blue." "She Could Run" tells of Dalton's beloved horses, while "The Alaska Song" touches on adventures both spiritual and geographic to a catchy beat. When it comes to adventures, "The Wanderers" is a song that may be taken on a number of levels and will repay repeated listening. That's true of all the dozen songs on the disc, most by Dalton with a few well-chosen covers.

It's good to have her back. (Kerry Dexter)

RadioIO.com – November 26, 2004

It's probably been quite some time since most country fans heard from Lacy J. Dalton, so this return from (or is it to?) the last wild place is most welcome. Where's she been? Well, one look at her web site which proclaims "a little bit country, a little bit UFO" pretty much says plenty. Lacy has come back to her songwriter roots and right from the get-go of "listen to the wind," she's got a winner. Her one of a kind voice is strong and comforting on this what-goes-around-comes-around beauty of a tune. Lacy's writing and singing are as down right and pure country as ever. Looks like those wide open Nevada skies have been doing her well

With a tip of the hat to radioiocountry listener Gerald from Berkeley, California, for alerting me to this release, I wasn't sure what I was going to hear once the CD arrived but was surely eager to find out as I hadn't heard anything new from Lacy J. in many years. A spiritual tone informs this disc throughout--in both the songwriting and in the delivery of certain tracks like "The Wanderers" and "Standin' Knee Deep." Produced with her musical partner Aaron Anderson, The Last Wild Place is loaded with some great sounding acoustic guitar accompaniment throughout and the fine fiddle work of Richard Greene on the bluesy groove of the Larry Hosford penned "Slip Away." "She Could Run" is vintage Lacy J. Dalton. This anthem of a racing champion begins with Lacy's incomparable voice calmly speaking before gliding into its full strength and passion, just like her philly in the song.

So what's the UFO part about? Well, maybe with the overabundance of gridlock and Wal-mart at every turn, maybe she's on to something. But if the last wild place turns out to be as much fun as listening to the title track is, I'm ready for it. Check out this CD for some great new music from a cornerstone artist in country music who is beyond the Nashville limits and free to roam. Independently produced, music for music's sake and as they proudly note in the credits, an Autotune-free recording. Meaning, yes, its real and she didn't phone it in or have a robot, computer (or alien) do her singing.

Yesterday & Today Records – Australia, August 28, 2004

Lacy J Dalton- “The Last Wild Place” This is a welcome return, but she is so instantly recognizable and powerful it is like she has never been away. Mind you the major labels decided she was no longer trendy so it is not surprising she has one or two digs at them. The irony is that someone like Bonnie Raitt is at the top of the pop game with a style reminiscent of Lacy even though she lacks some of Lacy’s subtle nuances. Most of the backing is unplugged and includes a reprise of the haunting “Little Boy Blue”, a favorite when originally recorded. She shows herself to be an excellent writer as well as a great storyteller. She now resides in the desert areas of Nevada and several songs, especially the title song, are reminders of the comfort she feels in her current surroundings. Hopefully there will be more releases in double quick time.

Al Antee Vice President of Entertainment of Services, US Division, Xentel, Inc

Over the last several years we have had the opportunity to work with Lacy J. Dalton on over 30 to 40 concert dates, most recently at the UFO Music Fest in Roswell, NM, where she performed with Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. In addition to doing her well-known radio hits, she did many songs from her new CD. This new music just “knocked their socks off” and she received a standing ovation after her show. Although Lacy’s hits from the past are great, her new material is simply over the top and shows wonderful variation in her distinct style. It is some of the best product I have heard in years from an established artist. We look forward to getting back on the road again with Lacy and these great new songs.

Paige Sober — BMI

Inspiring!

These are some of the best songs and vocals I’ve heard in a long time. The music is melodic and the lyrics are great. It crosses a lot of boundaries and is inclusive of country and folk. I think anybody could identify with this music. I love it! I do!

Søren Andersen, Hvidovre, Denmark

A Country Queen Returns This largely acoustic album is pure musical joy from start to finish. Lacy J. Dalton has made what is possibly the best album of her entire career. With a voice like hers nobody would ever mistake Dalton for being somebody else in country music, that's for sure! The songs, most of which she cowrote, are a mixture of country and spiritual offerings. The tracks are filled with heartfelt lyrics, but it is the subdued acoustic setting that makes her voice stand out very strong in the end. A very satisfying experience all along.

Big Al Fields, Big Al’s Country Homestead Triple U 104.5 FM - Australia

Lacy has clearly embarked on a spiritual mission with this project and the album is most certainly a definitive highlight in her musical and songwriting career. Her fans will have reason to be delighted with the songs and with airplay guaranteed, Lacy can look forward to having many new fans around the world. “The Last Wild Place” deserves a place in any serious music collection.

•