Released late October 2003

Cover versions of classic songs are nothing new - they were performed as far back as the forties and even more so throughout the boom years of the 1960's. Very few artists were ever able to pull off consistent great covers of other artists songs and the soul era was perhaps the most difficult area to capture the imagination of the record buying public who tended to stay loyal to the original versions that they had in their collections. The late Dusty Springfield was one such exception to the rule. Her love of soul and R'n'B music is well documented over the years, the most famous example being when she hosted the Ready Steady Go 'Sounds Of Motown' show for Rediffusion TV here in the UK back in 1965 when a plethora of budding acts on Berry Gordy's recently formed label Motown visited the UK for one hell of a memorial show.

Universal Music's' latest offering on Dusty is an eighteen track CD showcasing her love of soul music over a ten year period. Each track is unique in that unlike so many cover versions over the years that detract so much from the original song, all these gems are performed and arranged in exactly the same way as the original artists had recorded them and yet still manage to capture Dusty's own interpretation of the song in question.

The songs are pulled from a variety of artists, labels and a couple of Motown classics open the proceedings with her version of the Supremes classic 'When The Lovelight Starts Shining Thru His Eyes' and the mod anthem 'Needle In A Haystack' a hit for the Velvelettes in the same year. Both songs are sung with passion and soul and on first inspection you could almost imagine that the Funk Brothers and the Andantes were actually providing the backing for both tracks as they sound so authentic Motown. Next up is one of my all time favourite soul sides as originally performed by Maxine Brown/Manfred Mann/Rod Stewart etc. etc. in 'Oh No Not My Baby' a simple yet powerful performance who delivers every bit as good as Ms Brown and full credit to Gerry Goffin/Carole King for writing the song in the first place. Slowing the pace right down to a gentle ballad for the next song as she takes on 'Mr Dream Merchant' originally a hit for the Iceman Jerry Butler complete with fabulous orchestration and arrangement that Jerry himself would have been proud to have been associated with.

One track that really does have you wondering whether its the original or a cover on the opening bars is Dusty's rendition of 'Girls It Ain't Easy' a Hot Wax recording for the Honey Cone on Holland Dozier Holland's label of the early seventies - and is so powerful in its delivery I am surprised this version hasn't picked up by rare groove DJ's - a cracking version and one of the best on this CD. For the uninitiated Dusty's career is best known for her UK chart successes of the mid sixties, and one of the more soulful of those hits is included here in 'I Just Know What To Do With Myself' from 1966 and whilst this song is a classic to say the least I would have loved to have seen her ultimate soul side 'Some Of Your Lovin' included in this set.

Next up Dusty takes on the Sand Pebbles' 1968 outing for Track records with the gospel flavoured 'Love Power' complete with a snatch of 'Funky Drummer' in the middle. The song has been a favourite for years on the collectors scene and could be found on the Backtrack label series. Marvin Gaye was one of Dusty's favourite Motown artists and her bouncy cover of his 1964 hit 'Can I get A Witness' will please the listener and the song is kept strictly close to the original and I tried it out on a live audience recently to an ecstatic reaction. Another Motown track worthy of mention is Rita Wright's 1968 song 'I Can't Give Back The Love I Feel For You'.

Back in 1967 the legendary Chicago based Chess label issued a gorgeous song by Mitty Collier entitled 'I Had A Talk With My Man Last Night' a gentle piano laden song that is featured here too in much the same way as Mitty had done all those years ago. Soul music wasn't just about big beats and trombones etc, but about the artist singing with passion from their heart about things they believed in. This song can only be sung with those ingredients in mind  - nothing less will do - Dusty certainly delivers on this one.

Now here's a track to grab your attention 'Brand New Me' was recorded in Philadelphia under auspices of Gamble & Huff and s a glorious example of MFSB driven Philly groove behind an immaculate vocal delivery that any of TSOP's artist would have died for. Last up is her great version of the Jimmy Radcliffe classic 'Long After Tonight Is All Over' a song written by the legendary Burt Bacharach and one that usually finds itself being played at the close of many a northern soul night (in particular it was one of the last three songs played on a Sunday morning at the famous Wigan Casino) and again it contains all the ingredients that makes this song a sheer pleasure to listen too.

If you are a fan of soul music from yesteryear then I urge you to consider this as a priority purchase and guarantee you that she does not disappoint on these songs which all add up to a great CD and is a real tribute to Dusty's immense talent.

Rating 10/10