Ellery Twining, the outstanding artist and singer, began working at the Mystic Disc record store in 1995. With music at its center, he has since been embraced by the accumulated warehouses of devoted fans and artists. From his album “Results,” Twining pulls from that deep well of musical history to sing on his hit, “Dusty Springfield Record Collection.”
In the track, Twining’s searching, idiosyncratic vocals tell the story of discovering the personal vinyl collection of immortal crooner Dusty Springfield at the shop where he has collected his paycheck for years. Far from just describing an engagingly personal find, “Dusty Springfield’s Record Collection” uses this meaningful occasion as a point of reflection on how music can intersect with our memories.
The vintage-inspired music video for “Dusty Springfield’s Record Collection” delights the viewer straight back in time. It started with a young lady entering the Mystic Disc Record Shop, dressed suitably belonging to the vintage era, and swaddling with excited eyes through the stacks until she finally got hold of two prized vinyls. Both were albums by Dusty Springfield. While the verses unwind, the video warms our hearts to see the solo segments. It juxtaposes these with black-and-white or sepia-toned photos of the record store. Then, cutting back to the girl at home, she listens to the records on her turntable with adoration.
But the most stunning scene comes when another actress appears, made up with the real retro bouffant hair and fashions of Springfield’s time. And, with her trademark blonde locks, it hits — it is no ordinary customer: it is Dusty Springfield’s ghost, too, searching memorially through her collection. In this delicate directorial choice, real chills are given, along with a depiction of the legacies of the artists to be truly immortal. This is unquestionably one of the most stylish and touching tributes to the memory of a lyrical legend; this video is a time capsule once removed, clothed in the livery of this song to remember the interconnected generations of music fans.
It shows respect for her gigantic heritage and then, in the broader sense, for the other musical histories and fates of human beings locked within used record stores around the globe.
Backed by gentle guitar arpeggios, the simplistic melody approach superimposes a sense of solemn recollection of the lyrics. Tinted with slight brackets of indie folk, Americana, and a bit of classic rock, the composition of genre fluidity enhances the euphoric tone. His organic vocals weave in with his aural lines, delivering a strong sense of nostalgia with every plucked string and vocal harmony. The mellow acoustic rhythm is evocative of flipping through bins of vinyl on a peaceful afternoon, fitting the song’s themes of reflection and appreciation.
I was immediately hooked as soon as the first notes of “Dusty Springfield’s Record Collection” sounded through my speakers. Each and every frame was alive with the care and artistic vision for which the honoring of Dusty Springfield’s indelible legacy is renowned, and that is thanks to the brilliant vision of Mystic photographer Michelle Gemma. I can’t recommend highly enough adding both the track and music video to your regular rotation.