Dusty Springfield: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2005)

Dusty Springfield is Britain’s greatest ever pop diva and the possessor of one of the finest and most soulful voices of all time. She dominated both the UK and US charts throughout the sixties with a string of hit singles that have stood the test of time as true classics. Originally a member of the folk trio The Springfields, from whom she took her stage name, she became a solo artist in 1963 after being exposed to the magic of Motown whilst playing in America and became probably the finest ever white soul singer. Diagnosed with breast cancer in the mid-nineties she died in 1999 at the age of just 59.

This concert, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in 1979 in the presence of HRH Princess Margaret, captures Dusty at the height of her career. The show is packed with hits (including 9 UK top 10 singles), which are delivered with all the glitz and panache that were Dusty’s trademark and have made her a major gay icon as well as beloved of music fans everywhere.

As a bonus feature there is an extensive interview with Dusty’s long time manager, her friends and one of the backing singers from the Albert Hall show.

All of the existing visual footage from the concert has been used on this DVD, however there are additional tracks that exist as audio only and these are included on the companion CD release which is being simultaneously released on Eagle Records (ER 20081-2).

Tracklisting:
1. I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten
2. We Are Family
3. Lose Again
4. All I See Is You
5. This Will Be
6. Hits Medley: Goin’ Back / I Only Want To Be With You / Stay A While / Just A Little Lovin’ (Early In The Morning) / Some Of Your Lovin’ / The Look Of Love / Wishin’ And Hopin’ / I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself / Losing You
7. Son Of A Preacher Man
8. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
9. Quiet Please There’s A Lady On Stage
10. Put Your Hands Together

The Incredible Dusty Springfield Lives Again In Concert

Dusty Springfield was without doubt one of the greatest singers of our time. There was no genre of music she couldn't tackle and conquer. This concert taped at Royal Albert Hall shows us Dusty sometime during the Disco era. The disco songs are the weakest on the DVD. However, the Dusty classics are wonderful. The voice, alightly weathered, is still incredible!! What a joy it is to fianlly see Dusty live in concert. As well as incredible vocals, her dramatic flair and her incredible humor shine throughout. I highly recommend this to fans and first timers alike. There will never be another talent like Dusty Springfield. The interview segment with former friends of Dusty is very interesting as well. May 15, 2008

Dusty at ther best!!!

great video- difficult to criticize Dusty, she was a fantastic singer,
too bad there's not much out there displaying her younger days, will always love her music. April 19, 2008

The interviews add extra value

I always thought of Dusty as a tragic diva. Here you get to see her interacting with her audience, totally at ease, very playful, laughing and having a great time. I just wish someone had had a towel for her onstage because she was constantly wiping sweat off her face with her fingers, poor thing.

I would recommend watching the interview chapter before the performance chapter. You will notice little things in concert that you might ordinarily miss. You will also learn about Dusty the woman from her secretary; find out which songs were her closest friends' favorites and how one particular hit was written; how Simon Bell cared for Dusty while she was dying (brought me to tears) and much, much more.

I'm so happy I bought this DVD but very sad that I never got to see her in concert. June 14, 2007

Missing Her

This DVD captures Dusty live. There are flaws to be sure...some of her off the cuff comments in between songs are not captured due to the quality of the audio...and you'd wish that you could hear them, since not much footage is out there that let those of us who've never had the opportunity to see Dusty perform live experience her presence...but this video does let you get a glimpse, and lets you see the smile in her eyes and her easy going rapport with her adoring audience. Her comfortable body language and the give and take with the crowd makes this one priceless. Watch "The Look of Love" and see the "diva" disappear...watch "Quiet Please, There's a Lady on the Stage," and wish you were there with her that night...if you are a fan that only knows the "hits"... watch this show and fall in love with some new ones...this video makes me so sad to realize that she's gone now...but I'm certain she'd be delighted now, if only she knew we were all still listening... May 23, 2007

Fabulous Dusty Live & Well

Because this is about 30+ years old, the sound might not be perfect. BUT, this is a great way to see the personality of Dusty where she is the most comfortable. I just loved it. I just kept thinking about how she would have done, living today. And how if she had not gotten ill, all the Honors would have come.
Long Live the Music of Dusty - she was the best.
Dr. Kay, Houston December 3, 2006

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