Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears
Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears is the debut solo album by English singer-songwriter and Transvision Vamp vocalist Wendy James, released on 8 March 1993 by MCA Records.
| Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 8 March 1993 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Pop rock, alternative rock, pop punk | |||
| Length | 36:22 | |||
| Label | MCA | |||
| Producer | Chris Kimsey | |||
| Wendy James chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears | ||||
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| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [1] |
| Christgau's Consumer Guide | [2] |
| Los Angeles Times | [3] |
| NME | 5/10[4] |
| Rolling Stone | (unfavorable)[5] |
Background Edit
The album was conceived after Wendy James had a chance meeting with Pete Thomas, drummer for Elvis Costello and the Attractions, during Transvision Vamp's final tour.[6] After asking Thomas if Costello might be able to help her with guidance or advice for a possible solo career, Thomas suggested she contact him.[6][7] The album was then written in its entirety, in one weekend, by Costello, with several tracks co-written by his then-wife, Cait O'Riordan.[8] James told Melody Maker in 1993, "I sketched a letter to Elvis, reasonably long and philosophical, and sent it off, thinking nothing would ever come of this, it's a ridiculous idea. I didn't hear anything for a while and then Elvis's publisher rang up and said, 'He's written you an entire album, and if you like it, it's yours'. I was astounded. It's like, imagine if your favourite artist or performer of all time has just written you, personally you, your very own album."[9]
James received a cassette of basic demo recordings and a lyric sheet from Costello in December 1991 and she recorded the material in June 1992.[9] James briefly met Costello at a party after U2's Earl's Court concert on 31 May 1992.[9] Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears was released by MCA, Transvision Vamp's former label, which James signed with as a top priority solo act.[7]
Speaking of the album's material, James told NME, "Elvis is a man with a tremendous amount of insight. I'd only met him once, but he seemed to understand perfectly everything I had gone through. Some of it is pure storytelling, but overall it's an almost conceptual album which traces the successes and failures of my own career."[7] She added to Melody Maker, "All of the songs, from the melancholy songs to the glory glory hallelujah songs, are rather cynical. And there isn't a moment on the album where you can get away with anything, because you're being asked to look at yourself in a very hard-hearted manner every step of the way. There are many times when it's cutting someone's ego, whether it's mine as the singer, or someone else's."[9]
The album's title comes from a line in the chorus of Bob Dylan's song "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll".[10] James chose the title as it was a bit of advice she gave herself.[7]
Reception Edit
Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears was relatively unsuccessful, only peaking at No. 43 on the UK Albums Chart.[11] The singles released from the album also met with moderate to minor success, with "The Nameless One" and "London's Brilliant" peaking at Nos. 34 and 62, respectively.[12] In 1994, Costello's demos for "Puppet Girl", "Basement Kiss" and "We Despise You" were released on his "13 Steps Lead Down" EP.[8]
Upon its release, Sian Pattenden of NME gave a mixed review. She described the album as "fairly proficient, but, more importantly, dull" and added that the "only excuse one can make for this sniffle of an album [is that it] prove[s] beyond doubt Costello has a sense of humour". She added, "It's all about Wendy and her world, which is not enough for ten songs. Wendy has only two emotions: 'irritated' and 'angry'. Unfortunately, she only has one singing style, which seems to be 'trying to resist the urge to shout'."[4]
Track listing Edit
All songs by Elvis Costello, except where noted.
- "This Is a Test" – 1:58
- "London's Brilliant" (Costello, Cait O'Riordan) – 2:29
- "Basement Kiss" (Costello, O'Riordan) – 4:03
- "Puppet Girl" (Costello, O'Riordan) – 2:48
- "Earthbound" (Costello, O'Riordan) – 4:32
- "Do You Know What I'm Saying?" – 5:16
- "We Despise You" (Costello, O'Riordan) – 3:21
- "Fill in the Blanks" – 3:14
- "The Nameless One" – 5:30
- "I Want to Stand Forever" – 4:31
Personnel Edit
- Wendy James – lead vocals
Additional musicians
- Pete Thomas – drums, percussion; backing vocals (track 8)
- Richard "Cass" Lewis – bass guitar; backing vocals (track 8)
- Neil Taylor – guitars; backing vocals (track 8)
- Andy Bown – organ
- Jon Astley – piano
- Ian Wilson – backing vocals
- Steve Butler – backing vocals
- Jeff Young – backing vocals (track 8)
- Chris Kimsey – backing vocals (track 8)
Technical
- Chris Kimsey – producer, engineer, mixing
- Jon Astley – orchestral arrangements
- Spencer May – assistant engineer
- Joël Theux – assistant engineer
- Boris Beziat – assistant engineer
- Steve Harrison – assistant engineer
- Chris Fogel – assistant engineer
- David Bailey – photography
- Ryan Art – design
Charts Edit
References Edit
- ^ Henderson, Alex. "Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears Albums Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (2000). Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan Publishers. p. 148. ISBN 9780312245603.
- ^ Willman, Chris (20 June 1993). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ a b Pattenden, Sian (6 March 1993). "Long Play: Imperial Boredom". New Musical Express. p. 35.
- ^ Perone, James E. (1998). Elvis Costello: A Bio-bibliography. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 106. ISBN 9780313303999.
- ^ a b "Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears – The Wendy James". Wendy James. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d Staunton, Terry (13 March 1993). "Wendy's Boat Comes In". New Musical Express. p. 12.
- ^ a b Mason, Stewart. "13 Steps Lead Down [EP] Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d Mueller, Andrew (6 February 1993). "The Second Coming of Wendy James". Melody Maker. pp. 24–25.
- ^ "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll". The Official Bob Dylan Website. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Now Ain't the Times for Your Tears – Full Official Chart History – Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Wendy James – Full Official Chart History – Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 13 September 2016". Imgur.com. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ "Wendy James | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.