I’ve always loved Dusty Springfield – right from when I first heard her, Bacharach compilations, and then finding out it was her that was the voice on that Pet Shop Boys song and from there to classic Dusty compilations, of course the Dusty in Memphis album – a masterpiece; a revelation – and not that long back I found this, her first American album, a fine compilation of many of the great early songs. But this, her debut album, was something I hadn’t heard until this challenge, this book.
It’s a masterclass of songs – and performances. Perfect voice, sweet arrangements, great playing, magical songs – just perfect.
And I reckon it’s never not the right time to be listening to Dusty Springfield.
This album has been getting so many spins since finding out about it. Most recently, when Tom Petty died – we all felt like listening to music, but not his! We played a few albums during the day but then, as the man had said on one of his best, it was time to move on. So we played this. And all agreed it was perfect.
There’s a slight connection there I guess – with biographer Warren Zanes writing spectacular books about both Dusty and Petty.