Originally from London, now a resident of NYC, Wendy James wrote her latest album ’The Price Of The Ticket’ in its entirety, with the exception of two inspired cover choices, ‘It’s Alright Ma’ by Bob Dylan and ‘You’re So Great’ by Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith. Recorded in her adopted city, ‘The Price of the Ticket’ is available on vinyl, CD and via digital download. The record reached No.13 in the Official UK Indie album chart and No.15 in the Official UK Vinyl album chart. It is presented with arresting and beautiful artwork by Kym Ellery and Roze Hooij.
From the album comes a double A side single that showcases Wendy’s Garage Rock and Roll credentials perfectly. ‘Indigent Blues’ is an infectiously upbeat song that Wendy wrote to evoke English 60s Pop. She says “I wanted to create a carefree, suburban London sound, a distinctly English feel, inspired by the movie Georgy Girl and it’s theme tune by The Seekers. There was a period in the late fifties to sixties, where theatre, music, playwriting, and politics, all came together. There was a great sense of optimism but also naivety in young English people. I’m not talking about the hipsters on Carnaby Street but slightly more removed, where they were just wearing their mini skirts for the first time. A tremendous sense of optimism.”
‘Bad Intentions and a Bit of Cruelty’ is bursting with New Wave energy, attitude and raw Rock and Roll. The video, filmed in Paris sees Wendy walking through the city as dawn breaks, champagne bottle in hand, the very embodiment of Art Rock.
Wendy James has spent her entire adult life in the public eye, her musical evolution recorded in a huge body of work, both through her first band Transvision Vamp and as a solo artist. An icon born of the late eighties and early nineties pop punk scene, Wendy’s talent, style and attitude led Miley Cyrus to proclaim that Wendy was her original pin-up; whilst Wendy’s principles as an uncompromising artist, songwriter and musician have led to an alignment with her own musical inspiration Patti Smith. Indeed, this album sees her working with Lenny Kaye of The Patti Smith Group together with Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols and James Sclavunos of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The album’s cover versions feature Iggy & The Stooges’ James Williamson on guitar/bass and Steve Mackay on Baritone Sax.
Wendy James has achieved what few can or have: longevity and a forward motion trajectory in New Wave Garage Rock.
“If Transvision Vamp were high energy, teen fun punk, three decades later, James’ album is a much more grown up affair. Complex and confident, James’ vocals are simultaneously spiky and soft, while her band provides a dark New York underbelly of sound.”
The Scotsman“The Price of the Ticket carries a slight air of autobiography, containing songs that feel reflective, perhaps even confessional.”
AllMusic.com“James has defied the usual career arc and is launching a fully-fledged comeback, giving funny, candid interviews and releasing a rather good new album, The Price of the Ticket. It has an A-list backing band of Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith) and one-time Stooge James Williamson on guitars, ex-Pistol Glen Matlock on bass and Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave) on drums, and the songs are quirky, feisty and full of far more character than anything James recorded in her Saturday morning TV days.”
The List
The Players:
Wendy James – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar/Keys & Piano
Lenny Kaye – Rhythm/Lead Guitar (Patti Smith/Nuggets)
Glen Matlock – Bass (Sex Pistols)
James Sclavunos – Drums (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds)
James Williamson – Guitar/Bass (Iggy & The Stooges)
Steve Mackay – Baritone Sax (Iggy & The Stooges)
Album Tracklisting:
- Paloma’s Downs
- Indigent Blues
- King Rat
- Love from the 9th
- Bad Intentions and a Bit of Cruelty
- You’re a Dirtbomb, Lester
- Screamin’ Back Washingtom
- Why Oh Why Do You Hurt Me Still?
- Farewell To Love
- Cowboy Rhythm
- Situation Normal at Surfrider
- You’re So Great
- It’s Alright Ma
Live Dates:
Thursday 19th May – Brooklyn Bowl, London
Tickets: http://goo.gl/Ysw9Q1
Thursday 26th May – The Fleece, Bristol
Tickets: http://goo.gl/K0hiyf
Friday 27th May – Mello Festival, Throckmorton Airfield,Worcester
Tickets: http://goo.gl/Liqt5h
Saturday 28th May – Kasbah, Coventry
Tickets: http://goo.gl/BNomMw
Sunday 29th May – Darwen Live, Town Hall, Darwen
Tickets: http://goo.gl/Ky31Sm
Wednesday 1st June – The Venue, Derby
Tickets: https://goo.gl/eEmHea
Saturday 4th June – Esquires, Bedford
Tickets: https://goo.gl/Fwnh8W
LINKS:
https://thewendyjames.com
https://wendyjames.pmstores.co
https://www.facebook.com/THEWENDYJAMES
https://twitter.com/THEWENDYJAMES
http://instagram.com/thewendyjames
https://soundcloud.com/the-wendy-james
http://wendyjames.tumblr.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/THEWENDYJAMESVIDEO
