Allan Holdsworth, Anthony Crawford, Virgil Donati. Live in Netherlands, 2012

[@acebass123]

Hey thanks alot. The beauty of playing with Allan is that he lets me approach his music the way I hear it. He lets me apply my on approach on his music and he does not expect for me to play like no one else but my self. Thats what Tony Williams did for him when know one knew who Allan Holdsworth was back in the 70s. So Allan is giving back, by letting other unknown talent express themselves within his music as well. Thats why Allan is always evolving. He is always open to new ideas. :-)

[@tonymirabal8832]

Wow do you guy have access to the old charts,? do you use charts?

[@RobotChampionSC]

Anthony Crawford So glad to see my drum, bass and guitar heroes play together 😁...God bless and a heavy-hearted RIP to Mr. Holdsworth...what a loss

[@David-je3vb]

Love your playing with Allan, Tony. And with Virgil as well.

[@scarpagion]

Ok thanks

[@Truthinshredding1]

Still a miracle.

[@acebass123]

Thanks everyone for checking out the footage.

[@pedroleal7118]

Hey Man! best Bassist that ever line-up with Allan! Thank you man !

[@pedroleal7118]

*lined up?

[@renejrhodes88]

So virgil didn't make it into dream theater but got to play with holdsworth? I'd take that doobie anytime!

[@drummermylo]

I think Virgil is leagues above the dream theater guys. He's almost in his own league. I think they didn't pick him because they'd make them look bad.

[@renejrhodes88]

Endrid I also guess that they wanted a much straighter and simpler playing than his, since he uses so much dynamic and diverse patterns.

[@ronnieanand]

He was too good for Dream Theater...

[@eeobeeob]

It's probably for the best, I agree. I imagine Virgil would have enjoyed the dreamtheater paycheck.

[@QuynhNguyen-zw8uv]

It's a shame.. If anything i think Virgil would've challenged them and would've taken DT to another level.. VD started off playing in a pop/rock band back in Oz.. but obviously things progressed pretty well to be able to play with Holdsworth.

[@AnonymousCowardX]

Best electric guitarist on this world. And maybe other worlds.

[@hddrummer8838]

Tosin Abasi

[@AnonymousCowardX]

henry diaz No comparison. Holdsworth is a lot more melodic, colourful, lyrical, the technique a lot more sophisticated. Holdsworth is like a violin player, in fact he masters violin as well, and is at an improvisation level of John Coltrane. Abasi is more a rhythm guy. Interesting and virtuoso music, but never as melodic and modal like Holdsworth. Holdsworth is a true jazz player.

[@varunrajnair875]

+henry diaz while tosin is virtuoso in his own right, he has nothing on Allan. And he calls himself from the Holdsworth school of music, because he uses so many chord shapes etc that Holdsworth pioneered. So.

[@tonypowell250]

@@hddrummer8838 Tosser Abasi is a souless shredder...GTFO!

[@EgoShredder]

@@tonypowell250 Always intrigues me when people say Allan plays with no feel or emotion. Personally I find the depth of feel and emotion in his playing way beyond most other musicians out there. Sure occasionally Allan finds himself inbetween something interesting to play, but he regroups and then launches into another rich vein of exploration. I think that many people expect feel and emotion, to be played in a certain way and usually with cliché Blues phrasing.

[@doctorgarbonzo2525]

Allan really never ever rightfully got the recognition he truly deserved

[@janderson2000]

Yes, he did. Just by the right people.

[@EPICSOUNDTRAX]

you are both correct LOL

[@flame-sky7148]

neither did John Mclaughlin or Shawn Lane. IMO, those three are the best to ever pick it.

[@mbolduc]

I've thought about this a bit. Would you rather be Allan and die broke or Keith Richards and be alive and rich? Allan every time

[@novola1972]

mbolduc I don’t this Allan was broke

[@investorart58]

Good Christ in Heaven! This may be the quintessential Holdsworth!!! 5yrs prior to his passing - and he is about at his absolute peak.... - and Donati is off the charts! AH touches the heavens here - 5yrs prior to his arrival to the gates.

[@Sonicspeed3000]

One of the best lineups Jazz Fusion has ever witnessed, each a giant in their own right.

[@chicanochops]

Yes!!

[@johnmoses3098]

What a pleasure. Anthony Crawford a monster on bass!

[@vcp93]

This has to be one of my favorite lineups that Allan has ever had. Virgil and Anthony are just amazing and fit perfectly with Allan's music.

[@jfo3000]

Yes this line up is great. I like Carpenter & Novak too.

[@biorythmicshifter]

As soon as I say this then I hear him with another line up and say the same thing…they are all phenomenal.

[@AlbertJanBloemendal]

The best guitar player who ever walked the face of the earth. End of discussion, period.

[@geordiebaden]

Christmas Eve, 2015. And here I am in my bedroom watching Allan Holdsworth

[@EthanWhateley]

and...here I sit 2 years later on Christmas night 2017 watching it. Sad that I'll no longer get to see this phenomenon (and nice guy) perform. I was lucky enough to have met and talked with him on a few occasions in Annapolis MD.

[@PeterLaman]

The difference with mainstream pop music? Listen to 100 different average pop tunes and you've heard the same thing 100 times, listen to a single Holdsworth piece 100 times and you have heard something different each time!

[@hddrummer8838]

exactly!!! Fuck mainstream music. Havnt listened to the radio in over 5 years.

[@jean-pierreromain2423]

This is jazz, that's all. Listen to Coltrane, Ornette or Miles... the same.

[@TheSlayerswe]

@@hddrummer8838 Comparing pop music to holdsworth is just retarded imo. They serve different purposes.

[@ntesslafan]

That is so true. Mr. Holdsworth never would have had it any other way.

[@sobellfanatic]

I've seen Holdsworth on and off over the last 35 years and this could be the smokin'est line up...unbelievable.

[@pedroleal7118]

One of my favourite line-ups with Allan. Sometimes you can see him amazed by the result. Anthony and Virgil injected a super energy into Allan's music.

[@newvultraz]

You can tell from this clip what makes Holdsworth different from so many other guitarists and musicians out there, apart from his amazing technique. He's an INNOVATOR. He's never been afraid experimenting with basically anything he can get at, harmonically, melodically, and texturally, no matter how dissonant. Almost nothing he plays sounds like a "lick" or stays neatly within the key of the piece. None of it feels good on the fingers, either, if you've ever tried to play Holdsworth voicings-it's all melodies for the musical MIND, not the guitar. He's just simply so technically advanced that he can play most anything he wants, regardless of mechanical limitations. He comes up with chord shapes that are exclusively his, and when he plays "chord progressions", he's not just playing chord progressions. To him, if Cmaj7 and Fmaj7 are in the same scale, they're the same chord-no wonder you never hear him playing anything remotely like pop music! Who would want to listen to a one-chord song all day? He's playing KEY progressions. If you try to transcribe the progressions behind his pieces, you realize very quickly that the bass notes seem to have nothing in common with the apparent chord being played over them apart from a scale. On an effected guitar, the timbres he uses are exclusively his. His legato sound is something that you can only get with surgical technique and titanium strength. He uses a harmonizer to get sevenths, fifths, tritones, seconds, diminished seconds, and so on. His comping sound, something that's stayed consistent since IOU, is absolutely dreamy. And who else could make the SynthAxe sound good?

[@p.schouten6597]

It seems silly for anyone to do covers - or even emulations - of Allan. He's one of a kind.

[@vish3161]

That was informative .. I have been a long time admirer , but wouldnt even know where to even start if I even tried playing any of Alan's stuff .. so I do the best thing under the circumstances .. listen and admire ..: - ). At times I wonder if Alan himself understood what he was doing !

[@pobinr]

Seen him 8 times over the last 40 years. Brought pretty much everything he's played on. Totally admire his playing & compositions. If a little excessive & overly dissonant at times. And his live solos seem somewhat disconnected from the wonderful chords. As if finger gymnastics are more important than musicality. When they should only be a means to an end. Not an end in themselves. Difficult for one who always likes to improvise & not play the same thing twice. Trouble with listening to Bach as I do lots. It makes one unfairly critical perhaps. And Alan loved Claire De Lune for example, but never quite achieved that level of composition. Still love his music anyway.

[@jamescammack6720]

This music is so creative and so energized and so extraordinarily executed it’s almost alien....! Anthony Crawford is through the roof, extraordinary base player...!

[@ntesslafan]

@@jamescammack6720 Hello Mr. Cammack. I agree with your comment, and also think that your work with Ahmad Jamal is through the roof too! Thank you for your music! I really think you were outstanding playing bass guitar on "Rossiter Road". Take care!

[@pepelrh]

Holdsworth should be considered among the greatest musical innovators of our time, a guitar player that sounds as a sax or wind player with melodies and technique beyond comparison. I wonder why he isn't considered the 'Miles Davis' of guitar, just to mention a legend that has received recognition.

[@goalnick]

Virgil Donati is a machine.

[@Theoderjeker]

Yamaha?

[@fusionhar]

NEVER see another Allan Holdsworth for CENTURIES....he is that original !!!

[@skycircle9893]

Always thought that with Holdsworth Donati had found his place..to bad they never made an lp together and sad that Allan is not here to amaze us anymore.

[@gerriepieters9033]

Listen to Allan Holdsworth with Soft Machine...very long and great solo...unbelieveble 🎶🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@gerriepieters9033]

Mis him....he was one of the greatest guitarist in the world..Allan Holdsworth 🎶🎶🎸🎸🙏🏿r.i.p.

[@b.scottfarthingsworth]

Virgil with Holdsworth???????????????? MOTHER OF GOD...... love this, Anthony makin it fatter than ever was. Nice work brother, I can't believe I never saw this lineup, smokin.

[@gregdemeterband]

i can't believe what i'm hearing , Allen Holdsworth is absolutely incredible...

[@betterthantelly2993]

Allans chord playing is masterful. Stunning musicianship all round.

[@jamesallanburruto1230]

I never get sick of hearing this show. Anthony, you kill it!! Allan is of course brilliant. Virgil is so on it as well.

[@babyeater026]

You Are THE MAN Mr.Crawford!!!! Dude shreds lines for day. Damn you gotta love this trio.

[@phenbuz]

Virgil Machine - Crawford Monster - Holdsworth ALIEN.

[@Mahavishnu80]

This is great. Virgil is better off doing this creativity than lame Dream Theater parodies.

[@some_g333]

True but unfortunately his bank balance would tend to disagree I imagine.

[@tonypowell250]

Nothing lame about DT silly.

[@gcrauwels941]

He played what he heard in his head without 'selling out'. I am thankful for that.

[@emptycloud2774]

I can't believe this trio exists. Unbelievable musical intuition, ability and expression, with Holdsworths otherworldly harmony. What an absolute innovator and, quite frankly, genius (I word I rarely use). The world may never catch up to him.

[@phenbuz]

Devil take the hindmost change my life since the first time I hear in 1986...and my emotion its like the first time when I hear again. My God..Virgil is wonderful drummer. Your performance is great virtuosity. Really great and confortable bassline. Oh....Allan is the One...no words...just the top of creativity and talent. Thank you Anthony.

[@saucedevourer8858]

The first chord Allan played to begin his solo at 1:39 was enough for me to get out of my chair in utter amazement.

[@acebass123]

I felt that way every night I played with him

[@pobinr]

Allan showing at almost 70 whatever he can still deliver genius music on top form & his tone's amazing too. Inspiring. Chord sequences to die for delivered flawlessly. Yet he had to leave the UK to survive. The music business is a sick joke!

[@caratcranker5874]

pobinr Alan's melodic lead solo structures really blow my mind, not only are they ridiculously augmented, diminished, etc, but he is SO IN TUNE with the underlying chords that there is no way he is even really just blowing off technique. Do you realise how much knowledge he has to be able to do this?Garsed, Gambale, and a few more are in the same realm, but these guys are the very few who have such improv knowledge, I have to go and massage my brain with Kale pulp right now,,,, see yah all in a while.

[@hddrummer8838]

+Carat Cranker hahahaha. same. my brain is fried

[@veblenrules]

+Carat Cranker yes exactlyy. its all about advanced theory.

[@gkgkg1]

The only person to leave both "the UK" ... and "UK" !!!

[@quartersines]

You sound amazing. You really bring a special lift to Allan's music. Just wonderful...

[@visog]

Holdsworth's harmonised double-stops are so on point. The man;s a genius!

[@matty22159]

the world could be ending tomorrow...and I'd be watching these guys...what a lineup!

[@hanscelis8699]

allan holdsworth is by far the best fusion guitarist since the 70's.And his sound is getting better by the year. Keep on grooving allan!! Shake the universe!!

[@gerriepieters9033]

My favorite guitarist ..Joe Pass,Barney Kessel,Ed Bickert,Eddie van Halen,Jan Akkerman,Pat Martino,Pat Metheny(my neighbour),Jack Wilkins,Allan Holdsworth and Stefan Grossman....

[@ElfDude2112]

Best Devil Take the Hindmost I've ever heard! That was fantastic!

[@dannybarichello1575]

What's almost as great as this video, is all the great comments below. Truly, Allan is beyond belief and he is playing with two great musicians. I could watch this over and over again. There isn't a week that goes by that I don't listen to some form of Holdsworth's music. I have been devastated since his passing, which happens to be on the same date as my wife's birthdate. A bittersweet day from now on. And to add to that, John Wetton, whom Allan played with in UK, passed away on my birthdate. That's so weird. I saw UK perform live back in 1978. This has to mean something.

[@jorgekarkalius]

Giant perfomers for Giant Holdsworth....Alan thank you for your harmonic treasures you gave us.....R.I.P

[@chesterbalboa191]

No matter how extremely unusual his playing is, it always sounds WARM and groovy, full of life, not human to my ears.

[@mikebuchanan1881]

Over the years, I've seen and heard countless versions of Devil Take the Hindmost and Letters , studio, live recorded and live in person. To my mind, these are THE best of all. Hats off to Anthony & Virgil for breathing new life into a trusty old beast. Great work kids!😉

[@DcGroove]

Invación extraterrestreeee !!! El dueto es una cacería en dialogo con Virgil que es un fanático de las matemáticas. Nunca visto ni escuchado. Allan el mejor improvisador lírico que escuche en mi vida. Tuve la suerte de escucharlo en varias oportunidades. Cuando estuvo en Buenos Aires, pude invitar a almorzar al cuarteto al sindicato de músicos y compartir el momento y anécdotas emocionantes. Lo que mas me llamó la atención fue cuando le pedí que me firme su primer álbum como solista, que tiempo atrás, había comprado en NYC. Al verlo se puso mal y esa situación despertó curiosidad en sus músicos que quisieron verlo con sorpresa, porque no lo conocían. Ahí me enteré que no estaba en su biografía. NO entiendo porque motivo. (1976) Velvet Darkness

[@Tetasha]

Odiaba Velvet Darkness porque lo que él pensó que era solo un ensayo resutló ser el disco terminado. Lo menciona en varias entrevistas, tuvo conflictos con muchas discográficas.

[@vcp93]

What a great recording. Crawford is a monster and I LOVE his tone; one of the few six-string bassists that actually sounds like a "bassist". I love this lineup.

[@albertmartin2297]

The level of musicianship is astounding. This is on a different plane than what anyone else is doing. There's no chance of Allan playing here anytime soon, so this is the next best thing. Thank you very much for posting.

[@htrizzle]

Gotta always love Holdsworth my fav guitarist . This trio is killer . Perfectly compliment each other very well . Ya'll weirdos from another planet! Long live Holdsworth...

[@ntesslafan]

The bass guitar solo in "Letters of Marque" by Mr. Crawford is killer! Love the sound and action.

[@abirdynumnum9612]

What a stunning rendition of his classic song. Virgin Donati and Anthony Crawford: what a team. Virtuosity at its best.

[@chuckinator13]

Wow! the mix is great...when they were in Buffalo, NY all I could hear was Virgil banging away and Jimmy Haslip's muddy, chorused bass....Yikes! Kudos to Mr. Crawford he is killing it with subtle genius! It brings a wee tear to my eye.... Sweet Bass Solo!

[@vette6600]

Hey what's up, Chuck?!

[@neilloughran4437]

This is one of my favourite versions of "Letters of Marque"... the way the changes seem to "hang" and yet the players are all in synch.... beautiful... full sound too...

[@seukfuhi]

This is actually "Devil Takes the Hindmost", not "Letters of Marquee".

[@neilloughran4437]

2nd track is definitely "Letters of Marque"

[@visog]

That's a great sound... the rhythm section are super funky and heavy.

[@jerrywitaj]

Breath taking musicians, Donati and Anthony absolutely kill it.

[@ntesslafan]

Mr. Holdsworth never quit trying new things with his music. He really meant it when he said that his compositions were vehicles for improvisation. I love the way this music makes me feel. Thank you so much for posting this clip Mr. Crawford!

Absolutely amazing musicians all. Being someone who played drums for 20 years I am forever at a loss for words to describe Virgil's amazing abilities. Simply otherworldly.

[@juangonzales9335]

Allan holdsworth ,the king of the uncommon scales.

[@pedroleal7118]

Love your trio Anthony! Thank you guys!

[@pedroleal7118]

I like very much Allan's phase with Chad and Jimmy Johnson, but you guys, with Virgil, kinda updated Allan's versions. He clearly enjoyed it, so, again, 'Thank You' guys for the good Music!

[@synthaxe5058]

Never heard of you before Anthony...until now! You add some SERIOUS funk to Holdsy's tunes....killer job!

[@Chromatype]

Mr. Crawford, your playing with Allan is excellent and I hope to hear you play live some day soon. Fantastic concept.

[@paulsimon6544]

Incredible trio in the history of jazz guitar!

[@Carehuea]

I can finally hear Allan!!! Normally his sound is buried beneath the drums… Cool!

[@mistertelecaster]

Love it!! anybody that can keep up with Holdsworth meanderings is brilliant......I hear this music in my head but ... as a player .....I am light years away from being able to play it!!! ...that's why you guys are here!! thank ... er ... the collective consciousness!!

[@dominicdentist]

Hey Anthony. Your bass sounds really great! I have seen Allan play many times and this band is so exciting and fresh! I am also so pleased to see Allan looking happier than I have seen for years! I wish you all be very best. You are a beast of a player and I know you are valuing playing with Virgil and the Lizst of the 21st century - The Brewer - Allan Holdsworth.

[@genomeisotope3711]

Holdsworth has worked with some of the best drummers ever.Hard to choose a favorite.This is a better mix than a lot of live Holdsworth.Awesome listening!

[@JersonAnthony]

My favourite Holdsworth lineup!!

[@acebass123]

thanks man. Glad you are inspired :-). Stay blessed

[@jebeyxi]

Really well done! Excellent bass player, way to keep Allan chugging along.

[@SheldonKreger]

Performances like this are the reason I keep practicing. Thanks so much for posting!

[@ondrauscissell6952]

I am do glad I got to see Allan Holdsworth before he passed away! I LOVE MUSIC THAT MAKES YOU THINK AND THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!; Thanks for posting!!!!!!!!

[@pranavphx]

Thank you for the upload. This is my favorite intro for this particular song out of all its renditions this far. You guys were amazing.

[@fideldely5988]

Smooth. Tasty. Brilliant. Powerful. Thank you for this vid. Lightened my mood!!#

[@craigthomable]

It's of course, an enormous pleasure (ditto the incredible footage and audio from Rome). Have just heard that 2013 UK tour is no more. Please send best wishes to whoever has the problem. Greetings from Derbyshire (home of several new real ale breweries, tell AH!).

[@BillRayDrums]

Thank you all for playing so good. We are opening for Allan Holdsworth in San Diego on Aug.2 and I am absolutely estatic over it, as Allan Holdsworth has always been an influence as well as Virgil Donati. Anthony Crawford you bring amazing expression to this music.

[@turbokarma1]

Virgil is musical in his playing.

[@gil84rs]

Wow! that solo you played on Letter of Marque.... great melodic sense and rhythm.

[@DrMbutu]

Insane playing. Much love from memphis

[@eurabio]

I'm absolutely thrilled by this songs. I am not joking when I say I have already heard this video 11 times consecutively. How can I learn to play this kind of musica!?!?

[@teknomanning]

Best bandmates Allan ever had.

[@drummerschild6487]

I used to think it was the notes but it’s the sound. Wow. Thank you to all the musicians involved.

[@briannorman952]

Ridiculously good. Smooth as silk.

[@padistedor]

My God what a band! Amazing!

[@gerry6459]

Just Brilliant "this is from another world " :)

[@byronhoagland7932]

thank you Anthony! Was so blown away by your interpretation of Proto Cosmos in Rome. I sat there watching the YT clip and came to the realization that you and Virgil were the best iteration of "bandmates" to these tunes. You brought so much more than I expected. Hope to see you live in the future.

[@snowfiresunwind]

Wow this is some gig - these guys are just burning it up! Allans tone is superb here as well. Love it. Would love to see the whole concert

[@cejono]

Hi Anthony! I'm a gardener from Sweden, and a amateur musician. Bass is my main instrument and I'm really amazed by your (and Virgil's) approach to Allans music. A new dimension for sure! Can't wait until I'll be able to see you live! All the best!

[@totesk8]

i love your groove Anthony!!

[@jamescammack6720]

Just to start with of being a bass player is quite impressive to see anthony‘s ability to match and support the musical genius of Allan hodsworth. It’s Alien how well suited they are for each other.Alien technology alien genius for today’s standards of jazz fusion and guitar shredding...... The trio is one to be reckon with In today’s standards of electric Fusion music.

[@walterockmx]

My ears had molten down!!! Music for the experienced jazz fusion ears! :D

[@veblenrules]

+walterockmx oh yeah

[@freegracetruthembrace7188]

The next 'Next Level' achieved on this one . Thanks muchly Anthony !

[@jodesloo2280]

Anthony Crawford is just ..….awesome. Man!

[@muddgroove]

Still so very Awesome and even better with this line up!!!

[@fid3ld3ly]

nice stuff!!!! luv it! thnx mr. crawford!

[@VideodromeGnome]

Thanks for making it into the band with Holdsworth and Donati and then filming this and then posting it so others can be inspired by this incredible shred fusion modern jazz. I like your Jaco/Wooten inspired fingerstyle approach with a little flamenco...

[@bigtoine45]

Go 'head brotha'. Its been great following your career. you are such an inspiration to the young cats. keep on!!!!

[@Finn-fq6dt]

Untouchable

[@coravisser727]

This music is really awesome i do love it.You are high talented.Thank you very much for the good music.

[@石川英資-t2s]

So greatest Holdsworth and Donti 111 , I love

[@lautaromontecinos8223]

Please guys put all this amassing material in a formal DVD, it is not the same in this virtual media . I'm sure all of the fans agree with me.

[@askjamesland]

BEASTS. AH MAN ...back in ny york right now...CD101.9 late 80s missed good music, and great musicians.

[@nickleguern4937]

The boy standing right before the stage is the luckiest kid ever!

[@Poppafunkband]

Anthony - Love your work on this man!!