It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You the Best

Bob Dylan once described Karen Dalton as his favorite singer, comparing her voice to Billie Holiday and her guitar playing to Jimmy Reed. This essential folk/blues classic, originally released in 1969, was Dalton's debut album.

Dalton was discovered by singer/songwriter Fred Neil, who introduced her to producer Nick Venet (known for signing The Beach Boys and bringing The Beatles to America). Most of the tracks on the album were recorded in one take, all in one night. Dalton, a perfectionist, was initially reluctant to record, and the producers had to trick her into thinking the tape wasn't rolling.

"Some find Karen Dalton's voice difficult to listen to," wrote music critic Richie Unterberger. "But Dalton's vocals are expressive; like Buffy Sainte-Marie, it just takes some getting used to because of their unconventional timbre." On this album, Dalton covers a wide range of styles, from Tim Hardin, Jelly Roll Morton, and Leadbelly to the traditional folk song "Ribbon Bow" and the soul tune "I Love You More Than Words Can Say" by Eddie Floyd and Booker T. Jones. She also sings a couple of Fred Neil's tunes.

Despite not achieving commercial success during her lifetime, Dalton's work has gained significant recognition since her passing in 1993 at the age of 55. Artists such as Nick Cave, Devendra Banhart, and Joanna Newsom have acknowledged her as an influence.