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Atavachron Digest 6/92
Date: Mon, 01 Jun 92 00:28:12 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Voting results
To: Jeff Preston
Date: Mon, 01 Jun 92 00:01:18 EDT
From: PRESTON@morekypr.bitnet
Subject: Voting results
Well, the polls are closed and the votes are in, and as of now, the
Atavachron list will be distributed in a DIGEST format, with the first
digest to go out shortly after 12:01 a.m. 6/2/92 (if there are any
postings to distribute).
Voting details below:
Voting for the DIGEST format were:
==================================
Daniel Barrett
Kevin J. Jarnot
Anil Prasad
David Motes
Malcolm Humes
Paul Stephenson
Titus Lai
Ronald L Chrisley
edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu
David Lane
for a total of 10 votes.
Voting to keep the MAIL format were:
====================================
Jeff Tucker
R. Lynn Rardin
NSCHAPER@UKANVAX.BITNET
CV01@SWTEXAS.BITNET
for a total of 4 votes.
Hopefully we will soon find some brave soul who wants to write some
server software for this machine (a Prime, running the Primos operating
system), but until that happens, there will be no choice for me but to
stay with the digest format for Atavachron. Once we *do* have a server,
subscribers will probably have an option, but since I have to do the
distribution manually for now, I only have time to keep track of one
method for doing it.
I want to thank all the people who participated in voting, because
these 14 people obviously feel that this list is *their* list - which
is exactly as it should be.
Thanks again,
Jeff Preston
Owner and moderator of Atavachron (which is now a digest - again)
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Date: Fri, 05 Jun 92 02:00:04 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #1
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 1
Friday, June 5th, 1992
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
Re: Die hards?!
Waiting for answers...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 1 Jun 92 11:42:55 EDT
From: "Chris Norley"
Subject: Re: Die hards?!
>Perhaps some jazz-fusion stuff with some bite might be "Scott Henderson and
>Tribal Tech", or some Uzeb (from Montreal Canada). Don't know what else to
>tell you.
The guitarist from UZEB, Michel Cusson, has recently put together a
killer band (Michel Cusson And The Wild Unit):
Yves Boisvert - drums
Michel Heroux - bass
Ibrahima Gueye - percussion
Alain Labrosse - percussion
Daniel Martel - alto sax
Andre Leroux - tenor and sop. sax
Benoit Glazer - trumpet and flugelhorn
Kelsley Grant - trombone
(Paul Brochu, from UZEB, plays drums on two tracks of the cd)
and will be playing at the Montreal Jazz Festival this year.
They have a self titled cd out - very funky, hot solos, tight band.
Don't miss them.
Elrat,
CN.
---
Chris Norley | Imaging Research Labs | Robarts' Research Institute
University Of Western Ontario | Phone: (519)663-5777 x4135 | Fax: (519)663-3789
P.O. Box 5015, 100 Perth Drive, London, Ont., Canada, N6A 5K8
Email: cnorley@irus.rri.uwo.ca with a led-filled snowshoe.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 04 Jun 92 10:19:46 EDT
From: PRESTON@morekypr.bitnet
Subject: Waiting for answers...
Well, it's certainly been quiet since the format change! :) I may
have to drag out the ol' "Maytag repairman" nickname again...
It's been just over a week since I faxed a short list of questions
to The Merlin Company (Holdsworth's management), and still no reply. I
decided to fax them instead of phoning because they seem to like using
the fax to reply (that's how I've gotten all but the first touring
itinerary), and I seem to forget to ask some things once I get on the
phone, anyway. A related syndrome: our workplace just installed a nifty
new voice mail system. I never seem to be able to get a good message
together on *that* the first time, either. Give me the written word
any day! :)
Anyway, on to the fax: basically I explained that the Atavachron
list was looking for ways in which we might be helpful in promoting
Allan's work, and mentioned that letter-writing had come up as one
possibility. I asked them for specific areas where a concentrated
effort might be helpful, and was subtly hinting that perhaps if they
were to offer some kind of incentives (such as autographed promo-type
material) that we might get a lot of Holdsworth activists springing
out of the woodwork. :) Pardon me... I know that was probably a bit
sleazy, but *has* anyone here written any letters yet? :)
As for the questions I posed, they centered around the new release,
mainly; is it titled _Wardencliff Tower_?; who are the musicians on the
album?; et cetera. Then, I asked about _Road Games_ and whether they
had heard about Restless's progress in securing the rights to it. And,
I also slipped in a biggie - I asked if there might be any possibility
of setting up a short phone interview with Allan for distribution to
the list (and the net-at-large). I know of one very qualified interviewer
here on the list, and I'd like to see him get a chance to do a good
Q&A session with Mr. Holdsworth, certainly. Well, I guess we'll soon
know the answers - *if* they'll ever answer the fax!! :) When they
do, I'll be posting the reply here, of course...
Jeff Preston
(the Atavachron guy)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** End of Atavachron Digest ***
To have your posting distributed in the next issue of Atavachron,
send your posting to:
atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
Administrative requests should be addressed to:
preston@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
All comments made here are the views of the individual
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Date: Tue, 09 Jun 92 00:00:03 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #2
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 2
Tuesday, June 9th, 1992
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
About the fax to Merlin...
Mark Varney project help needed
*unknown*
Getting Holdsworth on the Tonight Show
New Allan Holdsworth interview
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 92 11:54:03 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: About the fax to Merlin...
Jeff, have you declared how many people were in our list to Merlin?
Maybe it's better that we give them the impression that there are a lot of
people in the list and are spread across the country, so that Merlin think we
have substancial influence as far as promotion is concerned.
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1992 14:07:09 -0400
From: wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca (Anil Prasad)
Subject: Mark Varney project help needed
Hi, this isn't really an AH post, but I need help with a tape
someone just sent me.
It's by the Mark Varney Project and it's called "Centrifugal
Funk".
Can soeone *PLEASE* drop me a note telling me what label it
came out on, what year and who plays on it? (track by track
would be fantastic if possible).
Thanks in advance,
Anil Prasad
wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 92 00:32:26 EDT
From: mccabe@andromeda.rutgers.edu (Chris Mccabe)
Subject: *unknown*
I just recently purchased my first recording of Atavachron
(on C.D.). What an incredible guitarists this guy is! I
guess that's no news to you guys. It is hard to believe
that the extended solo on the 1st track of Atavachron is
being played on a synthaxe (or is it guitar?).
Question: Does Allan have an instructional guitar lessons
tape?
I saw Allan at the 'Bottom Line' in NYC about 6 months ago,
and really had a blast. I was a little bit miffed though
because he didn't play 'Metal Fatigue'.
-Chris.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 06 Jun 92 00:38:56 EDT
From: PRESTON@morekypr.bitnet
Subject: Getting Holdsworth on the Tonight Show
>Date: Sat, 30 May 92 20:17:20 -0400
>From: rardin%cygnus.dnet@auriga
>Subject: GETTING HOLDSWORTH ON A TALK SHOW
>Has Allan ever appeared on any of the late-night talk shows (Letterman, Tonight
>Show, etc.)? I just saw a commercial for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno
>saying "give us a call and let us know who you'd like to see on the show". Do
>you think it would be worthwhile to give them a call or drop them a letter? I
>guess this is sort of akin to Jeff's campaign to get Holdsworth on Star Trek
>The Next Generation. The new Tonight Show might be a pretty good place for
>him to appear as far as gaining exposure (I've noticed that musical guests
>usually get to perform two numbers!).
I think that'd be *very* worthwhile! With the new album due to be
released soon, the sooner we write, the better. Of course, the problem
lies in trying to motivate people to actually *write* and *mail* the
letter, because 2-3 letters aren't going to have any effect. If we
could get 25-30 people to write in, *that* should have a real impact.
We have 60 subscribers as of today - if we could only convince half
of them to jot down a few lines in support of Holdsworth, I'd be
surprised if we didn't see him on the Tonight Show in the near future.
Does anyone want the address? Will anyone write if I find it? Does
anyone want Holdsworth to have this kind of exposure? If so, speak up!
Send me some e-mail at the "preston" address, and we'll even take
this topic off-list if need be.
(exits pulpit) :)
I don't mean to browbeat anyone, really... I just want to see a
great artist get some recognition, and it's clear to me that unless
the deck gets stacked in his favor, he's not likely to get it from
the "mainstream" media. But you'd be surprised what a few letters
will accomplish.
The time would seem ripe for Holdsworth doing the Tonight Show -
I think with the band being led by Branford Marsalis, anything is
possible. Who's with me on this...? :)
Jeff Preston
(the Atavachron guy)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 92 10:51:43 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: New Allan Holdsworth interview
On the latest issue of Guitar Extra (V3 #1) there was a featured
interview with Allan Holdsworth and the tabulated transcription of "White Line."
The interview covers Allan's growth as a musician and his approach to the guitar
and music in general. Early influences, musical vocalubary, and new gears were
also discussed. When asked about the new album:
"It's finished, but it's not mixed. I do want to record one more track
and drop one of the tracks that I have onto the next album, 'cause I turned out
having a lot of ballads. Also, I really enjoyed playing with Skuly Sverrisson
and Chad (Wackerman ) on this tour, and I'd like to record a track with Skuly on
it. What I'm going to do is mix the tracks that I've got now, and then right
before I hand it in, go in and record and mix another track."
Regarding Allan's new guitar after he abandoned the SynthAxe:
"It's a baritone guitar, made by Bill Delap from Monterey. They're kind
of like Steinbergers. They have to be made out of wood, though, 'cause we can't
get a mold done; it's too expensive a process."
"It's just a normal guitar, but unbelievably long. There's one with a
36-inch scale, the other one's 38, one of them's 34. Basically, one of them's l
like a medium scale bass length, the other one's longer than a full-size bass,
and the big one is like four inches longer than that."
"... (the tunings) vary. The smallest one is tuned down to C, the
medium one is tuned to B flat, and tthe huge one is tuned down to A. They're a
all 25 1/2 inch scale length from the low E, so the tone is as close to a
normal guitar as I could get. I didn't want to have to have a short bass tuned
down with trick strings on it. So they've all got the same gauge strings on it
that I used on a normal guitar."
"...extra bonus in the tone (of the new guitars)...(the low end) sounds
really great, like a big cello... the midrange... has a totally different color
..... It's a more nasal sound in the midrange, like an oboe or an English horn..
the instruments are unbelievably difficult to play.
Django Reinhardt's solo to Nuages was transcribed on the same issue of
Guitar Extra.
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** End of Atavachron Digest ***
To have your posting distributed in the next issue of Atavachron,
send your posting to:
atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
Administrative requests should be addressed to:
preston@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
All comments made here are the views of the individual
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Date: Fri, 12 Jun 92 04:30:04 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #3
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 3
Friday, June 12th, 1992
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
Re: Atavachron Digest #2
The giraffe guitar explained
Centri... Funk
Restless Records / Road Games
The Tonight Show address
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 92 00:15:43 CDT
From: tmadson@pnet51.orb.mn.org
Subject: Re: Atavachron Digest #2
Whoever wanted to know the personnel listing of MVP: Centrifugal Funk,
here it is:
Musicians:
Guitar: Frank Gambale, Brett Garsed, Shawn Lane
Rhythm Guitar: Mike O'Neill
Bass: Jimmy Earl
Saxes and Steiner EWI: Steve Tavaglione
Keys: Freddy Ravel
Drums: Joey Heredia
Percussion: Kevin Ricard:
As for solos:
Actual Proof
Solos: Steve, Frank and Freddy
So What
Solos: Jimmy, Brett, Shawn and Frank
Hey Tee Bone
Solos: Brett and Shawn
Tokyo Blue
Solos: Frank and Steve
Splatch
Solos: Steve, Steve, Frank and Shawn
Elegant People
Solos: Frank and Steve
Lane's Blitz
Solo: Shawn
Lovestruck
Solos: Frank and Brett
Exchanges: Frank (Left Channel)
Shawn (Middle Channel), and
Brett (Right Channel)
I suggest you buy the CD. Since Mark Varney isn't a major label, this kind
of thing nearly advocates piracy. Get both MVP releases and support these
starving fusion guys.
BTW --- Holdsworth has a new guest session credit - the new Jeff Watson
album, Lone Ranger has Holdsworth on it. I haven't heard it yet, though.
UUCP: {amdahl!bungia, crash}!orbit!pnet51!tmadson
ARPA: crash!orbit!pnet51!tmadson@nosc.mil
INET: tmadson@pnet51.orb.mn.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 09 Jun 92 01:13:24 EDT
From: PRESTON@morekypr.bitnet
Subject: The giraffe guitar explained
>Date: Sat, 6 Jun 92 10:51:43 PDT
>From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
>Subject: New Allan Holdsworth interview
[ stuff about the Guitar Extra interview deleted ]
> Regarding Allan's new guitar after he abandoned the SynthAxe:
> "It's a baritone guitar, made by Bill Delap from Monterey. They're kind
>of like Steinbergers. They have to be made out of wood, though, 'cause we can'
>get a mold done; it's too expensive a process."
> "It's just a normal guitar, but unbelievably long. There's one with a
>36-inch scale, the other one's 38, one of them's 34. Basically, one of them's
>like a medium scale bass length, the other one's longer than a full-size bass,
>and the big one is like four inches longer than that."
> "... (the tunings) vary. The smallest one is tuned down to C, the
>medium one is tuned to B flat, and tthe huge one is tuned down to A. They're a
>all 25 1/2 inch scale length from the low E, so the tone is as close to a
>normal guitar as I could get. I didn't want to have to have a short bass tuned
>down with trick strings on it. So they've all got the same gauge strings on it
>that I used on a normal guitar."
So *that's* what he used for the encore of the show I saw last
September! I knew it was a custom job from the extreme scale length,
but had assumed it was a Steinberger (owing to the body shape). He
had the 38" monster in Columbus, I'm pretty sure (and I pat myself on
the back for rightly guessing the tuning of the beast). :)
The part about "25 1/2 inch scale length from the low E" part threw
me for a minute until I realize that he meant "from the *fretted*
low E note" and not the actual nut-to-bridge-saddle length of the sixth
string itself... after all, these guitars have no "low E" *string*. :)
>the instruments are unbelievably difficult to play.
That probably has a lot to do with what is played on them, but yes,
Holdsworth tends to go for some outrageous chords on the low-end of the
neck. I was duly impressed by what I saw him do with the 38" scale
guitar... knowing that the strings aren't any heavier is even more of
a surprise. Regular guage strings would have to be pretty "floppy"
at a 38" scale length, and that makes them easy to get away from
your fingers when you're straining to grab certain chords.
Jeff Preston
(the Atavachron guy)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 92 12:39:17 PDT
From: "Dr. Hannibal Lecter"
Subject: Centri... Funk
"Centrifugal Funk," like "Truth in Shredding," is another Mark Varney
project. They're both on the Legato label, and the latest from MVP is
"Guitar on the Edge" Vol. 1 No. 1. It's a compilation of instrumentals of
Jeff Watson, Richie Kotzen, Joey Tafolla, Shawn Lane, Brett Garsed,
Blues Saraceno, Carl Verheyen, Allan Holdsworth, and 9 other guitarists. This
was from an ad in this April issue of Guitar World.
The only info about Centrifugal Funk in the ad was: "Gamble, Garsed and
Lane put on an awesome display of pyrotechnics. If Varney were paying them per
note he would have filed for chapter 11 halfway into the project." - which was
cited from a review in GW.
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 92 16:40:01 EDT
From: ouij%triples@Triples.Math.McGill.CA (Luigi Perrotta)
Subject: Restless Records / Road Games
Sigh, another call into Restless Records
get us nowhere any closer.
Now, I am told to call back in another
month when the picture becomes clearer
and they have more time to spend on
this project.
Me thinks that it wouldn't hurt for
a few select individuals (ie, 2 or 3) to write a letter
to Restless along the lines of
"gee, you have all the recent Holdsworth titles,
why don't you have Road Games"
Ouij
--
ouij@math.mcgill.ca
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 92 19:18:52 EDT
From: PRESTON@morekypr.bitnet
Subject: The Tonight Show address
Well, I finally got the address for the Tonight Show (thanks to a
rec.arts.tv reader). Here it is:
The Tonight Show
NBC Television Network
3000 West Alameda Avenue
Burbank, California 91509
If anyone's interested, I'll post a sample letter (or what I plan
to send, I suppose) in the next digest. Also, Monday 6/15, I am going
to call Merlin Co. again and see what's new. I may fax them *another*
set of questions so that maybe I'll get a full set of answers over
the phone... hopefully I'll get some response (after all, they have
not been in a hurry to answer that fax I sent almost 14 days ago).
Jeff Preston
(the Atavachron guy)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** End of Atavachron Digest ***
To have your posting distributed in the next issue of Atavachron,
send your posting to:
atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
Administrative requests should be addressed to:
preston@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
All comments made here are the views of the individual
contributors.
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Date: Sat, 13 Jun 92 03:00:09 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #4
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 4
Saturday, June 13th, 1992
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
HOLDSWORTH AND TALK SHOW APPEARANCES
MVP
Guest spot on Jeff Watson's solo album
DENNIS MILLER SHOW ADDRESS
Allan on the Tonight Show
Who is Mark Varney?
Merlin and the list, etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 92 09:31:50 -0400
From: rardin%cygnus.dnet@auriga
Subject: HOLDSWORTH AND TALK SHOW APPEARANCES
Besides writing to the Tonight Show, we might also consider writing to the
Dennis Miller Show to try to get Holdsworth some TV time. Allan has somewhat
of an inside advantage on the Miller Show, since Chad Wackerman is the drummer
in the show's "house" band. Unfortunately, I don't have the Miller address.
I'll keep my pencil ready as I watch the show to try to get it down. If
someone else has the address, please post it.
_
_// < R. Lynn Rardin (rardin@auriga.rose.brandeis.edu) >
/ __ , ____ ____ < Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center >
/___ / (_/_/ / <_/ / <_ < Brandeis University, Waltham, MA >
/ < Waltham, MA 02254-9110 >
'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 92 14:29:30 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: MVP
Both MVP recordings are available through mail-order. Find the guitar
magazines that came out early this year, you should see ads from Legato records.
It's weird how I can't find the issue from which I saw the MVP ad, yikes...
there's some genie in the house!
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 92 14:35:09 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: Guest spot on Jeff Watson's solo album
On the "Lone Ranger" album Allan was credited for:
Into, Middle And Outro Clean Guitars.
The intro features chords that sound like swelled-in - I don't think
it was SynthAxe since Allan sold his gear before this was recorded. Allan was
also credited for half of the Lead Guitars. The middle sections were rockers,
and I suppose the busier line was Watson's part, while Allan plays the melodic
line. "Forest of Feeling" was the only cut on the album that features Allan.
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 92 23:43:18 -0400
From: rardin%bad.dnet@auriga
Subject: DENNIS MILLER SHOW ADDRESS
The address for the Dennis Miller Show (at least the address they give for
requesting ticket information) is:
The Dennis Miller Show
P.O. Box 4150
Hollywood, CA 90078
-Lynn Rardin
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1992 00:45:08 -0400
From: wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca (Anil Prasad)
Subject: Allan on the Tonight Show
I've been following the messages you guys have been posting regarding
a Holdsworth appearance on the Leno show. While I think this would
be fantastic exposure for Allan, and a dream come true for all of us,
it ain't gonna happen.
Let's face it. Even if all of us on this list wrote a letter, it
wouldn't mean a damn thing to the Leno folks. Holdsworth is far
too "tertiary" an artist for Leno. In their eyes, he'd be seen as
too strange, weird and eclectic for the show. Further, Branford
Marsalis now plays a major role in booking the musical guests. Clearly
Marsalis holds little regard for music in the Holdsworth vein.
Leno is gunning for a far younger demographic than Johnny did. The
18-28 year old set simply won't give a flying duck :) about Holdworth.
They'd turn the T.V. set off. Something which would annoy sponsors
and advertisers I would think.
If only the T.V. scumbags didn't yank David Sanborn's Night Music (the
greatest show ever aired on television in its entire history), Allan
could find a place on television.
I'm not trying to sounds like a downer, but this is the way it is.
Unless Allan collaborates with a rap act, or does something in a
"purer" jazz or "lighter" fusion vein, he ain't gonna make it with
the network heavies.
Sigh...
Anil Prasad
wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1992 00:48:26 -0400
From: wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca (Anil Prasad)
Subject: Who is Mark Varney?
Just out curiosity, who is Mark Varney? Does he play? Does he just
run the label?
If he doesn't play, it seems a tad bit pompous for him to call the
group/collection of musicians the "Mark Varney Project" doesn't it? :)
Anil Prasad
wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 92 02:38:20 EDT
From: PRESTON@morekypr.preston
Subject: Merlin and the list, etc.
>Date: Fri, 5 Jun 92 11:54:03 PDT
>From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
>Subject: About the fax to Merlin...
> Jeff, have you declared how many people were in our list to Merlin?
>Maybe it's better that we give them the impression that there are a lot of
>people in the list and are spread across the country, so that Merlin think we
>have substancial influence as far as promotion is concerned.
> Eddie
Well, not in so many words, because 60 people doesn't sound like
much. But I have told them briefly about Internet, Bitnet and Usenet,
and that I post the information they give me to places that have
thousands of potential readers. I guess free publicity is not a big
concern to Merlin.
>Date: Thu, 11 Jun 92 16:40:01 EDT
>From: ouij%triples@Triples.Math.McGill.CA (Luigi Perrotta)
>Subject: Restless Records / Road Games
>Me thinks that it wouldn't hurt for
>a few select individuals (ie, 2 or 3) to write a letter
>to Restless along the lines of
>"gee, you have all the recent Holdsworth titles,
>why don't you have Road Games"
I haven't found an address yet. :) I recall that you posted a phone
number for their sales department, but don't remember seeing an address;
do you have it?
I'm calling Merlin on Monday morning... so send lots of questions over
the weekend, and that way there'll be:
a) more questions to ask Merlin (that *you* want to know answers to)
b) enough postings to make up Atavachron #5...? :)
c) all of the above!
Jeff Preston
(the Atavachron guy)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** End of Atavachron Digest ***
To have your posting distributed in the next issue of Atavachron,
send your posting to:
atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
Administrative requests should be addressed to:
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Date: Tue, 16 Jun 92 01:00:04 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #5
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 5
Tuesday, June 16th, 1992
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
ALLAN AND TV
Burning with optimism's flames
More guest appearances
Re: Atavachron Digest #4
A turn of events
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 92 08:39:34 -0400
From: rardin%cygnus.dnet@auriga
Subject: ALLAN AND TV
Anil may have a point about Holdsworth and the Tonight Show. But it's still
worth a shot. I'm sending off my letter today! :) Anil, do you think we'd
have better luck with Dennis Miller? He seems to have a stranger mix of music
on his show than Jay and isn't tied to one of the major networks. Also, maybe
Chad could do some pulling from the inside. :)
-Lynn
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 92 04:47:20 EDT
From: PRESTON@morekypr.bitnet
Subject: Burning with optimism's flames
>Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1992 00:45:08 -0400
>From: wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca (Anil Prasad)
>Subject: Allan on the Tonight Show
>Let's face it. Even if all of us on this list wrote a letter, it
>wouldn't mean a damn thing to the Leno folks. Holdsworth is far
>too "tertiary" an artist for Leno. In their eyes, he'd be seen as
>too strange, weird and eclectic for the show. Further, Branford
>Marsalis now plays a major role in booking the musical guests. Clearly
>Marsalis holds little regard for music in the Holdsworth vein.
I think I'm looking at this from a slightly different perspective,
Anil, although I can't fault your reasoning about "strange, weird,
eclectic" and how things not-of-the-mainstream are generally ignored
by network television. My point here is that in many cases, the
producers of shows such as the Tonight Show will receive 50 letters
concerning a particular celebrity or media personality, and if the
letters arrive in a narrow enough timeframe, it might lead someone to
believe there's a hot new "fad" happening that involves this person.
We have more than enough people here that could create (if nothing
else) an inquiry into the matter by the Tonight Show staff - of this
I feel certain. That in itself may lead to a tangential booking on
some other show... especially if these other shows have received
similar amounts of mail concerning Holdsworth. I realize this may
sound terribly naive and optimistic, but I cannot believe that writing
these letters could do anything but increase whatever chances Allan
might have at getting on a show of this sort. While it may not
accomplish the *stated* goal, it may do good elsewhere - and it
certainly can't hurt, right? A few dollars spent on postage... it
may turn out to be worth it. You never know until you try.
>18-28 year old set simply won't give a flying duck :) about Holdworth.
>They'd turn the T.V. set off. Something which would annoy sponsors
>and advertisers I would think.
You really think so? I'd bet that the median age of Atavachron's
subscribers falls within that demographic, and those of us in the U.S.
and Canada have probably seen the Tonight Show a few times, each of
us. :) Holdsworth lives about an hour away from the NBC studios in
Burbank... why not give them an easy "option" if they need a last-minute
musical guest? Is that inconceivable? Are Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
(one band that *has* appeared on the Tonight Show) any more "commercial"
or demographically attractive than Allan Holdsworth? If so, by what
degree?
>If only the T.V. scumbags didn't yank David Sanborn's Night Music (the
>greatest show ever aired on television in its entire history), Allan
>could find a place on television.
Well, here we are in complete agreement. Our local affiliate never
carried Night Music, but I'm fortunate enough to have a satellite dish
and could catch it on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.). When I found
out that NBC had dropped production of the show, I wrote a letter (do
you get the feeling that I like to write? heh heh) to NBC's New York
headquarters to say that I thought they were making a terrible mistake
by doing so, and that I'd miss it. I *also* sent copies of the letter
to Anheuser-Busch (Night Music's primary sponsor). The reply from A-B
was very prompt and professional; they also pointed out the numerous
*other* musical events they sponsor and support, and also that they
regretted the loss of Night Music as an important national outlet for
jazz, but the decision to cancel the show came from NBC because of low
affiliate participation (less than 10%, I think they said). The response
(if you can call it that) from NBC was in the form of a snazzy peacock-
adorned postcard; the text of which disavowed any knowledge of such a
program, and referred me to ABC, CBS or Fox. Yes, I'm serious - I still
have the postcard!
Maybe you're right about the effectiveness of writing to the Tonight
Show... naaaah, I can't think that way! I can't! I can't! :)
Anyone want to tape the Tonight Show this week and see who their big
sponsors happen to be? I'm not above a little econo-guerilla warfare
to get what I want... hey, it works for the PMRC!
Jeff Preston
(a committed individual - Believe It!)
P.S. - You asked about Mark Varney? I don't know who the guy is;
only that he owns Legato Records. There was a blurb on the inside of
the _Truth In Shredding_ CD which briefly told what Varney likes to
do (get underexposed hot guitar talent on his CDs), and had a brief
rundown of a couple of the releases, I think (my copy is loaned out
right now, or I'd look it up for you). When I first saw his name
mentioned (from a certain Australian guy who inspired this list), I
thought we were talking about *Mike* Varney, of Guitar Player magazine
fame!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 92 17:07:11 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: More guest appearances
After being on the list for a while, I noticed that no one's ever
mentioned Allan's guest appearance on the last Jack Bruce (ex-Cream) solo
album "A Question of Time." Allan appeared on "Obsession" with solo and
rhythm guitars, and on "Only Playing Games" Allan played a beautiful solo.
The material is more along the lines of conventional rock but Allan was
the only guest who appeared more than once.
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 92 02:33:48 CDT
From: tmadson@pnet51.orb.mn.org
Subject: Re: Atavachron Digest #4
As far as getting Holdsworth on the Leno show, I think it could be possible.
Last week, a show had the band playing "Lila's Dance" by the Mahavishnu
Orchestra between commercials, and their guitarist was WAILING. So it's
certainly possible. The guy's a national treasure (Holdsworth), and he's
gotta get exposure somehow.
UUCP: {amdahl!bungia, crash}!orbit!pnet51!tmadson
ARPA: crash!orbit!pnet51!tmadson@nosc.mil
INET: tmadson@pnet51.orb.mn.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 92 18:03:12 EDT
From: PRESTON@morekypr.bitnet
Subject: A turn of events
Well, this is a fine can of worms. I just called The Merlin Co. to
see what news I could find out about the new album (and a few other
things, of course). The man at the other end of the phone said that
he no longer represented Mr. Holdsworth, and that all further inquiries
need to be directed to his record company, Restless Records ("thank
you, goodbye."). How about that?
The person on the other end of the phone didn't want to discuss the
matter any further, so I was unable to gain any details about what had
happened. Hmmm.
Well, I've left voice mail for one of Restless's publicists, so
hopefully she (or someone who knows more about what's going on) will
return my call.
A lot can happen in 30 days, huh? I think this goes a long way
towards explaining why our last two faxes went unanswered...
Jeff Preston
(the Atavachron guy)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** End of Atavachron Digest ***
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Date: Tue, 23 Jun 92 00:00:03 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #6
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 6
Tuesday, June 23rd, 1992
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
*unknown*
Not "Tonight" Allan.
Take Allan's schedule into consideration
Mark Varney
Merlin
*unknown*
Jack Bruce / More on the TV letters
Reaching for the uncommon chord
Synthaxe abandoned?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 92 01:39:47 EDT
From: mccabe@andromeda.rutgers.edu (Chris Mccabe)
Subject: *unknown*
What about sending letters to NPR (National Public Radio). They
often feature a daily segment on various jazz and blues artists, and have
had some really fascinating stories. Also, they recently received part of a
recent Reader's Digest Grant for stories on Jazz music, so I think it's fair
to say that they would be interested. If anyone would have Allen, NPR
would.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1992 03:35:17 -0400
From: wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca (Anil Prasad)
Subject: Not "Tonight" Allan.
Jeff et all:
I hate to be blunt, but let's face it... it ain't gonna happen!
All the optimism in the world isn't going to help. Do you guys
remember what Bela Fleck and company played that night on the
show? It was intensely watered down compared to what they regularly
play. At any rate, as great as Fleck's band is, it's still not
as off-beat as Allan can/tends to be. Will he be willing to play
something straightforward? I dunno, I suppose it's possible.
Great musicians 95% of the time remain in the underground/cult scene.
I think some of you guys are nuts if you think Holdsworth would
appeal to a wide demographic. There's just no way....
Dennis Miller's show is probably a much better bet, they already have
Doug Lunn (*phenomenal bassist*), Chad Wackerman and David
Goldblatt (also great). Holdswroth would fit in here quite nicely.
I had a chance to see the bulk of Miller's band perform with
Mark Isham (actually, Miller's band *is* Mark Isham's band) and
they were incredible.
If I had it my way Steve Tibbetts would be the musical director of
Good Morning America, Brian Eno would write a discreet music theme
song for Entertainment tonight and Elliot Sharp/Datacide would be
the house band for the Regis and Kathy Lee show...
Anil Prasad
wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 92 13:25:00 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: Take Allan's schedule into consideration
I don't know if Allan's still on tour; hopefully he's finished with his
recording in the studio already. I think if we are launching this letter--
writing campign we better work with Merlin, so that we don't write in and when
the show producers decide to have Allan come in he just can't do it due to
schedule conflicts.
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 92 13:27:50 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: Mark Varney
Does anyone out there who knows whether Mark Varney's related to
Shrapnel's Mike Varney?
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 92 13:30:27 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: Merlin
It sounds like Allan's being screwed over by what he's always hated -
industry-types (record company people, management & distributors). Hey, is
there anyone out there on the list who runs a management agency???
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 92 17:20:57 PDT
From: freedman@mprgate.mpr.ca (Elliot Freedman)
Subject: *unknown*
1) Someone had mentioned Holdworth "sold" the Synthaxe gear -- Is this
true ?? What was the source ?? I had the opportunity to chat with him in
February and he said he was $$ unable to tour with the (MC6809 -- one for
the neck, one for the body -- based) beast. BTW, I could make copies of
the SynthAxe's operations available to interested parties (it is copied
from a 1985 Studio Sound mag and is technically quite descriptive).
2) Should Davenport at Merlin prove interested and cooperative, he
might be able to help us get Holdsworth on late night TV. Perhaps he
has an agenda for this himself (I would hope the guy is actively promoting
Allan... the promo pack he sent me contained a pretty bland exerpt from
the LA Times and Merlin's address -- Man, I (we) could do better and write
more provokative promo material in vi than the LA times "music" columnist.
3) Check out the English "Jazz Times International" for an outstanding
interview with Allan: very little shop talk, very much music talk. Foaming
at the mouth I must inform you folks that he apparantly toured with Husband
on drums for the English dates -- OK, now who has friends at the BBC or ITV
who might be able to provide "reviews" of the shows?
Black Steinbergers Rule!
Elliot E. Freedman
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 92 04:11:40 EDT
From: PRESTON@morekypr.bitnet
Subject: Jack Bruce / More on the TV letters
>Date: Sun, 14 Jun 92 17:07:11 PDT
>From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
>Subject: More guest appearances
> After being on the list for a while, I noticed that no one's ever
>mentioned Allan's guest appearance on the last Jack Bruce (ex-Cream) solo
>album "A Question of Time." Allan appeared on "Obsession" with solo and
>rhythm guitars, and on "Only Playing Games" Allan played a beautiful solo.
>The material is more along the lines of conventional rock but Allan was
>the only guest who appeared more than once.
It was mentioned early on, and added to the discography, but I've
yet to hear it. What is it like (I mean, "conventional rock" conjures
up a lot of different images)? :)
>Date: Mon, 15 Jun 92 02:33:48 CDT
>From: tmadson@pnet51.orb.mn.org
>Subject: Re: Atavachron Digest #4
>As far as getting Holdsworth on the Leno show, I think it could be possible.
>Last week, a show had the band playing "Lila's Dance" by the Mahavishnu
>Orchestra between commercials, and their guitarist was WAILING. So it's
>certainly possible. The guy's a national treasure (Holdsworth), and he's
>gotta get exposure somehow.
One thing is certain: he'll *never* get on the show without some
overt action on someone's part (unless he does that LP with Madonna,
Prince and Billy Ray Cyrus... ha!). It may be a longshot, but I'm
still sending my letter to the Leno staff. As I said before, "it can't
hurt". Also, Lynn's idea of writing to the Miller show sounds great...
with Chad aboard, it'd be almost like having family coming to visit.
I think Miller is the best chance we have for a TV appearance.
By the way... which nation has the right to claim him as a national
treasure - his homeland or his adopted home? :)
Jeff Preston
(the Atavachron guy)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 92 12:27:41 +0100
From: chrisley@csli.stanford.edu
Subject: Reaching for the uncommon chord
Well, I first heard of this book a few weeks ago on this list. Todd
gave me the address of 21st Century Music, but my letter to them was
just returned today: "Moved, left no address". Anyone know what's up?
Or how I can get a copy of the Holdsworth book?
The address I tried was
21st Century Music Publ.
P.O. Box 1816
Wayne, NJ 07470
USA
Thanks,
Ronald L. Chrisley New College
chrisley@csli.stanford.edu Oxford OX1 3BN
Tel: +44 865 279555 (messages) United Kingdom
Yes, that's my complete address!
If I never replied to your message, I probably didn't receive it...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 92 13:44:16 MDT
From: Steve_Monroe@stortek.com (Steve Monroe)
Subject: Synthaxe abandoned?
Perhaps I just missed it, but has
Allan abondoned the Synthaxe?
What do these long-scale instruments
that Allan mentioned in the interview
with "Guitar Extra" sound like?
Anyone heard Allan recently?
sm(v035550@stortek.com)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** End of Atavachron Digest ***
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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 92 06:00:05 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #7
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 7
Tuesday, June 30th, 1992
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
*** Administrative Information ***
Re: Atavachron Digest #6
For the last time (hopefully...)
Jack Bruce
Reaching for the Uncommon Chord
Holdsworth's Musician's Clinic in Melbourne (Part 1 of 4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 92 05:41:08 EDT
From: PRESTON@morekypr.bitnet
Subject: *** Administrative Information ***
Due to circumstances beyond all reasonable logic, our site has been
experiencing severe network difficulty. Our telephone service provider,
General Telephone and Electric (GTE) is attempting (that's the key word)
to switch MSU's main data lines from copper to fiber optic cable, and
as I understand it, their technicians are somewhat out of their league
with respects to some of the new routing and switching equipment. As a
result, it may be a while between digests until they get everything
in place. However, please continue to send your postings in; they will
be distributed once we have a clear shot at the rest of the network.
Just to throw something out there for you news-hungry folk, Allan's
upcoming Restless release *is* titled _Wardencliff Tower_ , and the
folks at Restless know about as much about it as we do... stay tuned
for more (*much more*) exciting news in the very near future.
Jeff Preston
(the Atavachron guy)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 92 18:36:15 CDT
From: tmadson@pnet51.orb.mn.org
Subject: Re: Atavachron Digest #6
Interesting. I haven't seen the Holdsworth book in music stores of late.
Maybe 21st Century doesn't exist anymore? I'm holding onto my copy.
If Holdsworth isn't with Merlin anymore, why call them? He's obviously
not content to be jerked around. Sigh.
I finally saw the "Live in Japan" video. Amazing.
UUCP: {amdahl!bungia, crash}!orbit!pnet51!tmadson
ARPA: crash!orbit!pnet51!tmadson@nosc.mil
INET: tmadson@pnet51.orb.mn.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 92 20:15:40 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: For the last time (hopefully...)
I talked with Allan back in February of 1992, and it was through his
mouth that I've learned that he has sold his SynthAxe and related gears. It
was a pity. He could have held an auction, and with enough publicity, there
would be tons of rabid collectors who'd be willing to bit for the HOLDSWORTH
SYNTHAXE!
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 92 20:19:28 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: Jack Bruce
In comparison to Allan's solo work, the material of Jack Bruce sounded
"conventional" and rock-ish, but he has his own niche, to be fair. Obsession
is a weird-sounding song and Allan's solo on it involved some whammy wizardry
(no I'm not talking about Eddie Van Halen's whammy trick!) and his solo on
"Only Playing Games" didn't really 'stand out' in the spotlight. Rather, he
played down his part and harmonized with the voices.
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 92 20:23:14 PDT
From: edju%phakt.usc.edu@usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: Reaching for the Uncommon Chord
The book was published back in the mid-80s, and it's possible that the
book is out of print already. But don't fret (no pun intended!) - look up those
mail-order dealers that specialize in tab-books for guitars or call up your
local music stores that carry such books. I bought my copy last year in a local
store.
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 92 03:46:11 +1000
From: jimt@mullian.ee.mu.OZ.AU
Subject: Holdsworth's Musician's Clinic in Melbourne (Part 1 of 4)
In May 1990, Allan Holdsworth toured Australia. He played five gigs in
Melbourne (I attended four of them), and also did a Musician's Clinic
workshop type of thing. I thought that all of you atavachron members
may find the following transcript of the workshop of some interest.
I typed the transcript from my taping of the workshop, and it is an
"undoctored" transcript, so if some questions and/or answers don't make much
sense then try re-reading them.
Allan Holdsworth's Musician's Clinic. Saturday 12th of May 1990, 1:30pm.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the Corner Hotel, Melbourne, State of Victoria, Australia.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The time is 1:00pm. A queue of die-hard Holdsworthians now exists at the
entrance of the Corner Hotel, all eagerly waiting to get a glimpse of their
favourite guitarist up close, and hopefully ask him a question or two.
At 1:15 they let us in. I was pleasantly surprised to find seats around
the stage (which were non-existent during the gigs). Being the third
person in the queue I got a front row seat, having a clear view of everyone,
but especially of where Allan will be standing, and his equipment.
At 1:30pm, Allan and the guys in the band walk out onto the stage. The band
consists of Gary Husband on Drums, Jimmy Johnson on Bass, Steve Hunt on
Keyboards, and of course Allan Holdsworth on Guitar. (Applause from
audience).
When the applause subsides, the guys play a version of the
tune "Funnels" from the album "Atavachron". This version
contains guitar and keyboard solos (like the studio version).
For this tune Allan is playing a blue-green (can't be sure of
actual colour under the coloured stage lights) double-neck
Steinberger guitar. The guitar has the Steinberger graphite
necks, but the large body is obviously wooden (probably basswood).
There is generous applause from the audience at the completion
of the tune.
NOTE: The reader is to observe the following key, in order to
understand the following transcript of the Musician's clinic.
KEY
---
AH: Refers to comments made by Allan Holdsworth
GH: Refers to comments made by Gary Husband
JJ: Refers to comments made by Jimmy Johnson
SH: Refers to comments made by Steve Hunt
AU: Refers to comments made, or questions asked, by a member of
the audience
ME: Refers to comments made, or questions asked, by me :).
AH: Ah..., any questions for the chaps? (Laughter from the audience).
AU: Do you like your visit to Australia?
AH: Oh, its pretty good so far, ...yeah.
AU: What music do you listen to?
AH: All kinds of music.
AU: Any favourites?
AH: Yeah, a lot of them. Keith Jarret, Michael Brecker, (pause) ...,
Michael Jackson, no I didn't mean that, (laughter from everyone), I like lots
of people.
AU: Do you have any particular interest in ethnic music?
AH: No. I mean, some people play all sorts of things to me and I either
like them or I don't. But, no, I'm not in the quest for that.
AU: Can you shed any light on your chromatic approach?
AH: Actually I don't have a chromatic approach (laughs).
AU: Do you think of the melodic line as being the most important thing, even
when you go out of the chord structure?
AH: Yeah, I think of it as having some kind of musical symmetry to it.
AU: So its like tension-release?
AH: Yeah.
AU: The impression I get when you play, I mean with the real fast things, they
cloud my ears. I can hear that this thing is there, but I can also hear
the rest of it. Its sort of like a cloud, but it hits me afterwards.
AH: Yeah, well I like to try and experiment with ideas and to try and make it
like when I used to listen to other people and heard something really
interesting harmonically. I'd get a hold of the record player, and wind it
back and go "Wow, what was that?". I like that where you hear something and
you go "What was that?", but you want to hear it again. I fail miserably,
but I like to try.
AU: Did you study scales, maybe not officially, but in a sense of what scales
go with what chords?
AH: Yeah, but on my own, I didn't go to a school. But I did study that,
because otherwise I didn't see how you could logically learn how to improvise
over chords if you didn't know what scale to play over them.
AU: How much do you write out when you compose something?
AH: Well, I just write out my part and that's it, in a language that I can
understand, and its pretty meaningless to most other people.
AU: What would that language be, just chord symbols?
AH: Sometimes, and other times just like diagrams or notes of a specific
voicing, if that's what it entails. I kind of have my own system for writing
out what scales to play over given chords and stuff. But its usually of no
interest to the other guys. I just play them the tune, and then they do
their thing on it.
AU: You have the most unique approach to scale fingerings. From what I've
read that was a conscious decision early on, but what is your approach?
AH: Good question.
AU: Anything goes?
AH: NO, coz it doesn't. Basically I never wanted to play the guitar, I
wanted to play a horn, and my father was the first person to show me
anything about music, because he was a great piano player, and he had the
guitar figured out, you know, he knew where all the notes were, scales and
things like that, but he didn't play guitar, so he didn't know what was
normal for guitar, so when I started learning I figured out a different way
to do things. I just consciously made an effort to practise scales with
four fingers per string instead of three, because I wanted to be able to kind
of change position without physically doing so. I guess sometimes you have
to change position when you go from one end of the guitar to the other.
AU: Could you demonstrate a scale?
AH: No. (Laughter from audience). We just did that. Next question.
AU: I get the impression that you're always pushing yourself. I saw the
shows on Wednesday and Thursday, and I noticed the difference in your
approach, like you're always putting yourself out on a limb.
AH: Well I try not to play the same things, and I make an effort to play
different things over the same chords, but I have to push myself, and
when I do that sometimes it can lead to a big disaster, and consequently
I'll be miserable all night long. (Laughs). I think that's normal.
AU: Do you really use all the equipment? (Laughter from audience).
AH: Yeah.
AU: Could you run through some of it?
AH: Sure, its very simple. When I started playing I realised that I'd never
get the lead and rhythm guitar sounds that I wanted from the same amplifier.
I found that out many years ago. So I have a discrete rig for each thing.
I have a rig that just does the lead sound, and another that does the clean
sound, and..., Never The Twain Shall Meet. (Laughter from audience). Coz
I tried all these amplifiers and I'd like the lead sound but the rhythm sound
will be grim, and vice versa. So its just separate setups.
Nowadays most people use multiprocessors, but to me they're absolutely
useless because they don't do any of the things that I want them to do. If
I want to get a good chorus I can get two cheap delay lines and get a better
chorus than you can out of any mega-chorusing unit. So basically they're
just in pairs. Its just a stereo left and right thing, two for chorusing,
two pairs, and two pairs for echo. I don't use reverb on anything, and the
lead thing is just a simpler version of it. I got the amplifier I use to
derive the sort of distortion from, and I just feed it into a stereo echo
and a stereo delay line, and a mixer.
AU: What's that black box on top of your first rack?
AH: Oh, its a preamp that I made.
AU: Is it just for rhythm?
AH: No, its for lead. I make a lot of my own toys. I like all that.
AU: Have you changed your tremolo arm style?
AH: Yeah, I just turned it the other way coz everyone else does it this way,
(demonstrates), so I do it this way (tremolo arm pointing away towards the
end of the guitar). I'll probably stop using it eventually.
[--to be continued in Atavachron #8 ]
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