I could not think of a more apt title for an album recorded by Canadian-born, New Zealand-based country rockabilly (plus blues and gospel) act Tami Neilson. For her music is so crisp and brimful of bubbly energy, Nielson is an infectious performer it ever there was one. A genuine breath of fresh air in today’s commercial driven world, an artist who sings from the heart and believes what she is singing. Neilson’s love of Patsy Cline, Wanda Jackson, Johnny Cash and his far-off days on Sun Records and Peggy Lee (“Dynamite”) are there for all to see, without I hasten to add her falling into the trap of over committing to any one style, other than her own!
From the start she grabs the attention of the listener with her big soulful voice as she speaks of how she is going to walk back to his arms, terrific projection of her pipes, and with the band creating (hand caps etc) something out of Sam Cooke’s songbook. Country ballad “Texas” follows above noted opening cut “Walk (Back To Your Arms)” and the fiery “Come Over”, and it comes complete with lavish lacings of pedal steel guitar (Red McKelvie), fiddle (Dave Khan and he also plays mandolin, guitar, bass and sings harmony on the record) and harmony vocalists, “Texas” has a sound akin to Patsy Cline, a comparison that carries forth to killer heart-tugging love ballad “Cry You Over”.
Boy, can’t this girl sing, and to top it all she knows exactly how much emotion to use. “You Lie” is a slow country number doused in oodles of pedal steel it burns a hole in one’s emotions, and though title-track “Dynamite” and dynamic country tinged complete with a rockabilly beat “Woo Hoo” would be top tracks on many an artist's album there’s a handful stronger ones here! Albeit the latter enjoys some stirring electric lead guitar, and is loaded with enthusiastic harmony, duet vocals (Marlon Williams) they don’t posses the same magic and chemistry of “Running To You”. As the terrific duet vocals exude shades of 1960s, 1970s act Lee Hazlewood and his duet partner Nancy Sinatra. A co-write with band member Delaney Davidson (guitars, pianos, vocals) it is the business, not least due to Davidson’s commanding vocals, wailing steel and moody lead guitar. A wonderful production, Davidson also has a hand there; since along with Ben Edwards he produced the record. Like with album in general Ms Neilson has every right to be proud of the finished product.
“Honey Girl” is typical of Neilson’s music, part country, part rockabilly, plus it contains some fine chicken pickin’ country electric led guitar, it is a strong one. Near as good as anything on the record. Closing track “Whiskey And Kisses” is another telling duet, this time it is Ben Wooley (bass, backing vocals) who escorts Neilson through the song (a western styled, honky tonk country barroom ballad); one of five co-writes with Davidson it helps underline how tight a unit Neilson and the band are. Joe MacCallum on drums and percussion makes up the compliment of the Hayriders. Be sure to check out the record, and forthcoming dates; you won't be disappointed whatever choice you decide.
Maurice Hope