Dusty Springfield – Reputation

Of the Pet Shop Boys’ many collaborative projects *, I think the work with Liza Minnelli and Dusty Springfield are the best. The two albums, Reputation and Results, marry PSBs’ pop sensibility and high music production skills perfectly with two highly-sophisticated, beautifully-accomplished female vocalists. This period 89-90, may have been the most creative for the Pet Shop Boys. It was amazing to see how Liza and Dusty’s careers were suddenly invigorated: ‘bring us the songs and we’ll perform‘. Like kissing a frog or something . . . (OK, not the best metaphor.)

Every track on Dusty’s album, Reputation, is brilliant; each song a distinct surprise. Daydreaming, Arrested by You, In Private and Nothing Has Been Proved, one hit after another. It is worth getting the 12” records for these songs. For me they represent some of the finest 80’s pop.

This Record Store Day release in marshmallow pink is a perfect pressing. I think it is around 43 minutes, meaning you have to turn the volume up a bit (oh, the strain). Volume up, it is great, resoundingly clear and quiet between tracks. I love it when the bass is gauged just right. The bass is felt – strong, but not obliterating. Daydreaming, exactly that, is a dream to listen to. The track is a good example of the high standard of music production. The bass carries the song along movingly, Dusty’s voice is gently, perfectly pitched. The poppier, Nothing Has Been Proved is nicely placed to follow with great strings, Neil whispers a few scandalous things.

Lovely.

[* Note, there are other producers mentioned in the credits, instrumentalists et cetera. I was interested to notice Rupert Hine as "a" writer of Arrested by You.]

So many skips on the second side of the record. Ruined the whole listening experience for me.

I’ve being hanging out for this reissue. Happy to report that the horrible shrill mastering present in the original has now been rectified. There are obvious production differences between producers but the album now ‘sounds’ more cohesive. Colour is nothing like pink - it’s a very milky pink / bordering on peach. It would have been far better to use transparent pink vinyl. Pressing is super-clean - thank goodness it was pressed at Optimal - note, the pressing is low volume, but this is offset by the high quality vinyl. Overall - a great result for Dusty / PSB fans. A truly terrific album that brought a great artist back into the spotlight - albeit brief.

Poor mastering on this edition. A number of tracks are all top-end frequencies, with zero warmth or bottom-end. Why bother reissuing the album unless you’re going to do it justice. Excessive sibilance present on numerous tracks. A really poor effort.

In urgent need of an remaster. Extremely harsh sibilance on this pressing. Sound quality overall is good, but very disappointed that every ‘S’ screeches out of my speakers. Having said that, this album is one of the best records Dusty ever released.

Anybody noticed two missing pages in the booklet? Does anyone have the complete layout?

Can anyone let me know if the remastering on the Cherry Bomb release is a noticeable improvement on earlier releases? I'm not too bothered by the remixes... But I know the remastering on past Cherry Bomb releases (like Liza's Results) is ultimately pretty nonexistent.

So the 2016 reissue was only on CD? Surprised that it was not also reissued on vinyl.

The DVD included here is an exact replica of the previous "Reputation - The Videos" VHS released in 1991, with the only addition of a DVD menu. The extra interview footage is also included between the videos.

born this way "12'' mix" is 6'30 ... normal timing is 7'38 it's an edit .. a pity