Southland of the Heart

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Southland of the Heart
Southland of the Heart.jpg
Studio album by
Maria Muldaur
Released1998
Genre Blues
Label Telarc
Maria Muldaur chronology
Fanning the Flames
(1996)		Southland of the Heart
(1998)		Swingin' in the Rain (Classic Swing Tunes for Kids of All Ages)
(1998)

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]

Contents

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 Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
DownBeat Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [13]
The Tampa Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [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" 

Credits

References

  1. ↑ "Pop Music". Los Angeles Times. January 1, 1998. p. F3.
  2. ↑ Helligar, Jeremy (February 9, 1998). "Southland of the Heart". People. Vol. 49, no. 5. p. 28.
  3. ↑ Vitello, Barbara (April 3, 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 November 13, 2023.
  7. ↑ Jones, Ryan (April 22, 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. 1 2 3 "Southland of the Heart Review by Gregory McIntosh". AllMusic. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  11. ↑ Evans Price, Deborah (March 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 (August 1998). "Southland of the Heart". DownBeat. Vol. 65, no. 8. p. 97.
  14. 1 2 Dunn, Michael (March 27, 1998). "Maria Muldaur, Southland of the Heart". Friday Extra!. The Tampa Tribune. p. 21.
  15. ↑ Joyce, Mike (April 10, 1998). "Maria Muldaur 'Southland of the Heart'". The Washington Post. p. N13.
  16. ↑ Schardl, Kati (February 5, 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.
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