Review By Darren McIntyre photos By Scott Anderson
Wendy Patricia James is a singer / songwriter from London, England who is most notable for her work with pop punk groovers Transvision Vamp who had most of their commercial success in the late 80’s & early 90’s, unfortunately the band split and Wendy went onto form her own band Racine in 2004 and they gave us two albums from 2004 through to 2007. Since then Wendy has been writing and recording and has delivered to us 4 solo records from 2003 through to 2020, she has been busy writing and recording her latest album The Shape Of History which is out now and to celebrate this latest slab of infectious punk , ballad rock Wendy is doing a series of instore gigs and today she drops into Assai Records in Glasgow to bring us a selection from the new album and cuts from her various solo recordings. Wendy emerges from the shadows and steps upto the mic says hi and thanks for coming and launches into the haunting, moody number –
Everything Is Magic – The keys flow into the track as Wendy steps forward and allows her sombre, mellow vocals let this track introduce itself as we stand and feel the emotion oozing from this pint sized pop star. The tone is just fitting for the night as the rain is tipping it down outside as we sway from side to side as the music takes us way back to the days of TOTP’s as Wendy has never sounded better and I really thing that this album is going to be pretty popular. The mellow keys are letting us feel the depth of these haunting lyrics as the duo come together and really let us feel the magic that is coming from the room tonight, the crowd are all enjoying the evening as Wendy is beaming from ear to ear as she sees the joy on the faces as she lays down this enchanting number that really sets the tone for this album launch. Wendy takes the applause and thanks us for coming out to support her and the new release, up next comes –
A Big Vicious Rumble – Andy steps forward and strums lightly on his guitar as this melodic number pours from the stage as Wendy lets her vocals do the talking as the tempo comes at us as we settle into this fantastic night of tracks that just hit the mark. The tone is enchanting as we let the soulful tones fill the venue as we drift off to somewhere new as this track wraps itself around us as we buy into the whole arrangement as Wendy grabs the track and makes it her own, this is a nice toe tapping track that has depth, emotion and bags of tone as we just let the groove wander freely and just fill us with sheer joy as the duo do the track justice as we sway along and let the album consume us as the cool vocals really transport us to somewhere new, Wendy spends a couple of minutes thanking Alex for accompanying her on this journey and for us for coming out before she takes us onto –
Do You Gig It – Wendy takes the tempo up a little as Alex lets rip on his electric guitar as this foot stomping groover is given a makeover with a slowed down version that just sounds epic. The vocals are sharp, punchy and bring something to the party as Wendy unleashes her pop / punk vibe as this arrangement just pops, the place is really enjoying the night as we are getting Wendy James up close and personal and in the raw as she is here with her mic and musical sidekick and that is it. The tone is different and it really takes the track to another place as the stripped back version is a more personal trip down memory lane as we see the joy on Wendy’s face as she takes us on the journey with her & Alex’s as the place is awash with smiles and toes tapping which is just wonderful, up next is –
Step Aside Roadkill – The tempo is a real toe tapping dark melodic number as Wendy brings her soulful vocals to this fist pumping number that gets the juices flowing for sure as we feel the shift in tempo as cool keys fill the air as this cool track opens with real ease. The guitar riffs are letting the track breathe as Alex shares his duties between guitar and keys as this dark punchy number takes to to another place as we feel Wendy’s soaring melodies really give this track real depth. The stop start beat is letting Wendy deliver a real soulful vocal that lets us feel the energy oozing from this timeless pop / punk princess as she lets her killer vocals do the talikng, up next –
The Shape Of History – Guitar licks are filling the place as we get a nice toe tapping tempo as this fast paced punchy number unfolds and lets Wendy break free and bring her melodic vocals to tonight’s show. She shows no sign of slowing down as she brings her signature groove to the title track of this fantastic new album. We are just grooving along as we get to relive our youth as the music just comes at us in waves and really allows Wendy to showcase her range, tone and versatility in this toe tapper track that just flows freely and really lets us witness a real star doing her thing and letting us feel the energy that shows no signs of slowing down as she moves around the stage and smiles coyly as we show our appreciation for tonight’s killer show that is so well attended, up next –
I Want Your Love – Wendy takes us back to our heyday with this stripped back kick ass track that lets Alex loose on the old guitar as we get a real dose of our punk princess doing her thing. The place is joining in as Wendy takes us through our paces with a trip down memory lane that tells us that she has not changes one bit, the vocals are a little more crisp as she drills us with the iconic tones that we have come to know and love her for. I will say that I was chatting with Wendy after the show and she is just the sweetest person and so attentive towards her audience which was just so endearing. The show is just cool, short and to the point as we get a glimpse into the life of this killer musician as she brings her vocals to us tonight, we finish off tonight’s killer show with the classic –
Bad Valentine – Guitar chords roll from the stage as Alex’s comes in with sweet strumming grooves that let Wendy bring her soulful tones to Assai Records tonight. The track being stripped back is more impressive as it’s just her, her guitarist and nothing else which makes this arrangement that little bit more special as the duo are really killing it for this swelling crowd that are really enjoying themselves. The night has been a trip down memory lane as Wendy has delivered a real thought provoking set that showed us some new tracks, some classics and that it tells us Wendy is back and really enjoying her time out on the road bringing this new album to her loyal legion of fans.
Wendy James –
Wendy – Vocals
Alex – Guitar / Keys
Setlist –
Everything Is Magic
A Big Vicious Rumble
Do You Dig It
Step Aside Roadkill
The Shape Of History
I Want Your Love
Bad Valentine
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