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MARIA MULDAUR Meet Me Where They Play The Blues (Telarc Blues) Maria’s voice is her trademark. Most of you would have heard the Maria’s 'Midnight At The Oasis' that became a 70’s classic. Maria opens with the soft, Southern soul approach during Joe Green’s 'Soothe Me'. 'I wanna Be Loved' is pure jazz cabaret. Featured on 'Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You' is the legendary Charles Brown, and this may have been the last studio recording that Charles was involved with as he died not too long after. 'It Ain’t The Meat, It’s The Motion' leaves you with no doubt what this song is all about. The title track is pure New Orleans blues. John Hiatt lovers will enjoy this rendition of John’s 'It Feels Like Rain', Maria performs it in such a way that takes you way down south. 'Blues So Bad' was written by Levon Helm (The Band), and anyone would think it had been written especially for Maria. One of the down & out songs on this album is 'Misery & The Blues'. Maria performs 'He Don’t Have The Blues Anymore' as a tribute to Johnny Adams and Charles Brown. Both are noted for their contribution to the Louisiana music scene. 'All To Myself Alone' is one of my favourite blues songs that I remember hearing Ray Charles performing when I was very young. As farewell tribute to Charles Brown Maria closes Meet Me Where They Play The Blues with Charles’ own song 'The Promised Land'. This album is very melancholy, and also very well recorded. With it’s many moods this fantastic blues album will fill a gap in your music collection. Gazz Southland Of The Heart (Telarc) Maria has another winning album here, and Southland Of The Heart opens with 'Ring Me Up' that is reminiscent of the Bonnie Raitt sound; then there is 'Get Up, Get Ready' that has a Southern gospel sound. 'Southland Of The Heart' is a great Bruce Cockburn composition. The lazy 'Latersville' prepares the way for Greg Brown's 'Think About You' that has Louisiana stamped all over it. Move into a higher gear with Brenda Burn's 'There's A Devil On The Loose' that features her on background vocals. 'Fool's Paradise' is definitely a song 'Dr John' should record. Maria soulfully performs Rick Vito's (ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist) 'One Short Life'. Then another Greg Brown song 'Someday When We're Both Alone' & finally a delightful blues number titled 'Blues Gives A Lesson'. Gazz Click on album image to see larger album cover 
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