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Atavachron Digest 5/93
Date: Tue, 04 May 93 23:00:05 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #51
Reply-To: atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 51
Tuesday May 4th, 1993
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
Early GP interview wanted
Manchester Dates
AH interview in i/e magazie
The U.K. tour dates (at last)
Looking pretty hard!
David Torn?
Please send to UK atav readers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 93 09:14:29 -0400
From: cutair@ubeulx.ub.umd.edu (Andre Cutair)
Subject: Early GP interview wanted
All:
I recently ordered a back issue of Guitar Player I missed that featured
Allan. There was an earlier issue that also had an interview, but it was not
available from GP Publications, presumedly out of print.
Does anyone have the Dec. '82 issue? If so, would anyone be willing to make a
photocopy of the interview for me? I'll gladly pay postage.
(Incidentally, it is not my intention to rip off Guitar Player, but I don't know
of any other methods by which I can obtain this piece without some sort of
copyright infringement. Hopefully, Jeff won't throw me off the digest. :-)
Thanks in advance for any leads (no pun intended),
Andre M. Cutair
University of Baltimore Law School
cutair@ubeulx.ub.umd.edu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 93 17:16:45 BST
From: Darryl Davis (RA)
Subject: Manchester Dates
I have finally got those Manchester Dates sorted.
Band On The Wall, May 17/18.
#7-50 or #8-50
061-834-1786
061-832-0183 (Bookings)
He'll probably play two sets: 9.30pm->
and 11.00pm ->
Suppose as I will just have to go to both nights!
dnd
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1993 21:48:28 -0400
From: wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca (Anil Prasad)
Subject: AH interview in i/e magazie
Just a quick note to let you guys know (are there ANY women on
this list?) that my AH interview (a chunk of it) will be appearing
in the NEXT issue of i/e magazine. Issue #3 just hit the stands.
Issue #4 with AH will be out in 2 months.
______________Anil_Prasad___wcsanil@ccs.carleton.ca_______________
"Take drugs!? I am drugs!" -- Salvador Dali
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 93 23:48:24 EDT
From: Jeff Preston
Subject: The U.K. tour dates (at last)
As you may recall, Akira Yada sent a fax to me on May 31st outlining
Allan's European and Japanese touring itinerary. There was a problem
with the legibility of the fax, and despite three messages left on
Akira's answering machine, he did not contact me again to provide the
missing dates.
I got these dates from Allan's wife, Claire, just this evening,
so they should be correct. I really hate calling her for this stuff
when Akira should be sending this info, but she was happy to oblige
us (again).
Date City Venue
--------------------------------------------------------
Thu 5/13 Nottingham TBA
Fri 5/14 London The Orange
Sat 5/15 London The Orange
Sun 5/16 Birmingham Ronnie Scott's
Mon 5/17 Manchester Band On The Wall
Tue 5/18 Manchester Band On The Wall
Wed 5/19 Leeds Irish Centre
Thu 5/20 TBA TBA
Fri 5/21 Glasgow Renfrew Ferry
Sat 5/22 Stockton Tees Arts Centre
Sun 5/23 Bath Jazz Festival
Mon 5/24 London Jazz Centre
Sorry for taking so long... I probably could have gotten these from
Claire earlier, but as I say, I hate to disturb them at home when Akira
*should* be doing this type of thing. They're both very friendly, but I
still feel like I'm intruding, considering that they pay someone to do
this work for Allan.
Reviews of these shows welcomed, as always.
Also, I want to thank Todd Madson for the discography updates. No
volunteers to take it over yet, and no more news on recdb, though.
I'll keep trying...
Jeff
--
Jeff Preston =*= Moderator of the Allan Holdsworth discussion forum
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu =*=*=*=
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1993 11:46:34 +1200
From: Geoffrey Thorpe
Subject: Looking pretty hard!
Howdy from Down Under,
> you may use REPLY at your leisure. Thanks to Geoff Thorpe for
> stimulating the proper brain cells which led to this amazingly simple
> solution! :)
> Speaking of Geoff, he is our first subscriber from New Zealand.
> We now have 148 subscribers in 11 countries. I just thought you
> might like to know.
Aw shucks Jeff, I don't know what to say! I suppose being the only subscriber,
it would be a tad mindless to ask if anyone knows where all AHs solo work can
be obtained. The stuff is not easy to find, and if you really want me to define
criminal for you, I got Metal Fatigue in a $5 sale bin (that's about $US3.50)
under "American Imports" next to a Slim Whitman collection tape. I was tempted
to offer $10 for it! but of course, I didn't want to condone this nor did I
believe that Allan would see a penny of it anyway!! (Man, that keyboard solo on
'The Un-Merry Go Round' by Alan Pasqua is just unbelievable).
Anyway, I'll be visiting a local shop that specializes in those 'hard to
track down' albums and I was wondering if anyone over 'there' (collectively)
knows where I should instruct these people to go looking!
Cheers,
------------------------------------------------------
| Geoff Thorpe | |
| Victoria University | e-mail: gthorpe@comp.vuw.ac.nz |
| Wellington, | |
| NEW ZEALAND | |
------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 93 18:02:46 EDT
From: Kingsley Durant Jr
Subject: David Torn?
Elliott Freedman mentioned in #50 that he wondered how David
Torn is doing... My brother works for Lexicon and has become
pals with Mr. Torn of late. Although this is getting somewhat
afield of Holdsworthiana, here is some news. David has just
finished producing the new New Bohemians disc, as well as the
new Jack Bruce. (Jon didn't know who plays on the Bruce --
Allan H has guested in the past) He is working on a soundtrack
with Patrick O'Hearn for Patrick Swayze's new movie, and he did
a soundtrack for another movie, "California," about which Jon
couldn't remember much. Next month he is due to start
recording a new disc himself with Mick Karn and Terry Bozzio,
and other possible recruits to be named later; this group is
intended for touring as well, presuming of course that David's
health continues to improve as it has so far.
RE: comments on Allan's acoustic work & Velvet Darkness...
One of the things I've always wanted is for AH to just once
hear his music through someone else's ears - mine, or anyone
else's. While he hears his music through the filters of what
he loves (great sax playing, e.g.) and through what he can do
now and what he wishes he could do, the rest of us hear it
through our own filter system, which is very different. He
listens to, say, "Red Alert," and it just sounds dated and
lame, tonally, harmonically, and musically. I listen to it and
I hear fire, passion, a sound I really enjoy (distorted, legato
guitar), and I remember how at the time I first heard it in '76
I had never heard anything like it - it just blew away the
McLaughlin and Beck stuff I had been listening to, the first
electric guitarist who grabbed me the way Wayne Shorter or John
Coltrane did. So I'm hooked, and i'm fascinated by how he got
there, and as a result I'll listen to anything I can get my
hands on by fair means or foul - bootlegs, record label
rip-offs, whatever, because it all gives me some insight into
the Holdsworthian magic.
But there's the rub - - there seem to be a lot of people like
me out there to consume the man's half-finished paintings, so
to speak, while AH himself would prefer, as would most any
artist, to have absolute (or nearly so) control over what
appears in the marketplace bearing his name.
I don't know what the answer to these issues is. It's pretty
clear where AH stands, but it's not so clear where we die-hards
fit in. To tell you the truth, I avoid bootlegs and I'd avoid
VD as well had I not bought it back in '77, out of respect for
AH's position, not to mention the difficulty he has making a
living. But I have to admit that VD has a certain interest
value that AH doesn't seem to recognize or acknowledge. I
don't know, maybe we should all go get a life or something.
What do the rest of you all think, or do you shun metaphysical
discussions in the springtime?!
<>
P.S. sonic notes: Tubes are good, but it really is in the mind
and in the hands. Try really working with a clean sound to get
the technique and the attitude down, then play something
completely different than Allan would.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 4 May 93 17:33:45 BST
From: a740778@server1.tiuk.ti.com.tiuk.ti.com (Jason Julyan 0004 JBEJ)
Subject: Please send to UK atav readers
First the good news - I was in London today on business and managed to get
a copy of Wardenclyffe Tower - at Tower Records (no-one else had it!).
Unfortunately it is a Japanese import (ie. no euro deal yet I guess) and
includes three extra tracks (all by Allan):
Tokyo Dream,
The Unmerry Go Round Part 4,
The Unmerry Go Round Part 5.
I'll give it a spin then send you something for Atavachron.
Anyway, could you forward this on to all the UK readers:
---
I see Allan is playing "The Orange", London. Well, last I checked London
was a *big* place. The best I've got as far as where this Orange place is
is Soho - another *big* place. Anyway, those dates are fast approaching
so could someone tell me the address & telephone number of The Orange.
Anyone else wanting to know can mail me and I'll forward the details on...
Oh, I had a quick wiz through Time Out and couldn't see anything - I
can't belive that Allan is playing London at the same time as the London
Jazz Festival but isn't part of it (from the promo stuff I've seen) - what
is Akira Yada (sp?) doing?!
Waiting with anticipation...
TTFN, Jason
* Jason B.E. Julyan BEng(Hons) ! Texas Instruments Ltd. *
* TMS380 LAN Products Design Team ! Manton Lane, *
* a740778@server1.tiuk.ti.com (IMS: JBEJ) ! Bedford, U.K. *
* All opinions expressed herein are personal ONLY *
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** End of Atavachron Digest ***
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Date: Sun, 16 May 93 03:00:02 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #52
Reply-To: atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 52
Sunday May 16th, 1993
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
Contribution
UK Dates update..
Re: Atavachron Digest #51
Holdsworth in Montreal
Japanese Wardenclyffe Tower
Oops!!
Jack Bruce's *A Question of Time*
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 May 93 07:51:03 +0100
From: "Pete Cole"
Subject: Contribution
Just thought I'd agree with Geoff Thorpe (digest #51) ... Alan Pasqua's solo on
'The Un-Merry Go Round' is just plain *spooky*. Really understated, uses a lot
of silence. One of my favourite *ever* keyboard moments.
I listened to Bill Bruford's "Feels Good To Me" last weekend - Holdsworths'
playing on the track "Back To The Beginning" is for me some of his best. I
wonder why he seemed so focussed and melodic on this album.
Oh yeah - can anyone tell me where "the unknown John Clarke" came from and went
to (Holdsworth's successor in Bruford) ? Pretty good player, similar-ish legato
soloing style. Nice line in feedback !
Roll on some live dates from David Torn !
Pete
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon,10 May 93 11:53:48 BST
From: David_Valentine-Hagart@vme.nott.ac.uk
Subject: UK Dates update..
Fellow Holdsworth afficionados..I can fill in one of the TBA's on the UK
dates as Al H will be playing Nottingham on the 13th May at The Old Vic
pub/venue. This is in fact the same venue that
hosted his last Nottingham Uk appearance and since then it has been closed
as a pub/venue, gutted, attempted to be let as office space, refurbished
and finally turned back into a pub venue , I have played there a couple
of times recently and the stage is in a totally different (worse) position
from the point of sound quality but much better from a visibility aspect.
Al will now be playing to the bar, a mere 15 feet away, so Im not expecting
any post gig happiness about the sound of the venue ! No matter Im sure it
will be "breathing by numbers" again as AH fans from around Britain
converge (many follow the tour if they can !) for a(nother) dose of our hero.
Dave Valentine-Hagart
_____ __ . CCZDVH . My Guitar wonders why
/ \_/ / __ . @uk.ac.nott.vme . Its not easy to fly
| []| | LLLLLLLLLLLLLL|__| . ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ . Exept if your name
\_\___/\_\ . I can't play this! . Ends in Holdsworth or Vai !
\
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 May 93 0:00:19 EDT
From: Chris Mccabe
Subject: Re: Atavachron Digest #51
Has anyone had the chance to listen to the Gordon Beck/Holdsworth
collaboration yet? I am very tempted to get it, but because of my limited
budget (I know, I know, squeaky violins are playing) I am a little reserved.
I read one jazz critique that said it was some of the best work from both
artists in a long time, and that the two share the problem of being extremely
underrated, thus it was good that they teamed up. Never having heard Gordon
Beck's material, I'm just not sure what to make of the tempting little
musical morsal.
Also, I haven't heard much chatter on the Holdsworth instructional tape
as of late. I have run through it several times, but have not yet fully
analyzed all the scales he covers. Till next time...
Chris Mc Cabe. Proud member of WBGO, 88.3, Newark NJ.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 93 17:08:26 EDT
From: boshuck@triples.Math.McGill.CA (William Boshuck)
Subject: Holdsworth in Montreal
Holdsworth will play the jazz festival in Montreal this year.
Or so the program says. This was supposed to happen 2 years
ago too. In the event that things do work out, the show will
be at the Spectrum at 18h00 on Thursday July 6.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 May 93 08:10:50 BST
From: a740778@server1.tiuk.ti.com (Jason Julyan 0004 JBEJ)
Subject: Japanese Wardenclyffe Tower
OK, as promised here's a run down of my recently acquired "Wardenclyffe
Tower +3" Japanese import CD (Polydor K.K., Japan POCJ-1162 for all you
budding discographers ;-)
It comes with an insert giving the track listing in Japanese along with
an interview by one Tadashi Narita (Jan. 1993). Unfortunately I can't
read Japanese :-( - anyone out there want to attempt a translation?
Interestingly, the japanese text for '5 to 10' is also '5 to 10'. Some
other interesting latin alphabet characters appear in the text, most
notably "THERE'S NO SYNTHESIZER OR KEYBOARD ON THIS RECORD" following
"I.O.U." and "83". Also "(1946)"!! This is starting to bug me now :-)
Anyway, on to the recorded material. My initial impression is of a lack
of 'attack' in the chording instruments - it sounds very 'soft'.
I agree with the comments made about a similarity in style to Secrets,
but in the synth sounds I am also reminded of Sand (especially on
the intro to Wardenclyffe Tower itself - weren't these Oberheim Matrix
sounds? Oberheim don't get a sleve credit though). Dodgy Boat is
very Secrets-ish - maybe it's the Steve Hunt influence?
Zarabeth strikes me as I.O.U.-esque. Are we seeing Allan assimilating his
past styles rather than constantly trying to push for something new?
Against the Clock I wouldn't consider to be one of his better vocal
tracks. I would like to see Allan attempt a fully vocal album some time.
The lyrics tend to be a bit esoteric, but the melodies are always
interesting...
Moving on to the "bonus" tracks. The first is "Tokyo Dream" which I am
told can be found on the Road Games EP. This version features Allan
on guitar/synthaxe, Gordon Beck on keyboards, along with J.J. and C.W.
A great track, with the usual, tasteful piano solo by Gordon, and a
long guitar solo by Allan. I don't see why this wasn't included on
the standard CD?!
The second two tracks are The Unmerry Go Round Parts 4 & 5. Part 4
has the same musicians as Tokyo Dream. It sounds practically identical
to the original version on Metal Fatigue - I had to check the artists
listing to convince myself it was different after the first listening!
The guitar solo has been replaced by a G.B. piano solo, but the intro
is uncannily close to the original.
Part 5 loses G.B. and Allan switches to baritone guitar. This track
only lasts about 30 seconds before a fade out, which then fades back
in for about 10 seconds then fades out completely. I'd say this
CD was a "+2.5" rather than "+3" tracks :-)
Overall, a good collection. Better than the, IMHO, disappointing Secrets
album. And I'm looking forward to seeing Allan in concert in a weeks
time. From the ticket it appears the venue is a small club, so that
should make for a good atmosphere. BTW I *still* haven't seen any
advertising for this tour, even the ticket agency I bought the ticket
from didn't have him listed in their upcoming events brochure... Time
to kick some Yada butt I recon.
TTFN, Jason
PS: For discographers out there, my Tempest CD (both albums on 1 CD)
details are:
Tempest / Living in Fear (AAD)
Sequal Records (division of Knight Records Ltd.)
ref: NEX CD 159
(Original recordings (P) 1973 Bronze Records Inc.)
(C) 1990 Sequal Records
* Jason B.E. Julyan BEng(Hons) ! Texas Instruments Ltd. *
* TMS380 LAN Products Design Team ! Manton Lane, *
* a740778@server1.tiuk.ti.com (IMS: JBEJ) ! Bedford, U.K. *
* All opinions expressed herein are personal ONLY *
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 15 May 93 16:11:06 EDT
From: boshuck@triples.Math.McGill.CA (William Boshuck)
Subject: Oops!!
Did I say Thursday July 6?? Make that Monday July 5; the time and
place (18h00 @ the Spectrum) were right tho. Also, it was 3, not 2,
years ago that Allan et al were supposed to play the jazz fest and
somehow managed to not appear.
Jesus!!!! I got almost everything wrong. Beginner's luck, I guess.
_________________________________________________________
Sorry, no mildly amusing but basically stupid quote here.
_________________________________________________________
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 15 May 1993 15:38:25 -0500
From: Wot Gorrila?
Subject: Jack Bruce's *A Question of Time*
I recently picked up Jack Bruce's *A Question of Time* for $4 strictly for
the Holdsworth portions (I like Cream stuff, but I find Jack's solo stuff
disappointing). Anyway, I thought I send the information along so the
discography can be updated.
The album is 52:56 long, it is Epic CD #EK 45279. The track list
is as follows:
Life on Earth
2) Make Love
3) No Surrender
4) Flying
5) Hey Now Princess
6) Blues You Can't Lose
7) Obession
8) Kwela
9) Let Me Be
10) Only Playing Games
11) A Question of Time
12) Grease the Wheels
Holdsworth plays on both Obession and Only Playing Games, the complete
list of personnell is as follows:
Jack Bruce: bass, vocals, other assorted goodies on all tracks
Vernon Reid: Lead Guitar on track 1
Jimmy Ripp: Guitar and Lead Guitar on all but 7
Dougie Bowne: Drums on all but 7, 8
Bernie Worrell: Piano and Synthesizers, Vocals on all but 1, 6,7,
10.
Gary "Bone" Cooper: Vocals and Backing Vocals on 2, 3, 8, 9, 11
Mark Nauseef: Drums and Percussion on tracks 2, 5, 8, 9, 10
Steve Jordan: Percussion on 2
Paul Barrere: Slide Guitar on 4
The Savage Horns on 4, 8, 9
Ginger Baker: Drums on 5, 7
Albert Collins: Lead Guitar on 6
Nicky Hopkins: Piano on 6
Alan Holdsworth: Solo and Rhythm Guitar on 7, Synthaxe on 10
(named spelled as it appears in the liner notes, they didn't
even spell his name right for crying out loud!)
Vivian Campbell: Lead and Rhythn Guitar on 7
Tony Williams: Drums on 8
Zkir Hussain: Tabla on 8, 11
Jonas Bruce: Piano on 9
The SoMa Footlights Chorus on 11
Malcolm Bruce: Solo and Rhythm Guitar on 12
Review of the songs on which Holdsworth plays:
Obession: This song is pretty lame, the only redeeming quality is the
almost one mimute solo by Allan. The bass, drums, and lead guitar play
an extremely repetitve riff (cycle time is probably around 10 seconds,
maybe even shorter). In addition, it has uniteresting lyrics which
are delivered in a lack luster fashion.
Only Playing Games: Better than Obession in that at least its interesting
If you want to hear Allan, however, you'd better listen closely.
A final general comment is that he should have had Allan play on the title
track because the song was perfect for his style. It has kind of an eerie
feel to which Allan's playing could have added quite a bit of power.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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send your posting to:
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All comments made here are the views of the individual
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= contributors. =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
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Date: Wed, 19 May 93 13:30:06 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #53
Reply-To: atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 53
Wednesday May 19th, 1993
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
Gordon Beck/Instruction tape
All sorts of stuff
Gordon Beck / Jack Bruce / The Polydor CD
REPOST: Gig Review
The unknown John Clarke..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 16 May 93 17:11:58 PDT
From: edju@scf.usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: Gordon Beck/Instruction tape
The Holdsworth/Beck collaborations, as far as I know, are available on
2 CDs: "With a Song in my Heart" and "The Things You See." If you are lucky,
you can still find "With a Song in my Heart" in record stores (I got mine from
Tower). "The Things You See" were listed in the latest Import Catalog of a
mail-order CD store called "CDs We Bee", I sent for it last month but so far
haven't got my CD. If any of you want to order "The Things You See" just drop
me a line.
I recently bought a copy of Allan's REH instruction video. A good
majority of the tape featured live in-studio performances with his current
touring band (Chad Wackerman, Steve Hunt and Skuli Sverrison). They played
Looking Glass, Tell Me (off Chad's solo album), Proto Cosmos (transcribed in
the accompanying booklet), The Things You See (also transcribed), etc. Allan
also played a "solo" called "Zone" for a couple of minutes before the band
kicked in. Is this a new track that will end up on the next album or some old
material?
I've only seen the video once, but the diagrams included in the booklet
was very helpful, especially the section where he explained his unique approach
to how he constructs those chords from different scales. It is well worth
every penny I've spent. Highly recommended!
Almost forgot to pitch in my $.02 about the Gordon Beck collaborations:
there's really no rhythm section in "With a Song in my Heart" so even though
you have a version of "54, Duncan Terrace" on it too, it feels pretty different
from the version on Secrets. Beck's style not only makes a good contrast to
Allan's but they compliment each other too. Really beautiful music.
Eddie
PS What's the deal with the Japanese import? Does Allan want us to start
buying imports here in the U.S. as well?! How about CD-singles???!!!
"The Tokyo Dream single w/ Un-Merry Go-Around as B-sides..." :)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 16 May 1993 21:04:03 -0500 (CDT)
From: ALAFOSSE@MACALSTR.BITNET
Subject: All sorts of stuff
Regarding the Japanese "WardenClyffe Tower" CD... Makes me wonder why
Holdsworth didn't see fit to release the bonus tracks on the U.S. release?!
Especially intriguing is the new version of "Tokyo Dream..." Speaking of "Road
Games," I recently had the fortune of finding a used vinyl copy for what
amounted to about $2.50 with tax..!!! Hopefully I'll soon be able to transfer
this onto DAT... Seems to be in good condition, although I don't have
immediate access to a record player, so I haven't heard it yet.
I also had the fortune of finding the first two Holdsworth/Beck albums,
"Sunbird" and "The Things You See," in a used store in excellent condition.
Some of the material on these albums presents a considerably different
perspective on Holdsworth's playing, as Beck's compositions tend suggest a more
traditional jazz mindset.
Regarding the instructional tape: I personally have mixed reactions to it.
Obviously, to have an in-concert performance by the band is very cool in and of
itself; however, I found some of the performances to be rather subdued for my
taste. The choice of material struck me as rather odd, as well, reaching as it
did back to "Atavachron" and "IOU" for much of the material. Coming as it did
on the heels of "WardenClyffe Tower," I would have expected (and in some cases
preferred) more recent selections from the Holdsworth repertoire.
The instructional sections of the tape were predictably mind-boggling (I had to
laugh when Holdsworth referred to his grid-like fretboard diagrams as his way
of naturally visualizing the instrument). The one thing that strikes me about
the tape more than anything else is that it would be very difficult to employ
his highly distinctive techniques and ideas (particularly with regards to his
chordal style) without sounding excessively derivative. The man has definitely
created his own vernacular.
--Andre LaFosse
alafosse@macalstr.edu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 17 May 93 03:07:20 EDT
From: Jeff Preston
Subject: Gordon Beck / Jack Bruce / The Polydor CD
>From: Chris Mccabe
>Subject: Re: Atavachron Digest #51
> Has anyone had the chance to listen to the Gordon Beck/Holdsworth
>collaboration yet? I am very tempted to get it, but because of my limited
>budget (I know, I know, squeaky violins are playing) I am a little reserved.
There are two (well, three, if you count the cuts on the Japanese
version of _Wardenclyffe Tower_) Holdsworth/Beck collaborations that
I'm aware of: _The Things You See/Sunbird_ (two LPs on one CD, I
think; I haven't run across this one yet, although I know Audiophile
Imports claims to stock it... at $24.99, I think), and _With A Heart
In My Song_. I have this last one, and must agree that it's quite
good, although it's very different than the material Allan does with
his band.
>From: Wot Gorrila?
>Subject: Jack Bruce's *A Question of Time*
>I recently picked up Jack Bruce's *A Question of Time* for $4 strictly for
>the Holdsworth portions (I like Cream stuff, but I find Jack's solo stuff
>disappointing). Anyway, I thought I send the information along so the
>discography can be updated.
Thanks for the update, Wot. :) I'm glad to get all the recent
updates and omissions from everyone (so far, Ron Chrisley has everyone
beat in the run for the t-shirt) but I still haven't found the time
to do the updating or to look into 'recdb.' I doubt that I *will*
find the time anytime soon, which is why I was looking for someone
to take it off my hands... completely. :) However, I'll take what
I can get... it'll just take longer if I'm the one who ends up doing
it. I don't mind if you don't!
> Alan Holdsworth: Solo and Rhythm Guitar on 7, Synthaxe on 10
> (named spelled as it appears in the liner notes, they didn't
> even spell his name right for crying out loud!)
It must be something about bass players' albums -- the same thing
happened on Stanley Clarke's _If This Bass Could Only Talk_. :)
Btw, regarding the Japanese pressing of _Wardenclyffe Tower_ (using
the moderator's advantage of being able to see the posts before everyone
else): I'd like to remind everyone that the U.S. version had already been
on the shelves and in the stores for weeks before Polydor showed any
interest in releasing it in Japan, so it's not a matter of Allan or
Restless or anyone else "holding out" on us with these extra tracks.
Allan explained all this in the Atavachron interview conducted by Anil
Prasad on 1/15/93. Without the extra tracks, they weren't interested
in releasing it there.
I'm eager to hear the new version of "Tokyo Dream," even if it does
cost me a little extra -- take THAT, Warner Bros.!! ;) Wouldn't it be
great if Allan re-recorded *all* the tracks from _Road Games_ like that?
Jeff
--
Jeff Preston =*= Moderator of the Allan Holdsworth discussion forum
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu =*=*=*=
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 18 May 93 10:23:09 BST
From: a740778@server1.tiuk.ti.com (Jason Julyan 0004 JBEJ)
Subject: REPOST: Gig Review
Allan Holdsworth
plus Gary Husband, Steve Hunt and Skuli Sverisson.
Saturday 15th May, The Orange, West Kensington, LONDON.
My first impression was what a small venue! It was full, but there
can't have been more than 100-150 people. I still haven't seen an
advertisment for these gigs (except, no doubt, in Time Out's
listing-of-every-gig-on-this-date-in-London section). Surely someone
of Allan's stature could fill somewhere larger than this? The last
time I saw him there must have been approaching 1000 people.
A mistake on the door time on my ticket meant I got there early
and planted myself at a prime centre stage table with a pint of
John Smith's.
The make up of the audience seemed to match the surroundings - almost
no-one older than mid-30's, and most seemed to be rock types. There
were certainly a few guitarists in the front row primarily concerned
with checking out Allan's chops.
A rather interesting support act came on - described by herself as
'Solo bass with vocals'. Sort of Susan Vega with slap bass backing...
Actually more effective than it sounds (the idea - not the music :-).
Shortly after this I met up with fellow Atavachron member Ron
Chrisley, who helped me compile the running order during the show
(always a challenge to put a name to a piece at an A.H. gig). The
band came on around 10:10 and (judging by my atheletic sprinting
to catch the last train home) played for an hour and a half.
Here's the running order as best we could work it out (A.H. announced
the new tunes, the rest are best-guess approximations :-).
1. Looking Glass
2. Pud Wud
Steve Hunt played the main synth riff on a DX7. I thought
this was played by Allan on the synthaxe on the album?
3. Rococo
4. Low Levels High Stakes
5. Devil Take The Hindmost
Allan had a long solo, which had the audience cheering
at the end. He used a standard Steinberg full bodied guitar
through out the show. (The baritone and double neck guitar
were not in evidence.)
6. ?
7. ?
These two were presumably new, and neither of us recognised them.
8. Gary Husband Drum Solo
One of the more interesting solo's I heard. He had a great
trick of simulating a brushed snare drum by holding it
between his left hand and left knee and shaking it whilst
simulatneously hitting in underneath with his left hand stick!
9. Funnels
Notes say:
"Atavachron? 2nd track - Da-da. da dum da" - J.J.
"| o| o|` } 7 o|`__|__o|` o| o| } 7 |" - R.C.
(Thats as ASCII attempt at musical notation :-)
10. Water On The Brain
Skuli Sverisson premiered on this track. He played a
6-string bass all evening, and turned in a neat solo.
11. ? (Non-brewed Condiment?)
Sounded familiar. It wasn't NBC but that's what I've got
written down.
Encore
A piece starting with swell guitar, with A.H. alone on stage.
Then the rest of the band joined in. It ended with swell
guitar as well. Could have been Shallow Sea or even Oneiric
Moor.
Unfortunately I didn't have time to stay after the show. I tried a
heckle of "Say Hi! to Jeff Preston" but I think it went unheard :-/
Overall, a good gig. The small venue did make for a good sound and
everyone was on form - especially Gary Husband. I was impressed
by the way Skuli has integrated with the band - the sound remains
familiar. It is interesting to note that this gig was 50% new material,
and that nothing from Wardenclyffe Tower was played - maybe because
W.T. is still only available on import (as far as I am aware).
BTW The Monday 24th May gig is apparently at the Jazz Cafe (not Jazz
Centre as was on JP's original list). I think I'll try to get to
this one, and maybe drive so that train times arn't such a limiting
factor. (Hope you caught the last train as well R.C.!)
TTFN, Jason
* Jason B.E. Julyan BEng(Hons) ! Texas Instruments Ltd. *
* TMS380 LAN Products Design Team ! Manton Lane, *
* a740778@server1.tiuk.ti.com (IMS: JBEJ) ! Bedford, U.K. *
* All opinions expressed herein are personal ONLY *
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed,19 May 93 16:36:08 BST
From: David_Valentine-Hagart@vme.nott.ac.uk
Subject: The unknown John Clarke..
>Oh yeah - can anyone tell me where "the unknown John Clarke" came from and went
>to (Holdsworth's successor in Bruford) ? Pretty good player, similar-ish legato
>soloing style. Nice line in feedback !
John Clarke is a actually a bit of a session player and was brought in, as I
understand, just to do the guitar bits for that one albumn. He is currently
working as guitarist in Cliff Richard's touring band !!! But his talents
havn't gone unnoticed recently with a cover and longish interview in the
March issue of Brit guitar mag "Guitarist" (who incidentally helped organise
Allans last UK tour in '89) That playing sounds more remarkable to me in the
way he manages to recreate the suble note bending and whammy bar shifts while
playing a Les Paul !
Has anyone else noticed how very Dave Stewart-ish Dodgy Boat is, or is it just
me !?
..DaVeH..
................................................................................
...
_____ __ . CCZDVH . My Guitar wonders why
/ \_/ / __ . @uk.ac.nott.vme . Its not easy to fly
| []| | LLLLLLLLLLLLLL|__| . ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ . Exept if your name
\_\___/\_\ . I can't play this! . Ends in Holdsworth or Vai !
......\.........................................................................
.
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Date: Fri, 28 May 93 12:30:03 EDT
From: atavachron@morekypr
Subject: Atavachron Digest #54
Reply-To: atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu
To: Jeff Preston
Atavachron Digest - The Allan Holdsworth Discussion List
Volume 2, Number 54
Friday May 28th, 1993
TODAY'S TOPICS:
==============
The Things You See/Sunbird
Atavachron Digest #53
Manchester Gigs
Allan at the Bath festival
Steinberger / "Zone"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 19 May 93 10:57:20 PDT
From: edju@scf.usc.edu (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Subject: The Things You See/Sunbird
Hi Jeff:
Hope I used the right address?
I've recently sent an order for "The Things You See" CD through the
mail, but in the catalog it wasn't mentioned whether "Sunbird" was included
as well. In case it is not included, can you please tell me how to order from
Audiophile Import? Thanks!
I'm also interested in the Japanese import of "Wardenclyffe Tower".
Do you know how and where to get a copy?
Eddie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 19 May 1993 11:31:40 -0700
From: rpeck@pure.com (Ray Peck)
Subject: Atavachron Digest #53
atavachron%morekypr@pure.com writes:
>From: David_Valentine-Hagart@vme.nott.ac.uk
>Subject: The unknown John Clarke..
>John Clarke is a actually a bit of a session player and was brought in, as I
>understand, just to do the guitar bits for that one albumn.
Interesting. He did do some live dates with the band, though. Check
out "The Bruford Tapes".
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 21 May 93 12:36:28 BST
From: Darryl Davis (RA)
Subject: Manchester Gigs
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Allan Holdsworth - Band On The Wall, Manchester
Monday, 17th May; Tuesday 18th May
Band On The Wall is one of the regular jazz clubs in Manchester, and
has something happening every nights. Doors open 8-30 and the club
carries on to sometime after 1.00am. Stands and seats about 200 max.
There is an upstairs balcony. Quite an intimate place.
OK folks, I went both nights, but the detail comes from tuesday night.
I was stinking drunk on monday night, i enjoyed the music - there
seemed to be more fire in the set than on Tuesday, but there again
would you trust anyone who had drunk that much Pils? At this point
i must apologise to Jeff Preston and the A.Digest for getting you
involved in an extremely dubious conversation with A.H. !!!!!!!!!
(Jeff i think my name is mud at the moment - or was that Pud Wud)
I must admit to not knowing most of the numbers, i only know
Secrets and Metal Fatigue, and got W.Tower after the gig. The music
sounds like a refinement of the AH i knew and saw in the Soft Machine
days. BUT i miss a horn player (more on this later...)
Second night and I am only drinking a Becks every other number, and
remain relatively sober. The support is as Jason decribed "Solo Bass
with vocals". It was ok on the first night, but started to tire on me
by the second night. Too little happening and not really any contrast
between noumbers. Still, fine clear voice, and some nice bass licks.
Band came on at 10:20 and is
Allan Holdsworth : Steinberg gtr plus huge amounts of gadgetry
Steve Hunt : Keyboards
Skuli Sverisson : Bass
Gary Husband : Drums
The set seems to be consistent over the two nights and fits in with
what Jason saw at the Orange Club.
Looking Glass (10:24--10:31)
very aggressive especially from GH
Pud Wud (10:32--10:40)
synth riff played by SH, but AH doing things
with foot control of some synth processor (i think)
Rococo (10:40--10:48)
Low Level High Stakes (10:49--10:57)
Like this slow drifting chords and bubbling bass interplay
Devil Take the Hindmost (10:58--11:07)
SH has keyboard solo, and there is a duel between GH and AH
?? I think off WTower (11:08--11:12)
slow glissando type thing
?? off Atavachron (11:13--11:25)
loud rock thing that goes quiet and moody before GH drum solo.
Funnels (11:25--11:34)
Water On The Brain (11:35--11:38)
??Metal Fatigue song? (11:28--11:44)
Encore (11:48--12.00)
sounds like Oneiric Moor but i have only heard W.Tower twice!
Did extra encore on Monday night.
Balance was off on Tuesday, and at times both AH and SH drowned by GH and SS.
It seeems to me that AH content not to push himself to the fore, and talking
to one of the guys i buy jazz CDs from, he seemes to have carved himself a niche
and got stuck there. He is technically quite brilliant, but this band could be
better, and we both thought a quintet with a horn player (eg sax) would really
set this thing alight.
AH seemed rather dour and rather non-commital in defence of what he is doing.
I must say that the early Mahavishna Orchestra would blow this lot into
Kingdom Come, and John McLaughlin may not be technically any better but
certainly capable of displaying a greater range in any one performance.
The phrase "samey" comes to mind. Dont get me wrong, I enjoyed it but i
must say i think he can do better!
And I think i told him that on monday night - sorry jeff.
Anyway thats my #17:00 worth.
uncontroversionally yours
dr doom the optimist
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 May 93 11:09:29 BST
From: mley@acorn.co.uk (Martin Ley)
Subject: Allan at the Bath festival
Hi folks,
Last Sunday, I went to see the man himself live at the Bath Festival.
I got there in good time, expecting a hoard of die-hard fans to be
there already, but in fact there were only TWO other people waiting at the
door. This was a bit of a change from when I saw him a few years ago - I'd
started queueing at lunchtime, and only just got at the front of the queue.
I think the problem was a distinct lack of publicity for the tour: two
of the people at my table had seen a Bath festival program lying round
at a friend's house, and the other one just happened to be walking round Bath
on the day and saw a poster! I only got to know about the gig because I went
to the festival last year, so they sent me this year's program (what I shock
when I saw who was playing!!).
The support act was a girl on bass (called herself 'Single Bass') who
played some pretty complicated bass lines and sang along in a Suzanne
Vega/here's a song with a message sort of way. The crowd was really
appreciative. I enjoyed it, but her voice got a bit wearing after
the first couple of songs, and her vacuous stare was a trifle unnerving
but I guess she could just have been nervous.
Then the announcer came on and nearly wet himself with excitement!
Apparently, he's been trying to get Allan to play at the festival for
some time, and this was obviously a big moment for him. The band came
on to rapturous applause, which made me look round - the place had only
filled up in the last 10 minutes or so. Allan walked on carrying two
of his headless guitars (no sign of the Synthaxe, or baritone guitars :-(
He played one of these for the whole gig, and didn't touch the other one
the whole time.
After a couple of seconds switching on amps etc, they launched into the
first song. Here's what they played:
1. Looking Glass
I couldn't hear the solo, as the mix was wrong, but the clean sound
was amazing.
2. Pud Wud
One of my favourite Holdsworth tunes. Somebody else who reviewed a
previous gig mentioned that Steve Hunt played the intro - I'd also
assumed from the record that Allan played it on the Synthaxe. This
could have been the case, but now that Allan doesn't play the
Synthaxe, and Steve's playing is so much like Allan's, it was
impossible to tell the difference. (This was something that struck me
more and more as the evening wore on - Steve has even started nicking
licks from Allan's solos! Sometimes you don't know who's playing what.)
Skuli's bass solo was very muddy, and this was unfortunately true
of his sound for the whole night (mind you, standing next to Gary
Husband can't help much when you're trying to hear what you're
playing!).
Gary was way too loud. He seems to have lost any ability to play
sensitively, certainly in a live gig (I like him better on record -
they can turn him down a bit!)
3. Roccoco (? a new one)
4. Low levels, high stakes (another new one)
5. Devil take the hindmost
This one included a wicked solo from Allan.
6. ?
7. ?
8. Drum solo (yawn)
9. ? (from Atavachron)
10. Water on the brain
11. Non-brewed condiment (?)
12. Encore
This started out with Allan doing a long intro with swelled chords.
Rather unfortunately, his volume pedal had a bit of a squeak, and from
where I was sat (right at the front) it sounded as though he was treading
on a small rodent!
The song developed into Zarabeth - the only song from Wardenclyffe Tower.
Conclusions:
Allan's playing was phenominal all evening, but then I wouldn't have expected
any less. Steve Hunt was really good; he's come on a lot since I last saw him
(on the Secrets tour). I'm not sure whether I prefer Jimmy Johnson or Skuli
on bass. I think my opinion of Skuli was coloured by the muddy mix - it's
always difficult to get a good bass sound live, but they couldn't even do
it for his solos. His playing was solid (as indeed was he!) but I found it
a little uninspiring. Gary Husband was the weak link in the chain for me.
Previously I've always enjoyed his playing, but he just seems to be too angry
these days! He didn't break any sticks this time, though (on the Secrets tour
he broke at least three, and was throwing them around all over the stage. At
one point during a solo Allan must have seen something heading towards him
out of the corner of his eye, and nonchalantly leant back a couple of inches
while a rougue drumstick whizzed in front of his face!).
All in all a very good gig, although it didn't convert my brother to a
Holdsworth fan. Some people just have no taste!
Martin
mley@acorn.co.uk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 May 93 11:39:16 EDT
From: Jeff Preston
Subject: Steinberger / "Zone"
>Date: Tue, 18 May 93 10:23:09 BST
>From: a740778@server1.tiuk.ti.com (Jason Julyan 0004 JBEJ)
>Subject: REPOST: Gig Review
> Allan had a long solo, which had the audience cheering
> at the end. He used a standard Steinberg full bodied guitar
> through out the show. (The baritone and double neck guitar
> were not in evidence.)
My guess is that this guitar (presumably the natural maple-finished
one with dark binding, yes?) was actually a Bill DeLap custom-made
instrument. This was Allan's main guitar on the U.S. tour last fall.
I'd also assume that he's either a little wary of shipping the baritone
guitars, or that his cartage budget is not as large as he'd prefer.
Am I the only one here so far to have heard these marvelous beasts in
person?
>Encore
> A piece starting with swell guitar, with A.H. alone on stage.
> Then the rest of the band joined in. It ended with swell
> guitar as well. Could have been Shallow Sea or even Oneiric
> Moor.
If this is what I think it is (and this also addresses someone
else's query about "Zone"), it is an improv tune that Allan has been
doing for some time. It often ends with the main theme to "Shallow
Sea," and then a volume-pedal swell section before closing entirely.
It gives everyone a chance to blow, and then closes out the set. A
nice touch, I think... it affords the audience a chance to see the
band's improvisational prowess.
Jeff
--
Jeff Preston =*= Moderator of the Allan Holdsworth discussion forum
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= atavachron@morekypr.morehead-st.edu =*=*=*=
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** 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. =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=