The Story Behind Midnight at the Oasis

No infringement of copyright is intended in any way under DMCA, under the terms of fair use for education.
Resources & References:
Wikipedia, Midnight at the Oasis: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnigh...
Wikipedia, Maria Muldaur: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_M...
1974 Live Version: • Maria Muldaur - Midnig...
1974 Midnight Special Version: • Video
David Nichtern’s KZbin Channel: / davidnichtern
2008 Interview with Maria Muldaur about her life, career & Midnight at the Oasis: • Maria Muldaur (4 of 8)...
Amos Garrett & Cathay St. Germain, Midnight at the Oasis (2013): • DAY587 - Cathy St. Ger...
2016 Maria Muldaur Concert with Midnight at the Oasis: • MARIA MULDAUR LIVE IN ...

[@j.d.waterhouse4197]

One of those songs which came out when the majority of music produced was full of beauty rather than hate and angst

[@artvandelay8090]

You got that right!

[@ianbauer4703]

Righteous music and time.

[@thatcanadian6698]

I miss the 70's too.

[@FUCKINGENIOUS]

😂😂😂😂

[@omegoa]

One of my favorite songs of all time.

[@montyb10009]

Mine too.

[@qasimat]

I absolutely LOVE Midnight at the Oasis. My wife and I married in August 1974, and this remained a favorite of ours until death claimed her in 2022.

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

🙏🏻😔🙏🏻👊🏻

[@qasimat]

@@StreetsOfVancouverChannel thank you

[@J.A.G.618]

.⬛⬛⬛🌌🌒⬛🌌⬛⬛ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ .. 🐫🌴🏝️🌴💃🌵🌴🌴 That is so lovely. She's in her heavenly Oasis waiting for you when your time comes to join her. Full of love.❤❤❤

[@qasimat]

@@J.A.G.618 thank you! Each word of encouragement is a help and a blessing.

[@chrisclermont456]

So sorry for your loss!!

[@patrickhenri6739]

She gave me a romantic feeling about love in desert. This is one unforgettable song, I appreciate the information.

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

I think everyone has a good memory of this song.

[@rjwh67220]

The guitar on this song is some of the greatest playing of all time.

[@tometheridge4711]

Amos Garrett

[@RaymondGuyLaFauci]

Amos Garrett with a classic solo. Here Amos with Butterfield, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmOneH9nr7Z-Zrc

[@kevincoffey6022]

Amos Garrett's solo is one of the best of all time (I am a guitarist)@@tometheridge4711

[@MHarenArt]

One of my favorite songs. Great lyrics and Maria's voice is super unique and perfect for this one in particular. Her rendition put me in the desert to feel the heat of the day, the cool of the night, the smell of camels in the air, visions of pretty women in harems. Just a genius song, music lyrics and voice - unbeatable combination!

[@ginogina4589]

Loved this song the moment I heard it. I was 25 and in a bad marriage. The song was sultry and hopeful and helped me get through. I remember it vividly. Thanks Maria.

[@mitcher420]

The thing about it, is that this song feels like 1974. And that is a good thing.

[@letitrest4662]

I was just a kid of fourteen when the song came out. You know that when you're a teenager, music can lift you into bliss. Certain Songs, you take for granted at the time, but years later they give you a memorable feeling in your gut. They take your spirit back in time. Midnight...., is one of those songs. No special meaning other than, I can remember listening to it, and it took me out of my "uncertain teen doldrums". I think many of us had those. We weren't happy, but didn't know it. Then a song would play that you'd sing along with, and before you knew it your spirits were lifted. Thanks Maria....

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

Thank you for sharing that. It's a song that just makes you feel good when you hear it.

[@kellie9668]

I was...10 !! Still remember it fondly 🐪🐫🐪🐫 And I have to say YOU...need to write lyrics ✌

[@billmcloughlan3718]

MARIAS VOICE AND SWAY SULTRY HOT..STILL HOT...!!!.

[@mikehollins1594]

Well said. I was 14 as well and Midnight was a happy place.

[@mitcher420]

14 here too.

[@edrekers8445]

Midnight at the Oasis is one of those exceptional songs that comes along once in a blue moon. The chords, chord structures, melody, and guitar work, are exceptional. Maria's voice was a great fit for this song. When a song like this is introduced to the right artist it becomes a hit with a long life. I just listened to this song again today after not hearing it for many years and I found myself thrilled over it's life once again. Simply great!!

[@Southpaw42]

I Always Thought This Was One The Most Beautiful Ballads Ever Made. Thanks For This Memory.

[@J.A.G.618]

🙆🏼‍♀️ don't forget Jefferson starship Miracles

[@eagle1ear]

Muldaur's "Oasis" has always stayed in my musical memory. Still brings a smile and great memories....

[@doelljonathan6809]

great song... after all these years, i still listen to it and sing along...

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

We have a radio station here that plays classic pop/soft rock from the '60's - today and this song is in rotation.

[@michaeldonovan7325]

I think the guitar part in this song is what got me to like it very much. And of course Maria Miles he's voice was great also.

[@Esus4]

Jimmy Page raved about it too.

[@rjwh67220]

If you like Amos, check out the Hungry Chuck album.

[@bonjovi1612]

Such a dreamy song, really resonated with me as a love struck teenager, into Bogart and Casablanca at the time.

[@blazerprophet]

The guitar in that song is as fine as I have ever heard and really sets the tone and mood of the song.

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

I agree...the song really starts off with a great tempo and the solo is engaging too!

[@benvye4279]

In my opinion one of the finest electric guitar solos ever recorded.

[@Blkojo]

In my opinion the greatest guitar solo ever recorded.

[@shevetlevi2821]

This is such a wonderful song and performed perfectly. It's sultry and evokes the romance of a desert night.

[@brooklynboy1000]

One of the best guitar solos of the era Very hard to recreate. It’s more than just notes

[@RaymondGuyLaFauci]

Amos Garrett with a classic solo. Here's Amos with Butterfield, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmOneH9nr7Z-Zrc

[@randellmathews5961]

It’s extremely rare when so many elements in the universe come together like they did in this song ! The guitar , Excellent !

[@Sootaroot]

What a wonderful history lesson. If there was ever an example of a song and an artist being destined for each other, this is it. Other performers may cover it, and good luck to them all, but Maria Muldaur's will forever be the definitive version because it is perfection. Gentle and sublime, tantalizing and alluring, this is the song to turn to for uplift when spirits are low. When sadness comes and nothing can sooth the hurt, this will provide a healing effect. Most lovely of all, as this video has pointed out, the song was responsible for new romances starting, and even new lives. Imagine: to have been conceived while this record was playing! And to think it nearly never made it on to the album.

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

Very well said, thank you!

[@kennethwright8108]

Wow, absolutely love your comment!! 👍 "Romance"

[@borisblvd5354]

I met Maria in Dallas back in 1990 when she was touring as a backup singer for Todd Rundgren. She was very sweet & smooth. Gorgeous!..We also talked to Vince Welnick there in the hotel lobby, shortly before he was adopted by The Grateful Dead, to become their final keyboard player...Precious memories.

[@taloowa5800]

I love David Nichtern. He is the funniest guy to work with in the studio. Super Talent! 😀MATO is a great song sung with beauty by Maria.

[@lindabryan1659]

I was Maria's asst. years ago and besides being immensely talented she is funny as hell.

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

That's awesome...she seems like a great person. I listened to some interviews with her. And I just heard Mo Ostin died the other day at 95.

[@LeoraLaGraffe]

Always loved this song. The great Jim Gordon, RIP, wrote and played the drum part that made this song addictive. So many have forgotten the contributions he made to the music of the late sixties and the seventies.

[@pljms]

Such a unique song and sung by a unique singer. It's hard to explain now just how different the record sounded in 1974 because there was nothing remotely like it out there at the time.

[@txdave2]

I was 18 years old when this came out. I was dating the girl who would eventually become my wife. We both loved this song. 49 years later, still married to that wonderful girl and we both still love this song. 1974 was a great year,

[@pauljanssen7594]

She's such a great singer I got to see her in her later years she was such a precious lady to see. And to get her autograph with priceless.

[@karenfeneisbaker]

I worked at a Talbots clothing store in 1999. Midnight at the Oasis was part of the soundtrack and I could count on hearing this amazing song multiple times each shift. Now, in 2023, I rediscovered the song after a discussion with my kids about camels. 😂 I still remembered the lyrics. ❤❤

[@richardparsons3231]

In the late 70s we went to see Maria at an old theater in Murphy CA. She sang a lot of songs and then started to leave without singing Midnight at the Oasis! We were so hell bent on hearing it that we yelled and yelled for her to come back and sing it..and thank goodness she did!! We have a bar in Chico, CA that is called the Oasis also named the "O", so it meant a lot to us..Thanks Maria

[@stevehall7601]

Can't spend time in Chico and not know about The "O"

[@jimperry4420]

My brother had the 45. He played it constantly because he saw her on Don Kirshner’s rock concert and was in love. Lol. They still play that song on Sirius to this day. Always makes me smile remembering our childhood.

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

It's a great nostalgia song. She was definitely a hottie back in the day.

[@seuyt88]

What a treat to have just come across a video on the story about this beauty of a song!

[@rentaroo]

This song always takes me back to the 70s and a girl that didn't even know I existed that I had a huge crush on.

[@susanindy6406]

I always loved this song - I still have the record. She has a great voice & I love how she sings it. 😀

[@mdmarko]

Remember seeing her in concert in Monterey in the summer of 1975. Was down in front. Great concert.

[@JimSwanson-eo2un]

As someone who plays guitar and was raised in the mid and late sixties rock and roll, I was absolutely stunned by Amos Garrett’s guitar solo on “Midnight At The Oasis” by Maria Muldaur. Its smooth sophisticated awesome style had me listening to it over and over again. I always vote Mr. Garrett’s solo as my all-time favorite as well as Maria’s incredible performance on the record. Someday I’ll try to get the guts to learn that solo.

[@kevincoffey6022]

totally agree. Incredible guitar.

[@irishwake8347]

I loved this song then and I love it now. Great tune and lyrics. Maria’s sexy voice and appearance really did it for me. Wish I was 18 again instead of 70.

[@elainemoreland3908]

One of my favorite songs. Listen to it every week. She is a great singer.

[@davidmathis1310]

It was the song of the summer when I was in high school! I play it often on my solo jazz gigs! My wife also sings it in our Duo, Piano Dave & Bunny! I opened up for Maria back in the early 90s, her keyboard player at the time Chris Burns crashed my gig after the show and we had a blast together! I have photographs LOL🎹🎹

[@mooseknuckle8946]

I saw MM in 1979 at the Armadillo in Austin TX. What blew me away was what good fiddle player she was. Who knew?

[@marcmayou1422]

great song that I heard while at the Oasis Club on Edwards Air Force Base in 1975! I meet a girl and the song always takes me back to that sweet weekend romance!

[@jeffknapp7094]

I was a Maria muldar fan from the Kweskin Jug Band days and was delighted when she cut an album on her own. She had such a very unique voice. What a great singer

[@emanjam45]

A song forever etched in my memory. Brings me back to when I graduated from elementary school, St. Mary’s in Yonkers, N.Y.

[@urthcreature]

Loved this song so much as a small child and still do

[@sherrymshephard-massat5929]

Wow, I still have my original 45 of this song. Indeed one of my all-time faves. It takes me back to summers in New York, runnin' with my friends, feelin' no pain, havin' no bills to pay attention to, no life issues to bring me down. I miss being that kid.

[@l-b284]

I was pre-school when this song came out, but it was one I always wanted to sing to when my older sisters were playing their radios and it came on (can't say I got all the words right, but...). Maria's "otherworldly" voice, and the unique lyrics about a far away place, were so hypnotizing. It inspired me to travel, and to name my cat Midnight!

[@artompkins7958]

The guitar backing and solo in this song is one of the main reasons I started guitar and still play every day. Finally got serious about mastering the solo a few years ago, and found it as harmonically rich and innovative as I suspected it was way back when. Thank you Maria and Amos Garrett - you changed my life for the better!

[@j.trevor2814]

I've played this song for over fifty years. It's timeless. Maria, I loved you with Kweskin, and still love you. And yes , Amos Garrett's guitar solo is the best I've ever heard. Genius. Thank you sooo much for all your music.

[@andreavlasis6099]

I bought this album in 73 this is a great album love Maria muldaer

[@respectmyogness9385]

This was My favorite song when I was Young

[@lanszoominternet]

I remember the context of this song. There were gas shortages everywhere due to OPEC reductions. I vacationed for a week in Orlando with my older brother. That song was on the radio at least once an hour. The irony of the song was not lost on us. It was a great vacation and the song has stuck in my head. I have it on my iPad to listen to whenever the nostalgia mood strikes.

[@farnorthhomested844]

i remember listening to this when i was sleeping in the summer nights with the window open on the old am/fm radio my parents gave me when they got a new one. full dress harleys and muscle cars drivin by, to i dont know where down the highway, ahhh, it'll never be the same.

[@leliacogar9051]

One of my favorite romantic songs of the time...still today I love this song.💝

[@johngillon6969]

I do so remember in 1973 when i was awoken to this song on my clock radio. I fell in love with her before the song ended.

[@jameskalka3224]

One of my all time favorite songs which takes me back to a great time in my life as a young married man.

[@BobBove]

This song was one of my favorites. I graduated college and married in 1974 when it charted on the top ten. It was perfect for a newly wed and was enjoyed by my young bride too. Always brings back happy memories. 😊

[@guitarstringman7403]

Such a well written and well performed song.

[@randy6602]

The mood, melody, and vocal styling on this song are refreshingly beautiful ❤

[@jimwalsh7904]

I don't have a lot to say about this song but I have always loved it. Cactus being or not being native to Arabia is besides the point and only adds to the charm of this song. It's one for the ages.

[@J.A.G.618]

😮 I recall them saying they made a mistake with the lyrics there was cactuses in Saudi Arabia because here in the California desert there is cactus so that's why according to her and her interview is why they added cactus to the song.

[@Blkojo]

Greatest guitar solo (Amos Garrett) of all-time.

[@RaymondGuyLaFauci]

Here's Amos with Butterfield, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmOneH9nr7Z-Zrc

[@tompytunes]

Brad Paisley said it's one of his favorites

[@marcmayou1422]

In 1975 I went to Edwards Air Force Base, The Game room area was call the Oasis. Was a club for teenager's of the service family kids. That song was played and I meet a girl wow. we went to a movie on base that night. I will always have fond memories when I hear Midnight at the Oasis.

[@pedenmk]

Another golden oldie. I have since turned into somewhat of a oldie myself lol. Great video thank you....

[@robertleath9913]

I used to listen to this every night lying in bed. It was so relaxing it would make me sleep better

[@bevo65]

I loved this song as a kid, listening to it on the AM radio in my parents' car. It still rekindles those carefree "kid" feelings.

[@adamc1966]

50th anniversary of this beautiful song ❤

[@charlesberton2581]

I just love that song. It's on my Spotify playlist, and I often watch the live version.

[@cyyoung9175]

Great song. Saw her live in Phoenix year song came out. Bought the album . Really enjoyed it. Best line" Send your camel to bed"!!

[@jumpfortyfour9965]

it takes me right back to the 70s

[@philipjohnson2652]

One of my all time favorite songs!!

[@rodjohnson2534]

My favorite song of all time!

[@harperstacey9604]

It's hard to believe that Maria muldaur was a one-hit wonder. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@mikehollins1594]

Great song, really shows the vibe at the time. Very definitely important in my life's soundtrack.

[@roslyndecanio81]

LOVE that exceptional guitar playing!

[@maureencora1]

A Great Song After 50 yrs. Feel the Music.

[@JoanneGrace11]

I was 10 when that song came out and I remember hearing it on the radio and I loved it so much. It just takes to some great spaces inside.😘

[@andreadavis1745]

So happy to learn about this song I have loved for years!

[@hicadt]

Love this song - never get tired of listening to it! Brings me back to my early teen years in middle school when I was 13 yrs old - and had a crush on a girl named Lori

[@officialdawnrobinson]

Midnight At The Oasis is embedded in my DNA lol! Such a beautiful song with tons of wonderful memories attached. I dedicate this to my cousin Bernice because she loved it. Rest in music Beadie 🫶🏽

[@darntootin2006]

It was the guitar work of Amos Garrett that made me listen to this song. I still remember hearing it on the juke box at the restaurant that I worked at after school. Ironically the name of the restaurant was "The Oasis". True story.

[@Smackwater587]

A true classic song!!!

[@leebowens2631]

Man did I love this song, I was 17 when it was released , I miss those times.

[@alpintourer]

Kathy Alexander from Lynchburg College: We played this over and over on your new stereo. Great memories!

[@bobwojnarowski6997]

I bought that album back in '73-'74, at Marty's Music, the clerk said it's going to be my favorite. He was right.

[@kennethwright8108]

It's amazingly spiritual music is! This classic masterpiece was playing in my head this morning for some unknown reason and so I pulled it up on KZbin to hear it and saw this video of the story of the song's history and would like to thank you for sharing the information on your channel. Midnight At The Oasis is one of those gems that contain a peculiar, nostalgic quality that mysteriously transports me back to a happier (even joyful) time when people and life just seemed more carefree and casual (unlike today) and I believe the music being produced and marketed nowadays with it's dark and negative energy is somehow responsible for influencing the bad and evil behavior we're seeing everywhere. I'm about to listen to the song now and forget about my worries for a moment and reflect on those better days of yester years. Thanks again for your video! 👍 P.S. I understand better now why people are letting me know how my classic hit song 'All Dis Music' impacted them. "Romance"

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

Thanks for sharing that. I heard the song on the radio tonight and it made me happy too. I especially always listen to the Amos Garrett solo. Masterful!

[@ScarecrowsDream1977]

I always loved the song.

[@kimbothwell917]

The album is spectacular, a desert island disc for sure!

[@mj7den]

I first heard the song on FM radio when I was 17 living in the Chicago area. At first I thought it was a song about a romance meeting on the I 90 Oasis rest stop areas. Ha. Later I ordered the sheet music for the song and my band performed it for a few of years in the mid 1980's. It has always been one of my favorites. I would rate it right up there with anything Gordon Lightfoot or Melanie Safka (Stone Ground Words) did in that era.

[@garymiller95]

I was in an informal jug band in college in the late 1960s playing the washboard. The gJim Kweskin Jug band which included Jeff, Muldaur and Maria was our inspiration and I have always had a crush on Maria Muldaur. So I was delighted when her solo career began and she had such a huge help. Thanks for this history!

[@RobertDeLGF]

It has a great feel, something you just don't get in music today, you can't really say what feel is, just a little drag or push here and there that binds the rhythm and melody. This is a great example, play song this from a midi file with all the right notes and it sound flat, but the recording of this is just great.

[@Grundig305]

I remember eating at the diner before going to work in the morning and hearing Harry Harrison on WABC playing that song every day in the spring/summer of 1974.

[@nigeldonaldson1647]

thanks for your input on the origin of this unusual exotic song, its one of those songs that can calm you after a trying day, and similar to...Carol King in style I think

[@brendaberkstresser6910]

It was my favorite song in college and I sang it to my boyfriend all the time. I also had an embroidered tee, black, with an oasis scene on ot.

[@user-qt5cm1qf3m]

I'm glad that I still hear this song 🎵 😌 on Yacht Rock. Channel 17 on Sirius XM radio.

[@paulparrish4340]

Excellent short bio of the song. Could have mentioned MM's other sweet, sultry tune from that era "Don't You Feel My Leg". Impossible not to love her. She collaborated with many of THE best artists of those times.

[@patrickhenri6739]

Keep up the good work.

[@jimmyt1234]

I saw her live almost 50 years ago at Umass. The crowd went wild, as they say.

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

Thanks Jim! That must have been fun!

[@Lights4Faith]

Thanks Jim and I also saw her outside in concert around then In Hartfort Ct. Never forget watching her sing..

[@bradwelljackson6385]

You answered my questions about cacti in the Saharan desert before I posted it on Quora ; ) I wish Maria had more success, as she was such a pretty girl with lots of potential in that voice of hers.

[@RodrickColbert]

It seems that the musical output back then was more electric than much of the popular music we hear these days. This song is a great example.

[@billpacheco790]

Nice video -I haven't thought about that song in years. Can't imagine what made you think of it!

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

Thanks Bill. I was listening to an oldies station not long ago and it came on. I'm playing around with using some documentary style story telling on some songs of the '70's. Another interest of mine. Thanks for watching!

[@tylerhiggins8687]

Hey, Keith. Glad you resurfaced. Miss your motorcycles stuff. Spring is almost in the air!!

[@AdventuresWithMe00]

Thanks Tyler...it's been hard to think about motorcycles the last few months. I wanted to branch out in other directions. I've always done a variety of videos on the channel. Hope to be riding soon though!

[@tylerhiggins8687]

@@AdventuresWithMe00 I always appreciate your variety. Stay cool. -Tyler up in Vermont

[@judyberes-wright5008]

I remember this song from my childhood. It painted a wonderful scene in my head. I was too young to understand some of the double entendres at the time.

[@cosmicsunbeams]

Beautiful ❤!!

[@straubsable]

I have always loved this song!!

[@Buzzramjet]

Loved the song and I noticed that bit about cactus as well first time I heard it as well. Never saw her perform but have heard several of her other songs. Nice to see she is still performing or at least on record.