"Midnight at the Oasis" is a song by the American singer Maria Muldaur from her 1973 debut album, Maria Muldaur. Written by David Nichtern, it is her best-known recording.
The song is an offer of a desert love affair in a fantasy setting. AllMusic reviewer Matthew Greenwald describes the song as "so sensual and evocative that it was probably one of the most replayed records of the era and may be responsible for the most pregnancies from a record during the mid-'70s."[4]
The song includes an instrumental section that features the guitar work of Amos Garrett.[5]
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.[6]
A version of "Midnight at the Oasis" was recorded by British acid jazz and funk group Brand New Heavies, attributed to "Brand New Heavies featuring N'Dea Davenport".[17] This version was released in July 1994 by FFRR and Delicious Vinyl, and reached number 13 in the UK and number 11 in Scotland in August 1994. It was their biggest hit up until the departure of Davenport, when "Sometimes" made number 11 in 1997 with new singer Siedah Garrett. "Midnight at the Oasis" was featured on their 1994 album Brother Sister.
Critical reception
Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian stated that N'Dea Davenport, "whose glistening voice glorifies even a lazy cover version of 'Midnight at the Oasis'."[18] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton described it as a "faithfully rendered cover".[19] A reviewer from Music & Media said, "Usually lite funky music is identified with garden parties and romantic restaurants at night by trendy clubbers, but not if marketed under the acid jazz banner. This is hip guys!"[20] Alan Jones from Music Week gave it four out of five and named it Pick of the Week, writing, "Stripped of the stretched jazzy gliding that typified Maria Muldaur's original, this 1974 hit is speeded up somewhat but adapts perfectly to the Acid Jazz treatment. More radical overhauls are also included for clubs, where the record is already going down a storm."[21] Ian McCann from NME declared it as "a latinish cover".[22] Tony Cross from Smash Hits said it "sounds suspiciously like a funked-up Barry Manilow song".[23]
Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single. It was directed by directors Max Giwa and Dania Pasquini, known as just Max & Dania.[24]
Track listing
CD single, UK
"Midnight at the Oasis" (Radio Version) – (3:48)
"Midnight at the Oasis" (Rogers Brand New Radio Anthem) – (4:35)
CD single, UK (BNHCD 05)
"Midnight at the Oasis" (Radio Version) – (3:48)
"Midnight at the Oasis" (Extended Version)
"Midnight at the Oasis" (Opaz 7" Version)
"Midnight at the Oasis" (Roger's Brand New Radio Anthem) – (4:35)
Percy Faith recorded an easy listening version on Chinatown Feat. the Entertainer (1974), which features the guitar work of Larry Carlton.
A cover version of the song appears on the album Dust Yourself Off (1975) by the funk band Pleasure.
Saxophone instrumental version by Rudy Pompilli, player for Bill Haley & His Comets), was included on his 1976 album Rudy's Rock: The Sax That Changed the World.
Betty Wright Live (1978), by Betty Wright, includes a medley version of "Clean Up Woman" that includes parts of "Midnight at the Oasis".
The Sun City Girls released a version of the song on their album Midnight Cowboys from Ipanema (1986).
The American jazz guitarist Steve Oliver released a version of the song on his album First View (1993).
Nicole Henry covered the song in her album “Time to Love Again” (2021).
Remix version
In 2004, Muldaur's original version was featured on the CD What Is Hip: Remix Project 1, a compilation of pop songs remixed for the clubs. The single is billed as the "Cuica Remix", with the track extended from its 3:49 recording to 4:49, incorporating portions of the background vocal, strings, and instrumental break with semi-chilled out Ibiza-themed elements.[citation needed]
In popular culture
An instrumental version was used in the movie White Line Fever (1975), as was another David Nichtern song, "Drifting and Dreaming of You".
