Dusty Springfield shares rarified air with the top soul/R&B queens of the post-WWII era Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and others.

Originally released in 1969, the concept for Dusty In Memphis was to take England's reigning female soul queen to the home of the music which had inspired her. Produced by Atlantic's Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin and engineered by Tom Dowd, the record's highlights include "Son Of A Preacher Man," "So Much Love," "Breakfast In Bed," "Just One Smile," "I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore" and "Just A Little Lovin'".

Springfield is backed by a crack band that had previously worked with Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, King Curtis and Elvis Presley among others. The musicians collectively known as the Memphis Cats include guitarist Reggie Young, bassist Tommy Cogbill, drummer Gene Chrismann, pianist Bobby Wood and Bobby Emmons on organ and electric piano. Songwriting contributions came from, among others, Randy Newman, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Dusty Springfield is one of the finest white soul singers of her era, and this is the undisputed proof.

Analogue Production's reissue here is perfection. Mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tape. Double LP cut at 45 RPM, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in a Stoughton Printing tip-on old style gatefold jacket.

Review

A1 Just A Little Lovin'
A2 So Much Love
A3 Son Of A Preacher Man
B1 I Don'T Want To Hear It Anymore
B2 Don'T Forget About Me
B3 Breakfast In Bed
C1 Just One Smile
C2 The Windmills Of Your Mind
C3 In The Land Of Make Believe
C4 No Easy Way Down
D1 I Can'T Make It Alone
D2 Willie And Laura Mae Jones*
D3 That Old Sweet Roll (Hi-De-Ho)*
D4 What Do You Do When Love Dies*