The Sixteen Men of Tain
2000 studio album by Allan Holdsworth
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The Sixteen Men of Tain is the tenth studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in March 2000 through Gnarly Geezer Records (United States), Polydor Records (Japan) and JMSâCream Records (Europe);[1] a special edition containing two bonus tracks was reissued in 2003 through Globe Music Media Arts. The album's title is a reference to the Glenmorangie distillery in Tain, Scotland.[2] The Sixteen Men of Tain was the last recording to be made at Holdsworth's personal recording studio, The Brewery.[3][4]
| The Sixteen Men of Tain | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 2000 | |||
| Recorded | Late 1999 | |||
| Studio | The Brewery, North County, San Diego | |||
| Genre | Jazz fusion | |||
| Length | 44:50 | |||
| Label | Gnarly Geezer | |||
| Producer | Allan Holdsworth | |||
| Allan Holdsworth chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
.jpg) Remastered edition | ||||
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| All About Jazz | Favourable[5] |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
All About Jazz described The Sixteen Men of Tain as a "very comfortable listen" and recommended it highly, whilst noting that the album is less rock-orientated than past Holdsworth releases. David R. Adler at AllMusic awarded the album 4.5 stars out of 5, calling it "startlingly superb" and "full of fresh ideas and unadulterated improvisational brilliance".[1] Both reviews also highlighted Holdsworth's more restrained use of the SynthAxe, an instrument featured prominently on all of his albums since Atavachron (1986).
Track listing
All music is composed by Allan Holdsworth, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "0274" | 7:46 |
| 2. | "The Sixteen Men of Tain" | 6:26 |
| 3. | "Above and Below" | 3:08 |
| 4. | "The Drums Were Yellow" (Holdsworth, Gary Novak) | 5:57 |
| 5. | "Texas" | 5:44 |
| 6. | "Downside Up" (Chad Wackerman) | 7:07 |
| 7. | "Eidolon" | 4:36 |
| 8. | "Above and Below (Reprise)" | 4:06 |
| Total length: | 44:50 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "San Onofre" | 5:10 |
| 2. | "0274" | 7:46 |
| 3. | "The Sixteen Men of Tain" | 6:26 |
| 4. | "Above and Below" | 3:08 |
| 5. | "The Drums Were Yellow" (Holdsworth, Gary Novak) | 5:57 |
| 6. | "Texas" | 5:44 |
| 7. | "Downside Up" (Chad Wackerman) | 7:07 |
| 8. | "Eidolon" | 4:36 |
| 9. | "Above and Below (Reprise)" | 4:06 |
| 10. | "Material Unreal" | 2:00 |
| Total length: | 52:00 | |
Personnel
- Allan Holdsworth â guitar, SynthAxe, engineering, mixing, production
- Gary Novak â drums (except "Downside Up")
- Chad Wackerman â drums ("Downside Up")
- Dave Carpenter â bass
- Walt Fowler â trumpet
- Duncan Aldrich â engineering
- Chris Bellman â mastering