Recorded in Britain only slightly prior to or at about the same time as
Dusty in Memphis in August and September 1968,
Dusty. . . Definitely, which was not issued in the US, was a more pointedly pop production. As was the case with several of her 1960s albums, it explored a bunch of directions besides soul and rock, some well, some not so well. The cover of
Erma Franklin/
Big Brother's "Piece of My Heart" (titled "Take Another Little Piece of My Heart" here for some reason) was excellent and would have been way up to par for inclusion in
Dusty in Memphis, and "Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone" was pretty storming Motown-styled blue-eyed soul. On the other hand, the covers of
Charles Aznavour's "Who (Will Take My Place)" and Bacharach & David's "This Girl's in Love with You" put her forth as an interpreter of popular ballad standards that could have been done for the most mainstream cabaret gig. The readings of
Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" and the more obscure, but beautiful and lilting, "Morning" fell between the polar extremes, and were quite worthy.
John Paul Jones, who was only just joining
Led Zeppelin at the time, arranged a couple of the hotter cuts ("Piece of My Heart" and "Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone"). All but two of the songs were reissued on the Rhino collection
Dusty in London, a 24-track survey of her British sessions from 1968-1971. [This release of the album contains bonus material.] ~ Richie Unterberger