Dusty Springfield: Dusty in Memphis [MERCURY]

Why you'll love it

This Mercury reissue is on 180g vinyl and includes a download card. Dusty in Memphis is in the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.

This edition

• 180g vinyl
• Download card included
• Pressed in the EU
• Stereo mix

About the album

Dusty Springfield went to Atlantic Records for one reason: it was Aretha Franklin's label, and she wanted a little of that magic. Her one condition was working with Jerry Wexler, and he brought in Arif Mardin and Tom Dowd, the Sweet Inspirations on backing vocals and the crack Memphis players of American Sound Studio, including bassist Tommy Cogbill and guitarist Reggie Young.

The rhythm tracks were cut in Memphis, and Springfield added her vocals and the orchestra in New York, so the record has both the swampy groove and the strings. "Son of a Preacher Man" is the one that went top ten in the UK, sly and soulful, while "Breakfast in Bed" and "Just a Little Lovin'" are pure late-night velvet. "The Windmills of Your Mind" spins beautifully, "So Much Love" and "I Can't Make It Alone" show off her range, and Gene Orloff's arrangements never crowd her.

Robert Christgau called it the all-time rock-era torch record. Fittingly for a British singer who went all the way to Tennessee for her soul, it's now considered the finest thing she ever did, which is what's known in the trade as a well-planned trip.

Also at Kops: more Dusty Springfield on vinyl · browse Classic Soul

Tracklist

Listen

On Mercury (cat# 5707137), a reissue of the 1969 album.