Paul Sexton’s Live Archive #4: ‘Dusty In Memphis’ with Jana Varga, Hannah Robinson and (via video) Dark Tropics
Music journalist and author Paul Sexton presents the next in his Live Archive series, exclusive to the Sound Lounge. After celebrating the life and work of Bonnie Raitt, Robbie Robertson and Dolly Parton, this fourth instalment goes a slightly different route by honouring a classic album, and what a record it is: Dusty Springfield’s unforgettable 1969 release ‘Dusty In Memphis.’
Living up to its name as ever, the night features a combination of audio from Paul’s extensive archive together with live interpretations of tracks from the LP. We're excited to host the fine singer-songwriters and friends of the Sound Lounge Jana Varga (fresh from the release of her excellent second album ‘Chicory’ and tour dates opening for Rumer) and Hannah Robinson, another frequent SL visitor in Robbie McIntosh’s band, and whose current ‘Holding Up The Sky’ EP we strongly recommend. Hannah has also been on the road recently, singing and playing with the great John Illsley of Dire Straits. PLUS, just added! The fantastic Belfast "pop-noir" duo Dark Tropics, one of Paul's favourite current bands, are sending a unique reading of another 'Dusty In Memphis' via video, specially filmed for us to play on the night.
Like all the nights in the Live Archive series, ticket buyers will receive a high-quality printed keepsake featuring a personal essay written by Paul.
With gorgeous songs such as ‘Just A Little Lovin’’, ‘In The Land Of Make Believe’ and of course ‘Son Of A Preacher Man’ to choose from, the live part of the night alone is a mouthwatering prospect! But there’s more - the event features a full playback, in two parts, of the documentary that Paul presented and produced about 'Dusty In Memphis' in 2006 for BBC Radio 2.
The programme explains how the LP signalled a radical stylistic change for Dusty, but initially failed to make much of a critical or commercial impact despite containing the timeless UK/US top ten hit ‘Son of a Preacher Man.’ But it now frequently appears on all-time-great surveys, and made No.89 in Rolling Stone’s 2003 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The documentary includes interviews with the album’s co-producer, the late industry legend Jerry Wexler; Springfield’s former manager Vicki Wickham; and members of the crack ‘Memphis Boys’ session team who played on it at American Sound Studios, Mike Leach and Bobby Emmons, plus engineer Ed Kollis. There's also rare archive input from Dusty.
Says Jerry Wexler in the show: “The fact that this record has had such a fantastic afterlife…it’s been one of the joys of my life.” Tickets are Pay What You Can Afford, starting with a free option and with tiers of £5, £10, £15 and £20.
