Maria Muldaur - There Is A Love

Published Thursday 17th November 2011
Maria Muldaur - There Is A Love
Maria Muldaur - There Is A Love

STYLE: Gospel
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 31309-18707
LABEL: Myrrh MYR1114
FORMAT: 12 inch vinyl Album

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Back in the '60s, Muldaur was a folky and running in the same New York circles as Bob Dylan. Perhaps it's no surprise then that Dylan's conversion album 'Slow Train Coming' impacted her so deeply that she found faith herself. Best known in the UK for her 1974 hit "Midnight At The Oasis", this solo 1982 album reflected her new found faith as she teamed up with former Dylan sidesman turned producer T Bone Burnett. Blessed with a bluesy voice reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt, Muldaur tackles a pile of songs that reflect her new found faith. Highlights include "I Do" which has an understated groove and fine horn parts and retells a few Bible stories that encourage Muldaur to pursue Jesus. The horn filled soulfulness continues on "Infinite Mystery" and the title track has a haunting Muldaur vocal. But it's the closing gospel blues track "Is My Living In Vain" - an old Clark Sisters song - which is the standout here. Aimed at the Christian market and released by one of the more significant labels of the era, Word's Myrrh, the album didn't establish Muldaur on the Christian scene despite its many merits.

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