We all do...I fell in love with your father when he so kind to meet with my sons and I in Irvine at the Yardhouse...I flew from New York to California, just to spend the day with him, and it was a moment in my life that I will take with me to my grave...there has never been or ever will be a human being as humble, kind, compassionate, warm, generous, genuine and loving as your father...I miss him everyday, and each time I think of him, I always cry... that's how amazing of a man Allan Holdsworth is to me...God bless his wonderful heart and amazing Soul 🙏...this world shall never see another man of the caliber, quality, quality depth and content as your dad... Heaven most certainly welcomed him home - Charlie Kerins
Hi Louise, my most condolances for you. Is miss him too musically speaking. The most talented and best guitarist ive ever heard. Had the luck of seeing him 4 times. Met him a couple times, most beautiful an humble person. God bless you.
I think the comment about Allan being boring is pretty funny. His playing is about as deep as it gets. The way he gets inside scales and modes and never plays anything remotely cliche is incredible. How on earth can that be boring? I can listen to the first solo he takes on this video a 1,000 times and learn something new each time. I defy anyone out there to play better than this. We have been fortunate to witness the Coltrane and Charlie Parker of the guitar in our lifetime.
Well, it may be interesting to the knowledgeable expert ...but to impartial listeners and laymen it certainly is boring and no different than just throwing a million notes together randomly, there's no denying that. It's not important or worthwhile to "play better" than anyone, that's meaningless, maybe admirable sometimes but still meaningless to music.
@@DerEchteBold he is a master on melody and progressions, its like you say Paganini is boring. Its not the typical guitarist only technique and speed at all; but majority of people only react to fashion super simple music.
I was lucky enough to be in a fusion band in the 80's that opened for Allan/IOU a few times on the East Coast. Besides being a genius, he's just so humble that it's a crime. Had he promoted himself more, I think he'd be on so many records and a lot richer. What he brings to a recording project is off the chart. His musicality is certainly at the genius level and how he's reinvented the guitar with his tone and technique is second to none. Thanks Allan! Every single time I hear him play I smile.
I do relate to your passion but the mistake we all did-you seem my age group is to worshipped them(him and others) too much so we could not built something worthy for our own.So we remained fanbois. Where's my band,where's your band now?website?concert videos? you know what I mean. Dont forget that the too much of a genius guy he was,,,,he could not tour most of the time for lack of interests from concert goers and also unless fans could host him sleeping at their houses as he could not cover hotels. his funeral cost only to all the people that was in his close everyday life. They even had a charity event to help paying its cost. Too much of a genius is like anything else that is too much ,,,,its too f much, I'll stick with Di Meola first bro. He knew how to bring down too much to just enough!
I’m a traditional jazz guitarists. I got talked into seeing Alan H. In Sacramento California in an industrial section at a warehouse style club. Dave Weckle on drums can’t remember others. Mostly guys. I kept waiting for songs. It seemed like aimless rambling at different speeds and intensities. Then when it was over I realized I’d listened like in a spell for over 2 hours to something new to me. I followed him on RU-vid and saw soft machine and Tony Williams and realized he was unique early on. His lesson videos were revealing of his detesting traditional maj 7 guitar chords. Then I went to see him again at Yoshi’s in Oakland Ca. 2000s Pasqua keyboards. Truth in shredding was great because the similarly inclined Gambale and he were collaborating in a world where musicians of their egos rarely do. To me he brought the jazz mentality with the rockers sense of welcoming technology to get to more people without being at all compromising in his taste. A testament to artistic commitment and toughness.
@@TheMentalblockrock Ehhhh matter of opinion ultimately. I love Eric Johnsons playing, and I can hear the Holdsworth connection here, but Holdsworth goes off into another universe entirely, playing with the abandon and intensity of a John Coltrane. Eric is much more controlled and pre calculated player to my ear. But Eric is one of the most melodically beautiful players ever.
@@beachcomber4141 The other big issue I have with Holdsworths' playing it it's one dimensionality. He either plays those jazzy clean chords or smooth legato modal leads. Eric on the other hand can do much the same as Holdsworth (in his own style) BUT ALSO play a great blues or a Hendrix cover or some fantastic fingerpicking acoustic (jazz, folk or classical styled) or some Wes Montgomery jazz chords, or a country inspired instrumental, or a heavier rocking instrumental, Not to mention Eric's singing and songwriting. Alan can't do ANY of these things! Don't get me wrong, Alan was GREAT but Eric can just do so much more and do it so well.
@@TheMentalblockrock I see your points, and they are valid to some degree, but Alan was the FIRST to do his one dimensional thing that Eric now sounds like when he is really going for it! I would love to hear Eric's opinion on this. What is amazing about Holdsworth is that he is always reaching and coming up with new lines that are simply mind boggling. To say that Holdsworth could not play Wes Montgomery jazz chords seems a huge impossibility as Holdworth was a chord machine known for coming up with chords he almost originated due to the size of his hands. Plus, I don't think Eric is that good of a singer. LOL! Ultimately it is a matter of opinion. I love Eric's playing but Allan boggles the mind.
@@TheMentalblockrock Allan is quite a versatile player, though he didn't like playing straight jazz, rock, or blues stuff. To me, it's the very definition of a fusion player, mixing up so many influences. But instead of playing 'regular' fusion like many, he created his own universe, completely unique. At first, I was intrigued by his music, and after many listenings, one day, it became clear. I guess my ear got a catch on his sense of melody, and I'm glad I can appreciate his art. I respect also anyone who would define his music as 'random', because it's really an acquired taste, and can sound like it to many. Let's enjoy it, haters gonna hate anyway :)
Allan's fluidity and expression during improvisation is mind-boggling - when I listen to him improvise I don't hear a guitar solo: I hear what's in his head. BUT people often forget about his harmonic ability. I have a formal classical and jazz guitar education and 30 years of playing but I have never seen or heard any guitarist with Allan's sense of harmony. Fuse that with his technical and improvisational abilities and he has to be considered one of the giants of guitar playing, even though he would vehemently deny it.
I talked to hinmseveral times on the phone (and got together once at German bar with him and many of his friends) when he was using my Speedpick for while. We talked about the subconscious release and he mentioned about his goal of trying to play like he thinks.
I love the start of the video with all of the Hair Metal guitar players on the side just waiting for Allan to perform. For them it is as close to seeing GOD play the guitar as they will get while they are alive. Allan was the Nikola Tesla, Edison, Bach, Picasso of the guitar. A one of a kind that will never be seen again at least in our life time. The most free playing guitarist with flowing lines of endless note combinations and melody that has ever been and may ever be. RIP Allen. We will never forget you.
I like this version of Texas - flows better. Of course - you are an amazing player in your own right Derryl, so glad to hear your opinion on the soloing.
To me as well, Derryl! PSA: Those of you who love AH should check out Derryl Gabel's channel if you haven't already. He is an insanely good player! He can actually pull off AH covers, which is mind-blowing.
Thank goodness this was recorded. Allan was in supreme form. Simply an incredible musician who took the possibilities of guitar to a new place. I among many are deeply moved and saddened by his passing. He was an inspiration to me and one of a kind. RIP Maestro.
I was at this performance and I recorded it on minidisc. A couple months later my MD player was stolen along with all my md's, including the one with this performance. It's awesome, almost 20 years later to hear it again and see it!
kerpital mate, that's so awesome, the fact that you were present at this makes you a very lucky person in my mind, it's definitely one of my most favourite of his performances, I have previously wished I could have seen it in person. Cheers.
I knew he'd be there, so I got to the Carvin booth early with the CD liner notes of Higgenbottom's wrench. We started talking and he signed it, saying "Oh NO!" and then his signature. My friend took a picture of me and Allan together. They had a life size cardboard cut out of Allan in front of the booth. When the trade show was done, my friend covered for me and I picked up the cut out and walked off with it. Yes, I stole it. We were exhibitors for another company and we packed it in with our cases and shipped it back home. When it got to our office, we played pranks with it. We put it in the lady's room, in a stall. We'd have it (him) attend staff meetings. It was hilarious. I left the company and my friend ended up with the cut out. He took it home and when he moved out, he threw it away. I wish I still had it!
For me ......the best .....there are some absoluteley amazing players around today .....technically outztanding ...really are .......BUT ....... no one touches Alan Holdsworth .......RIP
God, it still gets me that a musician of this calibre is no longer with us. This performance is beyond awesome. This is improvisation of the highest order. Utterly brilliant. RIP Maestro.
@@rickdeckard1075 You can't be a musician. Not a good one anyway. Try a Dream Theater page or something if you're looking for typical sheople melodies. The rest of us are hear listening to a musical wonder. Better tune those ears and open that mind a bit more pal. You're missing out!
Absolutely true. My Favourite too "Bill Bruford commented about Allan Holdsworth's "In The Dead of Night" solo: "(it) remains one of the most perfectly formed, intelligently paced, and brilliantly executed two minutes of liquid guitar bliss you are ever likely to hear."
Holdsworth is the closet thing we'll get to Mozart in modern times. Composition and melody is one thing, but he is hands down the greatest 'player' ever to live. The chords structures and speed he possessed is just mind-boggling, and he makes it look so easy...RIP!
There will never be another like this guy, his guitar playing is absolutely stunning. A hundred years from now new musicians will be listening to his music in total awe.
The thing I can't get over with Holdsworth is that his playing sounds so alien and.. for lack of a better word 'weird' but at the same time it just works, that's the magical part, as weird or ecxentric as he got it all still made sense. And that tone, that fucking tone man.. I LOVED Fredrik Thordendals leads for years and then as I got older I learned that he was MASSIVELY inspired by Allan both when it comes to note choice and tone and it's no wonder why. Absolute legend that man
He was so self depreciating and humble about his own playing. Always searching for the sounds he heard in his head. Should have been given a pass to live to at least 100. His music will live on. RIP Maestro.
No other musician comes close to his melodic and harmonic soul, he was truly 1 of 1. God rest your soul Allan, you live on through your brilliance. THANK YOU, for changing and gracing our lives.
Blessed be the living organism who shot this video. How on earth can someone play like this alone, in a crouded Namm thing… 1 o'clock in the Morning and can't stop listening. So elegant by nature, far beyond emotion and skills. Just relax and enjoy this gift of pure beauty. Maybe he wasn't ahead of his time, maybe are we just seriously late. Thank you again for all this unreal musical tenderness.
My favorite rendition of Texas. He plays it a bit differently here. Perfection. I only have one regret with his music since the UK album; He never did a recording with 2 tracks of acoustic (chords and lead) like he did on the intro to Nevermore. Glassy, shimmering movement of lydian sound with the most fluid, intervalic, tumbling lead lines. I think his compositions should not be called "jazz-rock" fusion. It was also informed by the voicings heard in classical chamber music or the harmonies heard in sacred music from England in the late 1500's and early 1600's. All that - and elements that I cannot define. Perhaps the greatest musician to have visited the planet in the past 100 years.
Hey Peter, I was at the Santa Monica Civic and watched UK open for Al Dimeola. I think it was around 79', but can't remember. I had already seen AH at a very small venue in San Diego and knew what to expect.....but I left actually feeling sorry for Al Dimeola.
@@dunningkruger3774 Yeah - can only imagine. I thought AD was the man until I heard UK and then AH playing on JPL's records. AD is a great player - but AH's intervalic leaps and amazing legato were so far beyond what anyone had ever done before. Just amazing.
@@investorart58- Funny you should mention it.....I saw UK open for AD at the Santa Monica Civic in maybe 78', and after seeing AH.......I actually felt sorry for Dimeola. No one had ever heard that sound before and like John McLaughlin said to Allan...."if I knew what you were doing, I'd copy it". A year or two prior, I saw Allan at a very small venue in San Diego called "The Bacchanal" and Eddie Van Halen was next to me doing the "drop jaw" after one of Allan's blazing and mysterious solos. I was a big Gong fan too. Happy trails amigo~
@@dunningkruger3774That is an amazing and hilarious quote from the great JM! Man that had to be mind boggling back in 78. That's before EVH was famous. I read that EVH borrowed Allan's amp to record the solo on Beat It. Anyway - I can't let a week go by without spending at least 20-30 minutes at the alter of AH. We're like the people in Close Encounters - stamped with the vision of that tower. We cannot help ourselves from getting there- and once we do - its like that alien visitation....... no - fucking - words. Only awe and reverence.
@@investorart58 I moved to Baja 30 years ago and regret not getting to meet Allan, as I had friends that were close to him in SD North County. Oh well, getting to see him crush the guitar world in the 70's like an iceberg hitting the Titanic......was something I cherish.
Scrolling through the comments I noticed a fair amount of people critiquing Allan because his compositions couldn't connect with the average listener but that entirely misses the point of his craft. Allan didn't write music for the average FM radio ear. He wasn't creating hooks or catchy solos that would later become background music for soda commercials. He wrote wonderfully complex music for his own enjoyment yet remained incredibly humble throughout the years...genuinely grateful to those of us who may not have understood HOW he was doing it but we knew WHY. Speaking as a fan, I feel blessed Allan gave so much of himself so we could come along for the ride.
10:50 is the best solo ever recorded ever I think!!! I don't think I've ever herd anything more spell binding in my life the older I grow!!! I wish it were recorded in the studio this exact same way he played it here!! what is this song!!!! its so galactic!!
At 11mins in, he plays the most moving and beautiful composition. A phenomenal visionary musician who broke out of the confines of guitar orthodoxy and went on a completely unique path. RIP Maestro.
@@lewisjones4158 As far as I know, it's a series of tracks Allan laid down that he could improvise over. Some tracks like Texas were in a formative state, that eventually appeared on 16 Men of Tain. The last track is 'Pud Wud' off the album 'Sand.'
If you want to appreciate Allan's music here is how you do it. Select a nice sunny day, early in the morning jump in you car with your sweetheart then just drive to nowhere and listen to Allan, try it, that day will stick in your mind for ever, and so would your sweetheart's smile.
He sounds like a saxophone. I bet he's be pretty glad to hear that. This kind of music you just lay back and ride it like a wave. Or let it take you with it somehow. So very beautiful and infinitely deep. Grand. Miss you Mr Holdsworth
Listening to Holdsworth the first few times, I heard a lot of notes, found it interesting but thought the music too chaotic to listen to for more than a short while. These days however I've been listening to little else.
Yep - same here - when I think of the crap I chased down in the 1980s wishing on the old prog days and getting frustrated - I didn't know this was going on and what it all meant. I similarly remembering dismissing the Yes songs 'The Ancient' and 'Sound Chaser' as unlistenable - nowadays though I'm in the opposite camp: they are genius.
I had a few failed attempts to listen to him. The first couple times I thought "maybe this is the worst music of all time. It's as difficult to 'follow' as free jazz, but without the energy", but I keep checking back in and reading comments. I know I'm not smarter than all the thoughtful and interesting musicians who worship him, and I think starting to get a feel for what's going, the spaces and mental textures he can create, because he's able to avoid so many of the predictable notes. Maybe in a few more years I'll be ready for my "Holdsworth phase".
Modern legato players would all have you believe you MUST learn hybrid picking to get up to speed in the legato style. Here's Allan proving them all wrong.
Became friends in a small pub in Liverpool with audience of about 13, when i was 17 and bonded immediately. The most,humble,generous and beautiful human being you could wish to meet ( nobody been since then :(...)
I think this era was absolutely peak Holdsworth. I saw him live a few years later in my hometown and it was such an incredible experience. It was quite an intimate venue and his wry humour and personality also came through between tunes and after the set.
I am enjoying something else miraculous and wonderful in this video from 20 years ago. Notice how people are actually listening, paying attention, and above all, not fucking talking and being ADHD tools while this genius is performing. Good luck finding that in these mookfest audiences of today. It's just painful watching a modern audience ruin performance after performance, especially if it's an acoustic thing. Pathetic modern people at their worst. No clue about courtesy, etiquette or anything else involving enlightened thinking or self-awareness. I basque in the goodness that was this time period. We'll never get back there now.
After his last solo album in 2001 I wish he would have toured like this at least once. Just a guitar, Synth-Axe and drum machine. He could have pocketed more cash without the sidemen and it would have still been valid musically. I've just gotten into his discography and it's great material. I listened to most of his material on RU-vid music and then bought the used CD's that I've liked. These are my picks so far: "Believe It" and "Million Dollar Legs" w/ Tony Williams Lifetime "All Night Wrong" live in Japan all his solo records from "Atavachron" to "Flat Tire"
Unbelievable artist, father, musician with an incredible work ethic. What a blessing to have these videos, he was and is one of a kind. What a body of work. Just phenomenal
Back again. Love this video. Love it. Mr Holdsworth never, ever ceases to amaze & stun. Always takes me to a fresh, new place. Wish this video were higher definition but I am not complaining: it is stellar! Alan's sound! Breathtaking! Personally, the gtr in this video is my personal fave Holdsworth signature model. This design, one pickup...monstrous. Always with us, Alan Holdsworth.
I have to admit that I never checked out Allan Holdsworth because the general style of fusion does not appeal to me. In the case of Mr. Holdsworth I was completely wrong and I regret not getting over myself sooner. I am completely blown away by EVERYTHING about him as a musician: the incredible technique, total rhythmic confidence, and incredibly innovative harmonic concept. He truly was in a league of his own, and I plan on going to school on his music in a serious way. So much to learn from this master musician.
Allan Holdsworth is the best ever he was a cosmic player incarnated from another world far beyond. Thank you Allan for visit us here on Tellus. God bless you
How I miss this man and his playing. I first heard him in 1977 on Enigmatic Ocean. I was not familiar with him, and when his solo started, I thought, “what on earth am I hearing?” For those who understand what he did with scales and phrasing, you understand that he truly was in his own space with this instrument. And I can only imagine how nerve-racking it would be to play with a pre-recorded track such as that in front of a room full of guitar players at NAMM. Bravo.
I really love how he sings and tell his story on top of these chords @ 10:27 my fav piece , it hits ....,, i wonder where the inspiration of this piece comes from ! He Still the best and truly missed but never forgotten ! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
