Customer Reviews

Something Special

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I cannot seemingly get enough of this marvelous voice and even tho' I actually just got hold of this cd as an import cd, i have to really share my thoughts to the rest of the world. This album contains some of her best cuts and personally speaking, the song "Something In Your Eyes" is my sole reason for buying this cd and I think she's the only singer who can interpret it that way...full of emotion. It's so sad that she wasn't credited (accordingly) for this cut appearing on Richard Carpenter's Time album (this album also contains a lovely duet of Richard and Dionne called In Love Alone)but nonetheless, it has some mighty nice words in it. Also, the variety of songs here in Something Special speaks of it's very title. But the ultimate gem from Dusty is still the Memphis stuff. The legend will definitely be MISSED,...so long Dusty.

Normally, collections are just a repetition of similar products of the same artists. Mike Gill has done a master job, as he did not take the easiest road, but did research Dusty's marvellous repertoire and rescued real gems that would otherwise remain out of reach, for her fans. If one is listening to Dusty for the 1st time, well, the double CD gives a complete coverage of the work of the best female singer around the world. All of her facets are here, and she had far too many. Her eclecticism, her easiness as she changed from a rock'n'roll to a passionate ballad... Impressive how well Dusty manages in French and Italian! She is not just a singer, but she acts as the character in her song. If you haven't heard it yet, don't waste time.

There are lots of Dusty Springfield compilations, all of them containing more or less the same collection of songs, most of all her greatest hits and some few other songs; for those who are looking for different songs (I mean not those that are repeated in almost all the compilations), this double CD is the answer, you'll find here b-sides of her Singles (British Singles in most cases), songs thst never were hits neither in UK nor in US, plus unreleased material and also some songs she recorded in Italian and in French; this compilation is defintely different from all the others, essential for collectors, it will also be of great interest for those who want to know some other songs of Dusty Springfield's repertoire.

Dusty Springfield was a singers singer and this box of 2 cds is a testemonial. It also has suh diversity and continuity it is a wonder. Now what is it that Dusty has that none of the others have? Well intelligence and emotion in equal doses. Her mastery of french and italian, and the aid of some hand picked producers. This set includes some of her best and most obscure late 60s work Buy it, you'll do well by it! My favorite cuts are Wasn't Born to Follow, and I am Your Child.

As far as compilation albums go, this is utterly divine. As well as a few b-sides,which in themselves would have made excellent singles, we have four tracks in which Dusty sings in French or Italian, several previously un-issued songs and a look at her work right across the years. What more could we ask for? Well, i guess forty eight tracks should be enough to be going on with, but, if it's just a 'Hits' album you're looking for, there are plenty of those available, if you like her hits and Dusty's voice, then chances are you will love this.
First up on side one, is the fantastic "Something Special" (b-side to "Stay Awhile") written by none other than Dusty herself, the first time i heard this i whisked straight back to the 1960's and her phenomenal journey through that most sensational of era's, she managed to capture entirely that raw, snap, crackle and pop sound that seemed to define that decade so brilliantly, you may well be left wishing that if only, only, ONLY, she had written more songs like that! Dusty does, in fact, have a hand in the writing of "I'm Gonna Leave You", co-written with her backing singers Madeline Bell and Lesley Duncan, not quite the same knock you out thump of the title track, but, still a tasty treat of a ballad nevertheless. This was a previously un-issued song,and others in that category include; "Needle In A Haystack"/"Wasn't Born To Follow"/A Song For You"/"You Set My Dreams To Music", and the hugely dramatic "Don't Speak Of Love" written by Wagner, yes, THE Richard Wagner! The lyrics are written by Vicki Wickham and Simon Napier Bell, and the music is from the 1845 opera 'Tannhauser', it has to be said, Dusty delivers this amazingly. In case you are wondering, this doesn't actually sound like an opera song, but it certainly captures that dramatic feel.
Another track previously un-issued is "I Will Always Want You" a.k.a "Di Fronte All' Amonde", a song from the 1965 San Remo Festival in Italy, both the English and the Italian versions are here, also included is another from the same festival "Tu Che Ne Sai", which Dusty performed that year. Two tracks in French complete the lovely foreign language section; "Reste Encore Un Instant" ("Stay Awhile") and "Je Ne Peux Pas T'en Vouloir" ("Losing You").
Many Dusty fans, i'm sure, will recognise most of the b-sides included on this album; "I'll Love You For A While"/"Small Town Girl"/"No Stranger Am I"/"Earthbound Gypsy"/ "My Colouring Book" and "The Look Of Love", most of which could surely have been hits by themselves.
One song in particular that brings me out in goose pimples every time i hear it is the Barry Manilow/Marty Panzer "I Am Your Child", absolutely beautiful pure and haunting vocals....aah, sweet angel Dusty...
Side two takes us through a look at some of her work from the latter half of her career, and includes several tracks from most of Dusty's albums. Perfectly laid out, and again, many recognisable titles, far too numerous to mention, but, favourites for me are;"Just One Smile"/"Something In Your Eyes" (her work with Richard Carpenter)/"I Just Fall In Love Again"/"Joe"/"Breakfast In Bed"/ "This Girl's In Love With You"...oh heck...the entire album is just mind blowing!!
With a degree of reluctance, and without wishing to take anything away from the 'Memphis' album, on a top 10 list of Dusty Springfield albums, 'Something Special' just has to take the number one spot, this is not just any old compilation, with Dusty's career in pop lasting over 35 years, and despite the problems she fought along the way, this album proves without doubt that she remained consistently superb throughout.

Dusty Springfield had "Something Special" in her voice that was incomparable and this is the greatest two disc compilation detailing her brilliant career. Starting with the rocking "Something Special" then into spectactular French version's of "Stay Awhile" and "Losing You", it is clear that this is a collection that is going to be full of great and unusual gems from Dusty's incredible songbook. Carole King's "I'll Love You For Awhile" is soulful and beautifully orchestrated and the Motown cooker "Needle In A Haystack" is given a wild rocking workout that could have been a hit on its own!!! Glorious ballads sung with complete vocal magnificence in Italian follow showing the beauty of Dusty's unique voice and her powerful way of emoting that make Dusty a once-in-a-lifetime classic and second to none. "I'm Gonna Leave You" contains a haunting beautiful vocal in a program so full of them that there are way too many to mention here. Rare sides, unreleased gems, and classics from various albums with hits such as "The Look Of Love" fill out this collection of treasures from a peerless voice in the history of great vocal artists!!! Do not miss this Import treasure chest of Dusty classic masterpieces as it doesn't get better than this...Thank you Dusty and we miss you...

Dusty Springfield was a singers singer and this box of 2 cds is a testemonial. It also has such diversity and continuity it is a wonder. Now what is it that Dusty has that none of the others have? Well intelligence and emotion in equal doses. Her mastery of french and italian, and the aid of some hand picked producers. This set includes some of her best and most obscure late 60s work Buy it, you'll do well by it! My favorite cuts are Wasn't Born to Follow, and I am Your Child.