Sometimes memories distort or inflate the quality of recordings deemed legendary, but in the case of
Dusty in Memphis, the years have only strengthened its reputation. The idea of taking England's reigning female soul queen to the home of the music she had mastered was an inspired one. The
Jerry Wexler/
Tom Dowd/
Arif Mardin production and engineering team picked mostly perfect songs, and those that weren't so great were salvaged by
Springfield's marvelous delivery and technique. This set has definitive numbers in "So Much Love," "Son of a Preacher Man," "Breakfast in Bed," "Just One Smile," "I Don't Want to Hear About It Anymore," and "Just a Little Lovin'" and three bonus tracks: an unreleased version of "What Do You Do When Love Dies," "Willie & Laura Mae Jones" and "That Old Sweet Roll (Hi-De-Ho)." It's truly a disc deserving of its classic status. ~ Ron Wynn