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Rain Bather • Jazz Album
Cover of Rain Bather
Rain Bather
available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify

Jump to: The EnsembleTrack List

Rain Bather Best of 2009

Combining outstanding players in a variety of settings, RAIN BATHER captures fabulous performances on this extra long play CD. A breadth of styles find play within these totally hip arrangements of Tobin Mueller's innovative compositions.

NOTE: Most of these tracks have been remastered and reissued under the title "What Survives". Still others have been edited and rearranged under the title "What Survives - Radio Edits". Please see the What Survives webpage and the Best of Tobin Mueller compilation series for more details.

Many of these tunes are jazz renditions of songs from Tobin's Broadway show Creature (based on Frankenstein). The instensity of storytelling remains active in the arrangements, as well as the singable lyricism of each intertwining melody. These recordings transcend the original songs, however, living and breathing as completely unique jazz performances. As Dr. Frankenstein would say, "I'ts alive!"

One of the freshest and most sheerly entertaining, intriguing and exciting recordings I've come across, Tobin Mueller's Rain Bather is the product of its composer's kaleidoscopic mind. Primarily utilizing jazz arrangements of songs written for Mueller's Broadway play, Creature -- itself based on Frankenstein -- Rain Bather's compositions range from progressive big band to funk, fusion to world music to classical to straight ahead jazz. This cascade of styles could be wearisome, but not in the hands of this sensitive composer, who moves the listener assuredly through the paces... Highly recommended."

RAIN BATHER moves adroitly between contemporary jazz, progressive big band, fusion, acid and funk. Three tracks (1, 2, 4) employ a progressive octet; two tracks use a septet (8, 10). The rest of the tracks build on a core quartet of organ, piano, drums and bass, adding in one or two extras voices (sax, trumpet, flute, clarinet and/or violin), forging an ever-changing variety of colors and tones. (Tracks 1, 2, 11, 12 have received FM airplay.)

As front man to a fluid ensemble (see below), Tobin's progressive rock organ (AUDIOCRACY) fits perfectly into these jazz settings, providing sagacious accompaniment and melodic direction, but never dominating. Tobin's nephew, Chris, provides elegant acoustic piano accompaniments with plenty of space for memorable solos by the horn players.

The jazz styles wander among contemporary, progressive, big band, fusion, acid, and funk, giving the collection a lively, upbeat feel. Mueller here plays organ, synthesizer, and electric piano with his usual eloquence, leaving the acoustic piano to his nephew Chris Mueller. Woody Mankowski provides a driving saxophone solo in The Cliff’s Edge, Dane Richeson drums vibrantly in Finding No Path, and Sal Giorgianni’s flute enlivens Seven Buttons on a Nehru Jacket. The combination of acoustic and electric instruments adds to the variety, energy, and sheer delight of the album. The sound has a vibrant club-like ambiance, and the extended play (nearly 80 minutes) is an added bonus."

There are so many great moments on this 80 minute extended play CD, but a shout out has to go to Woody Mankowski's astounding soprano sax solo in Cliff's Edge, his multi-sax layering in Windowshade; Dane Richeson for his drum solo on Finding No Path; the retro-acid tripping flute Sal Giorgianni plays in Seven Buttons On A Nehru Jacket; and the old school clarinet stylings of Bill Barner in Secret Of Life. Carl Fischer's trumpet solos in Acid Hopping absolutely grooves, employing a whole collection of mutes and plungers. Martyn Kember-Smith's celtic fiddle provides a happy change of pace in Caught In The Current. (Several of these players also appear on Tobin's solo album A BIT OF LIGHT and subsequent jazz recordings THE MULLER'S WHEEL and COME IN FUNKY.)

Although most of the album is up tempo, two mellow ballads include breathtaking sax solos: River Runs Through Me (Woody Mankowski on soprano) and Waltzing Night Into Day (Doug Schneider on tenor). The interplay between piano and organ in Must Go Back also deserves a special mention. Through it all, Dane Richeson's percussion permeates and exults; his years studying everywhere from Paris to the Sudan come into play.

Rain Bather is yet another demonstration of Tobin Mueller’s multi-faceted artistry. For a vibrant musical experience overflowing with life and attitude, check it out!"
- Kathy Parsons, Mainly Piano

This ensemble never treads water, never back pedals. Everything is full forward. A truly entertaining and inventive collection of tunes. This is music with a fresh spin, played by a band that communicates, that creates musical conversations (not just stand-alone solos). Listeners of the following artists will love it: Brecker Brothers, Ed Palermo Big Band (especially renditions of Frank Zappa's stuff), The Muffins, Stockholm Jazz Orchestra, Chic Corea, Herbie Hancock, John Schofield, and Medeski Martin & Wood.

The Ensemble

Tobin Mueller - B3 organ, electric piano, composer
Chris Mueller - acoustic piano
Jeff Cox - acoustic bass
Dane Richeson - drums & percussion
Woody Mankowski - soprano saxophone
Tom Washatka - tenor saxophone
Doug Schneider - tenor sax
Ken Schaphorst - flugelhorn
Bob Levy - trumpet
Sal Giorgianni - flute
Bill Barner - clarinet, additional sax
McBoy - electric guitars

All songs by Tobin Mueller.
©2008-2009 Tobin Mueller.

Although it is the current rage to purchase music as downloads, the packaging of this CD is particularly pleasing. The disc resembles an old 45 record, complete with vinyl and grooves. The fade-to-scratches on the final track (mimicking a 78 RPM) aids this illusion. Worth purchasing just to be able to hold in your hands. Available at CDBaby.

Track List
1.
I Wanna Fly (2:20) *†
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ; Chris Mueller - acoustic piano; Jeff Cox - acoustic bass; Dane Richeson - drums; Woody Mankowski - sop sax; Tom Washatka - tenor sax; Ken Schaphorst - flugelhorn; Bob Levy - trumpet
2.
Cliff’s Edge (7:34) *†
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ; Chris Mueller - acoustic piano; Jeff Cox - acoustic bass; Dane Richeson - drums; Woody Mankowski - sop sax; Doug Schneider - tenor sax; Ken Schaphorst - flugelhorn; Bob Levy - trumpet
3.
Must Go Back (6:46) *†
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ; Chris Mueller - acoustic piano; Jeff Cox - acoustic bass; Dane Richeson - drums
4.
Lightning Strikes (3:49) *†
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ; Chris Mueller - acoustic piano; Chuck Ledvina - acoustic bass; Dane Richeson - drums; Woody Mankowski - sop sax; Josh VandeHey - tenor sax; Ken Schaphorst - flugelhorn; Bob Levy - trumpet
5.
Caught In The Current (4:43) *†
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ; Chris Mueller - acoustic piano; Jeff Cox - acoustic bass; Dane Richeson - percussion; Martyn Kember-Smith - violin; Bill Barner - clarinet
6.
Windowshade (8:23) **
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ, synths, electric piano, drum programming; Woody Mankowski - soprano & tenor saxes
7.
Secret Of Life (4:47) *†
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ; Chris Mueller - acoustic piano; Jeff Cox - acoustic bass; Dane Richeson - drums; Bill Barner - clarinet
8.
Seven Buttons On A Nehru Jacket (4:43) ***
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ, synths, electric piano; Joel Rosenblatt - drums; Butch Taylor - electric bass; McBoy - electric guitar; Sal Giorgianni - flute
9.
Waltzing Night Into Day (7:48) *†
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ; Chris Mueller - acoustic piano; Jeff Cox - acoustic bass; Dane Richeson - drums; Doug Schneider - tenor sax
10.
Acid Hopping (6:24) ***
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ, synths, electric piano; Joel Rosenblatt - drums; Richie Hart - electric guitar; Butch Taylor - electric bass; Sal Giorgianni - flute & tenor sax; Carl Fischer - trumpet
11.
Finding No Path (8:37) *†
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ; Chris Mueller - acoustic piano; Jeff Cox - acoustic bass; Dane Richeson - drums
12.
River Runs Through Me (6:57) *†
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ; Chris Mueller - acoustic piano; Woody Mankowski - soprano sax
13.
Last Song On Vaudeville (5:48) ***
Tobin Mueller - B3 organ, synths, drum programming; Bill Barner - clarinet & tenor saxes

* Recorded at Lawrence University, Larry Darling engineer
** Recorded ar Saxe Studios, Scott Saxe engineer
*** Recorded at ArtsForge Studios (Tobin Mueller)
*Mixed & mastered by Sound City Studio (L.A.)
All other tracks mastered by Audio Magic Recording Studios

† based on music from "Creature," an Off-Broadway musical by Tobin Mueller
©1998 Tobin Mueller