Tami Neilson's Triumph...

Credit: Still from Tami's latest video Lonely, featuring Marlon Williams

​Glory Days guest reviewer, Kathryn van Beek, shares her thoughts on the new album Don't Be Afraid, by our Country Issue cover star and multi-award winning singer/ songwriter Tami Neilson, and we let you know how you can win a copy of the latest album, her previous album Dynamite on LP, and a copy of the Country Issue signed by the lady herself! 

In real life, singer Tami Neilson has a glossy black bangs, a wardrobe of wiggle dresses and enormous Bambi eyes (perfectly captured by artist Misery in the album booklet). There’s no denying the lady’s one hot mama – but when her voice leaks from the speakers on opening song and title track Don’t Be Afraid, it sounds like something that’s been squeezed from the earth rather than from the lungs of a mortal woman. On this track her voice is as old as the Bible, as fresh as a daffodil and as soulful as a choir of sinners in purgatory singing for salvation. ​

Credit: Film still from Walk (Back to Your Arms) music video

Tami’s from a musical family, and she performed with her family’s country band The Neilsons in Canada before immigrating to New Zealand. This album is heavily influenced by the death of Tami’s father Ron, who has a writing credit on two of the songs – including Lonely, which he started writing back in 1972. The album’s a love letter from Tami to her dad – but such is the magic of music that it’s also a full-throttle party starter, a noise control complaint inciter, and sexy enough to warrant more than a few Hail Marys. ​

Tami’s a four-time winner of Best Country Music Album at the New Zealand Music Awards, but Don’t Be Afraid also serves up generous helpings of soul and rock n roll. We’re treated to swampy southern gospel on Bury My Body, Latin beats on Loco Mama and down and dirty grooves on Holy Moses, where Tami pleads for mercy. 
 
Don’t be afraid to dip your toe into country with Tami Neilson’s latest album. Holy Moses – you’ll probably love it.

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Glory Days have been big fans of Tami's from the get go. In fact our Beauty Editor Miss Victory Violet styled Tami and co-starred in one of the video's from the Dynamite album! You can see Miss Victory Violet just popping her head over the shoulder of her fellow hairdresser at the back of this video still.

We want to give you the chance to get your hands on some Tami by offering an amazing prize pack for one lucky person who signs up to our newsletter at the Matakana Sunday Sessions Queens Birthday Weekend Market on the 25th October.

All you have to do is come along to the Glory Days stall, purchase any magazine and sign up to our newsletter to be in with the chance to win a Dynamite LP, a signed copy of The Country Issue and a CD copy of Don't Be Afraid!

Aside from the chance to win this amazing prize, guests at the Matakana Sunday Sessions can expect great music from Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men (another fantastic group of musicians who featured in our Country Issue!), a fantastic range of vintage stalls and delicious local food, wine and beer. Don't be afraid to dress in your Sunday finest, and we look forward to seeing you there!