The Price of the Ticket (album)

The Price of the Ticket is the third solo studio album by English singer-songwriter and former Transvision Vamp vocalist Wendy James. Released in February 2016, it was written and produced by James, except for the final two tracks, which are cover versions of songs by Fred "Sonic" Smith and Bob Dylan.

The Price of the Ticket
Studio album by Wendy James
Released	19 February 2016
Label	MCA
Producer	Wendy James
Wendy James chronology
I Came Here to Blow Minds (2011) The Price of the Ticket (2016) Queen High Straight (2019)

Background

The Price of the Ticket was recorded mainly in New York City, with the final two tracks being recorded in Berkeley, California to accommodate James Williamson.^[1][2] The album cover features a photograph of James topless, of which she stated, "I don't actually find it a particularly sexual shot in as much as you look at images of Rihanna or the way I was in the old days being flirtatious and provocative [...] Much more like an art or fashion photograph or sculpture or just female anatomy as it is in other areas of creativity but not the music business."^[1] Some of the tracks contain autobiographical material, with "Screamin' Back Washington" a reference to James being adopted: "It's very honest. I was just imagining what it is like for any woman to ... I'm thanking her for giving birth to me as opposed to having an abortion, but imagining how difficult it must be for any woman to give birth to a child and then give it away. Even if they are doing it for all the right reasons."^[3]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Wendy James, except where noted.^[4]

1. "Paloma's Downs"
2. "Indigent Blues"
3. "King Rat"
4. "Love from the 9th"
5. "Bad Intentions and a Bit of Cruelty"
6. "You're a Dirtbomb, Lester"
7. "Screamin' Back Washington"
8. "Why Oh Why Do You Hurt Me Still?"
9. "Farewell to Love"
10. "Cowboy Rhythm"
11. "Situation Normal at Surfrider"
12. "You're So Great" (Fred "Sonic" Smith)
13. "It's Alright Ma" (Bob Dylan)

Personnel

• Wendy James – vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, piano
• Lenny Kaye – rhythm and lead guitar
• Glen Matlock – bass
• James Sclavunos – drums
• James Williamson – guitar and bass (tracks 12 and 13)
• Steve Mackay – baritone saxophone (track 13)

Charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[5]	72
UK Albums (OCC)[6]	128
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[7]	13

References

1. Millar, Mark (3 April 2016). "Interview: Wendy James talks about her new album 'The Price Of The Ticket'". XS Noize. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
2. Martin, Ryan (26 April 2016). "First Look: Wendy James – Bad Intentions and a Bit of Cruelty". Jammerzine. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
3. Singleton, Phil (25 June 2014). "Wendy James Interview June 2014". God Save the Sex Pistols. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
4. "About the Solo LP The Price Of The Ticket by Wendy James". thewendyjames.com. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
5. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
6. "Chart: CLUK Update 27.02.2016 (wk8)". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
7. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 September 2024.