The Real D(e)al

Long story but a good one because it comes round to one of my favorite guitarists,        Spider from Mars (& so much more) Mick Ronson. Bear with it if only for this lovable bloke's memory. 

 

This story ends in L.A., CA but begins in humble Weston, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (geez, what a mouthfull). By the age of 11, our heroine was playing guitar, writing her own songs, performing at the Mariposa Folk Festival & the Fiddlers' Green.

Lisa Dal Bello, for she is the heroine of this story, lied about her age when she was 13 (which all good heroines do) in order to join a Canadian government-sponsored Educational Music program called Summer Sounds '71 which was for southern Ontario middle /high schools students (something that the other "honest" Lisa was not yet). Lisa was one of 30 young singers, songwriters, musicians, & performers who were chosen to attend a special Music summer camp where the students collaborated on their creations. They formed into music groups / bands. Collectively these groups put together a showcase that performed at various events throughout Ontario.

Dalbello was featured on a record by St. Margaret Mary Church Singers, where she performed covers of two songs : "Blowin' in the Wind" & "Amazing Grace". At the age of 14 she made her 1974 recording debut with a 4-song EP that was recorded for CBC Radio. The EP featured four songs written / composed by Dalbello.

Lisa signed with MCA Records, L.A. when she was 17. The soul/funk/disco 1977 self-titled debut album featured as-yet little known Toto members Mike Porcaro, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Lukather, David Paich, & David Hungate. Despite the success of her first album (Juno 1978 Beat New Female Vocalist award), MCA Records wanted out & her next album 1978s Pretty Girls was released independently by Talisman Records.

On the strength of Pretty Girls, Lisa signed with Capitol Records. She released her third album Drastic Measures in 1981, a more pop rock, new wave afair than her previous soul/fuk/disc thing. Dalbello collaborated with Bryan Adams on the album.

 

After Drastic Measures, our by now thoroughly directionally confused heroine needed some time to ponder her true musical direction  Lucky for her that Mick Ronson was working at Phase One Studio in Toronto. Mick met Lisa & convinced her to record another album. The album, 1984s Whōmănfoursāys ("human forces") was co-produced by Dalbello & Ronson. You can hear Ronson's fine touches but its all new Dalbello. 

 

Dalbello - Whōmănfoursāys, Capitol Records, 1984.
decryption codes in comments

Side 1 -
Gonna Get Close to You   
Devious Nature   
She Pretends   
Wait for an Answer   

Side 2 -
Animal
Cardinal Sin   
Guilty by Association   
Path of Least Resistance   
Target (My Eyes are Aimed at You)

 

 

 

 

Gone now is our original heroine. In her place it was just Dalbello from here on out. With Ronson's help we also witness her transformation into an edgy rock artist. She released a follow-up album in 1987 without Ronson on the orders of Capitol Records. Dalbello was not happy with that decision. After the release of  1987s She, Dalbello cut ties with Capitol & relocated to Los Angeles. 

 

In 1991 Ronson & Dalbello began plans to collaborate again. Ronson's worsening health sidetracked the plans. Sadly Mick Ronson died of liver failure in 1993. Dalbello went on to record this album without Mick but his presence is felt throughout.

 

Dalbello - Whore, Spin Records 1995.

Heavy Boots
Easy
Whore
Eleven
Falling Down  
O L'il Boy
Deep Dark Hole
Yippie
All that I Want
Revenge of Sleeping Beauty

R.I.P. Ronno,
NØ