Cheap Dusty Springfield - Reflections (DVD) (Dusty Springfield) Price

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Customer Reviews of Dusty Springfield - Reflections

Leaves You Wanting More
From the other reviews, I expected this to be largely a compilation of lip-synching performances, but that's not really the case. Many are live, and one is a duet with Engelbert Humperdinck, and it's great to have several songs--"Since I Fell For You," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and "People Get Ready"--that don't appeaar on the albums. I also don't object to the commentary by B. J. Thomas and Petula Clark, both of whom are clearly fans. Yes, the comments are sometimes superficial, but Petula, at least, does provide some special insights into backstage Dusty, and there's at least one anecdote concerning San Remo that I hadn't heard before. No, what we have is fine, especially the comments from Dusty herself, although I would love to see more. And that's the problem; I can't help but feel that the producers of this DVD could have come up with more of the goods. I'm not just thinking of performance clips, although her duet with Scot Walker on "Let It Be Me" or anything with the Springfields or the Pet Shop Boys would have been welcome; rather, I'd like to have seen this material coupled with the 1999 BBC documentary. It's a marvelous 58 minutes that includes commentary from close associates like Vicki Wickham and Pat Rhodes. Oh, well, I guess that's for another DVD. In the meantime, I'm happy to have "Refelctions"--as magical an hour as you're likely to spend with Britain's greatest female pop singer.

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Has its moments, but . . .
This is a decent collection of some of Dusty's television appearances, at least for devoted fans, but apart from a few highlights (outstanding live performances of "Son Of A Preacher Man", "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", "Losing You" and "People Get Ready") it's probably not the best introduction to her work. Many of the performances are just lip-synched stage pieces, as was common back in the day (a decade or more before MTV and the music video came into being), and they're pretty embarrassing by today's standards.

On the other hand, the live performances which did make it onto this disc are pretty impressive, particularly "Losing You". It's a pity the producers either didn't or couldn't get the rights to Dusty's stunning performance of "Some Of Your Lovin'" from the American program Hullabaloo, though. I have that performance on one of the Hullabaloo DVDs, and it is absolutely stunning. Allegedly, it was her recording of this Carole King song that prompted Jerry Wexler at Atlantic to offer Dusty the opportunity to cut a record with Atlantic's amazing stable of musicians - a record which eventually became the seminal Dusty In Memphis.

The commentary from Petula Clark and B.J. Thomas offers few original insights, at least for longtime fans, though it may be of some interest to those new to Dusty's work. Again, the producers could have provided a better product had they solicited commentary from more of Dusty's contemporaries and associates.

The audio and video quality are surprisingly good, given the age of the material. There are some annoying defects though - like a nasty film scratch that runs all through one of the tracks - that could have and probably should have been removed through image processing. Oh well.

Reflections is not an incredible value, but for her fans it's probably something you want to add to your shopping list, and pick up when you can get it on sale.

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Great DVD of a magnificent talent
I discovered the unforgettable song 'Son of a Preacher Man' as a child, thirty-plus years ago, and was just riveted. This song is one of those recorded live on this excellent collection, and it apparently features, off-screen, the great musicians that backed her up on the immortal "Dusty in Memphis" album. The rendition is so good, the DVD is worth it for this bit of heavenly bliss alone. It is soulful, beautiful, and passionate. While the disc is brief, at only one hour, to see the legendary singer perform her songs is just fantastic. (And I'm not one to be impressed with 'legend' status; to me all musicians have to prove themselves every time, not rest on their laurels). At several points in the live recorded songs, her singing sends shivers down your spine. As for the lip-synched songs, about half the total, they are nevertheless enjoyable, at least for their musical merit as good songs, but also for a time-capsule style glimpse of the television shows she had, and the look of the period. Hosts B.J. Thomas and Petula Clark offer very insightful and interesting commentary on Dusty's music, thereby providing perspectives on her art, influences, and stature as a singer in the USA and Britain. It is clear throughout the interviews with them that they have enormous reverence for Springfield as an artist. Interviews with DS herself are a great bonus. I have to stop here a moment to mention that there is something otherworldly, intensely beautiful, about the best of Dusty Springfield's music (as if I have to mention that to those who are familiar with her work), that is captured at times in the live renditions here.
Many, many, MANY thanks to those that made this available on DVD, and to B.J. Thomas and Petula Clark for their fine input. Dusty Springfield was much bigger in the United Kingdom than in the USA, and I hope that more of her video material will be released on DVD for the benefit (and education) of people around the world, especially now that she is gone. There is even film footage of Dusty Springfield with Jimi Hendrix, on a VHS available in the UK. I'd like to see that made available on DVD. Another thing worth mentioning, something I've noticed over many years, and in different countries, and across cultures and generations; people of ALL ages and backgrounds are gripped by her music. Try it yourself; find someone who's never heard her music, play them one of her better songs, and watch their reaction.