|
Maria Muldaur
Steady Love
Stony Plain Music
|
49 years is a long time to do anything, but believe
it or not, Maria Muldaur has been performing
for nearly half a century, with no signs of slowing
down, as evidenced by her latest release for Stony
Plain, Steady Love. Muldaur will forever be linked
to her 1974 hit, “Midnight at the Oasis,” but
there’s so much more to this lady’s talent than
indicated by that perennial favorite. She’s
performed and recorded every brand of American Roots
music since her debut recording in 1963 with the
Even Dozen Jug Band.
Throughout her musical odyssey, two factors have
remained constant in his career, the blues and the
sounds of New Orleans.
Steady Love is her first full-fledged tribute
to the music of the Crescent City and for the
occasion, she has joined up with an All-Star cast of
musicians (including keyboardist/musical director
David Torkanowsky, guitarists Shane Theriot, Rick
Vito, and Cranston Clements, drummers Kenny Blevins
and Shannon Powell, and former Subdudes bassist
Johnny Allen) to lay out her brand of Crescent City
goodness, which she calls “Bluesiana music.”
Muldaur has always had impeccable taste in
songwriters, and this set is no different as she
covers classics by Percy Mayfield (a masterful
“Please Send Me Someone to Love”), Bobby Charles
(“Why are People Like That”), Elvin Bishop (“I’ll Be
Glad”) and a pair from Greg Brown (“Blues Go
Walking” and the title track). She also does a great
job on Sugar Pie DeSanto’s “Soulful Dress."
Muldaur also mixes in several gospel tunes,
including Stephen Bruton’s “Walk By Faith,” Eric
Bibb’s “Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit
Down,” the traditional “I Done Made Up My Mind”
(with harmony vocals from daughter Jenni), “As An
Eagle Stirreth In Her Nest,” and the stunning
closer, “I Am Not Alone,” which was written by Vito,
who adds some sweet slide guitar.
Muldaur sounds fantastic. Her vocals have grown
richer and huskier over the years, and it suits this
material perfectly. Steady Love is the kind
of disc that will appeal not just to blues fans, but
to music fans in general. It ranks high among
Muldaur’s best releases.
--- Graham Clarke
