Maria Muldaur – One Hour Mama – The Blues of Victoria Spivey
From the opening, you’ll wonder if the set was recorded in the late 1920s or now. But that’s the finesse Maria Muldaur offers. Authenticity is added to “My Handy Man,” filled with clever double-entendre lyrics written when we were all molecules. Maria’s voice is suited to these slices of cool & her sultry bluesy narrative possesses the necessary originality before the Legion of Decency reared its ugly head.
The music’s played in the spirit of an era enlivened by playfully suggestive lyrics. Call it race music, bawdy music hall, or vaudeville. Maria never tosses in any thought of imitation or parody. Lonnie Johnson’s 1930 “What Makes You Act Like That?” features Elvin Bishop sounding remarkably like an octogenarian blues legend. Impressive.
There are 12 generous dips into Victoria Spivey’s songbook with One Hour Mama – The Blues of Victoria Spivey (Drops July 11/Nola Blue/40:41) produced by Maria (vocals) & recorded in Berkeley, San Jose, Michigan & New Orleans.
Maria’s tonality captures the era, & the band decorates the arrangements as if they fell off a scratchy 78-rpm record. None of this is new to Maria. She’s done songs like this before. Her voice seems to have been born to sing such compositions. “Organ Grinder Blues,” with risqué lyrics, aches in the right places. It epitomizes the era’s creativity before being banned or rewritten to ease the pain on virgin ears & musical prejudices.
It’s a slinky showcase, even in its innocence, or despite it. It conjures “dirty thoughts” that even the shyest wallflower would hide a sheepish grin while listening & sipping spiked punch. Victoria’s music may attract young people, though many can’t get past B&W movies. So, Maria colorizes it. If Bessie Smith & Billie Holiday can maintain interest, why not Victoria Spivey? R&R may have had genes or DNA from her.
The awkwardness with such a set is that past singers have tried to substantiate themselves by being associated with such artists. It gives credence to them. Joni Mitchell was “influenced” by Miles Davis. Really? Where does that surface in her long repertoire? In reality, & more than likely, they may have only listened to that music, but not consistently. Maria’s authentic. Her past albums prove it. Bonnie Raitt & Bonnie Bramlett, too. Bob Dylan, on the back of his “New Morning” LP, was photographed with Victoria. His early work doesn’t reflect a Spivey influence, but his later work does.
A 12-page stitched liner note insert is included.
Highlights – “My Handy Man,” “What Makes You Act Like That?” “Don’t Love No Married Man,” “Organ Grinder Blues,” “No, Papa, No,” “One Hour Mama,” “Funny Feathers” & “T-B Blues.”
Musicians – Johnny Bones (saxes), Danny Caron (guitar), Steve Height (bass), Neil Fontano, Chris Burns & David K. Matthews (pianos), Clint Baker (trumpet), Susie Thompson (fiddle), Beaumont Beaullieu (drums) with Elvin Bishop & Taj Mahal (vocals).
On 3 tracks: James Dapogny’s Chicago Jazz Band with James Dapogny (piano/arranger), Kim Cusack (clarinet/alto sax), Russ Whitman (clarinet/tenor & baritone saxes), Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Chris Smith (trombone/tuba), Rod McDonald (guitar/banjo), Kurt Krahnke (bass), Pete Siers (drums) & Rob Bourassa (guitar solo – “My Handy Man”).
On another 3: Tuba Skinny’s Craig Flory (clarinet), Greg Sherman (guitar), Max Bien-Kahn (guitar/banjo), Shaye Cohn (cornet/trumpet), Barnabus Jones (trombone), Todd Burdick (tuba), Robin Rapuzzi (washboard) & David Torkanowsky (piano).
Images courtesy of Maria’s Bandcamp & CD design. CD @ Amazon & Bandcamp + https://mariamuldaur.com/home
Enjoy our previous coverage here: With Tuba Skinny, Maria Muldaur Celebrates The Joy of Discovery