Maria Muldaur Richard McCaffrey/ Michael Ochs Archive/ Getty Images
People ask me if I ever get tired of singing that song and I go, ‘Hell, no!’” she says. “Who knows why people all over the world are so attracted to a goofy little song about a camel. But they are and, to this day, I can still tour based on that, even though I’ve done so much more in my long career. A few years ago, I was asked to headline a jazz festival in Borneo, of all places. –quote from Relix article
Maria Muldaur (nee Maria Grazia Rosa Domenica D’Amato) (b. 9/12/42) is an American folk and blues singer who was part of the American folk music revival in the early 1960s. She recorded the 1973 hit song “Midnight at the Oasis” and has recorded albums in the folk, blues, early jazz, gospel, country, and R&B traditions.
She was the wife of musician Geoff Muldaur and is the mother of singer-songwriter Jenni Muldaur.
Early Life:
Muldaur was born in Greenwich Village, NYC. She attended Hunter College High School.
I wasn’t able to find a lot about her upbringing in the usual places, but I did find this 8-part interview she did where she talks about her upbringing in Greenwich Village and beyond. (Please note that the link is to part 1 of 8 parts. If you have auto-next set on YouTube, it will go through all 8 parts.) Most excellent and well worth a listen.
Musical Beginnings:
Muldaur cites as early musical influences classic country music by Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Hank Thompson, Ernest Tubb, and Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys; early rhythm and blues artists like Chuck Willis, Little Richard, Ruth Brown, Fats Domino, and Muddy Waters; Alan Freed “rock ‘n’ roll” shows; and doo-wop groups such as The Platters and The Five Satins.
As a child, she loved country & western music and began singing with her aunt at age five; during her teenage years, she moved on to R&B and early rock & roll, and in high school formed a girl group called the Cashmeres. Growing up in the Greenwich Village area, she became fascinated with its booming early-’60s folk revival scene and soon began participating in jam sessions. She also moved to North Carolina for a while to study Appalachian-style fiddle with Doc Watson.
Muldaur began her career in the early 1960s as Maria D’Amato, performing with John Sebastian, David Grisman, and Stefan Grossman as a member of the Even Dozen Jug Band. She then joined Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band as a featured vocalist and occasional fiddle player. During this time, she was part of the Greenwich Village scene that included Bob Dylan, and
She married fellow Jug Band member Geoff Muldaur, and after the Kweskin group broke up, the couple produced two albums. She began her solo career when their marriage ended in 1972 but retained her married name.
Her first solo album, Maria Muldaur, released in 1973, contained her hit single “Midnight at the Oasis,” which reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. It peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart. Later that year, she released her second album, Waitress in a Donut Shop. This included a re-recording of “I’m a Woman”, the Leiber and Stoller number first associated with Peggy Lee and a standout feature from her Jug Band days. Her version of the song peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was her last Hot 100 hit in the U.S. to date. The title of this album is taken from a line in another song on the album, “Sweetheart”, by Ken Burgan.
Around this time, Muldaur established a relationship with the Grateful Dead. Opening for some Grateful Dead shows in the summer of 1974, with John Kahn, bassist of the Jerry Garcia Band, eventually earned her a seat in that group as a backing vocalist in the late 1970s. Around the same time Muldaur met and eventually collaborated with bluegrass icon Peter Rowan.
Discography:
With the Even Dozen Jug Band: 1
With Jim Kweskin and the Jug Band: 4
With Geoff and Maria Muldaur: 2
Solo: 39 albums!
With Jerry Garcia Band: 4
With Paul Butterfield’s Better Days: 2
Other Contributions: 10
Filmography:
Some of her recollections of the Greenwich Village period, particularly with respect to Bob Dylan, appear in Martin Scorsese’s 2005 documentary film No Direction Home.
Official website: here
Sources: wikipedia, Relix.com, allmusic.com, Living Legends on YouTube.
Tao Talk 
Nice post 🌹🌹
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Thanks!
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You read so much about the artists that lived and played in Greenwich Village but I don’t recall hearing of any that were born there! What a remarkable career, all those albums, amazing. Maria Muldaur has the best attitude I’ve heard about being a one hit wonder. No surprise she’s had such a long career.
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Good point about being born and raised in G Village. Yes, she’s flown under the radar for a long time beyond her one hit but what an adventure she’s led before and after the hit door was opened.
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Another great choice! How many from the Greenwich Village folk scene were actually born in the neighborhood? And here she is in the early days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCgXZVOgmec . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m8h6Gq5utE
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Steve, Randy also marveled that she was born and raised in the village. Thanks for the share on her early days. If you click on the links under her discography section it takes you to YouTubes of her early days also.
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Yes, ‘Midnight At The Oasis’ was her one and only hit here in the UK
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Glyn, it’s the only one I knew her for. I was also surprised to learn she was a backup singer for Jerry Garcia Band.
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She has such a rough voice when she wants to…which is really cool! I’ll never forget her giant hit..I’m 7 when I hear it.
I have read about her some in some Grateful Dead books…seems like a great lady…and now…after hearing these songs…I know where the Bessie Smith influence comes in!
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:) Very cool, Max.
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I mostly know Maria Muldaur by name. “Midnight at the Oasis” reminds me of Ricki Lee Jones. It looks like Muldaur (now 81) is still performing!
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:)
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I had to google Midnight at the Oasis… ahhh yes! Now I know that song but am unfamiliar with anything else she did. Love the two songs you shared. Excellent voice :)
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Glad you gave her a listen, Dale. Under the discography, each link takes you to another song of hers, with the various bands she was in.
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Oh, I believe you! You’ve been most thorough with your choices!
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:)
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she has some really great songs! <3
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Yes, she does!
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Well you know I like her version of “Mad Mad Me”. Another great and distinctive voice. (K)
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great tune!
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Thanks for the link. The library even has this CD but I have so many things out right now, I’ll wait to reserve it. But good to know it’s there!
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Ooh Kerfe geeked to hear you have many things checked out from the library. I started working on a new collage yesterday, and I stole an idea from you and am adapting it. It will be a surprise until you see it.
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I like surprises.
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I’m surprised I’ve never heard of her. She definitely seems like someone I would listen to and be interested in. Thanks for sharing:)
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Happy to introduce Maria to you :)
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Excellent addition today, Lisa. Well done!
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Thanks, Nancy, glad you think so.
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She is the spirit and soul, the queen of Bluesiana!
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<3
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Big fan. Have a bunch of her records. Dan Hicks had two great vocalists. Maryann Price and Naomi Ruth Eisenberg. Along with Maria they were my faves at the time. They are still in my spin cycle.
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I really enjoyed listening to the interview with her. She certainly lived her dreams. I like how you put this: “They are still in my spin cycle.”
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My ear leans towards these easier delivered vocals. ‘Sweetheart’ is in my favorite song list
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Just listened to it. It’s a good’n.
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Maryann Price did it on Last Train To Hicksville that was the first time I heard it. Like we talked about it’s the connections we have with music and how it moves us. I’m a huge Dan Hick and Hot Licks fan.
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