I have to add to my other comment. I've just listened to - and watched - this incredible solo for the 50th time (1:15 to 2:52). This kid picked perhaps one of AH's best renditions of the Tokyo Dream live solos. Tremendous emotion - and Niko fully captures it. He doesn't get lost in the amazing technicality of the tumbling, intervalic, multi-directional, legato note ideas. Part of the brilliance of AHs soloing ideas is the odd shifts from near chromaticism to varying degrees of shifting intervals - and it's cool to watch Niko work those notes up close. Niko also glides effortlessly in that AH "pocket" - which feels comfortably and emotively intentionally and emphatically late - and is therefore - absolute PERFECTION. There's a swelling ebb-and-flow lag to the AH solo performance - and Niko is absolutely on top of it. Last (re this solo) his subtle finger bends at some of the phrase entrances, exits and transitions - plus the use of the whammy-bar - highlight AH's singularly brilliant use of the these techniques and the whammy device - to convey almost a seriously operatic voice at times. Niko's lack on the chord and tap ideas can easily be overlooked by his impressive mastery of the solo - which captures the amazing AH technique and aspires to the fullness of the AH emotional expression (right down to the impressive tonality). Whenever you can hear an AH solo that is at this level (one of his best) - it hits you just how far beyond any other player AH was. To hear young guys picking up the torch of the fallen hero does a true music lovers heart good. Absolutely remarkable.
I agree with this comment, also good observations about the late Allan ‘pocket’ - comes no doubt from being truly improvised - and the operatic bend and whammy expressions.
This solo put tears in my eyes. Niko - you devoured this piece. Please do more! Devil take the Hindmost? Texas? Looking Glass? How about some acoustic stuff? I wish Allan had done more like the opening to Nevermore on the UK album - miss him. Absolutely brilliant to hear and see excellent young players keeping his unmatched virtuosity alive. This was amazing!
Hey dude what an amazing performance you'are the first chinese guy i saw on YT being able to play with such a virtuosity n beautiful intensity - i hope there will be soon more players like you in china to bring some new stuffs ahead % keep up the good work 恭喜您
Bravissimo, Niko. You nailed it, feel- and tone-wise, with a completely different guitar and gear than what AH used. Way to go! Keep these videos coming!
awesome cover man, really good. Would you send me your lead preset or at least tell me what tipe of drive did you use for this? looking forward to get this tone on the mp-10... thanks!
You have all these Japanese Holdsworth players, they show a few awesome songs before fading into the background. Nobody knows what happens to them. I'm guessing there's a Holdsworth Terminator out there...taking care of business..hahah. There can be only one.
