Allan Holdsworth on working with Bill Bruford - Part 2

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Allan’s perspective on things in the 1970s was quietly powerful in its own way in this film. Part One got a lot of attention from viewers, so here’s Part Two as promised.
There are perhaps two kinds of guitar players; those who, when you put a spotlight on stage, walk towards it, and those who walk away from it. Allan was the latter. So was Robert Fripp, who mostly wanted to sit in the dark, or better still, sit off-stage. Something to do with distractions: perhaps they thought the visual might distract the listener from attending to the music; or it might distract the performer from playing it properly. Adrian Belew and Steve Howe moved towards the light. David Torn couldn’t have cared less.
Being largely underlit was not Genesis’ style, a band with whom I worked for a year. For its time, their lighting rig was astonishing. It would get its own round of applause when certain configurations kicked at critical moments, louder than anything the musicians could get. Talk about being up-staged.
Think of the celebrity whose life depends on finding the metaphorical spotlight and remaining within its seductive glow for as long as possible - a moth to the flame. Some performers are exactly the opposite: their public performance seems to be an entirely private affair, one object of which is to prevent we listeners from getting too close.
I know; mad, isn’t it? But who knows why performers do what they do? I’ve known enough to know there is no single answer to that question. The mildly certifiable, the terminally eccentric, the manic depressive, the unacceptably rude; the perfectionist, the guilt-ridden (I’m having so much fun…and they’re paying me to do this?!), the reticent introvert who’s pretending to be an extrovert, and the extrovert who can sustain his pretence only with copious amounts of chemical support: they’re all there, sometimes in the same band. Everyone’s pretending to be someone, putting on the mantle (or cape) of some real or imagined character before they can get on stage. We’re all little David Bowies. Some want to be in the light, some in the dark.
If you ask me, I’m relatively straight-forward on this. I’m a sort of what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of bloke. Hopefully, that makes me easy to work with. I’m comfortable being stared at on a stage - so long as you don’t hinder or inhibit me from delivering what it is I’ve come to deliver - and equally comfortable being ignored. I’d love your attention and enthusiasm - they help a lot - but I can do it with or without. I can do it in the dark or in the light, as many of the videos on this channel demonstrate. Some can only do it in the dark.
#billbruford #allanholdsworth #kingcrimson #paistecymbals #musicperformance #musicperformer #tamadrums #yes #jazzdrumming #rockdrummer #musicimprovisation #billbrufordsearthworks

[@stevehunt1436]

Thanks for posting up part 2. It’s interesting to hear Allan speak so candid and honest about his past. I was in his band for almost 10 years and he didn’t talk too much about his past. I know he really disliked the UK format for sure. Allan recorded my song “Joshua” on Secrets and I tried to get him to play it live but we never did, he just said “it reminded him too much of ‘those days’ where they wouldn’t let him play the chords and had to stick to lead lines. Hearing him talk more in detail on this helps me understand now. Really love and miss Allan. He gave us so much and these two records with Bruford was the first hearing of Allan for me and changed my musical life.

[@doubts]

Joshua is a beautiful track. Name of my son .. and wasn't Allan's father of the same name??? Great album Secrets. As a drummer, most of it kind of scares me though. Lol

[@dominicohooley9733]

Joshua is a beautiful song.

[@walterevans2118]

Hello Steve ....Thanks for your comments here.....I loved the track Joshua too......Didn't you also play on Allan's HARD HAT AREA album in 1994 ? ....I LOVE that album with tracks like 'Low Levels, High Stakes' ...I think Allan was building & playing BARITONE guitars in those days ? ...At least on 'Warden Cliff Tower' .

[@bencoletti4119]

Are u the steve hunt that did wring it out?

[@stevehunt1436]

@@bencoletti4119hi. Yes. From my 1997 release called From Your Heart

[@Stewart.Gaskin]

And cheers to you Allan, let's all raise a glass in honour of this wonderful musician. Two Holdsworth-related facts: 1. He could read and write music. 2. Re. Allan leaving the Bruford band - I kept a diary. On March 31st 1979 Allan told Bill he was leaving after our UK tour (May 5th- 20th) to start a band with Jon Hiseman and Jack Bruce. He also recommended guitarist John Clark as a possible successor. Allan played the UK dates, the French tour started on May 26th with John on guitar. Contrary to the impression given on Bill's website timeline page, "Allan departs on the eve of the French leg, and John Clark deps at extremely short notice", I feel Allan acted responsibly by giving seven weeks notice and suggesting the amiable and musically quick-witted Mr. Clark, who turned out to be the ideal replacement - a pleasure to work with. Just wanted to clear that up... thanks to all for your nice comments in Part 1 of the Holdsworth video, much appreciated! Dave Stewart

[@Fender73472]

Why did Jean luc ponty say in interviews that Allan could not read or write proper music?

[@Stewart.Gaskin]

I believe JLP said Allan couldn't *sight read*, meaning he understood music notation but could not instantly play a notated part on sight. In my experience that ability is largely restricted to academy-trained musicians (such as Mr. Ponty :) Best, Dave

[@GilbertNeal]

In the beginning of "Gothic 17", are you playing chords or are you (like me) smooshing your hands on the keyboard in a random fashion?

[@Stewart.Gaskin]

I usually reserve my buttocks for the 'smooshing' keyboard style - on 'Gothic 17' I'm actually using my fingers :) DS

[@GilbertNeal]

@@Stewart.Gaskin Which chords are they? My buttocks have a 4 octave range.

[@jacquesfinster5034]

Sensitive, shy, complex, humble, good humored, nervous, funny.

[@bigvrocks2480]

@jf5034 you hit it right on the head!

[@naderzekrya5238]

Very much agree! Lovely bloke he was

[@Mr.S369]

Quite a compliment in my opinion, especially coming from Allan. "I think Bill is a fantastic composer." True!

[@pobinr]

Around 1979 I took an interest in jazz after hearing one of a kind. But the one thing I found is so much if it lacked composition & somewhat cliche ridden. That's the beauty of one of a kind & feels good to me. Best of both worlds composition, improvisation & Allan's totally uncliched playing. I'd have loved them as a trio with Allan playing keyboard parts too.

[@vbassone]

Theeee greatest electric guitarist that ever lived and the most innovative, Allan Holdsworth!

[@morbidmanmusic]

That's the fanboy talking.

[@styles8007]

My favorite Bruford album is "One of a Kind," and my favorite track from that album is" The Abingdon Chasp," in which Allan wrote that track. Allan's guitar playing is simply amazing. His playing was light years ahead of its time. Allan is truly missed. Thank you, Bill, for sharing this treasured interview.

[@MissMX]

There is a studio version of Allan/Bill playing "Abingdon Chasp" on KZbin with saxophone instead of keyboards. Just search: "Allan Holdsworth - Tales From The Vault (2017)". I much prefer it with Dave Stewart on keys though : )

[@uubuuh]

agree about this, as it happens just gave this track a close listen yesterday, forgot AH wrote it. He gave each of the band a part to shine, including a stately melodic solo for himself after even a bit of acoustic, and Bruford is absolutely massive over the big vamp out, snare popping, big rolls, tuned toms. As an aside there's a remix of this, what is the point of that it's like remixing Aja. They messed up Jeff, like they didn't realize Allan gave bass the head. Anyway, also Dave made everything sound fantastic. And to this video, was not expecting to hear that about UK, but I generally agree. And OOAK was a huge album in my life back in 79. Still holds up brilliantly.

[@pobinr]

Was years ahead? Was! 😅

[@johnthresher259]

Whatever he says about UK, he played some fantastic guitar on that first album. Arguably the greatest guitarist the British Isles ever produced.

[@MissMX]

Greatest GUITARIST-COMPOSER ... it's not just his technical prowess but his unique, carefully-honed harmonic language, more often than not drenched in angst-ridden emotion. That's why even complete non-guitarists (such as myself) can't get enough of him.

[@fredbloggs2206]

Not arguably 😁

[@timmartin8191]

If Allan had wanted to play in my band, there would've been one non-negotiable rule: Allan will play whatever he wants. What a privilege it must have been to work with him and his monster talent.

[@petsounds3612]

One of a Kind will be a top 10 desert island album for me FOREVER. Thanks Bill, Allan, Dave, and Jeff for the tunes

[@JulianMarkHouse]

Agreed. 💯👍

[@yeahnahmate1611]

Allan Holdsworth is the GOAT on guitar

[@JulianMarkHouse]

Two of the most fluid players on guitar 🎸 , and on drums 🥁

[@LivioLamoneamusic]

Man, how i miss this legend...thank you, Maestro Bill 🤗

[@mikedown1250]

It breaks my heart that the album (UK) i loved so much , Allan hated with almost every fiber in his body. His solo's on that album are legendary.

[@stevehunt1436]

If you watch the live recording this One of a Kind Bruford band did, I think in 1979 at a college , you can see Allan seemingly being somewhere else other than there. I did some research and that very same time period Allan was working on IOU with Gary Husband and the two Paul’s. That record turned the whole world upside down and still does in my opinion. Yeah, so I’m pretty sure that’s where Allan’s mind was during that live performance.

[@richardsemiatin2587]

Unbelievably gifted. He was a musician's musician.

[@jimmcgonigal]

Great comments. I saw the band at Strathclyde Union and bought One of a Kind the same day to get it signed. Which I did. There were four of us incredibly excited kids, two of whom helped roadie the gear up to the 5th floor while I was buying the album 😅

[@uubuuh]

good story, thanks, and I agree this is a particularly good comment board

[@JeffReams]

Allan was such a nice guy it seems from these interviews. I love his playing when he was in UK.

[@rembeadgc]

Priceless! What a dear man. Thank you Bill Bruford for sharing words and images of a beloved Allan Holdsworth. I am so glad you persisted in your plan to incorporate Allan into your music, culminating with the sublime One of a Kind album. So thankful to have heard his musical voice in many contexts before and thereafter.

[@pobinr]

A treat for me. The 12th Jan is my 69th birthday☺️ Gosh 45 years since I first heard allan on One of a Kind in 1979. One of my all time fav albums

[@Skraboing649]

Happy Birthday!

[@pobinr]

Thank you 😊​@@Skraboing649

[@walterevans2118]

Allan felt stifled in UK with the way things were put together .But possibly BILL felt restricted in UK too. ......I agree with Allan that One of a Kind was a superb Album (which I played over Xmas) and Bill's compositions on it were brilliant. The title track One of a Kind, Travels with Myself & Someone Else & Forever Until Sunday were beautiful & when I would listen to them they would take me places in my imagination......The intro of Fainting in Coils was funny with Bill doing the voice of the Mock Turtle thru a voice processor........I remember when I was playing that in the lounge on vinyl in the E/B house the eyebrows it would raise......lol ...Jeff's bass slap intro to Five G was amazing & Dave's keyboard playing was beautiful giving colour to so much.

[@Frip36]

"Allan felt stifled in UK with the way things were put together .But possibly BILL felt restricted in UK too." Thanks for commenting something besides the usual, "Allan was an amazing guitarist. Been listening to him since I was six."

[@visog]

Loved Allan with Bill... my entry point to the whole Holdsworth universe! Both such individual voices on their instruments.

[@oobenoob]

I wish you guys kept the Bruford project going longer. Some of my most played albums.

[@Lineageholder]

I love those albums

[@Azabaxe80]

I love Holdsworth, but my comment is about the "liner" notes above. I once saw Paco de Lucía in concert. He had other musicians and dancers with him, but he was clearly the center of attention. He walked on stage (Jackie Gleason Theater, North Miami Beach), sat down on his stool, and didn't move from there for the next two hours. He just played. Not once did he acknowledge the crowd. Not a single smile or even a cursory wave. Nothing. It was one of the most exhilarating performances I've ever seen. Some people don't need the spotlight, they shine a light of their own.

[@yoddeb]

What a character! Incredible.

[@dilltdog1158]

Yorkshire produced Allan Holdsworth and John McLaughlin, both very unique and humble individuals.

[@rtleppert3419]

Miss Allans presence in the music industry, gladly he’ll always be here in one way or another

[@basileus1966]

Interesting to hear that Bill and Allan tried to form a combo with Annette Peacock before Feels good to me.

[@steveogle3679]

Interesting one of a kind and UK1 two of my favorite albums. The sound was so unique and still is. I always remember the imagery.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Great insights... thanks for sharing!

[@aharchives]

It's quite clear from watching this that Allan had moved on to doing his own thing, which was inevitable, and it's understandable that this wasn't used in the finished drum video. Frankly, in this part Allan really seems most keen to go down to the pub for a pint!

[@borisdisko4322]

I saw an old live version of Joe Frazier where it seemed Allan couldn't keep up with Jeff's bass line. So I wonder if that's what he meant about learning tricky dick stuff.

[@SOALNightLive]

Neither of these were particularly enlightening, but it was nice to hear from Allan. Extra points for the brew and Member's Only jacket.

[@hefewiseman]

charming guy..met him only once..really very positive person, you have to be to continue to be making music ..... in spite of his self criticism .thats the way he kept his standards up...what he said about Beelzebub was very interesting. ...spot on probably regarding how that happened

[@brookt3497]

Thank you very much for Part 2. That’s all I wanted to say 🙏 😊

[@oobenoob]

Looking forward to this!!!

[@SameAsAnyOtherStranger]

You probably have an idea who Allan Holdsworth is. I on the other hand am going to start getting an idea of who he is watching Bill's KZbin post. Yeah. Yeah. He was some great guitarist. Some factoids are drifting around in my head about bands he played with. But since my attention span is limited by being human (me, not my attention span...if it can't be human, why can't it at least be humane?) I'll just have to see for myself how he stacks up against Buckethead. I prolly culdn't tell the difference between him and Eric Gales or Warren Haynes. Just to throw names out there. To show I know some names. But the real question is- would Victor Wooten want to jam with them?

[@oobenoob]

@@SameAsAnyOtherStranger Listen to the album Bundles by Soft Machine. Allan really lets loose on that album. He is also superb on Bill’s first two albums.

[@richardgleichmann7671]

One of A Kind.. (which I still have my copy of.. and still listen too..) is the first album I ever heard Allen Holdsworth on.. (then I bought a few UK albums..). Also the first time I ever heard Jeff Berlin.. (who graciously gives short teaching videos on IG..). Thank you for posting this.. and thank you (all) for, One of A Kind.. and a lifetime of great music Mr.Bruford.. 🎶❣️👍 All of these vids are much enjoyed..!

[@PhilRounds]

I think Allan and Bill are two musicians who are instantly identifiable when you hear them. It wasn't just great chops with them, it was great character.

[@TheTayedrums]

this was great i remember that era...i remember uk..i met the entire band at peaches records they did gig in detroit (punch and judy theatre) great show-still have the autographed banner...i too always felt buford(a very good drummer) but technical -cuz he could be very technical...not necessary technical to be 'musical' 'musical' but a grat resume yes, krimson, genesis (however it was his style and a style of his own-which was not bad) however you looks a genesis and the longevity of Chester Thompson and yes the longevity of allan White .....overall our sentiments are one in the same...one of a kind --was indeed a great album! Prior to this holdsworth was with velvet darkness, gong ,soft machine,jean luc ponty, tony williams lifetime.....and yes he loved playing with tony i am so sure...he learned alot. and the song Looking Glass is Holdsworth and Tony at their very best ,feeling the vibe of a song....a song to me that is very emotional. with a certain togetherness between tony and allan....just a pov!!

[@SameAsAnyOtherStranger]

I wish I would have paid closer attention to that video about that thing AH used in his signal path.

[@uubuuh]

IOU brilliant. "Reaching for the Uncommon Chord"..

[@Mr.Bassman]

Thank you for sharing these, what interesting insights. All the best to you

[@reverb.deluxe]

I have to say, if you're enjoying these videos, but you aren't reading Bill's comments under the video then you're really missing out.

[@UdiKoomran]

Totally unique a a player I like his playing when collaborating with other musicians But his music always left me cold

[@jitkafarina3841]

Holzy was the greatest ever. Almost every album he was on for other bands was that artists or bands best album. Gong, Bruford, Soft Machine, Ponty, UK, Tony Williams Lifetime...

[@uubuuh]

yeah and Fred is the best song on that album

[@lucianovargas6677]

And Iggibottom's wrench and Tempest.

[@planetpjr]

I can envision Allan watching this, he would probably say " I could play just like that geezer if he would shut up". I miss his sense of humor. 🍻

[@ministerofdarkness]

Bloody early ol Bill!

[@rockstarjazzcat]

💜

[@patricknacion3960]

Sounds like allan was a handful but what an incredible musician

[@vbassone]

Not a handful, but a brilliant genius who had a very clear direction and musical path in mind for himself!

[@alwolf2325]

Allan had one good solo on the UK album and it was the best thing about that whole project.

[@mikedown1250]

in your opinion

[@luigi6628]

..❤❤❤

[@raybenoit5238]

What year was this interview?

[@glennwallis7714]

0:03 If only they let him improvise on the UK tour might be a different history. But everyone would also have to improvise and the songs would change and probably not have had the popularity they enjoyed. Allan was a jazz player and it's kind of where Bill went with earthworks.

[@MrThomas1958]

cool

[@zenstain]

He might be the greatest guitarist of all time. If John Coltrane could play guitar, it'd sound quite a bit like Holdsworth, I think.

[@jeffd3573]

Other than your own solo musical endeavors, I think Yes still made you play in different original ways compared to King Crimson. Crimson was more raw but less imaginative. Left to out own devices is great and jazz-like but really we just fall on the same beats and what not. Yes forced out if the box playing. Crimson reinforced old habits with some bells and whistles. Well this is what I noticed as a drummer learning back in the day.

[@rickvenlo1362]

…..would have like to had played further with Bill…..

[@rembeadgc]

Can you just imagine what could have come out of that band if he had stayed? Although I love Gradually Going Tornado, I'm sure it would have been worked quite differently.

[@user-cd1id3gb8t]

Sorely missed!