When I was young before I had cassettes, the only good way of making a playlist of songs was to stack 45s on the turntable. I would arrange them to play my favorite songs in my favorite order. These posts are about records I had in my stacks.
“Midnight at the Oasis” is a song performed by Maria Muldaur, released in 1973. The song was written by David Nichtern, an American songwriter and guitarist. He was an accomplished musician, songwriter, and meditation teacher. Aside from this song, Nichtern has worked with various artists and contributed to the soundtrack of the film “Midnight Cowboy.”
The track gained significant popularity and became Muldaur’s most successful single, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Muldaur is an American folk and blues singer who achieved mainstream success with “Midnight at the Oasis.” Born on September 12, 1943, in New York City, Muldaur has had a diverse career in the music industry.
She started as part of the folk music revival in the 1960s and later explored various genres, including jazz, gospel, and R&B. Muldaur is known for her soulful voice and ability to interpret a wide range of musical styles. The lyrics of “Midnight at the Oasis” evoke a sense of exoticism and sensuality. The song creates a dreamy, Middle Eastern atmosphere with its imagery and metaphors. The phrase “Midnight at the oasis” conjures up visions of a romantic and mystical setting,
where the singer invites someone to join her for a night of pleasure and escape. The song’s playful and seductive lyrics, combined with Muldaur’s sultry delivery, contribute to its enduring charm. The lyric, “Cactus is our friend”, is used several times in the song, but cacti are New World plants (native to North America, South America, and the West Indies) and are not naturally found on the Arabian Peninsula. In 2008, Muldaur recalled that she wanted to add the song to her album as an “afterthought” at the last minute.
She has acknowledged that people do approach her at her concerts or events and claim that this song has inspired sexual encounters, loss of virginity, and pregnancy. “Any Old Time” is the B-side and also a very nice tune.
Personnel
- Maria Muldaur – vocals
- David Nichtern – acoustic guitar
- Mark T. Jordan – piano
- Greg Prestopino – voices
- Freebo – bass
- Amos Garrett – electric guitar
- Jim Gordon – drums
- Nick DeCaro – string arrangements
Amos Garrett, the esteemed Canadian electric guitarist born on November 26, 1941, has made significant contributions to various musical genres through his remarkable career. He is renowned for his exceptional skills on the electric guitar and has played with several influential bands and artists. Garrett is notably associated with the folk-rock group Ian and Sylvia during the 1960s,
where his innovative guitar work became a defining element of their sound. Additionally, he has collaborated with artists like Paul Butterfield, Emmylou Harris, and Bonnie Raitt, showcasing his versatility across blues, country, and rock genres.
Jim Gordon, born on July 14, 1945, was a highly talented American drummer who made significant contributions to the music industry. He was a founding member of the blues-rock group Derek and the Dominos, collaborating with Eric Clapton on their acclaimed album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.” Unfortunately, Gordon’s later years were marred by personal struggles, including mental health issues. In 1983, he was convicted of murdering his mother during a psychotic episode, leading to his incarceration.
This tragic turn of events marked the end of Gordon’s musical career, and he has remained in prison since then, serving a life sentence. Despite his once-prominent role in the world of rock and roll, Gordon’s life took a devastating turn, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental health issues.
Midnight at the Oasis written by David Nichtern
Midnight at the oasis
Send your camel to bed
Shadows painting our faces
Traces of romance in our heads
Heaven's holding a half-moon
Shining just for us
Let's slip off to a sand dune, real soon
And kick up a little dust
Come on, Cactus is our friend
He'll point out the way
Come on, till the evening ends
'Til the evening ends
You don't have to answer
There's no need to speak
I'll be your belly dancer, prancer
And you can be my sheik
I know your daddy's a sultan
A nomad known to all
With fifty girls to attend him, they all send him
Jump at his beck and call
But you won't need no harem, honey
When I'm by your side
And you won't need no camel, no no
When I take you for a ride
Come on, Cactus is our friend
He'll point out the way
Come on, till the evening ends
'Til the evening ends
Midnight at the oasis
Send your camel to bed
Got shadows painting our faces
And traces of romance in our heads
Oh come on, oh come on
Woo hoo hoo, yeah, oh yeah
Oh oh, yeah, yeah
Further Reading
Sources
- “Maria Muldaur – Official Website” https://mariamuldaur.com/
- “David Nichtern – Official Website” https://davidnichtern.com/
- “Midnight at the Oasis – Wikipedia” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_at_the_Oasis#Charts
- “Midnight At The Oasis” https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/maria-muldaur/midnight-at-the-oasis
