Dusty In Memphis

This record is a beautiful snowglobe of the late 60s period. Classy, perfectly arranged orchestrations gently roll down like snowflakes on a landscape and Dusty's voice glows gold with the warmth of the hearth.

Dusty's voice isn't just sexy, it's sex-positive, feeling its way around intimacy with warmth and tenderness. She's the Queen of the Afterglow. What transforms this from an album by a great singer to a great album full stop is how sympathetic the players are to her movements. They don't just watch her go deep into her feelings, they follow her down. Chief among them: Arif Mardin, whose swelling and lilting string and horn arrangements are the love interest to Dusty’s come-hither voice. The organic development of these songs--Dusty and the band built them from the ground up, rather than her just rocking up and following sheet music like she was used to--allows her to grow roots in the material, which is top-tier stuff from big-hitters including Bacharach, Newman, and Goffin/King. Whether reliving a sexual awakening with the preacher’s son, mollifying him/her with (I’m sure not just) breakfast in bed, bidding a rueful farewell, building her world upon a smile, or being driven mad by gossip heard through cheap walls, she fully inhabits her roles. These songs have an emotional life of their own, lived in and lived through by one of the most sensitive singers of all.

Mehhhhh. White people soul. “Son of a Preacher Man” is great, but otherwise, I dunno.

I know 3-4 song but Ive never listened to this album. I think I've always been a little confused about her name. Is she related yo buffalo springfield? Such moody and cinematic music. The songs often take me on a start-finish journey rather than feel refrain-repeat style. I really enjoy this album and will definitely return to listen again. She reminds me of Aretha Franklin but much sappier and I'm a sucker for sappy 70's.

Every time I get one of my all-time favourites on this list, it feels like winning a game. Nobody beats Dusty, her voice is so warm and beautiful, and she's having so much fun... five stars and a chef's kiss!

Alienating everyone in my life with my sincerely held and deep-seated belief that Dusty Springfield is Buffalo Springfield’s husband.

Initially thought I wasn't going to like it, but to my surprise it was pretty good! I liked hearing The Windmills of your Mind - I added it to my spotify playlist. A classic and a beautiful voice

I have not spent enough time with Dusty Springfield, apparently. (Not the first time this has happened in this project, but I'm definitely feeling it today.) I've always loved her smoky, soulful voice in the hits I know. I would say her voice was unique, but I like the idea that this album was the prototype for the wonderful wave of British female singers of the 2000s. I definitely appreciate and get that idea (as well as that she gave credit to Peggy Lee and Aretha Franklin as influences) but I would still always be able to pick her voice out. Anyway, this is just the thing for the end of a long, hard day, with soft lights and a glass of wine. Lovely.

I am not familiar with Dusty Springfield as a singer at all, but I am familiar with a couple of Dusty’s songs covered from other artists like both Son of A Preacher Man and Breakfast In Bed from Joan Osborne’s two albums: Early Recordings (1996) and Breakfast In Bed (2007) and The Windmills Of Your Mind from Alison Moyet's Voice (2004) album. Another slight connection factor for me is the Memphis/American Sound Studios from several Elvis Presley recordings from 1969 and I do hear that Memphis/American Sound Studios sound in Dusty’s songs on this album. Being a fan of post-punk and 80’s music. I know that Morrissey from The Smiths also loved the poignant and maudlin performances of female singers such as Dusty Springfield and Sandie Shaw who were a considerable influence on him growing up in Manchester England. Since this my first listen to Dusty Springfield, she has a particularly good voice with clear diction. I usually do not listen this type of Easy Listening Pop, but I like it and this album does have high replayability factor. I am pleased to hear how good and consistent all the songs are. The mono release is also excellent. In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, I see that Dusty Springfield’s debut album, A GIRL CALLED DUSTY, is listed under # 0045, so I am looking forward to listening to this when it appears Rate Artist: Dusty Springfield (4.5) Rate Album (Year): Dusty in Memphis (1969 Original) (5) Rate Album (Year): Dusty in Memphis (1992 Re-issue) (5) Rate Album (Year): Dusty in Memphis (1999 Deluxe Edition) (4.5) Rate Album (Year): Dusty in Memphis (2002 Re-issue) (5)

Je me réveillai ce jeudi matin en ouvrant mon téléphone et remarquai instantanément que celui-ci avait été souillé de messages par l'inévitable ltrapeze: "Il faut absolument que tu écoutes la huitième piste de l'album du jour !" me menaçait-il. Je me rendormis. Lors de mon second réveil, de nouveaux messages étaient venus se glisser dans mon téléphone sans que je m'en aperçoive. Ils étaient tous signés de la main du turbulent ltrapeze : "Mais réveille-toi enfin !!" répétait-il à tue-tête. Je lançai soudain l'album et fus rapidement arrivé à ladite huitième piste. Et quelle ne fut pas ma surprise d'entendre une version grossièrement remixée d'une chanson très chère à mon cœur : celle de ses moulins, justement. Observez un peu comme le texte est traduit: The Moulins of My Heart Like a pierre that we jette In the living water of a ruisseau Qui leaves behind elle des thousands de rounds dans la wasser Du machst tourner von deinem Name die Moulinen von meinem Hertz Luft in den Nase (ja), Luft in den Nase So wie Dylan (oh Junge), So wie Dylan Et ainsi de suite... Je serais le dernier étonné d'apprendre que Michel Legrand se soit retourné dans sa tombe au moment d'entendre cette reprise, et qu'il ait même effectué une rotation à 360 degrés pour rendre ses lettres de noblesse à son texte. N'en déplaise à ltrapeze.

Figure maternelle de la famille Springfield, Dusty s'impose neammoins comme la numero 1 de cette caste de chanteurs. Le titre The Windmils of Your Mind s'impose déjà comme l'un des tauliers du générateur. Néammoins, on se retrouve un peu dérangé par les nombreuses accusations de vulgarité à son encontre, entre ses jupes extremement courtes, sa descente de whisky qui ferait rougir un pilier de bar, ou encore cette phrase, sortie du contexte d'une escapade nocturne avec son amant gérant d'un club de moto: "tape dans l'fond j'suis pas ta mère". La famille Springfield reste ce qu'elle est, une famille bourrée de talent musicalement parlant, mais une famille également très rustique socialement parlant.

Smooth, soulful, enjoyable. beautiful voice

Best Song: Son Of A Preacher Man. The one song I'd heard before. The only one where the singer (or her vocal object) seems to have an ounce of agency. How did this righteous song end up in the middle of all this wrist-wringing? Worst Song: So Much Love. Real weepy and pathetic lyrics that feel like they are entirely undone by the very next song. Overall: Entirely forgettable except for the one song that managed to escape the melodramatic clutches of the rest. Each song is dripping with cheese and sounds like it is intended to be listened to while staring forlornly out of a rain-covered window. I also dislike how none of the songs know how to end, instead just fading out into nothingness.

God this is so good. And why have I not played it for so long....[embarrassed face]. DSs soulful vulnerable voice skates over heartfelt melodies, lyrics full of broken relationships and gorgeous strings. Some of the songs make me well up. Play in a low lit room with a single malt. Magical. I dont give many 5s. Best female solo album ever for me. Five.

One of my all-time favourite albums. probably the greatest blue-eyed soul record ever. Son of a preacher Man is the big single, but it is the sofetr, sexier tracks that I really dig (Breakfast in Bed, Alittle Loving, I Don't Want to Hear it). Dusty doesn't try to compete with Aretha, but leans into her more tender, more intimate style. This is a wonderful blend of Bacharach and the funky Memphis sound. She was almost too intimidated to record these songs, but thank god she did. I love this album.

A week in, this is the first album by a female artist I've come across. Not only that, but decades on Dusty In Memphis comes with its own queer reading. Like "Breakfast In Bed" - super gay and super heartbreaking, n'est-ce pas? This album is another one where it's clear of the influence it would have on future artists. While some of the songs are very familiar, it's a comforting sense of familiarity. Auntie Dusty is here and everything will be alright.

Spit song from Hadestown inspiration-windmills of your mind

Love me some dusty. A great blue-eyed soul album. Close your eyes and listen to son of a preacher man.

Dusty in Memphis The difference between this and the other Dusty album we had is immediately very stark: the song choice, the playing, the sound, all are instantly better on Just a Little Lovin’, more sympathetic to her voice, poppy and accessible but also. That continues with So Much Love, even if these two songs are quite as strong as some of the songs later on. Son of a Preacher Man. Despite being very overfamiliar it is, of course, truly excellent. Atmospheric, mysterious with brilliant playing and a fantastic vocal. I Don’t Want to Hear it Anymore, has, as usual a great vocal, and a very nice 60s pop feel with a nice build. Don’t Forget About Me and Breakfast in Bed are both superb. Never heard either of them before, but both are excellent. I love the guitar and the stomping chorus on Don’t Forget About Me in particular. Just One Smile felt a little cloying to me, the arrangement perhaps a little big band. The Windmills of Your Mind is a fantastic song, but I’m not as keen on this version. The vocal is super, but I’m not keen on the arrangement with the Spanish guitar, it feels a bit lounge. The strings towards the end are good, but I’m not sure they quite rescue it. In the Land of Make Believe is great, it has a very pleasing delicacy and although there is quite a lot happening musically it’s placed back in the mix to give it some sense of restraint. No Easy Way Down falls a little close to easy listening, but is just about rescued by the vocal (of course) and the playing, the organ is particularly noceI Can’t Make it Alone has a lovely build and crescendo, it’s good, even if not quite as strong as some of the others When it’s good this is great, and although it's far superior than the other album we had, there are some songs that don’t quite work for me, sailing a little close to easy listening or lounge, which stops it from getting into the 5s. A 4 feels about right, reflecting the quality of singing and playing. 🗑️🗑️🗑️🗑️ Playlist submission: Preacher Man is the obvious one, but for a change I’ll go Don’t Forget About Me

Amiable music that I very much appreciate.

Blue eyed soul. Songs don't have the typical verse and chorus structure. More of a lyrical journey. She's got a breathy, sensual voice. Favorite songs were Son of a Preacher Man, Just One Smile, and Windmills of your Mind

Beautiful album from British icon, Dusty Springfield. I have never listened to this album in its entirety but have only heard the pop hits from her, but it causes me to dig deeper. I bet she could put on a show! **Classic record that I need to grab used sometime

That voice. Plus a couple of bona fide classics on here. Some filler, though

Just when you thought blue eyed soul couldn't get worse, British people start doing it and somehow make it worse. No grits, no balls, no soul, this pales in comparison to Aretha.

It's alright. Didn't really catch my attention.

I've been at this for a week and this is my second Dusty Springfield album, a coincidence I'm sure. I've heard this album many, many times, although I haven't revisited it in quite a while. It's excellent. And it turns out I'm cited as a source on the Wikipedia page! Well, huh. Obvious best track: "Son of a Preacher Man," obviously. Stealth best track: "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore," an early Randy Newman composition that demonstrates his gift for the lyrical specificity that lends credibility to the story he's telling. ("I saw them in the front yard, said the boy in room 149...")

Dusty, surely dusty, her voice is air, gravel, and reality. She does it better than almost everyone. This album, like her, is a book I'll always be reading.

Precioso álbum de principio a fin. Nada que decir. Canciones a destacar: TODAS PERO SOBRE TODO DONT FORGET ABOUT ME Y NO EASY WAY DOWN

i fucking love 70s soul!!!

A gorgeous collection of beautifully arranged songs sung with passion and vulnerability by Dusty Springfield. "Son of a Preacher Man" is the indisputable highlight. It's one of those magic songs. But the whole album is filled with excellent performances. "Don't Forget About Me" stood out as another highlight and "Breakfast in Bed" was a touching song. I love her sultry, smoky voice. She can sound heartbroken and sad one moment, and triumphant and empowered the next.

Unreal. Great great album

Classic.

certified banger

A bit short

Great voice. My favourite tonal range. Intentional musical structure which encourages anticipation of chorus, sing-a-longable. I do love a near-church choral arrangement. Son of a Preacher Man is a classic for the ages. Windmills of Your Mind a nice revisit.

That voice.

I love everything Dusty Springfield does.

Another huge surprise. She's an amazing singer and the songs are so smooth and lush. Son of a Preacher Man is fantastic but Windmills of Your Mind was a real stand-out too.

Can't beat a bit of Dusty, classic, gorgeous

Yes

Вирутозно. Сочетание агрессии, нежности и безмерной любви.

Some of the songs were a little depressing which i didn't need, but that's a me thing. Her voice is terrific and the songs were too. I was really blown away by how good this was. I think it's a 5.

Absolutely incredible album - Dusty is a star. I've been listening to this nonstop over the weekend and for a 30 minute album I'm in awe of how rich it is. It's sexy and brooding and dazzling and existential and more. The tracklist flows really well from different moods, with such luscious orchestral instrumentation that compliment Dusty's husky voice so well. Best Track: Windmills of Your Mind Worst Track: No way

Best Song: The Windmills of Your Mind Worst Song: In the Land of Make Believe

wtf, why'd no one tell me about this album - this was GORGEOUS. Admittedly, I've always been a sucker for dusty, Spector-esque wall-of-sound backed '60s pop-music - groups like the Ronettes for example. And this scratches every single itch in that particular book - helped by the hefty serving of soulful Aretha Franklin-inspired vocals. For starters, the string arrangements here, especially on songs like 'In The Land Of Make Believe' and 'The Windmills Of Your Mind', are so unbelievably intricate and lush, but also in a plane of their own, one quite distant from the vocals. And god the vocals and melodies here are flawless - not super unique or anything, but just super well done. It's weird that the song 'Son Of A Preacher Man' is so much more popular than any other song here (I looked it up, the song is in 'Pulp Fiction' apparently, which I don't even remember) - it's a bit more upbeat, groovy, and immediate than most of the songs here - I quite enjoyed it, but not as much as the string-backed ballads. My favorite has to be 'So Much Love', I've listened to this one song like four times while writing this review. I love that string melody at the beginning and those harmonized vocals are everything I love about this type of music. This entire record is also the perfect length...like I was perfectly content with my listening experience by the time the final track 'I Can't Make It Alone' ended. For an album that constantly revisits similar sounds (NOT a bad thing), it would've risked sounding repetitive if it had gone on any longer. Or maybe I'm completely wrong in making that assumption - I did enjoy like every single song after all. I mean this is just perfect '60s pop - nothing more to say. It's so blissful and brightened up the otherwise dismal day I've been having. It takes a pretty special album to do that.

four stars, who doesn't like a bit of Dusty

I am familiar with her and her music.

dusty springfield has one of my favorite voices of all time. and here, it is employed at its best. gone are her days of banal pop music and given a more sophisticated avenue. this album is soulful, jazzy, catchy. of course, 'son of a preacher man' is the big tune off of this one, but to me there are several other highlights, including 'just a little lovin,' and her version of the french song 'the windmills of your mind.' just a really great album with a classic sound that i really enjoy.

Beautifull

I was positively surprised by this album. Who doesn't know "Son Of A Preacher Man" featured in Pulp Fiction? But often these songs, and I love "Son Of A Preacher Man", are the only likable songs on the album, on which they are to be found. In this case it is totally different. This album is fine soul singing with a bit of pop. Not all songs are top but enough to make this (in my opinion) one of the best albums of this 1001 albums list.

Billy Ray was a preachers son, and Dusty's as good as they get. It's saying something when you're a white woman from England, and your version of a soul song is arguably the definitive version over Aretha Franklin's. Anyway I've loved Dusty since childhood, as this was a big Castagne family album (specifically for my Uncle Pete). I've not listened to it for a long time, but I loved every bit (except for breakfast in bed, cause I thought that was kind of a corny line). Album cover: (B+)

I don't normally listen to this kind of music, and even though I knew some of Dusty's songs, I wasn't familiar with her. The album was great and I liked almost every song. Such a great listen.

What a fantastic voice. Knocked my socks off! She had a couple of hits in the 70's but I hadn't heard the whole album before. Mix of Motown and Blues. Well done.

One of my favourites. Have listened many times 5/5

amazing album : vocals are top tiers, instrumental as well and the lyrics are beautiful, great discovery i'll definitely will listen again

One of my all-time favourite albums. I would listen to Dusty Springfield sin g the telephone book, and she was never better (or with better band and production) than this record. Dusty in Memphis is probably the greatest blue-eyed soul record ever. Son of a Preacher Man was the big single, but it is the softer, sexier tracks that I really dig (Breakfast in Bed, A Little Loving, I Don't Want to Hear it). I think that A Little Lovin' is one of the Sexiest songs I have ever heard (possibly only equaled by Mitty Collier's I Had A Talk With My Man). Dusty doesn't try to compete with Aretha, but leans into her more tender, more intimate, more sensual style. This is a wonderful blend of Bacharach and the funky Memphis sound. A-grade repertoire throughout, with the possible exception: Windmills of My Mind, which I will forgive, it being 1969. She managed to make even this nonsensical song sound like it means something. Maybe that is the real genius of this record; you believe everything Dusty sings. The heartbreak is real, the sensuality is real. She was almost too intimidated to record these songs, but thank god she did. I love this album. I own a lot of Dusty Springfield records, but this is the best, and the one I always play.

Shout out to all the lesbians!!! Only a dyke could sing 11 majestic, melodramatic songs about the one guy she knows who is a somewhat decent person, which makes her believe her comp-het is justified (it isn’t). I love this goddamn album, it speaks to my lesbian heart so deeply. Like, yes, strong arrangements and amazing songwriting from a stacked roster and I adore her voice and yes to all that. But sometimes it’s more about the vibe. And Dusty in Memphis is such a good queer vibe! It transports me to the living room of every lesbian couple of the last 50 years, and how can that not make me feel warm and cozy and safe? One of the best albums ever 🧡🤍🩷

Good.

I got "A Girl Called Dusty" (her debut album) about 50 albums ago on here. I liked it a lot, but it was mostly covers and felt a bit unpolished to me. This is the follow-up that I didn't know I needed, this thing was great. This album came 5 years later and is really impressive. A white British woman doing a pop-soul thing really shouldn't work as well as it does, but it does. Dusty's voice is phenomenal, she really puts a ton of emotion into it, it's really great. The background instrumentals are really strong here too, it feels varied and consistently interesting for the time. If I'm going to knock anything it's that she didn't seem to write much herself (Carole King wrote a few of these), and there are still a handful of covers on here. But so what, that's kind of how it was back then, hard to knock her too much. Coming out in 1969, this is a bit of a callback to an earlier time as things were shifting more to rock music. Dusty manages to make this still feel pretty fresh though, and it feels like a precursor to something like Amy Winehouse many years later. This also has one top-tier song, "Son of a Preacher Man" is a classic. I was on the fence, but I really enjoyed listening to this and I think it's enough for a 5 for me. Awesome album. This is definitely making its way into the Sunday morning rotation. Favorite song: Son Of A Preacher Man Other: Just A Little Lovin', So Much Love, Don't Forget About Me, Breakfast In Bed, The Windmills Of Your Mind, No Easy Way Down, I Can't Make It Alone 8/21/24

- enjoying it a lot - mellow, relaxing - beautiful voice & nice instrumentals ^-^

An album full of greats songs. I love Dusty's recognisable voice and the music/orchestration is great too. Listening to this album I feel like it sounds just right. There are no bad songs. Is it a 4 or a 5? Go on then, a 5.

What an incredible voice, so much Soul. I love "Son of a Preacher Man" and always think of that Pulp Fiction scene when I hear it but there's alot more to the album than just that one song. Super quick album and right to the point; don't bore us, get to the chorus! 9/10

The best thus far.

Beautiful record from the best blue-eyed soul singer to ever do it. Some great less-known King/Goffin tracks as well. “Preacher Man” merits 5 stars on its own!

Very relaxed and short album. Love her voice and this style of music!

DUSTY I WAS UNAWARE OF YOUR GAME. Son of a preacher man is NOWHERE near the top of this list. i want to listen to this every day for the rest of my life 1.) no easy way down 2.) breakfast in bed 3.) windmills of your mind

Dusty börjar starkt 5 av 5. Har hört Just a little Lovin på svenska med Lisa Nilsson. Originalet är bättre men Lisas är inte dålig. Son of a Preacher Man droppade som en bomb i mitt liv när jag såg Pulp Fiction första gången. Förövrigt ett riktigt bra soundtrack. Don't Forget About Me, Breakfast In Bed och Just One Smile är 5or. Man kan säga att jag gillar Dusty Springfield en hel del. Rösten är mycket bra. Lättlyssnad skiva med bra sound och fina stråkpartier. Den är värd 5 tycker jag.

I AM A DUSTY LOVER SHE CAN DO NO WRONG

apart from the famous track in this album... reminds of 70s movie vibes, easy going and travelling on long endless roads. i.e. vanishing point, easy rider

Wonderful album. Tremendous voice.

Second album I've listened to of DS. Love her voice, the arrangements, and the album would get 5 stars just for Son of a Preacher Man but it has other good songs on it. The hype is not hype- she is amazing.

Great songs

Perfect example of that very specific genre, nice to listen to in the morning

I'm a little sad I didn't know about Dusty Springfield sooner! I really loved this album. I could listen to her warm voice a long while. The lyrics and the music has this great bittersweet quality to them. This is definitely something I want to return to. On first listen, Son of a Preacher Man was really excellent, also really enjoyed Don't Forget About Me, Breakfast In Bed, and The Windmills of Your Mind.

This is a fantastic album -- four Goffin-Kings, two Randy Newmans, and a Bacharach! And "Son of a Preacher Man"! Plus Dusty!

Loved it!!

Wonderful voice, great songs, good instrumentals. I honestly really dig this. 5/5

Love this

Dusty has such a wonderful voice. In a way, precursor to Linda Rondstat

Dusty has one of the greatest voices ever. Unfortunately, I have to be in the mood for this style…it’s just a little too slow for me some days. However, there’s never a bad time to hear Son of a Preacher Man. That song alone gets an album four stars.

Basically perfect not a song on it that I dislike. Icon!!

Great voice. Blast from the past.

Fantastic album, all of the songs were great. Amazing soul sounds of the 60s!

Very nice

I love the instruments from the spacious guitar licks on Don't Forget About Me to the orchestra sounds on I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore. I enjoy Dusty's voice, there is something that feels really nice hearing it. I think everything comes together to make a really good album.

Much to my surprise I find out that the person that sings Son of a Preacher Man is a white lady. The whole album was great it's definitely a keeper

Gorgeous album showcasing Dusty's great voice and an album I've owned for years. While this has the distinctive "Memphis sound", her gorgeous voice doesn't get lost in the production. As with "Elvis In Memphis" (released the same year), the soundstage is fantastic and the songs are strong. My favorite tracks here are Just A Little Lovin', Breakfast In Bed, and of course the blockbuster Son of a Preacher Man. Really, not a single clinker on the whole album. The mono release lacks a track, Willie & Laura Mae Jones, also worth seeking out. Reggie Young's guitar on Don't Forget About Me is a great example of the awesome musicianship on this entire record.

Dusty Springfield: Son of a preacher is such a great song. Rest of album is cool too I like Land of make believe. 4.5

Some of this I didn’t find too interesting but giving it a five because son of a preacher man is an ultimate bop and windmills of your mind is a total masterpiece. The bass player really goes off in the last 10 seconds of preacher man.

This is such an incredible album. I love how she sings. I love all the bridges. Windmills of your mind is one of my top fave songs. No notes. 10/5

This is a classic and it shows.

She has such a great voice, also the orchestration on some the songs reminds me of James Bond themes

Absolutely sublime.

Slow burn on this one. I literally listened to it about five times in a row while working on a project. Her voice is soulfully soothing, her lyrics reveal an inner depth while also inviting a morning romp in the hay. The band kicks ass and you hear the trademark bass, guitar, and horns that are found on other great records from Memphis. I loved it! Time for some breakfast in bed.

Phenomenal voice, I really enjoyed this. I'd argue son of a preacher man is potentially the weakest song (although still great)

She has a beautiful voice and this is a really nice 60s album.

So chill. Dusty is a sweet sweet vibe. This album sounds like the feeling of waking up fully rested on a sunny Saturday morning in May. Her voice is so rich and perfect. Yum!

such a great morning driving album. Well, anytime, really but especially great at the break of dawn :)

Love the arrangements, perfectly matches Dustys smoky, soulful voice. A record I definitely will listen more to in the near future, and an example of why I love a project like this.

The quintessential blue-eyed soul album.