Sassafrass! is the sixth studio album by Canadian-New Zealand country singer Tami Neilson, released in June 2018.
| Sassafrass! | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1 June 2018 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label |
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| Producer | Ben Edwards, Tami Neilson | |||
| Tami Neilson chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Sassafrass! | ||||
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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
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.