Tami Neilson – Neon Cowgirl (Neilson Records)
Tami Neilson proves that blood, sweat, tears, talent and tenacity pay off as she releases an album that makes her troubled trip worthwhile and sets a new standard along the way.
The past few years have been a mix of tragedy and triumphs for Tami.
Yes, she’s recorded with Willie Nelson, shared the stage with Bob Dylan and performed at the Grand Ol’ Opry.
But she also suffered a near-fatal bout a sepsis and her brother, co-writer and bandmate Jay Neilson is recovering from a severe brain injury.
So, with apologies to Charles Dickens, it has been the best of times and the worst of times for the Canadian-born, Kiwi-based singer.
Out of that emotional roller coaster comes Neon Cowgirl, 11 tracks that make a case for Tami, not only reaching, but exceeding expectations of those who have been following her over her long and musically adventurous journey.
Recorded at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studio in Auckland, Neon Cowgirl features guest collaborations with Mr. Finn, along with JD McPherson, Ashley McBryde, Grace Bowers and others.
But make no mistake, this is Tami’s record.
It is at once personal, heartbreaking, rambunctious and rockin’.
The album is bookended by two tracks that sound like they were ripped from the Roy Orbison songbook. Foolish Heart and One Less Heart are both big, lush ballads, powered by Vanessa Kelly’s string arrangements.
But its Tami’s voice that is the real showcase.
She’s always had a great set of lungs and has been described as “a fire-breathing belter”, but on Neon Cowgirl, Tami displays a new sense of emotional maturity, tempering her tendency to “belt” out those lyrics, with more sensitivity and empathy.
Its not all big ballads and tearjerkers.
Tami and her band…featuring guitarist Brett Adams, drummer Tom Broome, bass player Chip Matthews and pedal steel player Neil Watson…put the pedal to the metal on Salvation Mountain, a full-on country-rocker that finds our gal, “driving through the desert in a metal tin can”.
The sassy Borrow My Boots features Neil Watson on banjo and Love Someone, written by Tami and Jay, is as soulful as anything you might hear on the Stax label.
For those of us who like a good cry with our beer, I don’t hesitate to recommend, Loneliness Of Love, an emotional piano ballad about aging, one that will have you reach for John Prine’s Hello In There.
There’s something for everyone on Neon Cowgirl, but more importantly, this record seems to be as much made for Tami as for her fans.
In the press, she has talked about her “lifelong dream of chasing Nashville and Country Music.
With Neon Cowgirl, it should be Nashville that is chasing Tami Neilson.
Marty Duda
Neon Cowgirl is due out on Friday, July 11th. PRE-SAVE / PRE-ORDER NEW ALBUM via OUTSIDE MUSIC
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