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