Tami Neilson Premiers “Any Fool With A Heart” Ahead of New Album
Tami Neilson is one of the greatest singers on this entire planet, irrespective of genre or geographic region. Those who have never her seen her perform may fancy this notion as a serious infraction of embellishment. Those who have seen her perform will corroborate this and proceed to lump their own embellishments on top. Though country is her primary concern, her talent is so deep and vast, it can’t be held to just one discipline of roots music, and along with earnest sentiments of classic country that evoke memories of Patsy Cline, she can belt out old school soul and rockabilly like a mama this world hasn’t seen since Wanda Jackson in her heyday.
A native Canadian whose family band toured with the likes of Johnny Cash, Tanya Tucker, and Kitty Wells while she was growing up, Neilson now hails from New Zealand, making her the Queen of Country Music in the Southern Hemisphere. Tami Neilson has a new album on the way entitled CHICKABOOM! due out Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2020, and ahead of the release she teases us for what she has in store with a new song called “Any Fool With A Heart.”
You’ll want to scour the internet after hearing this song, incredulously convinced it’s a cover from a by gone era of country. But no, it’s all Tami, with her brother and guitar player Jay Neilson adding those astounding blood harmonies to make this a soul stirring composition. Like Tami Neilson is inclined to do, the new song is accompanied by a live action video, adding to the melodrama of the song and music.
“In addition to writing, recording and performing music, a twisted sense of humor runs deep in my family,” Tami says. “Directed by my brother Todd (ValiantMade) and featuring my brother Jay as my doomed comrade, this 1950s Musical Meets Spaghetti Western series of ways to die was a perfect way to tell a story of heartbreak and unrequited love. We keep going back for more with a big, fat smile on our faces, even though it kills us every damn time.”
Neilson has also released another song and video ahead of CHICKABOOM! called “Bus Driver.” Produced by Neilson and fellow standout New Zealand performer Delaney Davidson, Tami says about the new record, “I wanted to write an album of punchy little songs, popping firecrackers that, when stripped back to nothing but a guitar, percussion and two voices, would still go boom!”
CHICKABOOM! can be pre-ordered on Bandcamp.
October 17, 2019 @ 8:41 am
This is right up my alley. Love the sound, love the lyrics, love the video.
October 17, 2019 @ 9:17 am
How refreshing, on so many levels.
These guys are great!
October 17, 2019 @ 9:26 am
Great news! Her last album is still in heavy rotation for me. Something to definitely look forward to on Valentine’s Day.
October 17, 2019 @ 9:27 am
I’m a huge fan. I’ve been listening to TammI for a few years now. If you are intrigued, definitely check out Dynamite and the others. Shes been exploring a lot of musical territory over the past decade, everything from singer-songwriter with banjos and guitars to rockabilly, r&b, Patsy Cline sounding country and with the upcoming record she gets into a fair amount of blues territory, believe it or not. Agree with Trigman, her voice is a cannon, fully loaded and capable of impressing the most cynical of fans. I only wish she toured the states, she doesen’t aside from 2 appearances at Americana fest.
October 17, 2019 @ 9:48 am
Juxtaposes well against the previous article about Brantley Gilbert and the moronic comments in there, like this one:
“I’ve seen him live 3 times and thought he has great ! You can’t deny he’s got talent …”
Great stuff by Tami. What an ACTUAL talent!
October 17, 2019 @ 9:55 am
This is why I so enjoy this website..
Turning me on to artists I never heard of but who are true artists!
Wow what a voice-just listened to her stellar version of Crazy!
Thanks Trigger!
October 17, 2019 @ 10:33 am
Trigger is not exaggerating one bit — this woman is a force to behold! Saw her twice at Americanafest, and was just blown away. Almost felt like I was watching Elvis Presley for the first time. And I just love this new song. Really need to catch her live show to fully appreciate what an amazing talent she has.
October 17, 2019 @ 10:36 am
She also has a great sense of humor.
October 17, 2019 @ 11:06 am
Nice song, fun video! Tami and Jay are adorable. 😀
October 17, 2019 @ 11:20 am
Flew up from Oklahoma to Toronto a few years ago to see her at Massey Hall. She’s amazing.
October 17, 2019 @ 12:53 pm
I am seeing her perform in Auckland with Jay on Sunday. An acoustic set! I’ve not seen her perform in years (shame on me) so I am beside myself. Thank you for saying she hails from NZ now. We are very happy to claim her! Not only is she a talent to behold, she’s a bloody lovely human being too. Seeing Tami perform live is a beautiful spectacle: her bespoke stage outfits and hours spent in hair and makeup are something I adore and appreciate. That song and music video is epic! Now, to just find a way to actually kidnap Jay and relocate him to NZ. Hmmmmm …..
October 17, 2019 @ 1:09 pm
Very cool sound
I’ll check her out
Nice harmonies, too
October 17, 2019 @ 2:30 pm
OMG … Tami is the best … the very, very best. NZ is so privileged to have a such a talented singer in its midst. She is an entertainer in the true sense of the word – her voice is like no other, her lyrics are brilliant, her stage performance blows the roof off every venue in which she performs, she’s sassy, funny and (from what I’ve seen at the 3 shows I’ve attended – including the Dunedin show on 17 Oct) an incredible human being.
October 17, 2019 @ 3:10 pm
very 50’s, very Everly Brothers , very melodic
a steel guitar or fiddles would not have been out of place on this track ….
the kacey musgraves success over 3 albums has influenced a lot of acts .i can certainly hear it in this .
October 17, 2019 @ 9:52 pm
Hubby has been to couple of Tammi gigs and is a huge fan. He bought tickets for last night Dunedin gig, I was knackerd from long week at work and went yawning and not sure what to expect. SO I had my first experience of hearing this fab Duo and I LOVED it!!!! Wide awake and enthralled for the whole show! defo fangirl now! 🙂 Just awesome!!!
October 17, 2019 @ 10:37 pm
I’m from NZ and def proud of our country queen! She’s so talented and inspiring. I love the music she’s provided for one of my fave NZ series Brokenwood Mysteries. Can’t wait to hear the new music!
October 18, 2019 @ 6:43 am
Just Awesome!!!
Wotta voice & She knows how to use it… !!!
Hope to see her “live” someday…
October 19, 2019 @ 6:40 am
High camp, done to perfection.
Think Adele, if she rolled out an arena-sized Motown Reproduction Show, complete with period microphones and outfits.
We’d admire it, acknowledge it, throw some money at it, but in the back of my mind, at least, there’s a stubborn little conviction that it’s like living in a cul-de-sac.
October 20, 2019 @ 6:50 pm
I see your point Corn, and to some degree you have made a valid observation. I also compare her to Adele in terms of vocal talent, and no doubt she’s super retro. I don’t know what it is about acts that are retro drawing ire from certain folks, but it does seem to be a love or hate thing. Same with vocal divas, they tend to be dismissed by some as just a voice, as if thats a bad thing. Personally I love the older styles and appreciate people who wanna keep em alive. So I have no qualm over it. Something to note though, Tami is a songwriter first, a singer second and an instrumentalist 3rd. She has the whole package. But I think people see the silly videos and just assume she’s a retro diva who could win The Voice. Check out her early work like Red Dirt Angel, Kitchen Table Sessions and even her role as songwriter and lead singer in her family band The Neilsons. ( they were big in Canada in the 90s) You might get a more rounded impression of this gals wealth of talent. Honestly she can do about any style of music she wishes, she’s got the skills. This retro stuff is where her heart is at and it’s worked well for her in New Zealand, so why not. Shes a star down there.
October 23, 2019 @ 5:48 am
Go to YouTube and watch her other songs. Be Still My Soul, Whiskey and Kisses, Manitoba Sunrise at Motel 6, Dynamite, and others. She doesn’t stay in the country lane, and does it all well.
October 21, 2019 @ 3:55 am
Absolutely stunning vocals and harmonies with Jay-you go girl!!
October 21, 2019 @ 1:01 pm
Hey Bus Driver is like The Everly Brothers for the new era. Love it!
October 21, 2019 @ 2:17 pm
I like a comment from YouTube:
“This transported me to a lonely desert somewhere with nothing but a broken heart and a guitar.”
October 23, 2019 @ 5:56 am
The heck with honoring women at the next CMAs or Grammies or wherever, just honor adults and let her sing all the numbers. Country, big band, blues, gospel, this lady is the master. She even does Crazy almost as well as the original.
October 23, 2019 @ 12:10 pm
I want to sincerely thank you for these recommendations, Trig! How wonderful it is to listen to meaningful, funny, non-violent or oversexualized music! To be free of mumble-lip-synced excuses for songs that damage our ears and leave us dry inside! And to be happy for a little while! Thanks!
October 23, 2019 @ 12:48 pm
Thanks for reading MH.
October 30, 2019 @ 8:18 pm
A patron at the bar I go to played ‘Ill Take Care of You’ by Joe Bonnamassa and Beth Hart. I countered by playing ‘Walk (Back To Your Arms)’ and he was stunned. He’d never heard of Tami Neilson. He thought she was a singer from the 50’s or 60’s.
I learned about Tami Neilson here at SCM. (along with too many other talents that I’d otherwise have never heard about) I’m definitely digging ‘Big Boss Mama’. Thanks for the heads up on her, Trig!!!