Sound Advice: CD Reviews - Dusty Springfield (Dusty in Memphis)

CD Review:
Imagine if you will the perfect woman. Picture her in your head. Have you got her? Is she there? Is she blonde or brunette? Blue eyed or green eyed, voluptuous or petite? Has your mind's eye caught her? Have you completed the picture... good!

Now if she was to match that physical appearance with a demeanor of equal merit, wouldn't that be the most mind blowing relationship you would ever get involved in?

This is what Dusty conjures up with Dusty in Memphis. The whole album croons about a love the perfect woman would give you.

Have you ever woke in the morning and looked over at that special someone on the bed beside you? Did it arouse you? It has hasn't it? You reach over and caress her cheek. You give her a soft kiss and run your hand down the curve of her body. She wakes and pushes you away complaining of fatigue and lack of interest. You swear to yourself and to God wondering why He made men's most urgent time the worse time of day for most women. You realize that God, in so many ways, has a better sense of humour than you ever will have. Dusty will never push you away. She will wake you with a magical touch bringing all your senses to a heightened carnal awareness. She will make love to you until your whole day will be an experience in lost concentration and daydreaming. ("Just a Little Lovin'").

Have you ever wandered this world looking for that special someone? That one girl who will truly appreciate you; who will think of you as the most important person in her life? In fact, the type of girl that when you are with her, she makes you feel 10 ft. tall, and when you're not, you know she is thinking about you. Maybe you picked her up when she was down, or, took her out of a brutal and lonely world. You were her Prince Charming and she adores you for it. Wouldn't that be something worth having? ("So Much Love," "In the Land of Make Believe," and "Don't You Forget About Me").

What happens when a relationship sours? You are married. You have children. Do you leave your wife? What about the kids? Could it be the temporary downside that all relationships have? Will it pick up? Whether you are one to have an affair or just dream about it, Dusty is there for you. She holds you with her voice telling you that if she was your mistress it would be generous and beautiful, even if it is only in your imagination. ("Breakfast in Bed").

Have you ever broken up with a girl? She gets that look in her face. You know that look. The look that a puppy would give after you punished it for soiling the bed sheets. You leave realizing you hurt someone that probably in all actuality didn't deserve it. But there is a small part of you; yes there is... a tiny part of you, when you rid yourself of the guilt that wonders if she will pine for you. You hope, in an off hand way, that if your future holds heartache, she will still be there if you call. ("Just One Smile").

What about when the shoe is on the other foot. She dumped you! You can't believe it! The puppy eyed tears begin to flow (in private anyway). You call her any of a sort of unflattering names and console yourself with the thoughts of her immediate return. She will come back won't she? If she does you hope it is because she truly believes she made the worse mistake of her entire life. You don't have to imagine this scenario. Dusty describes exactly what you hope she will feel and say on her return. ("I Can't Make it Alone").

There are very few albums I rate high when the artist only sings (no producing, songwriting, or instrument playing) but this is one of them. Dusty is up there with Aretha or any other soul artist and needn't do anything more than sing to know her work is something very special.

Finally, it seems the only song by Dusty known by most people these days (35+ years later for this album) is "Son of a Preacher Man." The song re-entered the mainstream when it was included on the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction directed by by Quentin Tarantino. But if you believe that "Son of a Preacher Man" is the only song worth merit by this soul artist you would be mistaken. Every song on this album is top shelf. Dusty has a voice like no other and I'm not ashamed to admit that every time I listen and sing with this album I get quite choked up. If you like songs that ache, yes ache, and a voice that will crush you, then this album is a must.

Scott D. Brown