Tami Neilson, Auckland NZ, 2019

Tami Neilson

20th October 2019
The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Andre Fleming. Photography by Doug Peters.

I would like to think that I share some commonalities with Tami Neilson; sure, I may not be able to sing as well as her, or at all if truth be told, but I too was raised in a house full of music. And while Tami went one step better and shared a stage with Johnny Cash, at least I can say that his songs were ones that I remember echoing through the rooms of my home too.

This was to be my first-time seeing Tami Neilson live, and I won’t lie I was pretty excited about it; especially when I read that this particular tour – entitled ‘This is Tami Neilson!’ would not only include her brother Jay Neilson but the premise would be to strip back the music and then incorporate the songs with storytelling elements. For you see, there is no where to hide when you take away the band, no safety net to speak of. Of course, I was not the least bit concerned, if Tami can sing as impressively as she can on record, I anticipated that this would be a show at which I would spend most of my time with my jaw on the floor.

What I didn’t anticipate however is Tami’s version of the Sesame Street theme song that followed her opener ‘Hey Bus Driver!’- a track from her upcoming new album Chickaboom! – but if anyone could pull it off… Standing against a backdrop of their childhood lounge, Jay and Tami dressed in matching black jackets embroidered with colourful flowers, it all just worked. But just to prove that they are also serious performers, ‘Almost Home’ provided us all with harmonisation that stirred the heart and vocals from Tami that while outstanding were just a taste of what was to come.

And so began my evening of entertainment, tucked away within the red velvet curtain lined walls of Auckland’s Tuning Fork; the first of some of the storytelling for the evening providing an insight into some of the people who shaped Tami’s life. People such as Kitty Wells who she performed on stage with when Tami was just a child, her digs at herself about being distracted by cake at the time making the audience laugh, Jay and Tami soon teasing each other in a way that only siblings could, Tami’s laugh one of the most infectious things I have ever heard. Moving into more serious territory, Tami spoke of her grandmother and how she had had a “rough life” – ‘A Woman’s Pain’ not only performed beautifully but striking a chord with many in the room.

The set list for last night’s show I found was a great mix of tracks that were known with some of her latest work thrown in for good measure – I mean what better way to test drive them than in the live setting while also giving the audience a teaser of the new album. The stories – which as much as I would like to – were far too numerous to record all in one review, ranged from stories of Uncle Kenny’s older brother almost burning the house down while attempting to make a homemade guitar, laundromats, opening for Johnny Cash while touring North America with her family band The Neilsons right through to her new beginnings here in New Zealand and working with people like The Topp Twins and Delaney Davidson.

Beside her Jay Neilson seemed to bring out the best in Tami, and she him. Not only did they work together so well musically, but the vibe between them was one of pure joy, and at no point did any of their chatter feel put on or scripted. It just flowed between them like it does between my siblings and I, and it was – on top of the fantastic music – what made the evening.

Speaking of music, while the entire show was fantastic, highlights for me personally had to be ‘Big Boss Mama’, ‘Texas’ – which Tami told us all was written for her firstborn – and the track ‘Walk (Back to your Arms)’ which not only did she co-write with Jay, but it won her the Silver Scroll. It’s also one of my mum’s favourites, the bluesy feel to it something she adores. I should also make mention of ‘Stay outta my Business’, which was as Tami explained written after she woke up on her fortieth birthday and decided not to give a shit anymore about what anyone thought of her. It was a sentiment that I could wholeheartedly get behind. Mortality is just around the corner, live life your way.

For an encore Tami and Jay performed a bit of a magic trick, disappearing from the stage as expected but then re-appearing in the middle of the audience, it was I thought a nice touch and the perfect ending for what already felt like a very special and personal performance.

Tami Neilson is of course Canadian born as most people know, but there is no doubt about the fact that we have very much embraced her as our own – and I would say she feels the same way about us too.

Tami Neilson – photo by Doug Peters

Were you there at The Tuning Fork for this brilliant brother and sister act? Or have you seen Tami Neilson perform live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Setlist:

1. Hey Bus Driver
2. Sesame Street Theme
3. Almost Home
4. Honky Tonk Angel
5. A Woman’s Pain
6. Sleepless Nights
7. Ten Tonne Truck
8. Woo Hoo
9. Any Fool With A Heart
10. Big Boss Mama
11. Texas
12. Walk (Back To Your Arms)
13. Lonely
14. Holy Moses
15. Stay Outta My Business
16. Cry Myself To Sleep
17. You Were Mine
18. Sleep [encore]

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