Southland of the Heart is an album by the American musician Maria Muldaur, released in 1998.[1][2] Muldaur supported the album with a North American tour that included shows with Dan Hicks.[3][4] Muldaur considered the material to be "adult love songs."[5]

Production

The album was recorded in Los Angeles.[6] Muldaur took guidance from Bonnie Raitt, who encouraged her to record songs she liked, rather than worry about thematic unity.[7] Memphis Minnie remained a key influence on Muldaur.[8] Hutch Hutchinson played bass on the album.[9] "Someday When We're Both Alone" was written by Greg Brown.[10] The title track was written by Bruce Cockburn; Muldaur chose it after hearing it on a mixtape given to her by a friend.[11] Muldaur thought that "Latersville" was a topical update of her biggest hit, "Midnight at the Oasis".[12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
DownBeat[13]
The Tampa Tribune[14]

The Washington Post wrote that "Muldaur makes the most of the lyrics and frequently surrounds herself with musicians who share her affection for slippery guitar lines and languid R&B grooves."[15] The Tallahassee Democrat concluded that "the lilting innocence and playful sensuality of her earlier sound is seasoned with warmth and a thrilling, husky timbre that makes Muldaur a natural blues diva."[16] The San Diego Union-Tribune determined that "Muldaur has a smoldering, unchallenged way of easing through songs that wind up searing us emotionally."[17]

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette praised Muldaur's "superb and expressive voice on upbeat romps and moving ballads."[18] The Tampa Tribune stated that "Muldaur's intimate, raspy voice and casual aplomb give the disc an irresistible quality."[14] The Trenton Times deemed the album an "embracing new collection of warm and soulful Southern comfort blues."[19]

AllMusic wrote that, "while her take on the genre isn't bad, Muldaur's voice has a limited range."[10]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Ring Me Up" 
2."Get Up, Get Ready" 
3."Southland of the Heart" 
4."Latersville" 
5."Think About You" 
6."There's a Devil on the Loose" 
7."Fool's Paradise" 
8."One Short Life" 
9."If I Were You" 
10."Someday When We're Both Alone" 
11."Blues Gives a Lesson" 

References

  1. ^ "Pop Music". Los Angeles Times. 1 Jan 1998. p. F3.
  2. ^ Helligar, Jeremy (Feb 9, 1998). "Southland of the Heart". People. Vol. 49, no. 5. p. 28.
  3. ^ Vitello, Barbara (3 Apr 1998). "Join Maria at the Oasis". Time Out. Daily Herald. Arlington Heights. p. 14.
  4. ^ Wiegand, David (February 8, 1998). "'Round Midnight". Sunday Datebook. San Francisco Chronicle. p. 7.
  5. ^ Johnson, Jeff (April 3, 1998). "Integrity Matters to Muldaur". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 6.
  6. ^ "Maria Muldaur Biography by Steve Huey". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  7. ^ Jones, Ryan (22 Apr 1998). "After 'Midnight', She Sings the Blues". The Record. Bergen County. p. Y2.
  8. ^ Protzman, Bob (April 4, 1998). "This Time, Her 'Oasis' Is a Simple and Subtle Place". St. Paul Pioneer Press. p. 12D.
  9. ^ "Playback". Bass Player. Vol. 9, no. 5. May 1998. p. 72.
  10. ^ a b c "Southland of the Heart Review by Gregory McIntosh". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  11. ^ Evans Price, Deborah (Mar 7, 1998). "'They're playing my song'". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 10. p. 34.
  12. ^ Bialczak, Mark (April 24, 1998). "Maria Muldaur Likes to Keep Her Music in Blues Vein". Weekend. The Post-Standard. p. 21.
  13. ^ Oulette, Dan (Aug 1998). "Southland of the Heart". DownBeat. Vol. 65, no. 8. p. 97.
  14. ^ a b Dunn, Michael (March 27, 1998). "Maria Muldaur, Southland of the Heart". Friday Extra!. The Tampa Tribune. p. 21.
  15. ^ Joyce, Mike (10 Apr 1998). "Maria Muldaur 'Southland of the Heart'". The Washington Post. p. N13.
  16. ^ Schardl, Kati (5 Feb 1999). "Muldaur Sings Blues to Benefit School". Tallahassee Democrat. p. F27.
  17. ^ Kinsman, Michael (January 29, 1998). "Maria Muldaur, 'Southland of the Heart'". Entertainment. The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. 10.
  18. ^ Widner, Ellis (February 6, 1998). "Maria Muldaur, Southland of the Heart, Telarc". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. p. W18.
  19. ^ Alexander, Randy (April 24, 1998). "Maria Muldaur heads 'South'". Features. The Trenton Times.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southland_of_the_Heart
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