Maria Muldaur – One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey (Nola Blue Records)

Bucket list album finds Muldaur honoring a hugely influential mentor

Maria Muldaur is truly a singular artist that refuses to be categorized. In a career that’s spanned over 60 years, she’s tackled everything from rock and blues, to folk, jugband, and even kids’ music.  For the last 15 years or so, Muldaur has concentrated her energy toward paying homage to the early female artists of the 20th century, giving nods to both Memphis Minnie and Blue Lu Barker.  

Now comes her ultimate tribute, One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey.  It honors an early blues pioneer of the 30’s and 40’s who, in the 60’s, offered Muldaur her first opportunity to record; giving her tips and tricks on singing the blues along the way.  Spivey was one of the first female artists to really push the envelope, recording bawdy, suggestive music in a time where that was strictly taboo.  

The album opens with “My Handy Man” – Maria’s understated vocal is perfect for the endless stream of double entendres.’ The backing from New Orleans’ purists, Tuba Skinny, is exquisitely sympathetic – the Dixieland groove gently swings, but never overpowers.  I love the duet between old buddy Elvin Bishop and Muldaur on “What Makes You Act Like That.” It’s good fun.  Bishop growls while Muldaur coos.  

These are all blues numbers, but each one has its own feel.  “Don’t Love No Married Man” is slow and dark, while “Dreaming of You” is lighthearted, showing the versatility of Spiveys’ music. Some of the songs really must’ve been scandalous back in the day, like “Organ Grinder Blues.”  

Muldaur is absolutely perfect for these songs.  She purrrrs during “One Hour Mama” and it’s exactly what the song needs.  Others might have over-sung or made it a novelty, but she imbues  it with a wink and a smile.  

The other duet on One Hour Mama is “Gotta Have What it Takes” teaming Muldaur with the legendary Taj Mahal.  The two spar back and forth in classic blues style.  

“Any-Kind-a-Man” is an empowering song, something completely unheard of in the early 1900’s.“T-B Blues” closes the record with a sad, Dixieland feel.  

In the extensive liner notes, Muldaur talks about how Spivey influenced her career at an early age, plus we get a bio on Spivey, really shedding light on an under-appreciated artist.  —Tony Peters