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Lindakron
Sweet Inspiration
Canada
2701 Posts |
 Posted - 25/02/2007 : 02:48:55
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I'm really sorry if this has been discussed... and I'm sure it has.
The most amazing thing about Dusty's voice, in my opinion, is her versatility. Most of the music in my collection, though, is her "powerhouse" voice, where she's belting it out at full throttle. In the sixties, it seems the typical style was an upbeat tempo with a full-force vocal performance.
Yet, the voice that I love the most is her airy, gentle, almost whispering vocals that we hear in songs like, "The Look Of Love". That voice can bring me to tears. I was just wondering if anyone had any theories as to why this voice was not utilised more in her earlier releases. I have noticed, in her later work with the Pet Shop Boys, she shares this voice with us... or at least she shares more vocal diversity in the later albums.
Like I said, I've not heard even half of her catalogue so I may be wrong... I'm mainly speaking in terms of her early work and her 'greatest hits' stuff.
And, while I'm raving about her tranquility... can anyone recommend an album or a particular song that highlights that sensual, airy, intimate quality of Dusty's work? I can't get enough of it!!!
Thanks!
~Linda~
Break away and take the time to know your mind, and leave it all behind you. And say, "That's the way I am! Yeah - I was born this way."
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Sara
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
9307 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2007 : 09:49:31
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I agree, Dusty covered so many styles over her career she could've sung anything.
I'm kinda jealous cos you have yet to hear so much of her stuff! She used a softer style of singing a lot more in her later work, though it is there in some of the early stuff too.. Her album 'Dusty In Memphis' is definitely worth checking out, and also her 70s recordings which are so underrated. 'Cameo' is brilliant, or the CD 'Beautiful Soul' is amazing because it includes 'Cameo' and also the tracks from her unreleased album 'Longing'
Sara x |
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treking
Wasn't Born To Follow
United Kingdom
5672 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2007 : 10:25:54
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It was in some ways a 60's thing to belt out songs but the more airy voice is also evident to some extent in the 60's on early album tracks.
I'm thinking in particular of
Summer is over, My colouring book from A Girl Called Dusty.
Don't say it Baby, from Ev'erythings coming up Dusty.
Poor Wayfaring stranger, The water is wide, My Lagan love from the Good Times CD.
You can obtain Good Times which includes loads of tracks from the 60's TV series from the Dusty Springfield Bulletin which run is by Paul Howes --for more info check out our Dusty gallery forum where there is a thread on the Bulletin.
Beautiful Soul is as Sara says a very good example of the voice you love.
Trek
We are here for Dusty. |
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Carole R.
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
13684 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2007 : 11:40:40
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I can't think of another singer who has possessed the ability to perform in as many different styles as Dusty.
She said that she had an 'eclectic' taste in the music she listened to, and she also had an eclectic taste in the music which she sang.
Motown, jazz, folk, big ballads...Nothing was beyond her...
We ALL have our favourite style, and the breathy style which you describe, Linda, is certainly a BIG favourite.
I do agree that 'Beautiful Soul' is probably the best example of the breathy, airy, vocal style.
However, there are MANY more individual tracks which are good examples of this..
No doubt, our Members will have their OWN favourites to share.
Carole R.xx
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
6070 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2007 : 12:47:57
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Hi Linda
Its always great to hear from new members so please don't ever apologise for any topic you wish you discuss/point you wish to raise. Even if things have been discussed before the subject matter can more than stand up to further scrutiny!! That's our Dusty for you.
I'll dig out the link we did a while back with regard to the change in Dusty's speaking voice because you may find that interesting.
In the meantime, to get back to your thread. One of the CD's I particularly like is the 2cd set 'Something Special'. There are lots of the sorts of songs that I think fit into the category you describe.
I also agree with the choice of Longing and Cameo (these albums were released as 'The Beautiful Soul' compilation in the States - the ABC Dunhill Collection). I wouldn't describe them as sensual though but her vulnerability oozes throughout. Indeed many of these songs are heartbreaking as they have resonance with what was happening in Dusty's life at the time. Don't listen to the 'Longing' tracks if you are feeling a bit under the weather as many will have you in floods of tears.
Janie  x53 |
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Pablito
Wishing And Hoping
Ireland
465 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2007 : 21:48:46
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Dusty used her breathy soft voice a lot in the 60's - not always on the A-side single releases, her B-sides are full of them though;
"Look of Love"
"No Stranger Am I"
"The Colour of Your Eyes" (One of my favourites)
"Spooky"
"Earthbound Gypsy"
Album tracks like "Come for a Dream", "I Start Counting", "This Girl's in Love With You" also show off this style perfectly.
There was a BBC radio programme available online in which Dusty made some funny comments about using her soft voice - maybe another member can remeber what programme it was???
Paul. |
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Lindakron
Sweet Inspiration
Canada
2701 Posts |
Posted - 26/02/2007 : 00:50:22
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Thanks for the feedback, everyone!!
It's interesting, Dusty's speaking voice (I think you were mentioning this, Janie) is quite distinct as well. And I was excited to hear "Daydreaming" which begins without a distinct (vocal) melody and yet it's like music to me. Typically I don't enjoy that style of music, but Dusty's voice makes it absolutely musical. She really could record anything. Heck, she could have recited the contents of a phone book and I'd listen from A to Z.  |
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
6070 Posts |
Posted - 26/02/2007 : 10:04:15
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Linda, with regard to Dusty's speaking voice I have copied a link to a recording I did last November as part of a feature I used to do call 'The Talking Mod'. The recording provides snippets of Dusty's speaking voice from the early 60's to the mid 1990's. I hope you find it interesting.
From the 261106 Talking Mod feature
Link: http://www.yousendit.com/download/MEtSTXRRT01iV3g1VEE9PQ
1.Circa 1962. The Springfields BBC TV show
2.1964 South African Tour
3.Circa 1967 Eyesight
4.1978 British Music Awards
5.1989 Juke Box Jury Review of Five Stars track ‘With Every Heartbeat'
6.1990 Promotion of Reputation album
7.1995 Promotion of a Very Fine Love album
Janie x53 |
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Loony
Wishing And Hoping
United Kingdom
224 Posts |
Posted - 26/02/2007 : 11:25:58
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Dusty In Memphis is a must, as are Cameo and Beautiful Soul.
Whatever way Dusty sang, it seemed to work - even the rare tracks I'm not keen on are good by anybody elses standards - she could probably have made football chants good!
Smile - Life's FAR too short to waste time frowning! |
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treking
Wasn't Born To Follow
United Kingdom
5672 Posts |
Posted - 26/02/2007 : 22:36:17
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I can hear her now singing--UNITED, UNITED
Sounds good to me!!
Trek
We are here for Dusty. |
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Lindakron
Sweet Inspiration
Canada
2701 Posts |
Posted - 27/02/2007 : 01:47:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Loony
Dusty In Memphis is a must, as are Cameo and Beautiful Soul.
Dusty in Memphis is next on my list, thanks to Jann Arden's liner notes in her latest album (which I purchased about a week ago). She did a cover of "Son of A Preacher Man". I'm not sure if she's big in the UK or elsewhere, but she's a Canadian music icon where I'm from. Here's the note under 'Son of a Preacher Man':
Dusty Springfield was another singer that I simply adored listening to and emulating growing up. the "Dusty in Memphis" album is a must have for any serious collector. The song is a bold statement about a young love affair, and has some rather heavy religious overtones. I haven't recorded many songs with this kind of R&B backbone, but hey, I am a girl from Alberta... I try not to mess with the experts.
Thanks so much for your responses.
~Linda~ |
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