Dusty Springfield


Band members                             Related acts

- Dusty Springfield (RIP 1999) (aka Mary Isabel Catherine

  Bernadette O'Brien) -- vocals

 

  supporting musicians (1978)

- Michele Aller -- backing vocals

- Jeff Baxter -- guitar

- Dianne Brooks -- backing vocals

- Pam Brooks -- backing vocals

- Keni Burke -- bass

- Colin Cameron -- bass

- Charles Fearing -- guitar

- Bob Glaub -- bass

- Jay Graydon -- guitar

- Ed Greene -- drums, percussion

- Oscar Castro-Neves -- percussion

- Mr. M. -- percussion

- David Paich -- keyboards

- Chuck Rainey -- bass

- Brenda Russell -- backing vocals

- Joe Sample -- keyboards

- Rick Shlosser -- drums, percussion

- William Smitty Smith -- keybaords

- Tommy Vig -- backing vocals, vibes

- David T. Walker - guitar

- Jay Winding -- keybaords

 

 

 


 

 

- The Lana Sisters

- The Springfields

 

 

 


 

Genre: pop

Rating: ***** (4 stars)

Title:  Stay Awhile/I Only Wan To Be With You

Company: Philips

Catalog: PHM 200-133

Year: 1964

Country/State: Hampstead, UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: mono pressing

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 5839

Price: $10.00

 

Dusty Springfield is one of my first musical memories - I can distinctly remember hearing 'Wishin' and Hopin' on AFN radio as a child.  I'm not sure how, or why, but also have clear memories of her stylized blond hairdo.  Interesting how those early childhood memories stick with us and seem to influence us throughout the rest of our lives.

 

As a member of folk-oriented The Springfields, Dusty quit the group in 1963, quickly reappearing as a solo act.  Signed by Philips (which had The Springfields under contract), her solo debut came out later that year:

 

- 1963's 'I Only Want To Be with You' b/w 'Once Upon a Time' (Philips catalog number 40162)  # 12 pop

 

A top-20 hit in the States, over the next year Philips quickly released a string of three charting follow-ups:

 

- 1964's 'Stay Awhile' b/w 'Something Special' (Philips catalog number 40180) # 38 pop

- 1964's 'Wishin' and Hopin'' b/w 'Do Re Me (Forget About the Do and Think About Me' (Philips catalog number 40207)  # 6 pop

- 1964's 'All Cried Out' b/w 'Wish I'd Never Loved You' (Philips catalog number 40229) # 41 US

 

As was standard marketing procedure, Philips took advantage of Springfield's chart successes to release a supporting LP in the States - 1964's cleverly-titled "Stay Awhile/I Only Want To Be With You".  As a marketing move the album compiled the four earlier 'A' sides while showcasing Springfield's amazing, soul soaked voice on a mixture of popular pop and soul hits.  Creatively it wasn't the most original collection you've ever heard, but the material was varied enough to give you a good feel for her varied talents.  Most of the set surrounded Springfield with Phil Spector-styled wall-of-sound arrangements.  Luckily while many singers would have simply drown amidst the heavy production, Springfield's voice was powerful and distinctive enough to power through the clutter.  The big surprise and one of the LP's highlights came in the form of the lone Springfield original - 'Something Special'.  You know it took some real effort for Springfield to convince Philips management to let her record an original song.  Not that you would have expected anything less from a woman who was kicked out of South Africa for refusing to perform before apartheid segregated audiences.

 

"Stay Awhile / I Only Want To Be With You" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) I Only Want To Be with You   (Mike Hawker - Igor Raymonde) - 2:32

To my ears 'I Only Want To Be with You' stands as one of Springfield's most pop-oriented releases.  Sporting a breezy, instantly memorable melody and powered by Springfield's instantly identifiable voice, if a song could be labeled fun', this was it.  It's been covered dozens of times over the years, but nobody's come close to the original.   rating: ***** stars

2.) Say Awhile   (Mike Hawker - Igor Raymonde) - 1:50

In the early 1960s it wasn't unusual for an artist who'd enjoyed a hit to go back to the creative well and release a follow-up song with a similar feel and sound.  Sometimes it worked and sometimes not.  Tapped as a follow-up single, 'Stay Awhile' sounded more than a little like 'I Only Want To Be with You'.  Part of that similarity may have been due to the fact the track was penned by Mike Hawker and Igor Raymonde who'd also written 'I Only Want To Be with You'.  Regardless, 'Stay Awhile' was strong enough to succeed on its own.    rating: **** stars

3.) 24 Hours from Tulsa   (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 3:02

One of three Burt Bacharach-Hal David songs on the collection, '24 Hours from Tulsa' was one of my favorite performances. Gene Pitney had the original hit, but Springfield's slightly modified version of the song (this time out sung from a woman's perspective) was simply amazing.   rating: ***** stars  

4.) Mama Said   (L. Dixon) - 2:03

Springfield was reportedly a big girls group fan and her cover of 'Mama Said' aptly displayed that affection.  Maybe not quite up to The Shirelles original, but pretty darn close.  Wonderful and perhaps the most playful song on the album.   rating: **** stars

5.) Anyone Who Had a Heart  (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 2:55

In my humble opinion 'Anyone Who Had a Heart' was one of Springfield's creative zeniths.  Cillia Black had the UK chart topping hit with her version, but Springfield's cover was even better.  True, the lush, highly orchestrated arrangement (always loved the kettle drums at the end), may sound a little dated today, but there's simply no denying this was a killer Bacharach-David song and Springfield's measured performance was near perfect.   rating: ***** stars

6.) When the Lovelight Starts Shining Thru His Eyes   (Brian Holland - Lamont Dozier - Eddie Holland) - 

Springfield's blue-eyed soul vocals were always a great fit for Motown and her cover of 'When the Lovelight Starts Shining Thru His Eyes' was one of the best matches.  Musically her cover of the Holland-Dozier-Holland track didn't stray too far from The Supremes original, but once it kicked into gear, her version took off and never looked back ...   Would have made a fantastic single.    rating: ***** stars

 

(side 2)
1.) Wishin' and Hopin'  (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 2:55

The album's third and final Bacharach-David cover 'Wishin' and Hopin'' was released as a US single, providing Springfield with her first top-10 US success.  Pretty and kind of funny with respect to the lyrical advice on how to catch a husband.    rating: **** stars

2.) Mocking Bird   (Charles Foxx - Inez Foxx) - 2:35

One of the isolated disappointments, her multi-tracked cover of Charles and Inez Foxx's 'Mockingbird' was professional, but did nothing to improve on the original.    rating: ** stars

3,) Will You Love Me Tomorrow   (Carole King - Gerry Goffin) - 2:41

'Will You Love Me Tomorrow' was another mediocre girls group cover.   Forgettable compared to the original.    rating: ** stars

4.) You Don't Own Me   (J. Madara - D. White) - 2:29

Previously a hit for Leslie Gore, the don't-get-in-my-face 'You Don't Own Me' was a perfect track for the always independent Springfield.  It was made even more poignant coming on the heels of the subservient 'You Don't Own Me'.    rating: **** stars

5.) Something Special   (Dusty Springfield) - 2:00

Yeah it was a piece of lightweight pop fluff, but the lone Springfield original, 'Something Special' was also one of the album highlights.  Great tinkling piano melody and chorus.    rating: **** stars

6.) Every Day I Have To Cry   (Arthur Alexander) - 2:23

Arthur Alexander's 'Every Day I Have To Cry' was a classic 1960s soul tune and while Springfield's cover won't make you forget the original, her upbeat and bubbly version was really good and would have been a nice single.    rating: **** stars  

 

Yeah, this album's over 40 years old now but it's a classic. Check your grandparents collection out for a copy ... maybe they'll let you have their copy.

 

 

 

SRB 11/2009

 

 


Genre: soul

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The Look of Love

Company: Philips

Catalog: PHS 600-256

Year: 1967

Country/State: Hampstead, UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: stereo pressing

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 5840

Price: $10.00

 

As you can see from the other Dusty Springfield LPs on my small website, I'm a big fan.  That said, 1967's "The Look of Love" isn't one of my favorites.  Like a lot of other acts (think the Motown recording roster), by the mid-1960s a combination of record label pressure for continued popular successes and poor creative choices on her part saw Springfield flirting with and frequently embracing MOR moves.  This set was a perfect example of that ill advised creative drift.  Built around the success she'd enjoyed recording the title track for the James Bond "Casino Royale" soundtrack, the rest of the album found Springfield largely wasting her talents on a throwaway mixture of bland pop.   Anytime you see someone covering a Jacques Brel tune you know they're in trouble and that was certainly the case here.  If You Go Away'' was simply dreadful.  Too her credit, Springfield was too talented an artist to record an album without a couple of saving graces; in this case isolated numbers like '' and '' that still reflected a touch of her earlier soul influences.

 

COLGEMS catalog number COSO 5005

 

"The Look of Love" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) The Look of Love  (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 3:27

Burt Bacharach and Hal David consistently provided Springfield with some of her best material, though she was 100% responsible for turning this into one of her sexiest performances.  Low keyed, almost jazzy, this one is amazingly slinky.  It also sported one of rock's best sax solos.  I haven't done a side-by-side comparison, but think this version is a little different than that featured on the soundtrack album.   rating: ***** stars

2.) Give Me Time (L'Amore Se Me Va)   (Melfa - Atmo - Peter Callendar) - 3:03

A minor US chart success, 'Give Me Time (L'Amore Se Me Va)' exemplified the other side of adult contemporary - in this case a hopeless overblown and boring ballad.  Yech.   rating: * star

3.) They Long To Be Close To You  (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 2:24

Another Bacharach-David number, 'They Long To Be Close To You' was best known as one of The Carpenters' first hits.  Here Springfield gave the song her best Dionne Warwick impression.  Not a bad version, but won't make you forget Karen Carpenter's performance.   rating: *** star

4.) If You Go Away   (Jacques Brel - Rod McKuen) - 3:45\

C'mon, why would anyone want to cover a Jacque Brel song like the insipid 'If You Go Away'?  Simply hideous and the French segment didn't help it much.  rating: * star

5.) Sunny   (Bobby Hebb) - 1:51

Bobby Hebb's 'Sunny' is a classic song, but Springfield's decision to slow it down and jazz it up was wrongheaded.  The only saving grace here was that her version was mercifully brief (under two minutes).   rating: * star

6.) Come Back To Me   (Lerner - Lane) - 2:18

'Come Back To Me' surrounded Springfield with a big band jazz arrangement.  Springfield had the chops to hold her own, but at least to my ears it was one of those things that probably looked better on paper than the final results.   rating: ** star

 

(side 2)
1.) What's It Gonna Be   (Ragovoy - Shuman) - 2:11

Thankfully side two started out with one of the album highpoints - the atypical soulful 'What's It Gonna Be'.  Kicked along by a great bass line, an urgent melody and a great call and response opening, the song underscored the fact Springfield remained a great blue-eyed soul singer.  Only complaint was that the song simply wasn't long enough.   rating: ***** stars

2.) Welcome Home   (Taylor) - 2:44

'Awash in strings and backing singers, Welcome Home' was a pretty, but largely forgettable ballad.   rating: ** stars

3.) Small Town Girl  (Goland - Schroeder) - 2:04

Starting out sounding like it was recorded in an echo chamber, it took awhile for 'Small Town Girl' to display it's charms.  The song itself was quite good, but once again the lush arrangement including strings and brass threatened to drown out Springfield's performance.  Would have been a lot better with a stripped down, funkier arrangement.   rating: *** stars

4.) Take Me for a Little While   (Martin) - 2:12

Reflecting a distinctive Motown feel, 'Take Me for a Little While' was another album highlight.  Laidback and intense, the backing female chorus meshed perfectly with Springfield's impassioned lead.   rating: ***** stars

5.) Chained To a Memory   (Rogers - Ahlert) - 2:30

'Chained To a Memory' was another pretty song that was wrecked by an overly MOR arrangement.  Supper club soul ...   Shame 'cause with a better arrangement this one had potential.   rating: ** stars

 

The album eventually spun off two singles:

 

   

 

- 1967's 'The Look of Love' b/w 'Give Me Time (L'Amore Se Me Va)' (Philips catalog number 40465) # 22 pop and # 76 pop

- 1967's 'What's It Gonna Be' b/w 'Small Town Girl' (Philips catalog number 40498)  ' # 49 pop

 

Not an essential Springfield release, the album also marked the end of Springfield's longstanding partnership with Philips.  Her next release would be courtesy of Atlantic.

 

 

For hardcore fans, Philips released the album with an alternative cover.  Given the ghastly color scheme, I'm assuming it was quickly dropped.

 

             

 

 

SRB 11/2009

 

 


Genre: soul

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  A Brand New Me

Company: Atlantic

Catalog: SD-8249

Year: 1971

Country/State: Hampstead, UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+

Comments: minor ring wear; numbers written in magic marker along top edge; small record company label on flip side

Available: 2

Catalog ID: 4606

Price: $10.00

Cost: $66.00

 

         

On the heals of the critical success that greeted "Dusty In Memphis", 1970 saw Springfield heading to Philadelphia to take a stab at tapping into the city's burgeoning soul scene  Co-produced by Ugene Dozier and Roland Chambers, "A Brand New Me" featured contributions from the cream of local writers including Thom Bell, Kenny Gamble, Norman Harris and Leon Huff.  Curiously, throughout the rest of the world the album was entitled "From Dusty ... With Love".  Though there was no difference in the track listing, the US release sported slightly hipper packaging  than the UK original (see below).

 

original UK cover

Philips catalog number 7927

 

To my admittedly biased ears, this set is easily one of the top three releases in Springfield's catalog.  Unfortunately it had the misfortune of being released in the wake of "Dusty In Memphis" which meant it never stood a chance.  As a result, today the album's largely forgotten.  That's unfortunate since it captures Springfield at her mid-career peak.  Her instantly recognizable voice proved a great match for the silky Philly soul sound.  Literally any one of these ten tracks would have made a great single, but my nod goes to 'The Star of My Show', 'Let's Get Together Soon' and the sterling title track.  

 

"A Brand New Me" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Lost  (Kenny Gamble - Leon Huff - Jerry Butler) - 2:27

One of four singles pulled off the album, even though it was penned by Gamble and Huff, 'Lost' actually had more of a Memphis soul flavor to it than a Philly feel.  Great melody with one of Springfield's nicest vocals.  Should have been a big hit for her.   rating: **** stars

2.) Bad Case of the Blues  (Kenny Gamble - Leon Huff - Roland Chambers) - 2:06

With it's silky feel, 'Bad Case of the Blues' served as a perfect meld of Springfield's blue-eyed soul voice and Gamble and Huff's sophisticated Philly sound.  Up-tempo and highly commercial, this one also had exceptional commercial potential.   rating: **** stars

3.) Never Love Again  (Kenny Gamble - Leon Huff - Roland Chambers) - 3:21

'Never Love Again' was a pretty, but somewhat bland ballad.  Springfield's performance was actually quite good, but by the time the song got to the hook you'd lost interest in it.   rating: ** stars

4.) Let Me In Your Way  (Kenny Gamble - Leon Huff - Roland Chambers) - 2:45

Opening with acoustic guitar and light orchestration, 'Let Me In Your Way' took awhile to get going and when it did, the results were pretty, but ultimately more jazzy than soulful.   This one was tapped as another of the album's singles.   rating: *** stars

5.) Let's Get Together Soon  (Kenny Gamble - Leon Huff) - 2:41

Kicked along by a nice Norman Harris guitar, 'Let's Get Together Soon' offered up another ballad, but at least marked a return to a soulful sound.  Wonderful hook that wormed itself into you head and wouldn't let go.  I actually found myself humming this on the Metro one day.   rating: **** stars

 

(side 2)
1.) Brand New Me  (Kenny Gamble - Thom Bell - Jerry Butler) - 2:25

Side two started with the album's commercial highpoint - 'Brand New Me' had it all; great melody; fantastic arrangement, and one of Springfield's most impressive vocals.   Always loved the chirpy background vocals ...  A classic slice of early 1970s pop.   rating: ***** stars

2.) Joe  (Kenny Gamble - Norman Harris - Allan Felder) - 2:21

In contrast 'Joe' surrounded Springfield with an overwhelming slice of MOR sludge.  Horrible song that she simply couldn't sing her way out.   rating: ** stars 

3.) Silly, Silly Fool  (Kenny Gamble - Leon Huff) - 2:30

'Silly, Silly Fool' surrounded Springfield with a more conventional and commercial Philly arrangement.  Great hook which explains why it was tapped as another single.   rating: **** stars

4.) The Star of My Show  (Kenny Gamble - Leon Huff) - 2 :27

Another song with a Memphis-feel, 'The Star of My Show' was probably the most conventional soul song on the album, though this time out the flavor was more Motown than Philly.   One of my favorite performances on the album.   rating: **** stars  

5.) Let's Talk It Over  (Kenny Gamble - Leon Huff) - 2:29

'Let's Talk It Over' ended the album with a slice of 'sophisticated' soul.  While I wasn't crazy about the song, Earl Young's drums were amazing and the hyper-speed chorus was fantastic.  rating: **** stars  

 

 

To the company's credit, Atlantic tapped the title track b/w 'Bad Case of the Blues' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2685) as a single.  Atlantic also went back to the album for three less successful follow-up singles:

 

- 'Silly, Silly Fool' b/w 'Joe' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2705

- 'Let Me In Your Way' b/w 'I Wanna Be a Free Girl' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2729)

- 'Lost' b/w 'Never Love Again') (Atlantic catalog number 45-2739).

It's a minor complaint, but the album would have benefited from a little more variety.  The heavy emphasis on mid-tempo numbers back to back got a little old after awhile.  Still, this was a great place for the curious or casual fans to start exploring Springfield's catalog.

 

 

SRB 10/2009

 

 

 


Genre: soul

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  It Begins Again

Company: United Artists

Catalog: UA-LA-751H

Year: 1978

Country/State: Hampstead, UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+

Comments: cut top right corner; gatefold sleeve; original inner sleeve

Available: 2

Catalog ID: 1568

Price: $10.00

 

Produced by Roy Thomas Baker,1978's aptly titled "It Begins Again" marked Dusty Springfield's first studio album in five years.  Released by United Artists (Mercury in the UK and Europe), the album was certainly a welcome return to recording for Springfield, but you couldn't help but feel neither producer Thomas Baker, or Springfield herself were sure how to re-engage with the audience.  The result was an album that, depending on your outlook,  was quite diverse, or simply haphazard and scattershot.  So, the collection included a couple of tunes that recalled the old, classic Springfield ('A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Every Day)' and 'Love Me By Name'), a couple of tunes that reminded one of her "Dusty In Memphis" catalog ('Checkmate'), and a couple of songs that appeared to have been aimed at updating her sound and audience - her top-40 oriented cover of Chi Coltrane's 'Turn Me Around' and the disco-fied 'That's the Kind of Love I've Got for You'.  It certainly wasn't one of the pinnacles of her catalog, but no matter what you thought about the songs, Springfield's voice remained in good form - she remained one of those special performers with an instrument that was instantly recognizable.

 

"It Begins Again" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Turn Me Around  (Chi Coltrane) - 3:28

Springfield's cover of Chi Coltrane's 'Turn Me Around' served as a nice introduction to her unique and instantly recognizable voice.  Springfield had  previously recorded the song for an aborted 1974 album ("Longing"), though this was apparently a new recording of the tune.   To my ears the tune was overly orchestrated, though it got better when the chorus finally kicked in.  rating: *** stars

2.) Checkmate  (Nona Hendryx) - 3:23

I always liked the lyrics and hearing Springfield use her tougher, lower register.   You had to wonder how could an English woman sound so soulful ?    rating: **** stars

3.) I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love   (Peter Allen - Carole Bayer Sager) - 2:53

Okay, anything co-written by the late Peter Allen and Carole Bayer Sager was going to be heavy on sentimentality and MOR moves.  Besides, would you really want to record a tune that had been recorded by Allen, by Sager, as well as Rita Coolidge ?   Pretty dull and forgettable with a mid-'70s mandated sax solo adding to the overall drearyness.    The sound and video quality are horrible, but YouTube has an early promo video of the tune at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Q4LDlCNI0   rating: ** stars

4.) A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Every Day)   (Lamont Dozier - Eddie Holland - Brian Holland) - 3:17

Another track originally recorded for the "Longing" sessions, 'A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Every Day)' found Springfield trying to sound funky with mixed results.  Nowhere near as good as the bluesy Martha and the Vandellas version.   Not sure what show it was filmed for, but YouTube has a clip of Springfield lip-synching the tune for a bored disco-crazed audience:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMH33DG752g    The track was tapped as a non-US single:

- 1978's 'A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Every Day)' b/w 'Sandra'

  rating: *** stars

5.) Love Me By Name   (Lesley Gore - Ellen Weston) - 4:16

Nice cover of the Lesley Gore tune and I have to admit the Peter Matz arrangement gave the song a distinctive sense of class.  One of the best ballads on the album, though I'd suggest Patti Austin's version (found on Quincy Jones' album "Sounds" might be even better) .   rating: **** stars

 

(side 2)
1.) Sandra   (Enoch Anderson - Barry Manilow) - 4:37

Hum, a Barry Manilow tune ...  very pompous and over-the-top, unless you had a thing for the struggles of those poor, middle class suburban housewives ...   Not great; far from it, but it could have been so much worse.  No idea when or where it was recorded, but YouTube has a live performance of the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW243p6aop8   rating: *** stars

2.) I Found Love with You   (Bob Esty - Michelle Aller) - 3:18

At least to my ears 'I Found Love with You ' was probably the album's most conventional and commercial pop tune.  Nice, catchy, top-40ish melody.    rating: **** stars

3.) Hollywood Movie Girls   (Gaille Heideman) - 3:40

Another big-statement ballad, I'd love to say I liked 'Hollywood Movie Girls', but found it overblown, ponderous, and plodding.  Go back to school and get a college degree in engineering ...   YouTube has another live performance at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_wrEJRu_Hc    rating: ** stars

4.) That's the Kind of Love I've Got for You   (Dean Parks - Donald Fletcher) - 5:00

Okay, the synthesizers sound dated and cheesy; the extended Chic-styled instrumental section didn't add much to the tune, and the sound of Springfield doing to a straight forward slice of disco took a little getting use to.  The funny thing, is her voice was well suited to the genre and the tune had a great refrain.   Surprisingly impressive.  Sporting a Tom Moulton remix, the song was also released as a domestic 12" single:

- 1978's 'That's the Kind of Love I've Got for You' b/w 'That's the Kind of Love I've Got for You' (United Artists catalog number SP-178)    The video and sound quality are horrible, but YouTube has a promotional clip of the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzhp-jDvYhI    rating: **** stars

 

For some reason United Artists seems to have lost interest in the project.   Without a single, the album proved a massive commercial disappointment, not even hitting the top-200 US charts.

 

 

 

 

 


Genre: pop

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Living Without Your Love

Company: United Artists

Catalog: UALA936-H

Year: 1978

Country/State: Hampstead, UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: small cut out notch along top edge; original lyric inner sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4225

Price: $10.00

 

Continuing her corporate wanderings, 1979's "Living without Your Love" found Dusty Springfield signed to United Artists in the States and Mercury in the UK and the rest of Europe.  Produced by David Wolfert the album found Springfield trying to find a niche in the rapidly changing marketplace.  Unfortunately her instantly recognizable throaty voice was largely wasted on a faceless collection of adult contemporary oriented ballads and mid-tempo numbers.  Taken in isolation ballads like 'The Somebody' and 'Get Yourself To Love' weren't all that bad (okay, 'Closet Man' was hideous), but back-to-back they quickly melded into a dull, sound alike mess.  Besides, who in their right mind would record two Carole Bayer-Sager songs on a single album?   Exemplified by 'Living Without Your Love' and 'Save Me, Save Me' her isolated stabs at more dance oriented material weren't much better.  Even her Motown cover ('You've Really Gotta Hold On Me') was dull.  So what was worth hearing?  Not much.  In spite of the dated arrangement, best of the lot was the funky 'You Can Do It'.   Yeah, sad to say but a disappointment ...  (Not to sound catty, but the perm was a bad move.)

 

"Living Without Your Love" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) You've Really Gotta Hold On Me   (Smokey Robinson) - 3:45

2.) You Can Do It   (E. Sands - R. Germinaro - B. Weisman) - 4:10

3.) The Somebody   (Melissa Manchester - Vinnie Poncia - J. Vastano) - 3:20

4.) Closet Man   (David Foster - E. Mercury - D. Gerrard) - 4:08

5.) Living Without Your Love   (David Wolfert - S. Nelson) - 3:33

 

(side 2)
1.) Save Me, Save Me   (Barry Gibb - A. Gaulten) - 3:03 

2.) Get Yourself To Love   (D. McCormick) - 4:09 

3.) I Just Fall In Love Again   (S. Dorff - L. Hersbtritt - G. Sklerov - H. Lloyd) - 3:11

4.) Dream On   (Carole Bayer-Sager - Frannie Golde - D. Mayoff) - 3:29

5.) I'm Coming Home Again   (Bruce Roberts - Carole Bayer-Sager) - 3:42

 

 

 

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