Tanya Tucker - TNT (1978)

“TNT” by Tanya Tucker (1978)

Release Date: November 1978
Produced by Jeff Goldstein
Genre: Country, Country Rock, Rock, Pop
Label: MCA

Chart Positions: #54 (US), #52 (Canada), #2 (US Country, Canada Country)
Certifications: Gold (US, Canada)
Awards: Nominated for the “Best Female Rock Performance” Grammy Award (Donna Summer won the award that year)

Singles and Chart Positions: “Texas (When I Die)” #3 (Canada Country), #5 (US Country), “I’m The Singer, You’re The Song #6 (Canada Country), #18 (US Country), #25 (Canada Adult Contemporary)
 Singles Certifications: N/A
Other Charting Tracks: “Not Fade Away” #70 (US)
Best Tracks: “Not Fade Away,” “Lover Goodbye,” “Angel From Montgomery,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Bown Eyed Handsome Man,” “Texas (When I Die)”

“TNT” by Tanya Tucker (Click Here)

“TNT” was Tanya Tucker’s 9th studio album and was her first to be certified Gold in both the US and Canada. The album also received a Grammy nomination in the category of "Best Female Rock Performance." This was Tanya's third of 10 Grammy nominations. She has yet to win a Grammy.

With “TNT” Tucker made a bold departure from her classic country music style to do a more rock-flavored album – but for good measure kept a slight hint of that country there for her longtime fans. The departure proved to be extremely successful for Tucker as the album is her second highest charting on the US Country chart and her highest charting on the Canadian Country chart. The album was also her highest charting on the US Billboard Top 200 albums chart reaching #54. Only 1991’s “What Do I Do With Me” and 1992’s “Can’t Run From Yourself” have charted higher reaching #48 and #51 respectively. IN Canada “TNT” is Tucker’s highest charting album on the pop charts reaching #52. It was also her first album to make it onto the Canadian Country charts.

Because of the success of “TNT” Tucker followed the album with 1979’s “Tear Me Apart,” another rock-influenced album but captured much less success and by 1980 returned to her country music roots.

Featuring a playful somewhat flirtatious exuberant attitude from Tanya, "TNT was in many ways her coming of age album. She had just turned 20 a month before it's release and was ready to prove she was more than just a cute country music sweetheart.

The album opens with Phil Everly’s synth drum rocker “Lover Goodbye” and sets the mood for the album. Her remake of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery” is a beautiful southern rock ballad. Prine wrote and recorded this song for his 1971 debut album “John Prine.” Seals and Crofts helped on backing vocals on the ballad “The River and The Wind.”

The album’s first single “Texas (When I Die)” was the only true country number on the album. The song peaked at #5 on the US country chart and with time has become one of Tucker’s signature songs.

Tucker’s rendition of Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” is a real scorching treat. The song was released as the b-side to “Texas (When I Die).” Receiving a fair amount of radio airplay and fan requests it ended up charting on Billboard’s Top 100 Singles chart reaching #70, making it the third highest charting pop single of her career.

Not Fade Away (1978)

Easily one of the album highlights is her rockin’ rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel,” why they did not release this as a single is a mystery to me. Tucker puts in a flavorful rockabilly rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Brown Eyed Handsome Man.” The song was originally released on Chuck Berry’s 1957 debut album “After School Session” and was used as the b-side to his 1956 single “Too Much Monkey Business.”

Often "TNT" sounds as if Tanya's aim was to crack the AOR radio format and would have done well alongside the queens of AOR such as Pat Benatar, Linda Ronstadt and Anne & Nancy Wilson (Heart).

Link to “TNT” (Click Here)

TANYA TUCKER (1978)

TANYA TUCKER

Diana Ross by Diana Ross (1976)

“Diana Ross” by Diana Ross (1976)

Release Date: February 10, 1976
Produced by Michael Masser, Hal Davis, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Berry Gordy, Don Costa, Lawrecne Brown, Gil Askey
Genre: Soul, Disco, Pop
Label: Motown

Chart Positions: #2 (Netherlands, Canada), #4 (UK), #5 (US), #8 (France), #26 (Sweden), #27 (Japan), #39 (Australia)
Certifications: Gold (US, UK)

Singles: “I Thought It Took A Little Time (But I Fell In Love Today)” #32 (UK), #47 (US), #53 (Canada), #4 (US Adult Contemporary), #6 (US R&B), “Love Hangover” #1 (US, Ireland), #3 (Canada, France), #10 (UK), #16 (Italy), #18 (Netherlands), #23 (Holland), #28 New Zealand), #69 (Australia), #1 (USR&B, US Dance), #19 (US Adult Contemporary), “One Love In My Lifetime” #24 (Canada), #25 (US), #10 (US R&B), #31 (US Adult Contemporary)
Singles Certifications: “Love Hangover” Gold (US)
Other Charting Tracks: N/A
Best Tracks: “Love Hangover,” “One Love In My Lifetime,” “Smile,” “Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)”

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“Diana Ross” by Diana Ross (Click Here)

Trivia: “Diana Ross” the album was Ross' biggest-selling album since 1973's "Touch Me in the Morning", and the first of Ross' albums since her debut to yield more than four hit singles. It reached #5 on the US Billboard 200 album chart, #4 on the US Billboard R&B Album Chart and the Top 5 in the UK, where it was awarded a Gold disc for sales in excess of 100,000 copies. It was her second eponymously named album. The first was released in 1970 and was later renamed “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” The 1976 album includes the track, “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)” which was released, four months before the release of “Diana Ross,” as a single from the soundtrack “Mahogany.”

The #1 hit single “Love Hangover” is one of Diana Ross’ biggest selling singles of her entire career. Ross received a Grammy Award nomination for "Love Hangover" (Best R&B Performance, Female Artist), and an Oscar nomination for Best Song for "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)". With "Love Hangover" Diana Ross was again stepping out of her comfort zone and leading the pack. Yes, there had been disco hits over the previous year but none as dark and deep as "Love Hangover," maybe with the exception of Donna summer's "Love To Love You Baby," which was released three months later. "Love Hangover" hit the charts and sizzled all the way to the top. Diana commented, "I remember Suzanne de Passe bringing me 'Love Hangover," she had to make me believe in the song because it wasn't exactly a song, it was all feeling." Despite Diana's reservations she took it to the studio and recorded it in one take. She ad-libbed most of it. She had recently finished filming the role of Billie Holiday for the film "Lady Sings The Blues" so she put a little Billie into the song in the part where she sings, "If there's a cure for this."

"Love Hangover" (1976)

The album's third single "One Love In My Lifetime" was a sizable hit reaching #25 on the US chart, as well as #24 in Canada and received a fair amount of airplay.

Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson (Ashford & Simpson) wrote and produced the anthemic Gospel tinged "Ain't Nothing But A Maybe."

Diana closes the album with the Charlie Chaplin tune "Smile," which, as an instrumental, first appeared on the soundtrack for Chaplin's 1936 film "Modern Times." In 1954 John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and gave it the title "Smile." Nat King Cole took the song into the Top Ten in 1954. Diana Ross's schmaltzy jazz and blues tinged rendition echoes her work portraying Billie Holiday. 

Back Cover of "Diana Ross"

Diana Ross (1976)

Link to “Diana Ross” (Click Here) 

DIANA ROSS

Lou Rawls - All Things In Time (1976)

“All Things In Time” by Lou Rawls (1976)

Release Date: June 7, 1976
Produced by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Bunny Sigler, Dexter Wansel, Jack Faith, Bobby Martin
Genre: Philadelphia Soul, Jazz, Adult Contemporary, R&B
Label: Philadelphia International Records
Chart Positions: #7 (US)
Certifications: Platinum (US), Gold (Canada)

Singles: “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” #1 (South Africa), #2 (US, Canada), #8 (Netherlands), #10 (UK, Belgium), #16 (New Zealand), #22 (Australia), #1 (US R&B, US Dance, US Adult Contemporary), “Groovy People” #64 (US), #19 (US R&B), #19 (US Adult Contemporary), "From Now On" #53 (UK)
Other Charting Songs: "this Song Will Last Forever" #74 (US R&B)
Singles Certifications: You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" (US Gold, Canada)

All Things in Time is an album by American R&B singer Lou Rawls, released in June 1976 on the Philadelphia International Records (PIR) label. It was his 27th studio album. Coming after a career lull in the years immediately preceding, All Things in Time was Rawls' first album for PIR; at the time he was the first artist to sign with PIR after having already enjoyed a substantial recording career and chart success with other record labels.

“All Things In Time” by Lou Rawls (Click Here) 

“All Things in Time” became an immediate success on the back of its celebrated lead single "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine", which gave Rawls the biggest hit of his career. The album was Rawls' third R&B chart topper (the first since 1966), and reached #7 on the pop chart. It was certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA for sales in excess of 1 million.

“All Things in Time” was highly rated by critics on its original release for the quality and variety of its material, faultless production standards and Rawls' vocal performances.

Rawls was one of the few acts on the label that could do great work with a variety of producers and arrangers. The biggest track was the bravado-filled "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine." With its subtle Latin rhythms and Rawls' tongue-in-cheek intonations.

"Time" written by Jack Faith and Allan Felder has Rawls doing a pitch-perfect vocal that makes the song sound like a standard. Despite not being released as a single “Time” with Rawls’ rich crooning vocal, reached #8 on the US Dance chart.

On this album, Rawls also got a chance to do work with the quixotic Bunny Sigler. Both "Need You Forever" and "From Now On" have Sigler accentuating Rawls' rougher edges. Unfortunately, all of the tracks aren't great here. All Things in Time ends on a great note, on "Let's Fall in Love All Over Again," a song previously done by Billy Paul and Nancy Wilson, Rawls' take is arguably the best version.

The lead single “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” ensured the success of this album. The legendary songwriting team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff wrote the song. They were the powerhouse producers behind most of the Philadelphia Sound, and they wrote this song specifically for Rawls. The track helped lure Rawls to Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label, as he was impressed that they took the time to understand his voice and write something to suit it. The song was not only a huge pop hit but was an even bigger crossover hit reaching #1 on the US R&B chart, US Dance chart and the US Adult Contemporary chart. The song was a popular favorite in roller skate rinks across the US during 1976 and 1977. “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” was a chart topper in South Africa and reached #2 in both the US and Canada. In the UK it charted a tad bit lower reaching #10. “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” was certified Gold in the US for sales of more than 500,000. The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance category but lost out to Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key Of Life."

"You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" (1976)

“Groovy People, with its electric guitar chord opening, was the second single from the album. Though it did receive airplay it charted low at US #64 and made it into the Top 20 on both the US R&B and Adult Contemporary charts. Fans were thrilled by the songs optimistic nature and Rawls’ carefree vocal performance.  The song received a Grammy Nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance but lost out to Stevie Wonder's "I Wish." The song’s b-side “This Song Will Last Forever” made it to #74 on the US R&B charts.

Lou Rawls (1976)

Link to “All Things In Time” (Click Here)

LOU RAWLS

Crystal Gayle - When I Dream (1978)

“When I Dream” by Crystal Gayle (1978)

Release Date: June 2, 1978

Produced by Allen Reynolds

Genre: Country, pop, blues, jazz

Label: United Artists

Chart Positions: #52 (US), #25 (UK), #50 (Canada)

Album Certifications: Platinum (US), Gold (Canada), Silver (UK)

Singles: “Talking In Your Sleep” #11 (UK, Canada), #18 (US), #1 (US Country, Canada Country), #3 (US Adult Contemporary, Canada Adult Contemporary), “Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For” #1 (US Country, Canada Country), #16 (Canada Adult Contemporary), #22 (US Adult Contemporary), “When I Dream” #84 (US), #3 (US Country), #20 (US Adult Contemporary), “Heart Mender” #58 (US Country), “Hello I Love You” #4 (South Africa)

Singles Certification: “Talking In Your Sleep” (UK Silver)

Best Tracks: ALL TRACKS – Solid from start to finish

When I Dream is the fifth studio album by American country and pop music singer Crystal Gayle. It was released on June 2, 1978, at the height of her career. It was her second consecutive album to reach #2 on the US Billboard Country Music charts. Two singles from the album reached #1 on the Country Singles chart: "Talking in Your Sleep" (also a Top 20 Pop hit) and "Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For".  

By now it was evident that Crystal Gayle was a powerhouse all of her own. She did not need to ride on the coattails of her sister, the legendary Loretta Lynn. Crystal had the talent and the style to make even if she did not come from country music royalty.

“When I Dream” by Crystal Gayle (Click Here) 

See more on Crystal Gayle @ The Crystal Gayle Resource Center: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1449577508682080/

The album achieved a gold disc the year it was released but was certified platinum by the RIAA in 1982. It was also Gayle's second album to chart in the UK, where it reached #25, and was awarded a silver disc by the BPI. In Canada, the album was a huge hit being certified Gold and made it to #1 on Canada’s country music album chart. The album was #2 on the US country music chart.

As a result of the album’s success Crystal Gayle in January 1979 Crystal was given an American Music Award for Favorite Country Female Artist and the Top Female Vocalist Award by the Academy of Country Music. She also received two Grammy Award nominations for the song “Talking in Your Sleep” in the Best Country and Western Vocal Performance by a Female. As well she received two Country Music Association (CMA) Awards nominations for Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year and the song “Talking In Your Sleep” received a nomination for Song of the Year by the CMA.

The lead single “Talking In Your Sleep” was written by Bobby Woods and British songwriter Roger Cook. Roger Cook had been well known in the UK as one of the lead vocalists with the group Blue Mink who achieved four Top Ten hits in the UK. Cook also co-wrote “Hello I Love You,” “Let Your Feelings Flow,” “Hollywood,” “Livin’ In These Troubled Times” and “Tennessee” all of which were recorded by Crystal Gayle. Roger Cook was a renowned songwriter that co-wrote the million-selling hits “You Got Your Troubles” (The Fortunes), “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” (The Hillside Singers, The New Seekers) and “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress (The Hollies). Songwriter Bobby Woods co-wrote hits for country music artists Billy “Crash” Craddock and Billie Jo Spears. One of his best-known compositions is “What’s Your Name, What's Your Number” which was a 1977 hit for the Andrea True Connection. Cook also co-wrote the songs “Half The Way” and “He Is Beautiful To Me” both recorded by Crystal. The teams of Bobby Woods and Roger Cook wrote the song “Keepin’ Power” which showed up on Crystal’s 1981 album “Hollywood Tennessee.”

The song “Talking In Your Sleep” was a huge hit shortly after “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” It was a sophisticated pop ballad sung beautifully by Crystal. It made it to #18 in the US and #11 in both the UK and Canada. On the country music charts, it was #1 in both the US and Canada and reached #3 on the Adult Contemporary charts in both the US and Canada. It was awarded a Silver certification in the UK for sales of more than 200,000 copies.

"Talking In Your Sleep" (1978)

The handclapping “Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For” was the album’s second single. The song did not make it to the pop charts but continued Crystal Gayle’s run of #1 hits on the country music charts reaching the top in the UK and Canada. The upbeat song adorned with a great session of handclaps and electric guitar chords received a fair amount of play in country and western bars across the US throughout the later 70s and 80s.

The third single “When I Dream” brought Crystal back to the lower reaches of the pop charts peaking at #84 on the US Billboard chart. It also made it to #3 on both the US and Canadian country music charts. This song is considered a classic amongst Crystal Gayle fans.

The fourth and last single “Heart Mender” made it to #58 on the US country music chart.

Crystal’s rendition of the classic torch song “Cry Me A River” (a hit in 1955 for Julie London) is an album highlight and was used as the b-side for the single “Why Have You Left The One You Left me For.” Many fans have felt the song could have been a great a-side single for Crystal.

“The Wayward Wind” a hit in 1956 for Gogi Grant (in the US) and Tex Ritter (in the UK). Crystal took the song and gave it her own twist an album highlight popular with fans.

“Paintin’ This Old Town Blue” a blues jazz-influenced tune stands out on the album.

The album closes with Crystal’s intimate recording of Johnny Cash’s “I Still Miss Someone.” Johnny first recorded this song back in 1958 with his nephew Roy Cash, Jr.  Crystal Gayle’s tender rendition features a glistening doubled tracking of her lead vocals.

Crystal Gayle (When I Dream open album gatefold cover) 1978

Crystal Gayle July 1978 Billboard Magazine Article

Link to “When I Dream” (Click Here) 

CRYSTAL GAYLE

Dolly Parton - All I Can Do (1976)

“All I Can Do” by Dolly Parton (1976)

Release Date: August 6, 1976
Produced by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton
Chart Positions: #3 (US Country Chart)
Certifications: N/A
Singles: “All I Can Do” (US Country Charts #3, Canada Country Charts #1), “Hey Lucky Lady” (US Country Charts #19, Canada Country Charts #11)

“All I Can Do” is the album released just before Dolly made her mark as a worldwide music superstar. It is her 17th solo album and her 29th album overall (including collaboration albums with Porter Wagoner).

“All I Can Do” by Dolly Parton (Click Here)

The album includes eight songs written by Parton and two covers; Emmylou Harris' "Boulder to Birmingham" and Merle Haggard's "Life's Like Poetry". The album was released around the time Parton began appearing regularly in the supermarket tabloids, and "Shattered Image", which advised to "stay out of my closet if your own's full of trash" was said to be a reaction to that. Parton re-recorded "Shattered Image" for her 2002 Halos & Horns album. "The Fire That Keeps You Warm" was originally recorded by Parton and Porter Wagoner on the 1974 album Porter 'n' Dolly. This was the last Parton album on which Porter Wagoner would get producing credit.

Dolly received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Country Vocal.

The upbeat “All I Can Do” was released as the album’s lead single and made it to #3 on the US Country Charts and #1 on the Canadian Country Music Charts. “Hey Lucky Lady” was the second single and reached #19 on the US Country Charts and #11 on the Canadian Country Music Charts.

"All I Can Do"

Link to “All I Can Do” (Click Here) 

DOLLY PARTON

Rolling Stones - Some Girls (1978)

“Some Girls” by The Rolling Stones (1978)

Release date: June 8, 1978
Produced by The Glimmer Twins (aka Mick Jagger and Keith Richards)
Chart Positions: #1 (US, Canada), #2 France, New Zealand, UK), #3 (Australia, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden), #4 (Austria), #5 (Spain), #6 (Italy, Germany), #11 (Japan), #83 (Belgium) #48 (Switzerland in 2011 reissue)
Certifications: 6xPlatinum (US), Platinum (New Zealand), Gold (France, Netherlands, UK)

"Some Girls" by Rolling Stones (Click Here)

During the mid 1970s the Rolling Stones went from releasing an album or two per year to one every two years. “Some Girls, their 14th studio album, was released 26 months after “Black and Blue.” Including the mega-hits “Miss You,” “Beast of Burden” and “Shattered,” “Some Girls” was Rolling Stones’ biggest selling album of their entire career.

Mick Jagger took a lead role on the album, mainly because Keith Richards had been arrested for drug possession in Toronto the previous year, and it was unclear what his sentence would be. Facing a maximum of life in prison, Keith had other things to worry about besides making an album. After this was released, the Canadian judge sentenced Richards to continue his addiction treatment and play a benefit concert for the blind.

The album cover for Some Girls was conceived and designed by Peter Corriston, who would design the next three album covers. An elaborate die-cut design, with the colours on the sleeves varying in different markets, it featured the Rolling Stones' faces alongside those of select female celebrities inserted into a copy of an old Valmor Products Corporation advertisement. The cover design was challenged legally when Lucille Ball, Farrah Fawcett, Liza Minnelli (representing her mother Judy Garland), Raquel Welch, and the estate of Marilyn Monroe threatened to sue for the use of their likenesses without permission. Similarly, Valmor did take legal action and were given a monetary award for the use of their design.

The album was quickly re-issued with a redesigned cover that removed all the celebrities, whether they had complained or not. The celebrity images were replaced with black and punk style garish colours with the phrase Pardon our appearance - cover under re-construction. Jagger later apologised to Minnelli when he encountered her during a party at the famous discothèque Studio 54. The only celebrity whose face was not removed was ex-Beatle George Harrison. As with the original design, the colour schemes on the redesigned sleeves varied in different markets.
A third version of the album cover with hand-drawn women was found on the 1986 CD reissue.

The album received a Grammy Award nomination for “Album of the Year,” the award that year went to the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack.

In May 1978, the first single from the album, "Miss You", a prowling, moody number built on a stripped-down disco beat and bluesy pop harmonies, was released to very strong response, garnering the Rolling Stones their last US #1 hit and reaching #3 in the UK. The bass line, horns and drums gave this a disco sound. It alienated many of their fans, but also propelled it to the top of the charts. The Stones thought of it as more R&B than disco. "Miss You" was written by Mick Jagger jamming with keyboardist Billy Preston during rehearsals for the March 1977 El Mocambo club gigs, recordings from which appeared on side three of double live album Love You Live (1977). Keith Richards is credited as co-writer as was the case for all Rolling Stones originals written by either partner or in tandem. “Miss You” was an international hit reaching #1 (US, Canada), #2 (Netherlands), #3 (Belgium, Ireland, UK), #4 (France), #6 (Sweden), #8 (Australia, New Zealand) #11 (Norway, Switzerland) #12 (Germany), #13 (Austria),#18 (Italy) #19 (Finland). The single was certified Gold in the US and Silver in the UK.

"Miss You"

The second single “Beast Of Burden” only charted at #8 in the US but failed to chart elsewhere. “Respectable” was released as a single in Europe where it charted much better than “Burden.” The song made it to #23 (UK), #16 (Ireland, Netherlands) #91 (Australia). The fourth and final single “Shattered” reached #31 (US).

Other album highlights include a great remake of the Temptations 1971 classic “Just My Imagination (Running Away From Me)” and the country-blues tune “Far Away Eyes,” the Stones, longtime country music fans, incorporated many aspects of Bakersfield-style country music into this song. “Far Away Eyes” was used as the b-side to the single “Miss You.”

Rolling Stones (1978)

Link to “Some Girls” (Click Here) 

ROLLING STONES

Maria Muldaur (1973)

"Maria Muldaur" by Maria Muldaur (1973)

Considered a one-hit wonder, Maria Muldaur, had been on the music scene for ten years performing with various musicians and bands including a band her then husband, Geoff Muldaur, was in called Jim Kweskin and The Jug Band. After the Jug Band broke up Geoff and Maria released tow albums as a duo in 1968 and 1972. Finally in 1972 Maria began her solo career and released her first album "Maria Muldaur" in 1973. Her album featured some of the great musicians of the time including David Lindley, Ry Cooder, Andrew Gold and Dr. John.

"Maria Muldaur" by Maria Muldaur (Click Here)

The album featured a mostly bluesy New Orleans jazz style, a sound that Dr. John had been known for throughout his career. The track "Any Old Time," written by country singer/songwriter Jimmie Rodgers, features a decidedly blues vocal with New Orleans styled piano and Hawaiian influenced guitar by David Lindley (we remember Lindley for his classic tune "Mercury Blues"). "Three Dollar Bill" is one of the album's highlights. Co-written by Mac Rebennack (aka Dr. John), "Three Dollar Bill" showcases the great Dr. John in a great horn arrangement and the prolific Jim Gordon on piano. Jim Gordon has worked with many luminaries including Elvin Bishop, Paul Butterfield, Linda Ronstadt, Delaney Bramlett, Jessi Colter, Waylon Jennings, Bonnie Raitt, The Band, Rod Stewart, Rita Coolidge and many others. Andrew Gold, singer and songwriter of the song, "Thank You For Being A Friend" was prominently featured playing acoustic guitar on the jazzy "Vaudeville Man," a song in which Dr. John tinkles the ivories. Maria does a charming rendition of Dolly Parton’s “My Tennessee Mountain Home.”

The album's prominent highlight is the smash single "Midnight At The Oasis" which reached #6 in the US and #21 in the UK in 1973. The song enjoyed a major amount of radio airplay that lasted several years. The song impressed critics and peers alike so much that it was nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 17th Annual Grammy Awards held in 1975.

David Nichtern, songwriter of “Midnight At The Oasis said, "I wrote the song before I started working with Maria... the details are a little bit intimate, but let's just say there was a girl, a waterbed, feta cheese and grape leaves, and a Martin 000-18 (acoustic guitar) near by.

I actually produced the demo (in Woodstock) that got Maria her Warner Bros solo artist deal, so I was on the map already with them to that extent. On that demo was a song I wrote called 'I Never Did Sing You a Lovesong' which made it onto her album as well as a track that Wendy Waldman wrote called 'Mad Mad Me (I Love You)' which made it onto the album as it was so I got producer credit for that track.
My memory is that I came out to LA and got to play rhythm guitar on several tracks. From there I got more and more involved with the record. At a rehearsal, I played 'Midnight at the Oasis' for Lenny Waronker and he liked it and wanted to include it on the record. We recorded it with some great musicians - Jim Gordon on drums (who later went crazy and killed his own mother and went to prison for life I think). Freebo played bass, Mark Jordan on piano and me on acoustic guitar. Later, Famous Amos Garrett added that amazing electric guitar part and solo, which in some circles is as famous as the song itself. Warner’s released the album and then Midnight as the first single... they hung in there with it for something like nine months until it took off.... that might not happen today... the rest is herstory as they say..."

In an interview with Maria, she explained: “I was making my first solo album for Warner Brothers in 1973, and I had just recently separated from my then-husband, Geoff Muldaur, who not only was my partner, but also my musical partner, and sort of the mastermind of, musically, whatever we did together. So being a solo artist was completely strange and alien and rather scary territory for me.

And so I was out in California finding myself in the studio with all the top guns: Dr. John, Ry Cooder, David Lindley; I mean, all the fabulous guys that played on my first album. And I had been working with a young guitarist named David Nichtern when I first separated from Geoffrey. He was very encouraging and told me, 'You can do this.' I was just sobbing and I was a mess. We had a little talk and he would say, 'Look, people still know you from the Jug Band, and if I can get work in these little coffee houses, you can, too.' And so we put together a few tunes, and he got us some gigs. This was real low-profile stuff. I'd be crying all the way up to the gig, and he'd say, 'Okay, dry your eyes and wash your face. We're on in half an hour.' And he was just a very supportive little brother to me.

And so when I found myself out in California doing this solo album, I was going to do one of his songs. He's a very lovely songwriter and he'd written this beautiful song called 'I Never Did Sing You a Lovesong.' Very lyrical little waltz-y, kind of a country waltz kind of thing. And he knew I had all these really fabulous musicians at the studio. But he came out on his own dime, because he just felt, well, maybe they'll let him play rhythm guitar on his own tune or something. So he came on out in his little VW bug and slept on a mattress on my living room floor in the Hollywood Hills and came to the studio, was observing everything, and did get to play on his own song.

And then we were almost finished recording, the producer came in the studio and said, 'You know, I've been listening to the rough mixes, and I think we're in pretty good shape.' He said, 'You know, we've got some up tempo stuff and we've got some nice ballads. I think if we had one more medium tempo song, then the album would be nicely balanced out, we'd be in good shape. Does anything come to mind?'

So David was standing right there, and just off the top of my head, kind of as a gesture of gratitude to him because he had been so supportive to me, kind of holding my hand through all of this, which was very overwhelming, you know, I'd never been in that position before of being a solo artist and trying to make my way through an album that was all about me. And I said, 'Well, David has this song. It's a funny little song, really, but it is medium tempo.' I said, 'David, play them 'Midnight at the Oasis' and see what you think.' Which I'd heard before and I thought it was just a goofy little song; I didn't think much of it one way or the other. So he whipped out his guitar and started to play it on the guitar, and I sang it. And the producer cocked his head, he said, 'Oh, that's cute, okay, wanna do that one?' So as a gesture to David, I said, 'Yeah, let's do that one. I have no other bright ideas.' And we called in some great studio players and we cut it. And the rest is history."

After “Midnight At The Oasis” had been a hit Maria came back in 1974 with her second hit “I’m A Woman,” which made it to #12 on the US single chart. Saving her from being a one hit wonder.

"Midnight At The Oasis"

Amazon link to “Maria Muldaur”: CLICK HERE