Allan Holdsworth - Good? or just Difficult?

[gitarsam312]

Allan's best playing that I can recall is on Bill Bruford's "One Of A Kind" album. Glad that was mentioned a few times in this interesting thread.

[jster]

Originally Posted by JensL

I was asking if Sixteen men of tain was the same?

Jens

I listened to that record a lot because I left it in the car for a long time. It always struck me as by far his most intimate record. Really still his last regular studio album. It always seemed pretty live to me. But then he has his clean tone and his solo tone and so maybe he just puts down the changes with his clean tone by himself and then brings in everybody to play along with that track and solos over it with the band live? I dunno. Seems to vary from track to track. You guys are the pros. How much overdubbing is he doing? You can find most of the tracks on youtube.

[Soco]

Originally Posted by jster

I listened to that record a lot because I left it in the car for a long time. It always struck me as by far his most intimate record. Really still his last regular studio album. It always seemed pretty live to me. But then he has his clean tone and his solo tone and so maybe he just puts down the changes with his clean tone by himself and then brings in everybody to play along with that track and solos over it with the band live? I dunno. Seems to vary from track to track. You guys are the pros. How much overdubbing is he doing? You can find most of the tracks on youtube.

Not sure how he recorded it, but it is probably his best solo album.
I think the upright bass(except for one track I think) by Dave Carpenter who sadly passed a way really gives the whole album a more organic feel.
Also I love the addition of trumpet on one of the songs is great.
The duo with Allan and Gary Novak is great too. overall great album.

[markf]

I just got 16 men of tain, very very nice album.

tone....... wow.

[eddy b.]

All Night Wrong is the one for me Mind Boggling!!!!

[AmundLauritzen]

I think he is one of the most unique and fascinating guitarists of all time. His voice on the instrument is constantly changing, but still he has always been one of those players who you can recognize instantly just from hearing half a bar of playing.

To me he is a multi-faceted artist. His personality when playing chordal stuff versus single lines is so different. His chord playing has an eerie, but beautiful feel to it. Creating wide open sonic landscapes.

Some times, his single line playing can get intense. But I'd rather have him play what he hears than have to listen to someone who is trying to conform to the audiences expectations. An artist can't please everyone, and AH is an acquired taste.

I can't wrap my head around the things he does on the instrument. Weird concepts of harmony, but it always works. Like Pat Martino, he has a personal way of organizing his concepts and coincidentally both are unique players whose voices can be recognized instantly.

[brwnhornet59]

Originally Posted by AmundLauritzen

I think he is one of the most unique and fascinating guitarists of all time. you can recognize instantly just from hearing half a bar of playing.

His chord playing has an eerie, but beautiful feel to it. Creating wide open sonic landscapes.



I can't wrap my head around the things he does on the instrument. Weird concepts of harmony, but it always works. Like Pat Martino, he has a personal way of organizing his concepts and coincidentally both are unique players whose voices can be recognized instantly.

Yeah, Allen is a great player and an acquired taste as you said. He certainly has paid his dues. I started listening to him in the late 70's and have been a fan ever since.

His quartal approach is light years beyond most guys. His hands are so big he can grab those incredible inversions with ease.

[Pat Clare]

He's an amazing player, although for me, I'd like to see if there's a way he can make his axe sound like a guitar, instead of an electric piano / synth.

[AmundLauritzen]

Originally Posted by Pat Clare

He's an amazing player, although for me, I'd like to see if there's a way he can make his axe sound like a guitar, instead of an electric piano / synth.

I don't think that's very likely. Allan has stated that he really wanted to play a horn, but had to settle for a guitar and that he doesn't particularly care for the tone of the guitar as it's supposed to sound(for his own playing. He admires many guitarists though).
But I still agree with you. It would be great to hear how he would play with that kind of tone.

[Pat Clare]

Originally Posted by AmundLauritzen

I don't think that's very likely. Allan has stated that he really wanted to play a horn, but had to settle for a guitar and that he doesn't particularly care for the tone of the guitar as it's supposed to sound(for his own playing. He admires many guitarists though).
But I still agree with you. It would be great to hear how he would play with that kind of tone.

I've heard a lot of guitar players that want to sound like a horn, but I've don't hear horn players using all of the gadgets that guitar players are using. I try to phrase my lines like a horn, but like a horn player use my intruments natural sound.

[mattymel]

yes, as much as i respect and WANT to like him, i just can't get past the sound. its like stanley jordan in a way. impressive and great improvising, but just doesn't SOUND good.

[brwnhornet59]

I prefer Allan's guitar sound over his synth axe. But remember he plays a lot as guitar as well. Like Metheny, I hate his synth sound, but he as well plays a lot of tunes with his guitar. With that being said, I wish they would both play more guitar!

[ES350]

I really prefer his playing around the mid-late 70's; late Soft Machine and Tony Williams stuff. No synth, just blowing...although often he is just running legato licks all over the place, sometimes he just really nails it.

[kris]

good and difficult!!!

[lessismore]

I can listen to his solo forever, also the whole group does a great job at backing up Allan on this one.

David Hines - Antillia (feat. Allan Holdsworth) - YouTube