Friday 14 April 2023

Maria Muldaur - MARIA MULDAUR****

Any Old Time/Midnight At The Oasis/My Tennessee Mountain Home/I Never Did Sing You A Love Song/The Work Song/Don't You Feel My Leg/Walkin' One & Only/Long Hard Climb/Three Dollar Bill/Vaudeville Man/Mad Mad Me

Eponymous debut album from the jazz influenced vocalist Maria Muldaur. Often dismissed as a one hit wonder her subsequent releases were notably less successful. Features the US No.6 hit single Midnight At The Oasis. (US:3)

“What Muldaur did back than was record excellent and eclectic albums, covering different music genres and displaying formidable musical knowledge, while keeping her own recognisable singing style, quirky and original. Within the first two minutes listeners can tell this is Maria Muldaur.”

“Besides Oasis this album has a delightful collection of country, blues, vaudeville and ballads from off-the-wall sources. Perhaps it was this freshness that audiences found so appealing back then. It must be said that the huge commercial success of this debut unfortunately towers over her other albums and somehow keep them in the shadows.”

“This record just oozes charm as Maria Muldaur's singing is quite unique, a raspy sweet vocal with some heft behind it when called for. This is notable debut that covers a lot of ground from roots country blues to popular vocal jazz to New Orleans style jazz.”

“Best known for her song Midnight At The Oasis it would be easy to dismiss Maria Muldaur as a one hit wonder. But you would miss a lot of good music if you did. On her debut, she serves up a nice mix of blues, country and cabaret music, helped out by some fine session players. She handles the songs with respect and style.”

Maria Muldaur is the perfect blend of soft but edgy, poppy but jazzy that made some glossy 70s radio music top of the heap. But you may be surprised that a lot of the music on this album is New Orleans based, having a high end club sound. Oasis was released as the single for obvious reasons, but the rest of the album is as well done if a little different in approach.”

“This album is full of contrasts. It is so much fun, yet has a lot to offer musically. The arrangements are unusual, yet spectacular. And her voice just goes all over the place, yet it works beautifully.”

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