Music review: Tami Neilson, Don't Be Afraid

Tami Neilson

Thank you, Canada. Canada's loss has certainly been New Zealand's gain since Tami Neilson upped sticks from her family's band and made Aotearoa her new home.

Since 2007, Tami's nailed award after award at the Tuis and created memorable songs and albums. Don't Be Afraid is no exception, if anything, it usurps the prophetically titled Dynamite. Tami Neilson's lyric writing just seems to get better and better, and with the tightest band around, the end result is simply Hot with a capital H.

The moods vary on Don't Be Afraid, from rollicking up-tempo workouts like Holy Moses, Burn My Body and Loco Mama to slow burners and Patsy Cline-like vocals on Only Tears and the outstanding first single Lonely, which features her buddy Marlon Williams in a cameo appearance.

The Christchurch port suburb of Lyttelton seems to have something in the air recently with a number of acts, including Neilson and Williams, finding sensational form in The Sitting Room recording studio.

Tami Neilson deserves recognition for yet another sensational album. So too does her band. Dave Khan on guitars and strings, Ben Woolley on bass, Joe McCallum drums, and the ever present Delaney Davidson on guitars and production.

Tami, you'd better enlarge the display cabinet that houses your Tuis because next year's event is going to add to your swag.

If you get the chance to catch Tami Neilson and her band live, don't miss the opportunity. In the meantime, grab a copy of Don't Be Afraid and turn it up loud.

Rating: 5/5