Song of the Week – My Maria, B.W. Stevenson

Ignored           Obscured            Restored

In the early ‘70s, B.W. (Buck Wheat) Stevenson recorded a song written by his friend Daniel Moore that he was sure would be a hit.  The song was called “Shambala.”  His recording had yet to gain any traction when, two weeks later, Three Dog Night released a version that rapidly ran up the charts – all the way to #3.  Stevenson’s version stalled at #66.

So Stevenson got together with Moore and rewrote the song.  With different lyrics and a few other twists, it became “My Maria.”

Actually, I like “My Maria” better.  It’s a nice cut that straddles the space between Rock and Country music.  The musicianship on it is excellent, employing frequent Steely Dan session guitarist Larry Carlton and drummer Jim Gordon (Pet Sounds, Layla, All Things Must Pass, Pretzel Logic, and more).  It reached #9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

Unfortunately, Stevenson’s career was cut short with his untimely death in 1988 from complications after heart valve surgery.  He was only 38.

Enjoy… until next week.

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