Sassafrass!
| Sassafrass! | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1 June 2018 | |||
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| Producer | Ben Edwards, Tami Neilson | |||
| Tami Neilson chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Sassafrass! | ||||
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Sassafrass! is the sixth studio album by Canadian-New Zealand country singer Tami Neilson, released in June 2018.
Production[edit]
The album was inspired by Neilson's experiences of becoming a mother, losing her father and turning 40. She felt that the album expressed her "coming into confidence as a woman" and is a celebration of her newly-found freedom.[2] Because of this, many of the songs on the album focused on gender equality.[3] Sonically, Neilson was inspired by musicians including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Big Mama Thornton and Mavis Staples.[3] The song "Miss Jones" was written as a tribute to Sharon Jones.[4]
The album's title, Sassafrass!, is a slang term referring to a self-assured person.[1]
Release and promotion[edit]
Three singles were released from the album: "Stay Outta My Business" in March 2018,[5] "Manitoba Sunrise at Motel 6" in May[6] and "Devil in a Dress" in July, a month after the album's release.[7]
Reception[edit]
At the 2018 New Zealand Music Awards, Sassafrass! was nominated for the Album of the Year award, and led to Neilson being nominated for the Best Solo Artist award.[8]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Stay Outta My Business" |
| 2:56 |
| 2. | "Bananas" |
| 2:32 |
| 3. | "Diamond Ring" | T. Neilson | 3:12 |
| 4. | "A Woman's Pain" | T. Neilson | 2:57 |
| 5. | "Devil in a Dress" |
| 3:07 |
| 6. | "One Thought of You" |
| 2:16 |
| 7. | "Miss Jones" | T. Neilson | 2:30 |
| 8. | "Smoking Gun" |
| 3:42 |
| 9. | "Kitty Cat" | T. Neilson | 2:03 |
| 10. | "Manitoba Sunrise at Motel" | T. Neilson | 4:21 |
| 11. | "Good Man" | T. Neilson | 5:23 |
| Total length: | 24:59 | ||
Credits and personnel[edit]
- Brett Adams – guitar
- Chris Chetland – mastering
- Ashley Church – photography
- Anita Clark – strings
- Georgie Clifford – backing vocals
- Sarena Close – backing vocals
- Reuben Derrick – horns
- Ben Edwards – co-producer, mixing engineer
- Natalee Fisher – hair, make-up
- Mike Hall – bass
- Xoë Hall – artwork
- Nyree Huyser – backing vocals
- Dave Khan – strings
- Jules Koblun – artwork design
- Joe McCallum – drums, percussion
- Tami Neilson – acoustic guitar, co-producer, vocals
- Cameron Pearce – horns
- Josh Petrie – assistant engineer
- Gwyn Reynolds – horns
- Scott Taitoko – horns
- Neil Watson – guitar, pedal steel guitar
Charts[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Release history[edit]
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 1 June 2018 | Neilson Records, Southbound | [2] |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Woronzoff, Elisabeth (31 May 2018). "Tami Neilson Is Woke on 'Sassafrass!'". Pop Matters. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ a b "HOW TAMI NEILSON LEFT CANADA FOR LOVE AND BECAME A SINGING SENSATION IN NEW ZEALAND, THEN THE WORLD". Pop Matters. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- ^ a b Jenkin, Lydia (13 June 2018). "Tami Neilson on Learning From Kitty Wells, Empowering Women and New Album 'Chickaboom!'". Under the Radar. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ Sawyer, Bobbie Jean (13 February 2020). "Tami Neilson on Learning From Kitty Wells, Empowering Women and New Album 'Chickaboom!'". Wide Open Country. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ Chetwin-Kelly, Bridie (23 March 2018). "Tami Neilson on her new album and being a mother on the road". The Spinoff. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ "Tami Neilson Shares Dreamy Single 'Manitoba Sunrise At Motel 6' + Video". Under the Radar. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ "Tami Neilson Releases Video for 'Devil in a Dress'". New Zealand Music Commission. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ Louw, Charl (16 November 2018). "Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2018 Winners Announced". Under the Radar. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Tami Neilson – Sassafrass!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ "Official Top 20 NZ Albums: End of Year Charts 2018". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 16 April 2022.