Maria Muldaur – One Hour Mama – The Blues of Victoria Spivey | Album Review

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aria Muldaur is a chanteuse whose vocal prowess has always grabbed at my soul. Here we get a dozen cuts from Victoria Spivey’s song book and one feels like they are listening to fresh, new recordings from that era instead of living in today’s world. Muldaur truly embodies the feel and sound of that great early blues.

A plethora of artist supports the effort. We have Johnny Bones on sax, Danny Caron on guitar, Steve Height on bass, Neil Fontano, Chris Burns and David K. Matthews on pianos, Clint Baker on trumpet, Susie Thompson on fiddle, and Beaumont Beaullieu on drums. Guests Elvin Bishop and Taj Mahal on vocals round out things nicely.

James Dapogny’s Chicago Jazz Band appears on a trio of tracks. They are James Dapogny on piano, Kim Cusack on clarinet and alto sax, Russ Whitman on clarinet and tenor and baritone saxes, Jon-Erik Kellso on trumpet, Chris Smith on trombone and tuba, Rod McDonald on guitar and banjo, Kurt Krahnke on bass, Pete Siers on drums and Rob Bourassa on the guitar solo for “My Handy Man”.

Then another group of musicians support three more cuts. They are Tuba Skinny’s Craig Flory on clarinet, Greg Sherman on guitar, Max Bien-Kahn on banjo and guitar, Shaye Cohn on cornet and trumpet, Barnabus Jones on trombone, Todd Burdick on tuba, Robin Rapuzzi with his washboard and, finally, David Torkanowsky on the ivories. Whew!

“My Handy Man” swings into that old style blues as Muldaur’s sultry voice gives us a sexy and authentic rendition of this song that is filled with double entendres. The old time charm overflows as the listener is immersed into the music of a century ago. Next we get Elvin Bishop and Muldaur doing a duet on “What Makes You Act Like That?” If frolics and flows sweetly as the two get some cool guitar accompaniment along with some sweet piano. “Don’t Love No Married Man” is slow and somber cut that Muldaur delivers with deep feeling. She warns the listener of the foibles of fooling around with a married man; classic stuff!

Some pretty piano accompanies “Dreaming of You” as Maria gives a breathy and emotive rendition of the song. One can picture the song in a smoke filled bar with her and the piano player giving it their all. “Organ Grinder Blues” is a slow but sprightly cut with big accompaniment that Muldaur nails. She grinds out the lyrics as she grittily uses the double entendres as Spivey did to lure the listeners into her web of allure. “No, Papa, No!” is another great piano tune; one can picture Muldaur hovering next to the piano on a stage on Beale Street nearly a hundred years ago singing this song.

More beautifully done music accompanies “One Hour Mama” as Muldaur winds her charms to grab at the listener. “Funny Feathers” also has the old time feel with the great instrumental support as Muldaur gives a forthright cover of this song. The song bounces and bubbles and just makes the listener fill with feelings of living in that time. Well done! “Gotta Have What It Takes” features Taj Mahal singing with Maria. The two ply their charms for the listener to grab on to and enjoy as guitar and piano guide the song along nicely.

“Any-Kind-A-Man” is a bouncy piano tune, again with guitar and a little percussion driving the cut. Muldaur sings with authority. “Down Hill Pull” features Maria moaning out the lead vocals and grabbing at the listener to get them enthralled with her sultry performance. Guitar and piano with some brushes on drums make this one authentic and slick. “T-B Blues” concludes the set with a large ensemble backing Maria. Muldaur groans out that it’s “too late, too late.” The backing is restrained as Muldaur sings of the woes of tuberculosis.

This is a spectacular album. Muldaur channels Victoria Spivey and takes the listener to the era of last 1920’s/early 1930’s for a dozen superbly rendered tunes with an authentic feel. They lack the clicks and pops of old 78 rpms records and it really makes the listener feel like they are transported back in time. I most highly recommend this album!

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