Live Review: Tami Neilson at Riverside Park in Roswell, GA 7/22/23

It’s been a genuine challenge to label a genre for Tami Neilson. Country? Rockabilly? R&B? Americana? Blues? Check all the boxes because she’s all those and more. The one adjective easily agreed upon by most is “badass.” The Canadian-born New Zealander could be described as a purveyor of country soul, if that helps you understand her sound. Bottom line: you must listen to the music. MOJO characterized her voice as possessing, “…the swagger of a feral Peggy Lee.” She’s also drawn comparisons to Patsy Cline, while citing influences ranging from Mavis Staples to Dolly Parton.

More than three months into the North American leg of her Kingmaker tour, Neilson is in fine (and powerful) voice alongside younger brother Jay Neilson on guitar and Kevin on drums. She began her career in the Neilson Family Band, was famously cradled by Roy Orbison, sang with Kitty Wells at 10, and opened for Johnny Cash at 18. This all may explain why at 46, Neilson is such a genuine talent, exuding confidence at every turn. Riverside Sounds Summer Concert Series at Riverside Park in Roswell (a suburb of Atlanta) was the perfect showcase for Neilson who wowed fans and newcomers alike. This, her very first show in Georgia, was a hit.

Touring in support of her latest release, the excellent Kingmaker, Neilson is helping to lead the charge for women in music – especially country music. Before launching into “King of Country Music,” Neilson asked if the king of country music could be the daughter, not the son. She went on. “Today, only about ten percent of country artists are women. What if we had half? I don’t want more, just half.” Neilson has been a fierce advocate for women’s rights and inclusion within the fields of country, folk, and Americana music.

The beautifully emotional “Beyond the Stars,” a duet with Willie Nelson, is a song about the loss of her father in 2015. In it, she sings, “Beyond the stars I can hear the guitars / They’re calling me up to be with you.” Even eight years on, the heartache is evident in her voice.

Touring across America, Neilson is gaining fans and influencing artists – especially of the female persuasion. In “Mama’s Talkin,'” she extorts the virtues of standing up to the man – more specifically, the asshole. “Well he flies with the vultures / And he cries cancel culture / Any time you try to call him out / He storms, he rages like manners are contagious.” She is definitely a force to be reckoned with. The voice, the swagger, the attitude. She is the king of country music.

Once you’re invested in her incredible music, check out the New Zealand murder mystery series The Brokenwood Mysteries, on which she and brother Jay provide the score. Neilson even appeared on Season 8, Episode 5 “Good as Gold,” performing her song “Ten Tonne Truck.” Here’s hoping for as much exposure as possible for Neilson. She’s the real deal and is here to prove it.