IGNORED OBSCURED RESTORED

Maria Muldaur’s self titled, debut solo album is one of my all time favorite records. Let’s say Top 100. Really. I know that’s not a very hip choice, but I go to it on a regular basis and find myself singing along to the tastefully curated selection of great songs written by Dolly Parton, Kate McGarrigle, Dan Hicks, Dr John and Wendy Waldman. And they’re played by a “dream team” of session musicians including Clarence White, Bill Keith, Ry Cooder, David Lindley, Andrew Gold, Jim Keltner, Amos Garrett and Chris Ethridge amongst others.

While I would generally select a deep cut as the SotW, today I’m going with the hit – “Midnight at the Oasis”.

This song perfectly evokes the feel of a hot summer night. What with talk of camels, sand dunes and harems, how could you avoid imagining a magic carpet ride to a romantic Saharan tent?

The lyrics are overtly suggestive, but in Muldaur’s hands they come across as cheeky, not creepy.

The musicianship is impeccable. Jim Gordon (Derek & The Dominoes) takes over the drums. David Nichtern, who wrote the song, plays acoustic guitar. Freebo, Bonnie Raitt’s longtime collaborator, is on bass. Then, at the bridge, there’s that wonderful, tasteful Amos Garrett guitar solo. It’s simple, short and absolutely gorgeous.

Enjoy… until next week.