Dalton

The original Dalton recorded on the Italian psychedelic scene from around 1967, when they released their debut single, "Monja"/"Il Giro," on the GSC label. Further singles over the next two years included "Era Qui"/"Tempo d'Estate," "Clementine"/"Da Cinque Anni," and a cover of Shocking Blue's international smash "Venus" (backed by the band's own "Summertime Signal." The band broke up soon after, only to re-form in 1972 around a lineup of founder member Temistocle Reduzzi (keyboards, vocals), Aronne Cereda (guitar, vocals), Alex Chiesa (flute -- replacing Mauro Pagani, who had joined PFM), Rino Limonta (bass), and Walter "Tati" Locatelli (drums). Rifflessioni: Idea D'Infinito, Dalton's debut album, followed in 1973 and became an immediate underground favorite via its distinctly Jethro Tull-influenced contents. The lineup -- and the Tull content -- was to be short-lived, however. Following one more single, 1974's "La Donna e il Bambino"/"Il Vuoto," both Reduzzi and Chiesa quit, to be replaced by vocalist Massimo Moretti and keyboard player Giancarlo Brambilla -- Reduzzi promptly began work on a rock opera retelling the life of 19th century highwayman Paciana, The Paciana Story; Dalton guitarist Cereda collaborated with him on the project. The revised Dalton made its debut in 1975 with the Argitari album, a folk-inflected set that only occasionally touched the heights of its predecessor -- a predicament highlighted by critics who singled out the best track as being "Visione di una Notte d'Estate," recorded with Alex Chiesa briefly back on board. Dalton sank from view following this, releasing just a couple more singles over the next two years. Neither "Monia"/"Mama Dog" nor "Presto Tornerò"/"Mama Dog" achieved anything of note and the band broke up in 1979. ~ Dave Thompson