Search - Dalbello :: Whomanfoursays

A pop/rock masterpiece in Dalbello's style!

Jeffrey Dunn | Elburn, IL United States | 04/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lisa Dal Bello was only 17 when she released her self-titled debut solo album in 1977. Her initial style was very soulful and funky, yet conveyed her very original songwriting style and vocal arrangements! She followed that release with two additional albums under the same artist name: PRETTY GIRLS (1978) and DRASTIC MEASURES (1981). The latter has been released on CD in Canada. PRETTY GIRLS has not yet been released on CD and it is uncertain whether it will.
After DRASTIC MEASURES, Dal Bello was tired of working with producers who couldn't understand or capture the right feel for the songs she wrote. She took a break from the music world until 1984 when she returned with a new sound and a new image under the artist name: DALBELLO.The album WHOMANFOURSAYS was produced with Mick Ronson and was done the way Lisa wanted. "GONNA GET CLOSE TO YOU" from that album was later remade by Queensryche. Another song ("WAIT FOR AN ANSWER") was remade by Heart in 1987 on their BAD ANIMALS album. The song "ANIMAL" from this album was a minor hit. Other great songs include "DEVIOUS NATURE", "CARDINAL SIN", and "PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE".She followed WHOMANFOURSAYS with SHE, an album that continued in a similar vein. It featured the minor hits "TALK TO ME" and "TANGO", both of which are pop/rock masterpieces. The song "BLACK ON BLACK" from SHE was released a year earlier in a slightly different form on the 9-1/2 Weeks soundtrack. Personally, I like the album version better!Lisa Dal Bello took 8 years away from her solo career to work on other projects and aspects of her life (including songwriting and touring with Heart in 1993, who remade Dalbello's "BLACK ON BLACK" for their DESIRE WALKS ON album that same year) before returning with the album WHORE in 1995.WHORE is arguably her best work to date. It was obviously targetted to a more alternative/hard rock audience with its heavy guitar influence. However, Dal Bello's soulful singing style is more prominent than ever on this release.Since 1996, Lisa Dal Bello has again moved away from her solo career to concentrate on other projects such as songwriting and producing for other artists. However, she has recorded the song "FAITH IN YOU (WITH ALL YOUR HEART)" for a Canadian Ford Focus ad in recent years. Sadly, at this time it is uncertain whether she will ever return to her solo career as she feels she is doing what she wants to be doing with her life.In my opinion, Lisa Dal Bello is one of the most talented songwriters and singers of the contemporary music world. Unfortunately, she has been continually overlooked by the popular music world."

Listen again smurfnm156 (review #1)

Leland | Vancouver, BC Canada | 12/09/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"(...) to suggest that dalbello "clearly models herself" on bush is ridiculous! i am a huge fan of both and was wondering just which piece by bush is she drawing this comparison? prior to this album dalbello's management and record company promoted her as a disco diva (like alanis morissette) who was to have no creative input in the material she performed. this album was a radical departure, being her "breakout" album that showed that she not only has a tremendous set of pipes, she also is a talented writer and multi-instrumentalist. ann wilson's version later of "wait for an answer" just doesn't sound as terrified as dalbello. definitely an album to check out; as well, check out the singles "black on black" (the version on the 9 1/2 Weeks soundtrack is better than the remixed one on her album 'She') as well as "eleven" from the album 'Whore'."

Amazing Voice

Walter Goodman | kingston, ontario | 12/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dalbello has been a favourite of mine since this album and she continues to amaze me with her music. Unfortunately, Dalbello does not release much music (only 3 studio albums in over 20 years) so her fans need to wait painfully long periods of time for new music.
Dalbello used to be known in the Canadian music business as Lisa Dalbello and released a couple of moderately successful albums and had a hit single in the 70's called Pretty Girls. She then disappeared for a long haul and returned with this amazing album. Completely different than her older material, in fact completely different than any artist.
Dalbello is one angry lady, ferocious and powerful in her songwriting and vocal delivery. This album contains the (semi) hit single Gonna Get Close To You (also recorded by Queensryche) and the duet with Carole Pope - Animal. As great as those tracks are, my personal faves are Wait For An Answer (recorded by Heart who also recorded Black On Black from Dalbello's 'She' album and the 91/2 Weeks soundtrack) and Path of Least Resistance.
Anyone interested in other music by Dalbello should also check out her two later releases 'She' and 'Whore' (one of my top ten favourites of all time). Definately not for the mainstream but if you enjoy 'alternative' music with power and edge - this is your artist."