Search - Dusty Springfield :: Live at Royal Albert Hall

Well Worth The Wait

Music Maven | Southern California | 10/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"26 years after Dusty Springfield appeared in concert at the Royal Albert Hall, someone FINALLy picked up the ball and release a CD and DVD of that momentous night in 1979. Since this is the only "live" album in Dusty's repertoire, it stands out in its unique showcase of the extemely talented, bright, witty and charming English "Queen Of Pop".



This is one high-energy live performance - there are no sagging moments. Dusty works her butt off - no breaks for sleep-inducing, self-indulgent egotistical monologues about her career. Dusty just keeps on giving till it hurts. Of course, most of the Top 40 hits are there in the form of a long medley; but, Dusty also treats us to some new songs - namely Natalie Cole's "This Will Be"; Karla Bonoff's "Lose Again"; and, the definitive rendition of Peter Allen's "Quiet Please(There's A Lady On Stage)".



Although some of the arrangements seem dated(no surprise 26 years after the fact), Dusty's voice never sounded better. For a woman who nearly always buried her fine voice in Spector-esque "walls of sound", it's a revelation to hear her unique voice right there up front. Not before or after her masterpiece "Dusty In Memphis" have we been treated to listening to the purity and versitility of her magnificent voice without tons of reverb and double-tracking.



As if Dusty's fine singing and choice of material wasn't enough, she gives us large heaping spoonfuls of her witty, charming and shyly engaging personality - something we were never privvy to unless we knew her outside the studio.



This album was worth the 26 year wait - it's that good. If you're new to Dusty Springfield, might I suggest you purchase "Dusty In Memphis", "Simply Dusty" and this album. Those 3 albums are all you need to catch up with us who have been fans since the beginning, when she was the only female member of the first wave of the "The British Invasion".



Having known Dusty and being in this music business more years than I care to say, I can truly vouch for the fact that, on this album, you get ALL of the wonderful components which made up one of the finest pop singers ever to open her mouth and heart . There'll never be another Dusty Springfield. And, we will miss you forever, Ms. O'Brien."