Customer Reviews

Southern Winds

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been waiting for this album to be re-released on cd. Several of her mid-seventies albums have been re-released and this one was one of my favorite albums of that era. Several of the songs are my favorites of hers including "I got a Man", "Cajun Moon" and the two I bought the cd for, "I can't say no" and "Joyful Noise" one of her most rockin' songs. This is classic Maria Muldaur, not the the tepid, watered down, near disco of "Midnight at the Oasis". This is her unique mix of New Orleans style funk, R&B, jazz, blues, and southern roots folk rock. The other similar disc that's in the same vien is "Sweet Harmony" if you've heard one, you will likely like the other. Fans of early and mid seventies Bonnie Raitt with find this very similar stylistically. I would rate this higher (by comparison to her other discs) but the five star rating is overused in these reviews and her albums, like Bonnie's all have two or three "only average" tunes on them. For those out there who aren't very familiar with her, she is one of the few performers who have aged gracefully and I think her voice and singing have gotten better with age. She's a very consistant artist and ironically is famous for what I think is her least intersting album and song.

Southern Winds is another of Maria's many stylistic ventures during her
70's hey day recording many albums of southern bluesy pop/rock and so
many styles in between. I love her voice, still do, she's going strong
into her 60's now and still like Bonnie Raitt is totally in touch with
her gift of interperting music. You can't manufacture someone like Maria
Muldaur in a cattle casting call, she is one of the greats. She was
reaching and searching for different material by the time Southern Winds came out but even with a
more rock edge, her bluesy drall, the way she purred around a lyric, god
she could sing herself around any style and sound good. Several memorable
recordings on this one including, cajun moon, say you will, keep a light
in my window, make love to the music, I can't say no. Working with some tight sold musicans known for their songwriting and playing skills, Southern
Winds was a solid attempt at bringing Maria back in the limelight but
it fought the likes of disco, punk and a new wave of british invasion & MTV just about to take hold of the american music scene. Maria didn't need
to fight through this, she as time would tell was a classic just going
through her motions. Nice to add to your collection.

Maria's voice is in top form as usual. It should also be noted that the song writing on this is excellent (Leon Russell, JJ Cale) and the musicians are some of the best from that era (Waddy, Ernie Watts, etc.). Wish It were still available on CD since my old record is worn out.

It took a long time for this album to be available on cd. The original vinyl enjoyed brand new, just months after the original release, has long been worn out, and regretfully retired. Excellent job by the folks who finally came up with this cd version. Tracks one, three, five, and seven are personally wonderful.