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Definitively Dusty

Music

Exploring the artistry of Dusty Springfield

Definitively Dusty: A Brand New Me

A Brand New Me

BBC Radio 2 - Definitively Dusty, A Brand New Me

Exploring the artistry of one of the UK’s greatest singers Dusty Springfield.

‘Definitively Dusty' examines in detail the music and artistry of one of the greatest singers Britain has ever produced. Unheard interviews of Dusty she tells her own story.

Definitively Dusty' is a three x 1 hour chronological documentary series which examines in detail the music, art and artistry of one of the greatest singers Britain has ever produced - Dusty Springfield.  With access to hours of previously un-broadcast interviews with Dusty, and many new interviews with those who worked closely with her and her friends,  'Definitively Dusty' includes a wealth of music including hitherto unreleased material from her recording sessions.

In programme two, Dusty tells us how Mary O’Brien 'becomes' Dusty Springfield and we hear about her goofy sense of humour and parties she threw in the 1960s.  She was voted World’s Best Female Vocalist for several years in succession and we learn how she began to exercise artistic control in the studio and choose the material that she sang.    Dusty speaks about her love for Bacharach and David and how her recordings of Carole King songs landed her with her sought after contract to record in America with Atlantic Records.   We hear from Atlantic Records executive Jerry Greenberg how the songs were chosen for the 'Dusty in Memphis' album and fascinatingly how Dusty herself was the instigator in getting Led Zeppelin signed to the label.   We hear in detail about Dusty's 'A Brand New Me' album sessions from Philadelphia producer and songwriter Kenny Gamble    
We discover how, in 1970, Dusty made the very brave decision to come out as bisexual in the British press - something which made her an unwitting LGBT pioneer - and how she came to the decision to live permanently in California, thinking that it would open up a new career for her.   After a couple of years of inactivity in the USA, we hear how Dusty started to make music once again - songwriter Nona Hendryx talks about writing for Dusty and we hear all about Dusty’s performances at Drury Lane and the Royal Albert Hall.   Girlfriend Carole Pope talks about Dusty’s daring artistic qualities and writing songs for her - Dusty’s standing now so low, it was for an album that was unreleased in the UK at the time.  Contributors include manager and best friend Vicki Wickham, life-long PA Pat Rhodes, backing vocalist and friend Simon Bell, Bass player & Musical director Dougie Reece, singer Sandie Shaw, girlfriends and songwriters Norma Tanega and Carole Pope, and from the music business world Jerry Greenberg, Gary Moore, Keith Altham, Keith Mansfield, and Kenny Gamble.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

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