Dusty SpringfieldClassics and CollectiblesReview

Released on the fifth anniversary of her untimely death, Classics & Collectibles is exactly as the name states. Cleverly spread over two CDs, disc one opens with her Bacharach/David epic "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" and this pretty much sets the standard for all that follows. Upon hearing these tunes one is reminded of what makes a classic a classic. The song, its arrangement, its production and its singer all must come together to be the ultimate decoration of time. A tall order really when you think about it really and yet Dusty pulls it off effortlessly every time.

Classics flows along like a fantastic river and when the big songs appear they are like wondrous landmarks, all with Springfield's genius the tying theme. "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", "The Look Of Love" and "Son Of A Preacher Man" all hit us with the same immediate urgency every time and that's what makes these songs classics.

Collectibles is far from the mushy album fillers you might expect. Again opening with another Bacharach/David classic "They Long To Be Close To You" was actually recorded years before The Carpenter's version. One wonders why it is not this version that most people try to copy the karaoke-world over. "I Am Your Child" is the unreleased alternate vocal track. Why? I dont know either.

Classics & Collectibles might be seen as a cashing in project, and it probably is, but with a woman whose mourners include Lulu, Kiki Dee, Elvis Costello, The Pet Shop Boys, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Cilla Black, and Paul McCartney, you know that there must be a significant quality there. There is and Classics & Collectibles is a great snapshot of this ladys enduring talent.