Garage Sale Vinyl: Maria Muldaur
Maria Muldaur / Reprise / August 1973
by Christopher Long
One of the best and brightest personal highlights from this past summer season was when I received a massive parcel from a dear high school friend who had gifted me her entire vintage vinyl collection. A super-score, to be sure. Among the array of shiny treasures was an original pressing of the 1973 self-titled debut record from Maria Muldaur.
A dedicated tweenage Casey Kasem disciple, I knew and loved the record’s irresistible, monster-sized Top Ten single, “Midnight at the Oasis,” as well as Muldaur’s sassy Top 20 follow-up hit, “I’m a Woman.” As a result, I would continue paying attention to her work for decades to come. So, when I discovered this LP lurking among the other classics in my friend’s collection, I was stoked.
Stomping across the boundaries between pop and rock, country and folk, and jazz, blues, and gospel, Muldaur was a primary member of my go-to musical mafia, a coffeehouse collective that also included such legendary artists as Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, and Linda Ronstadt.
Overseen by celebrated producers Joe Boyd (Nick Drake, Fairport Convention, Nico) and Lenny Waronker (Little Feat, The Doobie Brothers, James Taylor), the 11-track collection also featured contributions from some of my favorite session cats of the day: guitarists Ry Cooder, David Lindley, and Andrew Gold, bassist Freebo, drummer Jim Keltner, and keyboardist Dr. John.
Aside from the iconic hit single, other noteworthy album moments included the slinky, blues-soaked rendition of the Jimmie Rodgers classic, “Any Old Time,” the Nawlins-flavored, David Nichtern-penned “I Never Did Sing You a Love Song,” and the sultry Ron Davies tune “Long Hard Climb.” However, for my money, one of the tallest standouts was the faithful, down-home remake of Dolly Parton’s “My Tennessee Mountain Home.”
As for my newly-acquired personal copy, the cover had tragically been scribbled on, likely by those who had owned it over the years, before my friend gifted it to me a few months ago. While the record itself had seen some better days, the cozy crackle only enhances the authentic listening experience. It also smells like warm and wonderful, vintage vinyl. Plus, I’ve always adored Muldaur and I got it for FREE. All boxes checked!
4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maria Muldaur Track List
SIDE ONE
1. Any Old Time (J. Rodgers) – 3:45
2. Midnight at the Oasis (D. Nichtern) – 3:49
3. My Tennessee Mountain Home (D. Parton) – 3:32
4. I Never Did Sing You a Love Song (D. Nichtern) – 2:49
5. The Work Song (K. McGarrigle) – 4:04
SIDE TWO
1. Don’t You Feel My Leg (B. Barker, D. Barker, J. Williams) – 2:48
2. Walkin’ One and Only (D. Hicks) – 2:47
3. Long Hard Climb (R. Davies) – 3:03
4. Three Dollar Bill (M. Rebennack) – 3:58
5. Vaudeville Man (W. Waldman) – 2:41
6. Mad Mad Me (W. Waldman) – 3:13
