Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield, born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien on April 16, 1939, in West Hampstead, London, rose to fame as one of Britain's most iconic singers of the 1960s, known for her emotive blue-eyed soul voice. She passed away on March 2, 1999, in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, at age 59 after battling breast cancer.
Dusty grew up in a music-loving family with Irish roots; her father was a pub owner, and her older brother Dion (later Tom Springfield) shared her passion for singing. As a child, she performed with her brother in their garage and developed an early love for American soul and Motown artists like Aretha Franklin and the Supremes.
In 1958, she joined the all-girl vocal group the Lana Sisters, honing her harmonizing and stage skills through UK tours and US Air Force base shows. By 1960, she reunited with her brother and Tim Feild to form the folk-pop trio The Springfields, adopting her stage name Dusty; the group scored hits like "Island of Dreams" before she went solo in 1963.
Springfield's breakthrough came with "I Only Want to Be with You," a UK No. 4 hit that crossed to the US Top 10, followed by smashes like "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (UK No. 1, 1966) and "Son of a Preacher Man" (1968) from her acclaimed album Dusty in Memphis, produced by Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records. Her signature beehive hairstyle, heavy eyeliner, and dramatic gowns made her a Swinging Sixties icon during the British Invasion.
Struggles with addiction and personal challenges led to a career dip in the 1970s, but she revived in the 1980s with Pet Shop Boys' "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" (1987, UK No. 2) and the Scandal soundtrack. Rolling Stone later hailed her as Britain's best pop singer ever.
She earned the nickname "White Queen of Soul" for her ability to master American soul and R&B. She was openly bisexual (though often identified as a lesbian), challenging norms in the music industry. Springfield died of breast cancer in 1999 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shortly after,.
From Dusty.... With Love
Written-By – Butler, Gamble, Huff
2:27
A2 Bad Case Of The Blues
Written-By – Gamble, Chambers
2:06
A3 Never Love Again
Written-By – Gamble, Huff, Chambers
3:21
A4 Let Me In Your Way
Written-By – Gamble, Chambers
2:45
A5 Let's Get Together Soon
Written-By – Gamble, Huff
2:41
B1 Brand New Me
Written-By – Butler, Gamble, Bell
2:25
B2 Joe
Written-By – Felder, Gamble, Harris
2:21
B3 Silly, Silly Fool
Written-By – Gamble, Huff
2:30
B4 The Star Of My Show
Written-By – Gamble, Huff
2:27
B5 Let's Talk It Over
Written-By – Gamble, Huff
2:29
Label: Philips – SBL 7927
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1970
Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Sixties Soul. Pop-Soul
From Dusty...With Love (1970) received mixed reviews, praised for its Philly Soul sound, strong vocals on tracks like "Joe" and "The Star Of My Show," but criticized by some for cheesy production, weaker slow songs, and feeling overshadowed by the classic Dusty in Memphis, though it contained gems like "Let Me Get in Your Way" and "Bad Case of the Blues". While some critics found its production dated, fans appreciated its soulful moments, highlighting it as a solid entry in her catalog, especially for devoted followers.
Many noted its strong Philly Soul sound, with horns, strings, and funky bass, reminiscent of Sigma Sound. Praised for Dusty's distinctive, soulful, and husky voice, particularly on tracks like "Joe," "The Star of My Show," and "Let Me Get in Your Way".
Considered to have catchy soul-pop songs and a few standout gems, with "Bad Case of the Blues" being a fun pop track. Some fans considered it a masterpiece and a must-have for devoted followers, even with its later 80s-esque production on some tracks. Many felt it didn't live up to the brilliance of Dusty in Memphis, making it feel less essential. Some slower tracks, such as "Never Love Again," were considered dull or filler.
Overall, From Dusty...With Love is seen as a solid, though not universally acclaimed, album that showcases Dusty Springfield's enduring vocal talent within a specific pop/soul production style, offering highlights that appeal to fans despite its flaws and comparisons to her more legendary work.