Press

Press Release - Mark Pucci Media

Mark Pucci Media

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2011
Contact: Mark Pucci (770) 804-9555 / mpmedia@bellsouth.net

MARIA MULDAUR’S SOULFUL NEW CD, STEADY LOVE, SET FOR WORLD-WIDE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 27
ON STONY PLAIN RECORDS

New Album Recorded in Her Musical and Spiritual Home of New Orleans Is a Return to Her
“Bluesiana Sound”


EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records announces a September 27 world-wide release date for legendary singer Maria Muldaur’s newest album, Steady Love, her seventh album for the Edmonton-based independent label that this year marked its 35th anniversary. Self-produced by Muldaur, Steady Love is one of the most accessible, joyful and soul satisfying releases in her ever growing catalog of memorable music. Stony Plain is distributed in the U.S. by ADA, in Canada by Warner Music, and in foreign territories by a variety of well-established distribution companies.

Over the last decade, Maria Muldaur has released a quartet of lovingly and authentically produced acoustic blues albums paying tribute to the early blues pioneers and legends, and garnering multiple Grammy and Blues Foundation nominations. Now – detouring from her ongoing exploration of vintage blues – for her latest release, Maria has decided to return to her much beloved New Orleans to record a contemporary electric blues album that reflects the kind of music she loves to perform live – what she calls “Bluesiana Music” – her own brand of New Orleans-flavored blues, R&B and “swamp funk.”

Steady Love contains a compelling mix of contemporary blues tunes written by some of America’s greatest blues poets, including Percy Mayfield, Greg Brown, Eric Bibb, Bobby Charles, Stephen Bruton, Elvin Bishop, Henry Glover and others. Some are debuted here for the very first time, while others are culled from the repertoires of The Staple Singers, Levon Helm, B.B. King, Sugar Pie DeSanto and Arthur Adams. In addition to some high-powered straight-ahead blues, the album features uplifting, gospel-tinged blues numbers like Bruton’s “Walk by Faith,” “I Am Not Alone,” written by Rick Vito, and a stirring, heart wrenching rendition of Mayfield’s perennial classic, “Please Send Me Someone to Love;” plus high-spirited versions of classic gospel anthems, “I Done Made It Up in My Mind” and “As an Eagle Stirreth in Her Nest.”

The soul and grit of Steady Love comes from Muldaur’s distinctive, deep and impassioned vocals soulfully preachin’ and shoutin’ the blues, and the greasy grooves laid down by an A-list of New Orleans funk veterans. Keyboard wizard and funkmeister David Torkanowsky, guitarist Shane Theriot, who literally wrote the book on New Orleans funk guitar (2002’s New Orleans Funk Guitar Styles), bassist Johnny Allen (a key member of roots/funk favorites, the subdudes) and drummer Kenny Blevins (drummer in John Hiatt’s all-star backing band, The Goners) all turn in inspired, high octane performances.

Contributions from New Orleans traditional jazz ‘n’ funk drummer Shannon Powell, local guitar ace Cranston Clements, and a final mix by veteran Grammy-winning producer John Porter, all work to make this one of the most attention-grabbing, widely accessible and soul-satisfying releases of Muldaur’s remarkably prolific, varied and vibrant career.

Backed by her Red Hot Bluesiana Band, Maria will support the release of Steady Love with extensive touring, with key shows at major markets around North America, including what promises to be a highlight event at Snug Harbor in New Orleans on October 15.

Maria’s rarely been off the road since she recorded her seminal classic, “Midnight at the Oasis,” on her first major label album, back in 1974. And as Steady Love proves, she continues to make powerful music!
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Please check the following websites:
www.stonyplainrecords.com
www.mariamuldaur.com

For further information, new high resolution photographs,
and interview arrangements please contact:

In the United States: Mark Pucci
Mark Pucci Media
770 804-9555
mpmedia@bellsouth.net
www.markpuccimedia.com
In Canada: Richard Flohil
Richard Flohil & Associates
416 351-1323
rflohil@sympatico.ca
www.richardflohil.com
Booking: Charlie Ellicott
Second Octave Talent
707 773-3170
cellicott@secondoctave.com
www.secondoctave.com