Dusty in Memphis is Dusty Springfield‘s album she had hoped would revitalise her career. Unfortunately, it did not. The recording of the album start in Memphis, but Springfield finished her vocals in New York. There were temper tantrums and doubts and ashtrays being thrown during the Memphis recording. Springfield had doubts and wanted the album the way she wanted it. It did give her a hit single in “Son of a Preacher Man” and a bad reputation. She never had another hit until the Pet Shop Boys asked her to sing on their song “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” in 1987.
I do not see a real reason to go through each song because the whole album is worthy of listening to. It has been voted as one of the best albums ever.
“Just A Little Lovin’” and “So Much Love” sounds like all the female Motown singers that came before Springfield. She fits in perfectly. I think all the trouble might have been worth it because she knows her voice better than anyone. She knows how she wants to sound. I cannot believe she did not listen to the album for a whole year. When I hear something this great and find out it did not sell at that time period I am baffled. People are weird.
The way the album begins is how it ends with strong soul songs. “No Easy Way Down” and “I Can’t Make It Alone” were written by Carole King and a co-writer. King co-wrote four of the songs. Springfield was wise in choosing writers for this album.
This is one of the most solid albums I have heard on the list of 1001 Albums… Springfield was a great singer who knew how to make the lyrics bleed feelings out of the speakers. 9.5/10.
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