Citizen Tain

Citizen Tain

Citizen Tain

ASIN: B00000JT4W

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The breakout album for Wynton Marsalis in 1985 was Black Codes (From the Underground), and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts's furious and finnessed volcanic drumming helped define it as a classic. Playing with Branford Marsalis through numerous recordings and The Tonight Show further spotlighted Watts's talents. Which brings us to this major-label debut, which reunites the spirit of the Black Codes ensemble, teaming the Marsalis brothers, the late pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Reginald Veal, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, and alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett. Watts is one of the few drummers who took Elvin Jones's concepts and made his own statements with them. Watts not only plays the drums but inspires the rhythmic impetus in his fellow bandmates, as evidenced by the mercurial improvisations from Wynton and Branford on the neo-classic "The Impaler" and the Latinesque "Why Koln?" Thelonious Monk's sidestepping soft-shoe rhythms are the main course on "Muphkin Man," courtesy of Kirkland's sanctified pianisms, and "Attainment" sounds like it was the missing track from John Coltrane's classic Love Supreme album. Watts's cymbal shimmers radiate on the plaintive lullaby waltz "Pools of Amber," and Watts brings the turbulent '60s from his drum kit to your eardrums on the "Destruction & Rebirth Suite." "Blutain Jr." is a blues that rolls with a catchy, hot-potato melody that is augmented on "Blutain's Big Adventure." Throughout the recording Watts maintains the high level of restraint and creativity that makes him the celebrated musician that he is. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Citizen Tain,Jeff "Tain" Watts,Sony,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop
Citizen Tain
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A real discovery
  • An album worth playing again and again and again
  • On my 2000 "Best List"
  • Nice but no surprise
  • great debut from a seasoned drummer
 Citizen Tain
Jeff "Tain" Watts
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000JT4W
Release Date: 1999-08-17

Tracks:

  1. The Impaler
  2. Muphkin Man
  3. Attainment
  4. Pools Of Amber
  5. Blutain, Jr.
  6. Wry Koln
  7. Destruction & Rebirth Suite: Mlk Shake-Up Call
  8. Destruction & Rebirth Suite: Paen (Marie, Jehanne, Karmia)
  9. Sigmund Groid
  10. Trieste
  11. Blutain's Big Adventure

Amazon.com

The breakout album for Wynton Marsalis in 1985 was Black Codes (From the Underground), and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts's furious and finnessed volcanic drumming helped define it as a classic. Playing with Branford Marsalis through numerous recordings and The Tonight Show further spotlighted Watts's talents. Which brings us to this major-label debut, which reunites the spirit of the Black Codes ensemble, teaming the Marsalis brothers, the late pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Reginald Veal, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, and alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett. Watts is one of the few drummers who took Elvin Jones's concepts and made his own statements with them. Watts not only plays the drums but inspires the rhythmic impetus in his fellow bandmates, as evidenced by the mercurial improvisations from Wynton and Branford on the neo-classic "The Impaler" and the Latinesque "Why Koln?" Thelonious Monk's sidestepping soft-shoe rhythms are the main course on "Muphkin Man," courtesy of Kirkland's sanctified pianisms, and "Attainment" sounds like it was the missing track from John Coltrane's classic Love Supreme album. Watts's cymbal shimmers radiate on the plaintive lullaby waltz "Pools of Amber," and Watts brings the turbulent '60s from his drum kit to your eardrums on the "Destruction & Rebirth Suite." "Blutain Jr." is a blues that rolls with a catchy, hot-potato melody that is augmented on "Blutain's Big Adventure." Throughout the recording Watts maintains the high level of restraint and creativity that makes him the celebrated musician that he is. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A real discovery.......2002-10-02

I first heard Jeff Tain Watts on Branford Marsalis's "Footsteps of Our Fathers" CD. His playing was a standout; crisp, multidimensional, intelligent. And so I bought this debut CD, recorded about four years ago.

I find myself returning to "Citizen Tain" again and again, playing it in my office, playing it on the street. It's that rich, that varied. Smart and tight, languid, romantic, introspective, impassioned. And sounding so easy, so inevitable, like the sun rising in the East. Each time I listen, I find something I hadn't quite gotten before.

I feel fortunate to have discovered "Citizen Tain."

5 out of 5 stars An album worth playing again and again and again.......2001-06-27

I've been repeating "Pools of Amber" for for the last hour now. Listening to these guys go to work, is the most inspiration that I've had this year so far. When you're driving on the highway, blast this in your car! Stand out from the crowd!

5 out of 5 stars On my 2000 "Best List".......2000-04-26

Having purchased this cd a few weeks ago, I must state that this is a fantastic cd. Jeff Tain is a superb drummer and his choices on this recording are excellent. All artists display excellent musicianship. There's a special and sad sentiment to the late great Kenny Kirkland. His playing is outstanding. This cd grooves, moves, and inspires. This is what true jazz is all about.

4 out of 5 stars Nice but no surprise.......1999-12-20

As a whole, this recording does not come much as a surprise. On this CD, you`ll find much of the tunes long since associated with Tain. It nevertheless contains some really great music. My favorites are Attainement and Sigmund Groid. On The Impaler Wynton Marsalis is playing as if he`d be 20 again.

4 out of 5 stars great debut from a seasoned drummer.......1999-12-14

it seems funny that jeff "tain" watts is releasing a debut, he's been on the scene for years. this album contains all the elements that have made him an in demand drummer for some of the giants (betty carter, for instance)and a regular with the brothers marsalis. tain knows how to swing, both subtly and hard. his burnouts are incredible as he somehow stays within the groove even when it becomes free. but he can also use the brushes on ballads to create one of those misty blue midnight hours. this is a very satisfying album.
Folk's Songs
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Folk's Songs
    Jeff "Tain" Watts Presents Tain & The Eb
    Manufacturer: Dark Key Music
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD
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    ASIN: B000R7L8FC

    Product Description

    10-track CD on Dark Key, 2007.

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