Being a Friday morning an the prospect of no work for two days looms ahead, surely I should be listening to Walking in Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves....
But it's been sleepy start to the day so it's got to be Dusty In Memphis...
Recorded in 1969 it's was the first time Dusty had recorded an entire album of R&B and the first time that she had worked with outside producers having self-produced her previous solo output. Newly signed to Atlantic Records Britain's brightest pop sensation was looking for credibility hence the location of the recordings, Memphis. The home of Elvis, Roy Orbison, BB King, Sam & Dave and of course, classic R&B label, Stax.
Notoriously perfectionist, producer Jerry Wexler said that for Springfield "to say yes to one song was seen as a lifetime commitment." apparently all the original vocal recordings which were made in the titular Memphis, were re-recorded in New York. (Not sure 'Dusty In New York' has the same ring about it).
With the talent involved with the album it's hardly surprising it's so highly revered. Dusty's backing singers were The Sweet Inspirations, who at the time on of the most in demand vocal groups. Founded by 'Cissy' Houston (mother of Whitney and aunt to Dionne Warwick) they sung backing for Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Elvis, The Bee Gees and even Van Morrison (that's them you can hear on 'Brown Eyed Girl'). She was backed by local musicians The Memphis Cats led by Reggie Young in guitar (that's him on Elvis's Suspicious Minds). Heading up the production was Jerry Wexler. The man that coined the phrase 'Rhythm and Blues' and responsible for signing the greatest acts of the last century: Aretha Franklin, Led Zep, Bob Dylan and, oh, Dire Straits.
History lesson over.
Opening with the sleepy 'Just A Little Lovin' in which our little saucepot Dusty breathily intones "just a little lovin, early in the morning, beats a cup of coffee for starting off the day...". Doesn't it just. It's a dreamy, seductive start.
So Much Love continues the theme. Dusty has much to give the right fella if only she could find someone who understands her. Perhaps the son of a preacher man can help?
What a track. Smooth and super cool. You only need to hear a snatch of that that classic little guitar lick to recognise what's coming. Used brilliantly by Tarantino in Pulp Fiction and sampled cheekily by Cypress Hill for 'Hits from the Bong', Inhale.... Exhale...
Her heartbreak on 'Just One Smile' is palpable. You feel you want pick her up off the floor, give her a hug and tell her she'll be okay. But within two minutes she gets to her own feet, composes herself and unfurls her vocals and soars once again.
However the standout track for me is the sweeping 'Breakfast In Bed'. Graceful and inviting before hitting majestic highs. When she sings " And no one has to know" it sends shivers up my spine every time. And then it breaks into those slinky horns. Awesome.
And there's more to follow, 'The Windmills of Your Mind', 'In the Land of Make Believe', 'I Can't Make It Alone'... Classic songs covered many times, but these versions have never been topped.
Forty years later another British songstress has had huge success with a classic, authentic soul album of love and heartbreak. Adele's 21 owes a massive dept to Dusty in Memphis. Whilst it's dropped the rich production of ...Memphis in favour of a raw, honest sound, the look and soul-baring is all Ms Springfield.
Dusty was right to be perfectionist. A lifetime later, the songs and production hold up beautifully. Tender. Playful. Seductive. At only 33 minutes long, with 11 songs, it's petite and perfectly formed.
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