Customer Reviews

A Girl Called Dusty: An Intimate portrait of Dusty Springfield

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Sharon Davis, renowned black music and Motown expert, brings us an intimate portrait of Britains finest and most well-loved singer of all time:DUSTY SPRINGFIELD. This follows in the footsteps of Sharon Davis other critically acclaimed best-selling books on the likes of Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.

A Girl Called Dusty is alternately funny (some amusing anecdotes from people who knew Dusty personally saying how she used to love having food fights and would throw crockery around in a tantrum) and very touching (her struggle to keep her sexuality a secret being one, and, of course, her courageous battle with Breast Cancer). The impression you get of the legendary Dusty Springfield here is the most honest and beleavable account you will ever read. Before Dusty's untimely death in 1999, Dusty, who was a personal friend of the author, had told Sharon Davis that if ever a biography was to be written on her life she'd like Sharon Davis to be the lady to write it - "Be kind" quipped Dusty to Sharon.

Another astonishing insight into the private life of Dusty Springfield was that she was infact a highly self-critical and deeply insecure lady, unsure of her abilities, even at the height of her success.

This book is a fascinating insight and a celebration of the life of Dusty Springfield. Extremley well written, as always, by Sharon Davis, who writes in an engaging and very entertaining way, creating and setting the scene impeccably as we are transported back to Dustys childhood, through to her triumphant success as a solo singer in the 1960's through to her reclusive period during the 1970's, to her return back to the music scene via The Pet Shop Boys in the 1980's and early 1990's, through to her turbulent time when she was diagnosed with cancer.

There are also indepth reviews on Dustys albums and singles - and what a lot of classics she made! Son Of A Preacher Man, You Dont Have To Say You Love Me, I Just Dont Know What To Do With Myself, I Count To Ten to name but some. Sharon, again, sets the scene very well in depicting stories of the recording sessions of these great classics.

Dusty was undoubtedly the first white lady of Soul (was amazed at how Dusty commented to Sharon Davis in an interview that she didnt consider herself a Soul singer which is really an insecure Dusty underestimating herself) and her memory will be treasured forever. Keeping Dustys legacy burning bright is Sharon Davis who undoubtedly has written the definitive biography of Dusty Springfield.

Ian Phillips
October 2008

Definitive? Hardly...I bought this book by the previous reviewers glowing review, I was misled. The book does have one strong point, it tracks most of her songs, albums and performances, but is VERY light on any personal biography. If you are looking for a more personal history of Dustys interesting life, look elsewhere, because this book will not satisfy your interest. I am hoping there is someone out there that will, in fact, write the DEFINITIVE biography of our beloved Dusty. In the meantime I will enjoy the amazing music she has left us and hope for a well written, truthful and honest biography that she deserves.