Dusty Springfield - Dusty In Memphis - Hybrid Stereo SACD

2026 reissue. Arrival TBA

Mastered directly to DSD from the original master tape by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio

Almost ignored at the time of it's release it's now considered a classic.

"Looking back over my work, "Dusty in Memphis" stands out. It's one of my greatest achievements, one of the records I'm most proud of" - Jerry Wexler.

"It's the best thing I ever worked on" - Reggie Young

"The only album of mine I like" - Dusty Springfield

Dusty Springfield shares rarified air with the top soul/R&B queens of the post-WWII era — Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and others.

Originally released in 1969, the concept for Dusty In Memphis was to take England's reigning female soul queen to the home of the music which had inspired her. Produced by Atlantic's Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin and engineered by Tom Dowd, the record's highlights include "Son Of A Preacher Man," "So Much Love," "Breakfast In Bed," "Just One Smile," "I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore" and "Just A Little Lovin'".

Springfield is backed by a crack band that had previously worked with Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, King Curtis and Elvis Presley among others. The musicians — collectively known as the Memphis Cats — include guitarist Reggie Young, bassist Tommy Cogbill, drummer Gene Chrismann, pianist Bobby Wood and Bobby Emmons on organ and electric piano. Songwriting contributions came from, among others, Randy Newman, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Dusty Springfield is one of the finest white soul singers of her era, and this is the undisputed proof.

5 Star AMG Review by Richie Unterberger

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 bonus tracks: "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.

Personnel include: Dusty Springfield (vocals); Reggie Young (guitar, sitar); Tommy Cogbill (guitar, bass instrument); Bobby Emmons (electric piano, organ, congas); Gene Chrisman (drums); Mike Leech (congas); The Sweet Inspirations (background vocals). Recording information: American Studios, Memphis, Tennessee; Groove Sound, New York, New York.