There is a Love

Description

There is a Love is a gospel album by the American folk and blues singer Maria Muldaur, released on Myrrh Records in February 1982, a division of Word. The album was recorded at Magnolia Sound Studios in North Hollywood, California; with T-Bone Burnett producing. Featuring Koinonia as the session band.

In 1979, deeply inspired by Bob Dylan’s “Slow Train Coming” album, I had an epiphany that led me to become reacquainted with my Creator in a deeply personal & life-changing way ~ Though I had always loved Gospel music & included it in my repertoire, this led to me recording 2 entirely gospel albums collaborating with a stellar roster of absolutely AMAZING gospel artists within 2 years. [Maria Muldaur, September 2021 comment on Facebook]

Back in the ’60s, Muldaur was a folky and running in the same New York circles as Bob Dylan. Perhaps it’s no surprise then that Dylan’s conversion album ‘Slow Train Coming‘ impacted her so deeply that she found faith herself. Best known in the UK for her 1974 hit «Midnight At The Oasis», this solo 1982 album reflected her new found faith as she teamed up with former Dylan sidesman turned producer T Bone Burnett. Blessed with a bluesy voice reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt, Muldaur tackles a pile of songs that reflect her new found faith. Highlights include «I Do» which has an understated groove and fine horn parts and retells a few Bible stories that encourage Muldaur to pursue Jesus. The horn filled soulfulness continues on «Infinite Mystery» and the title track has a haunting Muldaur vocal. But it’s the closing gospel blues track «Is My Living In Vain» – an old Clark Sisters song – which is the standout here. Aimed at the Christian market and released by one of the more significant labels of the era, Word’s Myrrh, the album didn’t establish Muldaur on the Christian scene despite its many merits. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, November 2011]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Keep My Eyes On You” – 4:01
A2. “I Was Made To Love You” – 3:41
A3. “There Is A Love” – 4:10
A4. “Sondown” – 5:30

Side Two
B1. “I Do” – 4:06
B2. “Infinite Mercy” – 4:47
B3. “In The Holy Name Of Jesus” – 3:12
B4. “Is My Living In Vain” – 5:01

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.

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A full-page advertisement for various new releases on Word Records, including Maria Muldaur’s There Is Love, was featured in the October 2, 1982 issue of Billboard Magazine. (The same edition as well featured a large section dedicated to gospel music, entitled A Billboard Special Report: Gospel Music – Shedding Light Along the Way.) The same advertisement was also featured in the August 7, 1982 issue of CashBox Magazine.

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