Southland of the Heart
Muldaur's rich voice has only ripened with age. On this 1998 release, her roots-rock blend includes any style with the slightest hint of soul, including gospel, folk, blues, and R&B.; The outstanding "Get Up, Get Ready" is a smoky jazz-blues shuffle with support from Mike Thompson's liquid electric piano and the Chambers Brothers' gospel-tinged backup vocal. Bruce Cockburn's panoramic title track owns a country feel, while "Latersville" calls to mind, of all bands, Steely Dan. Two eerie and stark Greg Brown covers, a New Orleans-style workout, and a raunchy Chicago blues bring Muldaur full circle.--Marc Greilsamer