Dusty in Memphis is the fifth studio album by English singer Dusty Springfield. Initial sessions were recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis, while Springfield's final vocals and the album's orchestral parts were recorded at Atlantic Records' New York City studios. The album was released on 18 January 1969 in the United States by Atlantic Records, and Philips Records distributed the record outside the U.S. Springfield worked on the album with a team of musicians and producers that included Jerry Wexler, Arif Mardin, Tom Dowd, conductor Gene Orloff, backing vocalists the Sweet Inspirations, bassist Tommy Cogbill, and guitarist Reggie Young. Dusty in Memphis sold poorly upon its initial release, despite featuring one of Springfield's top-10 UK hits, "Son of a Preacher Man". It has since been generally acclaimed as her best work and one of the greatest albums of all time. Music critic Robert Christgau called it "the all-time rock-era torch record" and included it in his "Basic Record Library" of 1950s and 1960s recordings, published in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981). In 2001, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.In 2020, the album was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". In its official press release, the library stated that despite its modest sales when first released, "over time, Dusty in Memphis grew in stature to become widely recognized as an important album by a woman in the rock era."
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.
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.
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.
Smooth, soulful, enjoyable. beautiful voice
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)
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.
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!
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.
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
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
Amiable music that I very much appreciate.
That voice. Plus a couple of bona fide classics on here. Some filler, though
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.
Very good
Yeh, great
This is so easy listening. Every song is a banger
Love me some dusty. A great blue-eyed soul album. Close your eyes and listen to son of a preacher man.
Love, favorite yet
Spit song from Hadestown inspiration-windmills of your mind
What an amazing album!
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
Dusty! After 2 Dusty albums on this list, I have a newfound appreciation for her. I had always known "of" her, but never intentionally listened to her. This album is better than "A Girl Called Dusty", and nearly gets to 5 stars for "Preacher Man" alone. What a great, great album.
Fucking awesome. Dope chill vibes
Yeah this was good
Gran voz, buena instrumentación. A pesar de que todo gira en torno al canto, las cuerdas le dan un toque muy "espectacular". La batería disfrutable en todo el disco, pero sobre todo en Breakfast in Bed. Me gustó también la letra mareadora cantinflesca tintanesca de The Windmills of Your Mind. Song of a Preacher Man siento que ya la había escuchado, tiene un ritmito padre. En general no le pongo ningún pero a ninguna pieza, seguramente lo volveré a escuchar algún día pa ver con cuáles me quedo. Mood: Voz sexy-sad, una ex Adele.
false
Wonderful 👏
Loved it. Class melodies and vocals
Hay demasiadas pocas mujeres en esta lista, oigan. Y Joni la que no debería ser nombrada Mitchell está sobre representada. En fin. Gran disco. Bello, elegante, sutil, sincero, artificioso, brillante, romántico, pre-rock and roll, fabuloso. Dusty tiene una voz como de humo, la original chica de humo.
Another classic record on this list. I take a lot of these records for granted because they have been in the catalog for so long. Dusting this one off and giving it a recent spin reminded me of what a great soulful album this was.
Smooth.
Dusty is just a great singer. This album was well-produced too. Nailed it.
Yes, yes, yes! City's dusky voice excels throughout this excel-lent album. Every track is brilliant but Windmills of your Mind blows mine!!
just a little lovin' is pretty good. it's good! love it!
Wonderful.
Son of a preaching man Yowza Just a little loving This why to do the album generator
Dusty Springfield has such a beautiful voice. The Windmills of Your Mind could be a Bond song.
Phenomenal. I loved every second of it.
No comment needed
What a great album.
Such a golden, glittery feeling of warm nostalgia.
Soulful vibes fr all the way through. Soul music just does something else to me. easy 9/10
Such a beautiful, soulful voice.
What a pleasant surprise! I haven’t heard of her before, but now I see why she is a legend! Great album, crystal clear voice, great production. I loved it!
An album with earworms!
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.
Worth many replays! 5/5
smooth, nice voice and I like the vibes
This album is amazing. Great from end to end with fantastic production quality.
10/10 based af
Wow. What a versatile voice she has. A bit of cheese on here, but in the lovable sense. There are other 5 star albums on this list that I feel are better constructed than this one, but purely for replayability and enjoyable aspects this has to be a 5 star selection for me. Fave track is son of a preacher man. Duh.
Very soulful and easy to listen to. I loved hearing The Sweet Inspirations singing background and of course “Son of a Preacher Man.”
Sublime 6 stars
Amazingly soulful sounds and fantastic instrumentation.
I loved this album. After this I wanna keep listening to Dusty's work
I really enjoyed this album
So great. Had to listen twice.
I think I just fell in love. One of the most soulful records I've ever heard.
cool
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.
Perfection.
I get why it’s considered a classic to this day. Dusty’s voice is exquisite, and the highlight throughout the album. She just sucks you in; it feels like Sunday morning sensuality, oozing with romantic yearning. My favorite tracks are “Just a Little Lovin’”, “So Much Love”, “Son of a Preacher Man”, “I Don’t Want to Hear It Anymore”, “Breakfast in Bed”, “Just One Smile”, “In the Land of Make Believe”, “No Easy Way Down”, and “I Can’t Make It Alone”
Love her!
Beautiful, lyrics taking you on a subtly sensual path. Dusty’s voice is smooth and melodic with clear diction such that you can appreciate where each song takes you.
Like father like son. Femi adds a touch of western songcraft to his fathers Afro agit funk which probably makes this easier for newbies, but the beat and the commitment is still there. Recommended.
Lovely. Songs I knew but didn't know her.
Great music for getting it on
YEEEAAAHHHH!!! WOOOOOOOO!!
Soulful wonder.
Don’t forget about me is my favorite
I love this album so much and every time I listen to it want to listen to it more. Dusty Springfield is perfect for Memphis. “Son of a Preacher Man” is a powerhouse hit, but there is so much else to love here. There’s a wistful quality Dusty brings to even the upbeat tracks. No one does love, loss and hope like her. I love every song.
Springfield's full, soulful voice is the perfect instrument for these timeless tunes. Beautiful.
I was not familiar with most of these tracks, and I am so glad to have been introduced. A lovely album!
Didn't need to listen to this again. The songs and the voice live in my heart already.
First time hearing this, and fuck it’s perfect isn’t it?
That's gotta be a 5
It was so good I listened twice. The second tin through was even better.
Dusty is perfect
Again, it's Dusty. But this time the songs are even more consistently brilliant.
Loved it. Mellow, feminine voice, relaxing...
She’s amazing
Very good
Great album and production
Amazing voice, beautiful songs.
great oldy
This happens to be one of my favorite albums of all time! Bringing Dusty to the heartland of soul music was a stroke of genius and produced the best "blue-eyed" soul album ever produced.
What a record, what a voice. A major broadening and deepening from the limiting girlieness and overengineered pop of just five years before, the singing is deeply soulful and ravishingly sexy (“Just A Little Loving”, “Breakfast in Bed”). The longing and anguish in her voice are completely credible – one not only feels her pain (“I Don’t Want to Hear it Anymore,” “Don’t Forget About Me”), but gets it in a near-visceral sense. The lush production is borderline overdone; one would’ve loved to hear an unplugged version of this. But the arrangements are terrific throughout, especially on “No Easy Way Down,” “So Much Love,” and “Can’t Make It Alone.” And check out “The Windmills of Your Mind”– which she pulls off impeccably and intriguingly (the understated, suggestive arrangement helps) when so much could have gone wrong. Indeed, these songs transcend the considerable limits of the late-’60s excess to achieve timelessness.
GO ON, GIRL!
Some really delightful standards in a really delightful voice. What a great album
Is it the singer? Or is it the songs?Shouldn't it be both when it comes to this masterpiece? Songs written by, among others, Carole King, Randy Newman and the late Burt Bacharach. But Dusty Springfield takes every goddamn one of them and makes each song her own. This is as good as it gets, folks. An album worthy of its lofty reputation and then some.
Beautiful simplicity
Flawless
Beyond musical talent and skill, the best quality that music can have is its ability to make you feel something. Whether that's smile, cry, remember a memory, or evoke any sort of emotion in your cold heart. Dusty in Memphis makes me smile. It makes me strangely nostalgic for a period in which I have zero memories. It makes me think that this is probably some of what my musically-inclined grandparents listened to in their youth. It paints a picture of a simpler time - whether or not that is true is another conversation. It also impresses with its covert variety. There are sweeter tracks like So Much Love & Son of a Preacher Man, but also songs like The Windmills of Your Mind - much bolder that it can become a Bond song. Imagine all that being contained in a single, 30-or-so minute package.
Fantastic
Another masterpiece. Can hear how Dusty has influenced the likes of Amy Winehouse and Adele nearly four decades on with the beautiful string arrangements, a flawless voice and the ability to transport you to a smoky, sultry bar in the city at midnight surrounded by individuals dressed to the nines. Son of a Preacher Man may be the most popular track off the album; not close to being the best though. Perfect from front to back.
Can't beat a bit of Dusty
Wow, what a voice! I haven't really listened to any Dusty Springfield before but I'm definitely open to hearing more now. Love her delivery! Fave track - this version of "Son of a Preacher Man" is excellent - I should maybe listen to the Aretha version along side it. My top pick, however, has to be "The Windmills of You Mind". She starts off sounding aloof, maybe even drowsy, and her voice transforms over the course of the song - fascinating!