Artist: Dusty Springfield Album: Dusty in Memphis

Year: 1969
Duration: 33:25

A Critical Review of Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis

In the realm of soul, funk, and R&B, Dusty Springfield has always been a prominent figure. Known for her dynamic range and soulful delivery, Springfield's music has elevated her to the status of a legend in the music industry. Her album Dusty in Memphis offers a reflection of her incredible talent, as well as a showcase for the power of soul music. In this blog post, we'll explore the backstory of the artist and delve into each track's highlights to provide an in-depth critical review of the album.

Before diving into the album, let’s briefly touch on Dusty Springfield's career in music. Born in West Hampstead, London, she embarked on a solo career in the early 1960s, quickly gaining success as one of Britain's premier blue-eyed soul singers. Dusty in Memphis was released in 1969, positioning Springfield as a significant figure in the American soul music scene. Her style of music was unique because it embraced the classic American soul sound, but her voice was still undeniably British.

Now at the tracklist of the album, one song that sticks out in particular is Son of a Preacher Man. It's a timeless classic that has been covered numerous times and is still a regular staple on the radio today. However, possibly the best track on this album is Just A Little Lovin. It takes Dusty's assured vocal production and scales it down to a straightforward, peaceful and mellow composition.

One great thing about the album is the diversity of songs it presents. It jumps between powerful upbeat songs such as Don't Forget About Me and more introspective numbers like No Easy Way Down really showing Dusty's versatility. One of the most distinct and innovative elements on the whole album, however, is Springfield's use of a string orchestra on “The Windmills of Your Mind,” arranged by the legendary Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

As a critic, one area that can be improved is that the album's B-sides seem to be a slight drop-off in quality compared to its A-sides. For example, In The Land of Make Believe comes off as somewhat generic and unfortunately forgettable. However, this blip doesn't detract from the album's overall quality, as the A-sides more than make up for it.

After listening to “Dusty in Memphis,'' it's more than clear that Dusty Springfield remains an influential figure within the soul and R&B genres over five decades later. Her voice has a captivating energy that continues to inspire musicians today. The album's highlights include Just A Little Lovin, Son of a Preacher Man, No Easy Way Down, and the clever and seductive saxophone interlude in Don't Forget About Me. Regardless of its minor flaws, this album is essential listening for anyone passionate about the artistry of music.