Dusty In Memphis

This week we get some soul on Live Drive as we step back to 1969 and the sultry sounds of the incomparable Dusty Springfield with her classic album Dusty In Memphis. Recorded surprisingly enough in Memphis Tennessee and produced by production legends Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin.

Dusty In Memphis was Springfield's first album with Atlantic Records. Dusty signed with the label to reinvigorate her career and boost her credibility. Atlantic was the home of a number of soul artists including Aretha Franklin who was a hero of Dusty's. Memphis was chosen as the location to record as a number of blues musicians had come from Memphis including Dusty's new backing band The Memphis Cats, who had backed Wilson Picket and Elvis Presley. Not only that but her backing vocalists were The Sweet Inspirations (Founded by Whitney Houston's mother Cissy)

The album is filled to the brim with Dusty's signature vocals, warm and seductive she drifts the listener from track to track, most of which were written by greats such as Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Randy Newman of course Burt Bacharach.

Not only is this some of Dusty's finest work it is some of the finest soul music ever recorded. If Dusty wanted to revitalise her career and in due course boost her credibility she did it in style with Dusty In Memphis.

Track Listing

1. Just A Little Lovin
2. So Much Love
3. Son Of A Preacher Man
4. I Don't Want To Hear About It Anymore
5. Don't Forget About Me
6. Breakfast In Bed
7. Just One Smile
8. The Windmills Of Your Mind
9. In The Land Of Make Believe
10. No Easy Way Down
11. I Can't Make It Alone