Nona Hendryx Albums (6)
'You Have to Cry Sometime'
Release Date 3/20/1992
Tracks 10
Label Shanachie
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
"Soul music" -- an outdated '60s label? Not if Nona Hendryx, Billy Vera, and a whole bunch of gifted backup singers and musicians have anything to say about it. Recorded as part of Shanachie's Soul of Rhythm & Blues series and with 50% of the royalties going to support the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, this disc has purpose, message, and artistry on its side. Among the ten tracks are retakes of classics like Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar," Solomon Burke's "Got to Get You Off My Mind," and The Soul Sisters' "I Can't Stand It"; new compositions from both Vera and Hendryx; and a remake of Vera's 1967 hit (with Judy Clay), "Storybook Children." Everyone deserves kudos, but Hendryx shines brightest. She kicks off the disc with a sizzling version of The Isley's "It's Your Thing," and turns in a heartbreakingly beautiful performance on Ashford And Simpson's "Didn't You Know You'd Have to Cry Sometime." ~ Christine Ohlman, Roundup Newsletter, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A transitional album from the word go, Hendryx plays synthesizer and works with producer and former Tangerine Dream member Peter Baumann, and the result is this lush (at times too lush) pop record that sounds unlike anything else Hendryx recorded. Fans of her previous work may be taken aback by this record, but the dense, almost ambient, soundscapes she constructs and her always great singing make this a satisfying foray into uncharted territory. ~ John Dougan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This 1987 album from this power-filled, passionate singer-songwriter -- now at a great price -- is dedicated to Winnie Mandela, and contains "Winds of Change (Mandela to Mandela)," and a beautiful tribute, as well as "Too Hot to Handle, Drive Me Wild," and other tunes, mostly original, brimming with sexuality, desire and confidence. ~ Ladyslipper, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
It is amazing how polarizing (for listeners) Bill Laswell's Material side-projects can be. They are either fresh and inventive or stale and uninspired. Unfortunately, Nona Hendryx's 1984, Material-produced album The Art of Defense falls into the latter category--another case of some very talented folks making a very bland record. Nona and the Material crew are obviously capable of great things but, despite the formidable pedigree of the artists involved, The Art of Defense falls short of expectations. There are few real songs here, lyrically, so (if the group were going for the Donna Summer-disco diva over complex-studio-grooves kind of thing), it would have made sense to make the music more engaging�lord knows Bill Laswell is capable of that. Neither the music nor the vocal performances ever take center-stage and the result is, simply, a boring album. The songs with the least going on in them (and the least going for them) are, invariably, the longest songs on the album, and the two songs that are actually somewhat engaging and well realized ("Electricity" and "Ghost Love") are the record's shortest tracks -- there is a lesson in here somewhere. ~ J. Scott McClintock, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Wearing skintight pants, black leather and brandishing a Bowie knife on the LP cover, Nona Hendryx announces her intentions loudly and clearly on her debut record. At the time, this record was unpromotable (hell, it would be today), mainly because the record company and radio stations didn't know what to do with a huge-voiced African-American woman who was comfortable and capable of singing hard rock as well as soul music. So, as usual, they turned their backs on the record and it disappeared almost as quickly as it was released. Which is a shame, because it's a nasty, relentless chunk of hard-edged rock'n'soul that was just a bit ahead of its time. Long out of print, but worth searching for. ~ John Dougan, All Music Guide
