Dusty Springfield - Dusty in Memphis

Dusty Springfield never claimed to be a soul singer, but Dusty in Memphis effects a unique and deeply moving synthesis of her brand of stylish pop and the Southern R&B of the late '60s. Her soft tones and hushed, confessional readings make for definitive versions of everything from "Son of a Preacher Man" (a later version by Aretha Franklin is good but less thrillingly sensual than this one) to Randy Newman's ballads "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore" and "Just One Smile" to a swirling take on "The Windmills of Your Mind." The soul obscurity "Breakfast in Bed" even gives a knowing spin to a line from an earlier Springfield classic: "You don't have to say you love me." This expanded edition features vastly improved sound and a number of bonus tracks not on the earlier CD. --Rickey Wright Amazon.com essential recording

Classic Dusty Springfield

This is one of the best collections of Dusty Springfield's work. Definitely a good selection. November 15, 2008

Definitely a classic for the ages

Dusty in Memphis has a timeless quality to it that is the mark of an album/cd that has become a classic. As evidenced by Shelby Lynn's recent homage to it the material remains fresh and undated. Dusty is in fine vocal form on these selections and the vaunted Memphis rhythm section does her proud. The addition of the numerous additional songs on this extended package make it a must have. I just sent this cd as a gift to a friend who had bought the Shelby Lynn but didn't own Dusty and she was blown away. Any serious pop music fan or collector should (and probably already does) own this. June 15, 2008

What a voice! What a classic!

The selection of songs is strongly R&B. Aretha Franklin's producers produced the original record. The Memphis Cats provide backup vocals. A couple of the songs didn't ring true for me, but the majority of the music was divine.
In the liner notes, it says that Carole King considered Dusty to be the premier singer of her songs. And wonderfully enough, this CD has Dusty singing "You Have a Friend," previously unreleased. This song was recorded before James Taylor made it a hit. Having this recording on the CD makes up for not having "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me." January 3, 2008

ELI'S COMING BUT......TIMMY'S PUNISHED

Dusty in Memphis is upheld as one of the best albums from 1969. In this classic, the stunning vocals of a mature yet still youthful Dusty are there but with a different backing. No longer is there the Wall of Sound type recording as had been done in prior releases.

Apparently, Dusty was so frequently compared with the artists under Phil Spector that she must have felt compelled to take a new direction with her artistry. After all, just as Janis Joplin was regarded as the "white woman who could sing the blues", Dusty was revered as the "white woman who could sing the soul". And like Elvis, Dusty went to Memphis, where she was to attempt a new phase in her career in a city where musicians' styles crossed racial boundary lines. The result of her efforts would be this masterpiece.

In her eyes and in her vocals, Dusty was energetic and passionate, and her music is and will always be unique and special. As for this particular recording, the energy and passion are there, and the songs can be listened to from various perspectives and angles. Regardless of whether you are happy or sad, Dusty in Memphis seems apt for the present moment.

Just as Back in Memphis is arguably Elvis' easiest-listening album, Dusty in Memphis is perhaps the same kind of result for Ms. Springfield. In both albums, one cannot help but to relax and peacefully enjoy the material. Perhaps it was just that Memphis sound, for the vocals accompanied the sitar, guitar and orchestral arrangements with a quite superb effect.

Included in the set are the top 10 Son of a Preacher Man, which has been immortalized as Rolling Stone Magazine's 240th greatest rock and roll song of all time, and the top 40 The Windmills of Your Mind.

As the years go by, listeners will likely wonder how the lackluster record sales did not come close to reflecting the quality and polished treatment of this studio album. Now presented as a CD with 14 bonus tracks along with the original 11, Dusty in Memphis is now more than ever a worthwhile listen.

It has been over eight years since Dusty's departure, but her works, including Dusty in Memphis, were outstanding and prolific enough to earn a posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Long live Dusty!
December 24, 2007

A Rhino Diamond

Rhino seldom, if ever, puts out a CD lacking some redeeming quality (unlike a few I could name), but in this instance they even outdid themselves. This is pure gold, from the 25 tracks to the 11 pages of liner notes presented in a fold-out cardboard holder.

This includes a reproduction of the reverse of the original 11-selection Atlantic stereo LP SD 8214, complete with those liner notes - although you'll need 20-20 vision to read them. Not to worry, though. Inside you get three opening paragraphs by Andy Wombwell of Rhino Films, six full pages detailing Dusty's illustrious career written by Jim Feldman in May 1992, and then four more pages covering this deluxe edition written by Jim Pierson that October.

As to the contents, a full discography is included, and you get both sides to four of her hit singles - Son Of A Preacher Man [# 10 Billboard Pop Hot 100 in January 1969 b/w Just A Little Lovin' (Early In The Mornin'); Don't Forget About Me [# 64 Hot 100 in March 1969 b/w Breakfast In Bed (# 91); The Windmills Of Your Mind (# 3 Adult Contemporary (AC)/# 31 Hot 100 in June 1969 b/w I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore (a Hot 100 "bubble under" at # 105); and Willie & Laura Mae Jones (# 78 Hot 100 in July 1969 b/w That Old Sweet Roll [Hi-De-Ho].

The real bonus is in those 10 previously-unissued tracks (15 to 21 and 23 to 25), many from the pen of Carole King and Gerry Goffin with whom Dusty shared a mutually-lucrative association in the late 1960s/early 1970s.

This re-issue compilation was released in 1999 - the year Dusty succumbed to breast cancer on March 2 and the year in which she was justifiably inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame. Ironically, the title of her last charted hit early in 1988 had been What Have I Done To Deserve This? with The Pet Shop Boys (# 2 Hot 100/# 14 AC).

One you will treasure forever and guard jealously from borrowers. Highly recommended and may it never go out of print. August 27, 2007

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