Dusty Springfield
by Lucy Obrien
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Book Summary Information
Author: Lucy ObrienEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-03-10
ISBN: 033039343X
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Pan Books Ltd
Book Reviews of Dusty Springfield
Book Review: Enjoyable and Objective...
Summary: 4 Stars
Originally published in the UK in 1988 (revised, updated and reissued after Dusty's death in 1999), Lucy O'Brien's DUSTY is one of, if not THE first biography about the late music icon. It also stands as perhaps the most definitive.
Several other books have been published since. Some are worthy reads, but not necessarily a traditional bio (fans looking to dig deeper on a more academic level will enjoy QUEEN OF THE POSTMODS by Annie Randall), while others have been exploitive trash (David Bret's new bio being the latest- I haven't read it yet, but there are factual errors ON THE BACK COVER, not to mention his books are usually sensationalistic, derivative garbage). The most notorious of the latter is the 2000 book DANCING WITH DEMONS. Allegedly "authorised", in this book Dusty is reduced to an uncaring/unbalanced/insecure/lesbian/alcoholic/neurotic/drug-addicted mess, fast and loose with chronology and details, lacking in research (with a noticeable void of interviews with almost ANY of Dusty's contemporaries or collaborators in the music field) with only token print given to why Dusty Springfield was (and is) so revered in the first place. (And this was authored by two "friends"!)
O'Brien's book is MUCH more balanced. She has done her homework, with extensive interviews, thorough coverage of events in both Dusty's life and her career. A BRAND NEW ME, one of Dusty's watershed recording moments (working with Philly giants Gamble & Huff and Thom Bell), is basically given the brushoff in DANCING WITH DEMONS, but gets adequate recognition here. This is true in several instances- O'Brien has worked to create a cohesive portrait, not only of the woman, but also of her noteworthy accomplishments.
1973's CAMEO, an admirable if flawed effort, gets derisively dismissed in DANCING WITH DEMONS. However, DUSTY discusses the album- and the struggles behind recording it- in greater detail, including the all-too-important interviews and quotes with the parties involved.
O'Brien doesnt sugarcoat the dark side of Dusty's life- the book discusses the alcohol, the drugs, the sexual orientation, even the self mutilation- but it's done in a less gratuitous, more objective manner. A good example is the story behind Dusty's never-completed album, 1974's LONGING. The little that DEMONS does discuss are the salacious details of that are actually covered in this book. But in this book, you also get the backstory of what happened between producer Brooks Arthur and the brass at ABC/Dunhill.
It's not perfect- the narrative meanders at times and can be occasionally stodgy. The revised version also contains quotes from- and discussions about- individuals now deceased that indicate they're still with us (which actually happens quite often in revised and re-released bios).
Overall though, this is a great read, and one that does justice to its subject, warts and all.
If you haven't read anything yet about the great Dusty Springfield (or if you've read something less-than-satisfying), this is the perfect book with which to start off.
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