Time Waits for No One
Mavis Staples · 1989
39 min · 8 tracks · blues
Soulful vocals intertwine with rhythmic blues grooves, creating an evocative soundscape that reflects both personal and universal themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Come Home — This track highlights Staples' ability to convey longing through its heartfelt lyrics and soaring vocal delivery, capturing the essence of yearning beautifully.
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Time Waits for No One — The title track serves as a poignant reflection on the inevitability of change, showcasing Staples’ mature sound and lyrical depth.
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20th Century Express — With its upbeat tempo and infectious rhythm, this song encapsulates the vibrant spirit of the late '80s, making it a standout in the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends soulful vocals with rhythmic blues, showcasing strong themes and cohesive structure.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of rhythmic grooves that underpin soulful vocal performances across all tracks.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response elements, enhancing the interaction between the lead vocals and backing harmonies.
- The track 'Time Waits for No One' closes the album with a gradual build-up, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the more upbeat earlier tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo groove throughout
- themes of yearning and resilience
- for reflective afternoons
- soulful melodies for quiet moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening experiences
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Time Waits for No One' was released in 1989, Mavis Staples had transitioned from her early career with The Staple Singers to a solo artist exploring more contemporary sounds. This album followed her 1984 release 'Mavis Staples', marking her continued evolution as she embraced a blend of soul and rhythm and blues while working with producer David Wolinski.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aretha Franklin· Tina Turner· Etta James
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Interesting 4:28
- 2 20th Century Express 3:54
- 3 Come Home 5:29
- 4 Jaguar 5:29
- 5 Train 4:27
- 6 The Old Songs 5:02
- 7 I Guess I'm Crazy 4:10
- 8 Time Waits for No One 6:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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