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Dusty Springfield

Siobhanne Beattie

Triangle

‘Goin’ Back : The Definitive Dusty Springfield’ is a stunning collection of hits celebrating one of the most iconic female voices of the 20th Century, released 7th November via UMC.

Born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien 16th April 1939 in West London, Dusty Springfield enjoyed a successful career spanning over 40 years and earning her the title, ‘White Queen Of Soul’.  Springfield joined her first group The Lana Sisters in 1958 before joining pop/folk trio, The Springfields, along with her brother Dan in 1960.  I Only Want To Be With You marked the beginning of Dusty Springfield’s solo career in 1963.  A stream of hits followed, cementing her status, Wishin’ And Hopin’ (1964), I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself (1964), You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (1966) and Son Of A Preacher Man (1968).  By 1966 Dusty Springfield was the best-selling female singer in the world.

In 1969, Dusty Springfield recorded, “Dusty In Memphis” in an attempt to boost her credibility as a soul singer.  The album was later ranked among the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine and was awarded a spot in the Grammy Hall Of Fame.

Following this Dusty saw a sharp decline in her record sales and a dip in popularity as the dawning of the 70s welcomed in the age of disco.  Dusty enjoyed a revival in the early 1990s courtesy of the Pet Shop Boys, collaborating with them on What Have I Done To Deserve This?, Nothing Has Been Proved and In Private. The 1994 cult film, ‘Pulp Fiction’, starring John Travolta and Uma Thurman included Son Of A Preacher Man on its soundtrack.

In 1994, Dusty was diagnosed with breast cancer while working on her final album ‘A Very Fine Love’, however, following months of radiation treatment her cancer went into remission.  In 1995 Dusty focused on promoting her album.  In early 1996 the cancer returned and despite vigorous treatments Dusty Springfield lost her brave battle and died 2nd March 1999.

‘Goin’ Back : The Definitive Dusty Springfield’ is a lavish jam-packed four CD collection covering her biggest and best hits, rarities and BBC recordings, all chosen by close associates, experts and afficionados of the singer.

Paul Howes’ acclaimed book ‘The Complete Dusty Springfield’ includes a new, hard back, 60 page book with an essay by Dusty’s manager and friend Vicki Wickham and testimonies from Sir Tom Jones, Annie Lennox, Carole King and Neil Tennant.

An exclusive and very limited edition of this boxset, including a beautiful, hand-numbered canvas print of Dusty Springfield is available from The Universal Box Set Store (www.theboxsetstore.co.uk).

This amazing new collection is a fitting tribute to one of the most celebrated female vocalists in the history of British music.

‘Goin’ Back : The Definitive Dusty Springfield’ is available via UMC on 7th November.

 

www.dustyspringfield.org.uk