Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis: #838 of best 1,000 albums ever!

Why is Dusty Springfield’s Dusty in Memphis on my best 1,000 albums ever list?

A sweet talkin’ – not to mention singin’ – pop-soul gem.

What does Dusty Springfield’s Dusty in Memphis mean to me? What does it make me feel? Why is it exciting or compelling?

Like so many of my generation, I was introduced to Dusty Springfield by way of the movie, Pulp Fiction. It’s somewhat taken for granted today how innovative Quentin Tarantino was (and still is) with his mastery and use of pop culture and its invention and re-invention within his films.

Indeed, this early 1990s movie breathes new life into an incredible song (“Son of a Preacher Man”) from 1969 while at the very same time breathing new life into a once iconic actor’s career (John Travolta) who would go on to have a remarkable second act, in addition to turning in a stellar performance in a masterpiece of a movie.

But all of my above talk gets a little blah blah blah intellectual-ish compared to watching the Pulp Fiction scene and letting it wash over you. And shout out of course to the electric, funny, and quirkily dangerous performance turned in by Uma Thurman as well.

But back to Dusty Springfield and “Son of a Preacher Man.” It’s an incredible song on its own, from its inviting opening hook to Dusty’s gorgeous and (seemingly) effortless voice to the rising horns that push the song along with delightful momentum.

A perfect pop-soul gem from the British artist.

“Cherished” took me a little while to get into, but once it clicked, it really clicked and I wound up completely digging its late ‘60s sort of pre-disco belt-it-out-to-the-rafters vibe.

I love the string instrumentation on “Just a Little Lovin’,” which could almost the soundtrack to a Russian novel, before the song allows Dusty’s absolutely incredible vocals to take over on this great pop song.