This is late period Holdswoth, I saw him three times with IOU and he wasn't using his RH fingering picking for string skipping licks then... but the guy was so unreal... the best I ever heard or saw, and it wasn't even close
The choice of arrangement was completely at odds with what Allan would normally play over. That being said there are plenty of examples of standard typical styles that Allan has guested on over the years, including Pop, Metal, Blues etc. I understand that Allan may have had his drink spiked that evening, as he normally plays MUCH better than this. The guy was and is an absolute legend, that all the world class guitarists worship.
here alan is....all the other peices with dweezila re a bit awkward...but alan dially shines here...interesting that it took dweezil and eat that question to take alan out of his comfort zone where he actually does something new
I´m an alltime fan to the bone for Allan Holdsworth. But his here playing wasn´t at his level at all. It seems he only wanted to show these greenhorns his teeth, just for fun. Dweezil and Jamie duly fought back though.
For some reason I never cared much for Allan Holdsworth's playing. Probably the same reason I don't care much for Al DiMiola and many of the other guitarists who love playing ultra Largo 32nd and 64th notes. I slowed down a few of the recordings of the former two and noticed what they were playing didn't have a lot of substance. By contrast, listen to certain solos of Robert Fripp, John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Jeff Beck and late 1960's Frank Zappa (Uncle Meat, Hot Rats, Weasles Ripped my Flesh, Burnt Weeny Sandwich). Listen to Captain Beefheart's incredible 1969 album Trout Mask Replica. The two guitarists, Bill Harkleroad and Jeff Cotton structured music together on most of the songs. It is some of the most original guitar playing even recorded. Nothing has come close to this unique idea of double guitars playing completely contrasting parts, but together, it's astonishing.
@Andy Butler I know plenty about guitar. I'm 65 and I've played guitar most of my life. Here's a link to a song from my first album: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TLLyX5Hi77Y.html
Improvising in multiple modes over changing time signatures is what Avant-Jazz/Fusion is all about. You obviously don't understand my music. I've had plenty of good reviews for that album.