Maria Muldaur

Her big 1973 hit “Midnight at the Oasis” got new life when it was covered by the acid-jazz combo Brand New Heavies, but Maria Muldaur’s style of blues has been moving more and more away from both the new and the heavy. She’s proven especially adept at putting her own smoky stamp on the songs of the great woman performers of days gone by, including excellent covers of Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie standards. Lately she’s been alternating between children’s albums like last year’s Shirley Temple tribute and much sultrier fare like 1999’s Meet Me Where They Play the Blues, featuring “It Ain’t the Meat, It’s the Motion,” which is apparently a double entendre of some kind. Her latest disc, A Woman Alone with the Blues, reinterprets a dozen songs made famous by Peggy Lee, including the classic “Fever,” in sophisticated smooth-jazz style. Bring your torches; she’ll get them lit. Dakota Bar & Grill, (651) 642-1442, www.dakotacooks.com