Artist:     Tami Neilson

Album:     CHICKABOOM!

Label:     Outside Music

Release Date:     2.14.20

88

BUY DIGITAL

BUY PHYSICAL

Although being promoted primarily as a rockabilly record, about halfway through it, you become aware there is a lot more than just reverb, primal guitar, and an attitude propelled by some sassy lyrics and a barrelhouse voice.

Right out of the chute, this new New Zealander-by-way-of-Canada marks her territory with the taunting “Call Your Mama.” There’s a line in it “Who’s bell you gonna ring” that was adding to the distant tinkle I was already hearing in the back of my mind, from Tami’s title of her whole ball of wax. The hard driving stuff continues with infectious beats, then starts taking a left turn. By the time the bluesy “You Were Mine” appears, I was hearing the ghosts of Etta James and Sister Rosetta Sharp. Tami can sure belt them out of the park.

She doesn’t stop there though, with the sibling harmonies of her brother Jay added in on “Tell Me That You Love Me” and “Any Fool With A Heart” you get a taste of what the Everlys inspired, as many of the Brits interpreted them. Soul shouting in fine form returns as she sends in “Sister Mavis” Oh yeah, I was feeling great and by now that distant bell was ringing much clearer. As Neilson swan songs out with “Sleep” it came into full focus. It was 1968, I was recording at Studio 3 in NYC, right next door to Carnegie Hall. My drummer, the late Lou Stevens, counted off every track we did with,” One, Two, Chick A Boom, Chick A Boom!” Those were good times, and this, my friends, is a good record

—Ken Spooner