#83 Dusty Springfield, 'Dusty in Memphis' (1969)

Previously #89

Six years after releasing her first single, Dusty Springfield’s career was in decline. In 1969 artists like Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin were on the rise. Woodstock was about to happen and music was moving on from Dusty Springfield. Also, Carole King was embarking on a solo career and Springfield’s relationship with Burt Bacharach and Hal David was souring; all songwriters who had helped shape her career. In the hopes of reinvigorating her career, Springfield signed to Atlantic Records, home to her hero, Aretha Franklin. The British native would go to Memphis to record at American Sound Studio, coincidentally a move Elvis Presley would take later that same year (#322). The album flopped on release, but ultimately it has been hailed as one of the greats.

The centrepiece of this record is ‘Son Of A Preacher Man,’ a single that would go on to become a Top 10 hit in the US and UK. The song was written with Aretha Franklin in mind, but it went to Dustry Springfield instead. In a full circle moment for Springfield, Aretha Franklin would go on to record this song later that year. ‘Dusty In Memphis’ is a typically Memphis-sounding recording (fancy that). Due to its poor sales, it stalled her career instead of reviving it, but in time it cemented her as an icon. Backing vocals were performed by The Sweet Inspirations, who were led by Cissy Houston aka the mother of Whitney Houston. This was the perfect Sunday morning listen.

#rs500albums