#89: Dusty Springfield - A Girl Called Dusty (1964)

For those that don't understand why musicians take stage names look no further than Dusty Springfield. It's a cool name and it totally fits her sound - that - and her given name is Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien. Usually your name has to fit on the album cover. However, her nickname 'Dusty' was given to her from being a tomboy and playing football with the boys in the street.

Momma Said
It's always been one of my favorite oldies. She stays true to the original and she's got a really unique and cool voice. Her vocal technique is a little shorter and stronger than what I'm used to by female artists from this genre, but it's perfect for this style of music.




When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes

I didn't expect Dusty to be a diva, but considering I knew her name (and that's it) before listening to this record I expected to hear what I normally hear from artists in this genre with top billing: a really special voice with little to no redeeming qualities from the other musicians. But while Dusty has a truly amazing voice, the songs are well written and the musicians behind her provide a full frame around Dusty. Best track on the album.

Can I Get a Witness
It's got the 'Sesame Street' piano part. One of these days I'm gonna write a medley of all the songs that have the same sound to it (see: Van Morrison's Blue Money). It's got a really cool feel to it, a lot of blues and soul. The band lays low but the backup vocals keep us hooked throughout the song.

All in all, it's really good. There's only a few exceptional tracks, but what I can take away from this is that Dusty just has a cool voice. She sounds like she's 5 foot and has a strong (not powerful) voice. I love the tone of her voice, and when she really projects it's not overbearing - it has a really amazing quality to it. I liked most of the songs, it's not a must hear album - but it's very, very good. I enjoyed it. However, she's such a talented vocalist, I look forward to listening to another Dusty Springfield album sometime very soon.

Tomorrow's album: Jack White's Blunderbuss.