The Sixteen Men of Tain

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 JMS–Cream Records (Europe);[1] a remastered edition 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 Allan Holdsworth
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
I.O.U. Live (1997) The Sixteen Men of Tain (2000) Flat Tire: Music for a Non-Existent Movie (2001)
Alternative cover
Remastered edition

Critical reception

Professional ratings

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

2003 special edition

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" (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 – guitar, SynthAxe, engineering, mixing, production
• Gary Novak – drums (except track 6)
• Chad Wackerman – drums (track 6)
• Dave Carpenter – bass
• Walt Fowler – trumpet
• Duncan Aldrich – engineering
• Chris Bellman – mastering

References

1. Adler, David R. "The Sixteen Men of Tain - Allan Holdsworth". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
2. Robson, Andy (May 2000). "A beginner's guide to". Classic Rock. Future plc. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
3. Milkowski, Bill (5 October 2005). "A Conversation with Allan Holdsworth". Abstract Logix. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
4. Prasad, Anil (2008). "Allan Holdsworth - Harnessing momentum". Innerviews. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
5. Staff (1 April 2000). "Allan Holdsworth: Sixteen Men of Tain". All About Jazz. Retrieved 16 September 2014.

External links

• The Sixteen Men of Tain at therealallanholdsworth.com (archived)
• Allan Holdsworth "The Sixteen Men Of Tain" at Guitar Nine