Sassafrass!

Sassafrass!
Studio album by
Tami Neilson
Released1 June 2018 (2018-06-01)
Genre
Label
  • Neilson Records
  • Outside Music
ProducerBen Edwards, Tami Neilson
Tami Neilson chronology
Songs of Sinners Live
(2017) 		Sassafrass!
(2018) 		Chickaboom!
(2020)
Singles from Sassafrass!
  1. "Stay Outta My Business"
    Released: 23 March 2018
  2. "Manitoba Sunrise at Motel 6"
    Released: 18 May 2018
  3. "Devil in a Dress"
    Released: 4 July 2018

Sassafrass! is the sixth studio album by Canadian-New Zealand country singer Tami Neilson, released in June 2018.

Production

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

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

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

Sassafrass! track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Stay Outta My Business"
  • J. Neilson
  • T. Neilson
2:56
2."Bananas"
  • J. Neilson
  • T. Neilson
2:32
3."Diamond Ring"T. Neilson3:12
4."A Woman's Pain"T. Neilson2:57
5."Devil in a Dress"
  • J. Neilson
  • T. Neilson
3:07
6."One Thought of You"
  • R. Neilson
  • T. Neilson
2:16
7."Miss Jones"T. Neilson2:30
8."Smoking Gun"
  • J. Neilson
  • T. Neilson
3:42
9."Kitty Cat"T. Neilson2:03
10."Manitoba Sunrise at Motel"T. Neilson4:21
11."Good Man"T. Neilson5:23
Total length:24:59

Credits and personnel

  • 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
  • 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

Release history

Release dates and formats for Sassafrass!
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
New Zealand 1 June 2018
Neilson Records, Southbound [2]

References

  1. ^ a b Woronzoff, Elisabeth (31 May 2018). "Tami Neilson Is Woke on 'Sassafrass!'". Pop Matters. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Tami Neilson Shares Dreamy Single 'Manitoba Sunrise At Motel 6' + Video". Under the Radar. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Tami Neilson Releases Video for 'Devil in a Dress'". New Zealand Music Commission. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  8. ^ Louw, Charl (16 November 2018). "Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2018 Winners Announced". Under the Radar. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Charts.nz – Tami Neilson – Sassafrass!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Official Top 20 NZ Albums: End of Year Charts 2018". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 16 April 2022.