September 4, 2024

Tami Neilson – Neilson Sings Nelson (Neilson Records) (13th Floor Album Review)

Tami Neilson is on a roll! Her 20233 album, Kingmaker, was a career highlight, and now, two years later….something a bit different, Tami takes on the songs of Willie Nelson.

Of course Willie himself guested on Kingmaker and a stripped down version of Beyond The Stars is featured on this release. Two years on and it sounds like a classic that can hold up alongside Willi’es own.

Tami Neilson But this is more than one artist paying tribute to another.

Tami has been welcomed into the Willie Nelson family, performing at his Luck Reunion Festival…in Willie’s back yard…and recording this album at his Pedernales Studio in Spicewood, Texas.

While the 91 year old legend doesn’t make another appearance here, his spirit runs throughout the nine tracks.

Tami has taken this opportunity to turn it into a family affair, recording for the first time in 25 years with her brothers Jay and Todd. That reunion can be heard on Sisters Coming Home/Down At The Corner Beer Joint where Todd takes up his place behind a (cymbal-less) drum kit as Jay plays guitar and Tami sings with another new friend, San Antonio singer-songwriter Nicky Diamonds who she shared the stage with at the Luck Festival.

It’s that kind of album.

Tami is in fine voice, having recovered from her fight with life-threatening sepsis.

One listen to opening track, I Never Cared For You and it is clear the healing is complete.

Tami’s song-selection is interesting. She’s picked a couple you’ll know…Always On My Mind (not written by Willie) and Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain…but the majority are lesser-known nuggets like the soulful The Sound In Your Mind, Shelter Of Your Arms, featuring some fine country-style piano from Craig Harris (and actually written by Willie’s ex-wife Shirley Collie) and the gospel-tinged I Thought About You…a tribute to Willie’s late sister Bobbie.

Tami’s vocals are, for the most part, more restrained than we’re used to, although she does let loose on Sisters Coming Home. It’s a different side of Tami, one that sounds just right in these strange, uncertain times.

Marty Duda