Velvet Darkness | The story of ALLAN HOLDSWORTH

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I am a drummer, producer and educator. I talk about Jazz, Prog and Fusion and the cultural context in which music has been, and is made. And sometimes, if you are lucky, I go off on one...

[@user-fp8jf1mn7c]

Broke my heart to hear that when Allan died , a family friend had to create " a go fund me page to cover the cost of his funeral for his daughters. But then the money and more was raised in a couple of days. Which just shows the love and respect he had. Pity it wasn't shown a bit more when he was alive .RIP

[@WalterBrew]

Yorkshire "lads" John MacLaughlin from Doncaster, Gard Husband from Leeds, and Allan Holdsworth from Bradford. A museum's worth of talent and creativity

[@ericrhodes1662]

Bill Nelson from Wakefield

[@blucheer8743]

That’s so true… these guys weren’t just good but world class!

[@seabud6408]

So true. Must be the Yorkshire Blend Tea. ☕️ 🫖

[@seabud6408]

@@ericrhodes1662 Fantastic artist/musician. Went through several years of collecting his work .. there is so much that is great.

[@terrapin323]

"To me, Allan’s playing is a rare example of a guitar player exhibiting no kind of ‘family tree’ whatsoever - when you listen to most players, you can hear at least some evidence of their early influences, and yet with Allan the most logical explanation for what you’re hearing is that this guy must have arrived very abruptly and unexpectedly - if not from another planet then, at the very least, from the future!” - Guthrie Govan. Whats crazy to me is he never stops getting better, perhaps his best playing is on 90s albums like Hard Hat Area and None Too Soon.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Check Ollie Halsall out

[@PanchoMostaza]

Wardenclyffe Tower, Hard Hat Area, The Sixteen Man of Tain.

[@JohnMcCracken116]

Excellent video Andy. I got to work with Allan the last 3 years of his life. I had met Leonardo Pavkovic who was Allan's manager/promoter/quasi record label (MoonJune) and he introduced me to him. I had an idea to do a Pledge Music Campaign (long since bankrupt) to raise money for Allan and enable him to mix a lot of different trios that he had recorded but never mixed or released. Allan was and always will be my favorite guitarist along with Joe Pass on the pure jazz side. I saw Allan many times live. So this was a dream come true. Sadly, it was a really tough go with him. We were only able to release one new track; "Earth" that was written by drummer Virgil Donati with Jimmy Johnson on bass. I think this is the last known recording of Allan. You touched on the hard truth of Allan's career and his last years were very difficult for him. Of course, he passed up many opportunities to became if not rich, well-off. He was striving for something that was not attainable because of his perfectionism. All that to say that I did get to talk to him quite a bit about how he approached the guitar. Two points: In terms of soloing, he wasn't thinking about modes at all but more that the guitar was like an abacus laid over chord forms. I was kind of shocked by that. Also, he did not like people trying to sound like him. At all. It was not flattering to him. I think if he was alive now, he'd be very distressed by the clones who've taken it to a pretty crazy level. Like Picasso, there really is only one Allan Holdsworth. Allan was the whole package. A great composer, unbelievable soloist and an electronics genius. I was very lucky to have spent some time with him. And keep up the really cool videos!

[@scottblanton3182]

And is it true that he was totally taken advantage of and ripped off by your endeavors with him?

[@duncanparsons]

In 2016 a mate told me about a friend of his who had been in the Allan Holdsworth Trio. One day they'd done the soundcheck, and agreed the time to meet back before the gig. That time came and went, and no Allan. 10 minutes passed, 15, half an hour - no Allan. He wasn't answering phone, checking local bars - no sign. In the end this friend took a long shot and went back to Allan's hotel apartment. The door was wide open, which was worrying sign. He couldn't see Allan, but he heard a sound. Traced it to the bedroom, and Allan was under the bed, sobbing. The nerves of performing had so crippled him he just couldn't play. Apparently he'd held himself together up to that point on the tour, but that night just couldn't do it.. So that night the Allan Holdsworth Trio did the gig without Allan Holdsworth. An astonishing player, but still just a person with all the emotions that that entails

[@Oenloveslife]

Wow. Did your friend tell you what era of AH's career this was?

[@duncanparsons]

@@Oenloveslife Alas, no, tho' I imagine it was late '00s/early '10s

[@RossDonovan]

The Sixteen Men of Tain is a masterpiece

[@hinesification]

You have to mention Jean-Luc Ponty. Allan’s work on enigmatic ocean is amazing!

[@Anselmiankey]

Thank-you for defending the GREAT Roy Marchbank. He is totally legit and probably the greatest plectrum style technician of all time. I am proud to have had him as a teacher. His pedagogy works wonders!

[@ronmazurkiewicz3331]

I was lucky enough to have Allan sign all my albums i had of him and when he got to Velvet Darkness he wrote i hate this album later i got to meet Alphonso Johnson and got him to sighn the same album after reading what Allan wrote he responded writing i love this album and i agree.

[@rembeadgc]

Thank you for being real regarding Holdsworth. It broke and continues to break my heart how his artistry wasn't more widely appreciated and understood. I have, however, come to accept that, for a reason most don't understand, vessels which often channel something divine, will be mishandled and often broken by the mediocre standards of the general society. However, because of the transcendent music he made, I'm glad he didn't compromise and stayed true to himself. There is an essence and a purity to Holdsworth's music that is beyond the technique and the technology... the sharing of that was his greatest achievement, in my book. It definitely resonated with young American man of European and African heritage living in the U.S. southern country while looking at the end of the 20th century.

[@johnglynhughes4239]

AH was head and shoulders above his peers. His vision was mind blowing. An absolute gentleman to boot...

[@shitmandood]

But what about Pat Metheny? What about Scott Henderson? Excuse my What-about-isms.

[@johnglynhughes4239]

@@shitmandood you're right... both magnificent musicians of the highest calibre. That said, for me AH was otherworldly.

[@mattf9076]

@@johnglynhughes4239 Same. I was just explaining my ranking system for music yesterday. My 4 categories are Holdsworth, A, B, C. When I rank an album a C, that means it is enjoyable and made it through the entire thing, but I am quite confident I won't gain anything from listening to it again.

[@johnglynhughes4239]

@@mattf9076 I like that 👌

[@Fender73472]

My first Time I heard Allan Holdsworth I was Tony Williams, lifetime, and his composition Fred , which to me as a jazz standard.Allan is the G.O.A.T …..

[@alanmatthew5713]

Every time I hear the phrase "too many notes" I think of my all-time favorite movie, about one of my favorite composers.

[@zenlandzipline]

Great movie

[@skidmarkjohnson8452]

I saw Allan many times live over the years and bought all the recordings, but he often musically left me scratching my head because my listening was at least two years behind where his playing had progressed. As time passes I appreciate his musical artistry more and more because I've grown.

[@Oenloveslife]

Me too. As my music brain has evolved, I'm appreciating more and more of his music.

[@christophercheney1006]

Thank you Andy! AH was from another universe! One of my best friends met Holdswoth once and he asked him to sign some records. He signed Velvet Darkness :" I hate this. - Allan Holdswoth"

[@fredhuybens2783]

This is a beautiful tribute to AH who I had the privilege to see twice in concert. I compare him to Buster Keaton in the movie industry. He was also a genius who couldn’t adapt to the system.

[@eximusic]

Bill Bruford's One of a Kind album had some great Holdsworth playing and solos on it.

[@pobinr]

I don't think it possible to go beyond allan holdsworth

[@bjornjagerlund3793]

I saw him playing in a room behind the bar in a pub in London 1978. We were 10 people in the crowd. I sat so near where he was standing playing so I could reach out my hand and touch him. I remember I said in swedish to my friend who had brought me there: He sounds like a saxophone player, he doesn’t sound like a guitar player. And Alan looked at us obviously wondering where we came from. Really happy I was able to experience this.

[@ACooke108]

I had the pleasure of seeing Allan live a dozen times. The greatest guitarist I have ever seen or heard. No.1

[@laurentlemoing6338]

Thanks Andy for this tribute to the genius of Allan Holdsworth. I was lucky enough to see him perform twice between 2006-2009 in New Jersey, and both time had a chance to share a conversation with him, he was so nice, humble and down to earth. Since I was french and told him I learn saxophone playing along John Coltrane's CDs and Gong "Gazeuse", he told me stories about playing and recording with Gong and told me that he always wanted to play this guitar (phrasing) like a saxophone. His solo in the track "Espresso" in Gong's Gazeuze album (1976) is one of my favorite, the breathing, articulation, sound, technic and emotion in it are out of this world, I close my eyes and travel in another world, it often bring me tears. I am very glad to see that Allan Holdsworth is now now getting the recognition he deserved.

[@SwampEye1]

Very inspiring .. as always, ... btw, thanx for the link to Roy Marchbank, hard to believe what I just experienced ... he's from another galaxy ... Law of three ... People, listen to this, as Andy is to modest to promote this great band ... (Sorry Andy, I had to do this )

[@Legatotapper]

This is gold! Love Allan, Shawn, and Roy! Cheers!

[@fusionhar]

I had privilege of being close to Allan and met several times to hang out! A beautiful and humble Human Being

[@kzustang]

Wow...I think this is one of your hardest rants ever, Andy. You really poked the knife on this video. I understand why. The Round Midnight part was a great segue to Allan 's story. I guess for the jazz elders of the 70s we're too young. For missing Allan while he was around is something which is now hard to imagine. Thinking about Roy Marchbank and knowing that even today, after we've learned our lesson, we might still be doing this mistake all over again? Now that's unaacceptable.

[@alexanderallegra432]

Number one, forever

[@riffmason]

One of the most honest and thoughtful, as well as one of the most inspiring videos I've ever seen on youtube, cheers!

[@MANGHAM1]

Stumbled upon this video last night, and it actually made me quite emotional, and everything you talked about resonates with me 100%, there is a huge amount of love for the man and his work, and I think we all should do our best to keep his legacy alive.

[@kimstrickland65]

Very interesting. I note that you mentioned Ollie Halsall as having a style similar to Allan, and that they knew each other, and both played in Tempest. For awhile, they were both in Tempest at the same time.

[@donkeyshot8472]

ollie halsall and allan holdsworth played together on a BBC live recording that can be found on tempest`s "under the blossom" cd anthology (2005). on this BBC recording, ollie and allan trade off solos of divine origin, with archaic energy to boot: in my humble view the greatest hard rock/prog/fusion recording ever released.

[@EgoShredder]

I find it incredible that people describe Allan's music and playing, as having no feeling or emotion. His music is some of the most deeply profound and emotional out there, and takes you to places in your soul you never knew existed. Sounds over dramatic to put it like that you might think, but no not at all... I am actually being serious and sincere when I say describe his music that way.

[@alanmatthew5713]

Wonderful presentation. My favorite Holdsworth records are "Sand," which was my intro to Allan, "The Wardenclyffe Tower," and "Secrets."

[@chuckyspell]

Thank you. Yes, keep going! Thanks for the heads up on Roy Marchbank!

[@AntonioLopez-cx6od]

Factual, well researched and more important, from the heart, hats off to Mr. Edwards

[@TheFierceAndTheDead]

Great video, Roy is awesome btw. And yeah all guitar players edit the solos :)

[@Truthinshredding1]

These guys come along once in a lifetime. Holdsworth had a singular vision, which is rare in these days of cut and paste music.

[@chrisdaniels6523]

When an artist of any kind comes along and creates a new form, a new aesthetic, some people get very upset, don't they? It's sad, really. Whether or not his music is to your taste, and let us never forget that one's taste is not always consciously or rigorously developed, Roy Marchbank is doing something amazing. I hope he gets the respect he so richly deserves sooner rather than later.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

All he gets is a bunch of 'experts' calling him a fake, it really has destroyed his career. He should be a houshold name amongst guitarists. I have worked with lots of incredible musicians. He is the closest to a genius I have known.

[@zenlandzipline]

Andy…maybe his music doesn’t “hit it” with people. I don’t know a whole lot about the guy, but consider this: I discovered Holdsworth when I heard the UK album. Holdsworth had teamed up with some big name players who already had made a name for themselves: Bruford in Yes and Crimson, Wetton in Crimson. Tony Williams. And, he played on Bruford solo albums. He may have remained obscure if not for that. Or, maybe he would have developed a career anyway, even if he hadn’t hooked up with those players. Maybe his music spoke to people. There is a lot involved in musical success. There are a ton, millions actually, of great musicians who will never be any more successful than playing the local pub. There is luck, (or lack of it), marketing, timing, fate. Shawn Lane is one of my favorite players, but he remained relatively obscure for most of his career. Your friend Roy needs to put himself out there more. I never even heard of him until I watched some of your videos, where you mentioned him and showed a little clip of his playing. I watch hundreds of guitar videos on KZbin, and I’ve never seen him in any but yours. The KZbin algorithm hasn’t put any of his stuff in my feed. I don’t know what kind of action Roy takes to get better known, but I can tell you this: if he just plays at home or at the pub down the street and doesn’t put himself out there, he will remain unknown. We also live in a different time now. As much as Instagram and KZbin can help a player “get out there”, it also dilutes the market, as there are millions of musicians (some great, some not so much) putting their material on social media. Btw…how about you do a video about Eric Johnson? Great player, and he is a huge influence on a lot of guitar players.

[@cagesound]

I saw him at the Jazz Cafe in 1996, he was sipping Guinness, he squinted up to the restaurant mezzanine and said 'there are girls are up there. Lads you gotta buy em dinner'. I stood about 8 ft away from him. I stopped playing guitar for about a month because I tried to make sense of the reality of him. I had the Sand CD but it never worked in any player so I just kept it in a rack, unlistened. Then about 10 years later I put it on and it worked! I heard the story of a young lad from town going to the seaside and all of his feelings and emotions, expectations and desires. Allan Holdsworth was a singular musical visionary with a singular voice that spoke directly to me and made me love him. RIP Allan. Great job Andy.

[@dreamofdragons3424]

I thought Guthrie was good but Roy Marchbank is a whole other level baby!!!Flying above his contemporaries in every aspect. Just as Allan was in his day, if he’d been more appreciated then. Did we throw that chance away, to spend more time with greatness? Probably. Will we do it again? Hope not. I’m well impressed with the new synth direction Roy’s taking.Allan would have got right in about that too.

[@davereed6651]

So happy I found this post. Thank you so much for this great piece on Alan Holdsworth. Truly a genius and we miss him

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

You're very welcome

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

I am watching the video on KZbin and I think Andy did a great job on this. Timing is critical to success, but as Roy Beatto pointed out, a great deal of Holdsworth's thinking paralleled Pat Metheny (I personally think Beatto oversimplifies it here), but Metheny moved a bit more slowly. As listeners, over my 70 years, popular thinking tends to accept certain levels as the best...and attach to certain players. The issue is that players don't stop at Hendrix, McLaughlin, Van Halen, or (name the latest icon) in their development. Music and players don't stop progressing. Audiences sometimes do because they get comfortable with a certain level or approach. Just to note some comments below: Roy Marchbank showed up on my algorithm when I started looking for Holdsworth, so the right searches will produce hits. When I saw Zappa plays Zappa a few years ago, I overheard one audience member saying he didn't like the fast guitar playing Dweezil was doing. It is his right to dislike it, but I know a lot of people who can't follow fast players. They just can't understand it or think it's showboating. These same people would have probably disliked Page, Winter, or Hendrix or later McLaughlin, Coryell, Dimeola, etc back then. It's a little bit of work to absorb higher speeds. More work to absorb new tonalities and chord structures, etc. By the way, Andy, of rock players, I have observed guitar players tend to be Luddite not only with technique but equipment. Many insist on Tube amps, classic guitars when the newer equipment can provide more flexibility. Al Kooper, when playing organ a few years back, was asked by the guitarists he played with to rent a B3 rather than use a modeling keyboard because the guitar players didn't like the sound of the digital instruments. I am primarily a keyboard player and the sonic difference is pretty insignificant. Folks like Holdsworth make breakthroughs because they are uncompromising...but I think he still would have run into stone wall because his language was always changing and jazz was walled off, and music in general was becoming more rigid in the late 1970s onward. I know the man who brought Holdsworth and Elton Dean together for Soft Machine Legacy and Dean was struggling too through his commitment to free jazz. Record companies won't take chances because many listeners won't. It's a vicious circle. But the serious listener- I really encourage people to challenge themselves to seek out new talent. I think a lot of people see the best music through a rear view mirror, but it is still being made. I live in the past a lot myself, but I like to visit new places or places I missed. It's fun!

[@deetgeluid]

Allan was not just a great guitarist, he was a great musician. There is a difference.

[@lex.cordis]

He was a genius musician. There is no one before or since that sounds like his compositions. SOME come close to imitating his soloing. He had a musical universe all his own with no discernible influence. I think he's the most brilliant singular musical artist to ever live.

[@michaelsneedleman7592]

Great rant. I have to admit that I went to see Allan at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London back in the 80s with a whole group of very eager guitarists. Allan was deep into the Synthaxe and mostly using a patch that emulated a flute. I'll confess that it was a bit of a shock and my ears were not open enough to simply engage with the content. That said, later videos of him playing in trios and mostly using his signature guitars have been a joy. There is a terrible reluctance to embrace the new, especially in the guitar community. I remember when McLaughlin unleashed Shakti to a wave of disappointment. It's funny to see them lauded now - vindicated after 50 years. Twas ever thus. Keep that passion, Andy.

[@Fender73472]

I got to see the IOU tour 1982with husband Carmichael and Williams keystone., Palo Alto calif , great show miss you Allan RIP

[@robvandendolder3157]

Good on you Andy. Great insight into the legend that is Alan Holdsworth. As mentioned below it appears that not enough people have learned from earlier mistakes. Thank you 😎👍

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks for that

[@JazzzRockFuzion]

A beautiful, authoritative, thorough and heartfelt tribute to my favorite musician of all time. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this 🤜🤛

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks for listening

[@stevesmith3990]

Great talk Andy, I only saw Allan Holdsworth once back in 1989 (Jimmy Johnson was on bass!), he was playing that synth axe thing a lot of the time. I too missed other chances to see him and now kick myself. Will have another listen to Roy Marchbank - cheers.

[@davecollins1048]

Great video on my favorite guitarist. Lucky to have seen him twice, but even more lucky to have his recordings.

[@biorythmicshifter]

I can’t thank you enough for introducing,e to the amazing Roy Marchbank. Just an astonishing talent. Not sure if you ever heard of Steve Topping. His first album and Late Flower are incredible works of art on an elite level. I actually came across him from some very complimentary statements made by Allan Holdsworth. Being the connoisseur you are I’m sure you would find him of interest if you haven’t already heard him…keep up the good work my friend.

[@loobomorph]

Steve Topping's music is amazing. Especially Late Flower I find an absolutely wonderful musical statement (with the chaps - Gary Husband and Jimmy Johnson). To my great disappointment Steve has never put out another record and has just gone silent.

[@laurieharper1526]

This is very thoughtful Andy and I agree with you, especially your point that many feel threatened by musicians as good as Allan and Roy Marchbank (he's astounding, too) and try to belittle what they are doing to make themselves feel better. You can't help but think of that Joni Mitchell line - "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" - when you look at the Holdsworth industry that has sprung up following his death. I guess some feel guilty/ashamed that they didn't take more notice, or worse, that they were unkind about him whilst he was alive. I struggled with Allan. I didn't like some of his music, especially on first hearing, but whenever I hear it, I have to listen. Part of that is amazement at what he is (was) doing - technically, he was a wizard, whether or not you subscribe to the cliché that technique = no feeling (I don't) - but I also love the way he takes you down a musical back road and just as you are thinking "Not sure I like this", he resolves it in some way and you think "That's lovely". and come back for more. And anyone who 's modest and loves traditional bitter and push bikes is automatically a good bloke in my book. All the best.

[@PaulRoseGuitar]

Great video, I agree with everything your saying basically. Thanks.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks for watching!

[@toddwebb6216]

I couldn't get enough of Holdsworth, I bought every album he produced, and any album he played on [Jean Luc Ponty ect.] He made a tingling in your spine and grand vistas manifest in your imagination.

[@evetsnitram8866]

I saw Allan at - * The Roxy * The Golden Bear in HB * The Coach House in SJC * The Galaxy in CM * The Baked Potato twice * Catalina's Bar & Grill (old & new) All within reasonable driving distance. I was blessed.

[@ceticobr]

Blessed indeed! I'm so jealous.

[@timothydillow3160]

"Allan Holdsworth single-handedly rewrote the language of jazz guitar." td

[@TheFissionchips]

I found this vid, and because of your words checkout out Roy. He's a freaking genius. I love Allan and Shawn, but there's always going to be someone who takes it to a NEW level. People who can;t hear emotion at speed have SLOW MIND and probably vote and watch TV. ignore them.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Part 1 argues for order amid chaos, Part 2 argues for chaos but is ordered. The last part is music, you see my records then a spider with her spiderlings whilst a tune of mine plays.

[@Quinceps]

I support the Marchbank! I believe there’s no limit to skill and the guy is just pushing and pushing! I can’t dream of having his skill, but I do know that’s the way you become more and more skillful from personal experience.

[@oolongoolong789]

I've just remembered that I saw Allan Holdsworth in 1980 when he was touring with the UK fusion band Turning Point. Neil Ardley (synths) was the other guest member on that tour. On the subject of innovative guitarists, Britain has produced several very important guitarists in the avant-garde field - Derek Bailey, Keith Rowe, Fred Frith.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Andy taking us all out to the woodshed. I freely admit to being a stodgy Luddite and that much of the modern virtuoso players leave me in the dust. I am not qualified to be critical of that, I am amazed and maybe confused at times, It’s not my realm, I collaborated in songwriting with a partner and my guitar went dinky doinky. Allan was a giant as is Roy, I think it’s fantastic that players are pushing the boundries. Andy maybe you should edit some of these “Woodshed” comments into shorts, they are very engaging and thought provoking. Thanks for another great video.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

i just don't like those accusing Roy of being a fake

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer it’s a reprehensible thing to say. You know delicate egos get jealous. I hope he takes it as a compliment. No one would accuse my playing of being fake : ) I can see he’s actually playing, maybe it’s the midi. Back in the 90s with the latency and the tracking, that would not have been possible. If you interview Roy I would like to know more about how the breath controller is incorporated and why he chose to use that tech.

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

I love Derek Bailey too!

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

I saw a quote from McLaughlin in which he said he thought Holdsworth was brilliant and he would nick Holdsworth's licks if he could figure out what Holdsworth was doing!

[@petercricket]

Story very well told ..Thanks..

[@Oenloveslife]

So insightful Andy! "...drink from the source"!

[@Fender73472]

Thank Andy for covering Allan Holdsworth he’s very misunderstood.

[@andresmarino2788]

It’s so very good to hear you speak of the industry around Alan that has emerged . All these headless guitars . The genius of that pickup w 22 pots on fat boys … etc. The REH video , it’s not that it doesn’t reveal much , it’s that what it reveals , the window into his thinking - the method and the applications are so huge that some simple guiding principles and guidelines are enough to unfold several lifetime’s worth of work in familiarizing oneself or absorb any of it : pan diatonic interval structures across scales to generate chords : seeing form as the possible keys/scale/chords as they occur for how long things last ; “ time signatures “- “ it’s all in one “ philosophy . He innovated and did it his own way in every aspect . Maybe it’s the era he came up in , or cultural stuff … or the lack of basic recognition for his art and contribution…. that could make almost anyone an alcoholic … to feel insane and alone for being moved by these things and the culture seems to not care . That jazz ethos of every night the solos are different against the backdrop of these elaborate personal statements . He was so ahead of his time . I saw him twice as well . I knew a compliment was not going to land so I just told him that I’m moved by his music and it’s important to me. ( keep editing to comment on things as I follow your vid ). I’m so curious now to hear this Roy player . One last thing about the industry ; the people that snubbed him before that have to reconcile and accept things now … the taxidermised bear that hangs above you at brunch is not to be confused with an actual bear . Alan was a bear

[@neilsaunders6009]

For a period of about 5 years - 1976-1981 - I used to scan the London listings and attend every Allan Holdsworth gig that I could. One of my favourite gigs was one that he did at the Half Moon in Putney, with Pat Smythe on electric piano and Ray Warleigh on sax. I'm pretty sure that the great Bryan Spring (another largely unsung genius that I used to "stalk" on the jazz circuit) was on drums, and I think either Jeff Berlin or Dill Katz was on bass.

[@kellybanks3720]

I’ve said this earlier on another channel, I couldn’t be more proud of Roy Marchbank if he was my own son! I’ve watched his progress for many years now and have always been immensely impressed by his unique talents as a musician and composer but just as much by his absolute determination to stick to his vision. He’s been misquoted and undermined in ways that would drive many to drink or worse. I saw this happen to Holdsworth. Never a bad drunk and thankfully he still lived his three score years and ten, Lane wasn’t so lucky. Both had hardly a pot to piss in when their time came! I’m a hardened old sod now but even I’ve been surprised at the relentless witch-hunt from certain dark corners of the Internet directed at Roy. It’s obvious to those who are prepared to listen and are used to listening to complex music that Roy’s is one of those unique talents you’ll witness once, maybe twice in a lifetime. I’ve seen it twice, once in Allan, now in Roy, though Roy’s taken legato to a whole other dimension. One thing I never saw in Holdsworth was the range of styles that Roy can play, I also never saw Holdsworth play acoustic guitar but I’m sure he could and probably very well. Perhaps he never got the chance to really bring that to an appreciative audience? I wasn’t that keen on the SynthAxe but this Swam technology is something else. It’s in the right hands and mouth for maximum musical exploration! Jazz fusion and prog now has a new king of the six strings and whilst I won’t be forgetting the legacy on which the new stands, I’m ready to accept innovation because the alternative is trying to smash it down or banish it and that’s doing the future of original music and these other worldly musicians no good at all. There you go Andy, I’ve had my rant now thanks for the video, what you said needed to be said. Law of Three must stick to the vision now you’ve been unleashed on a unsuspecting public!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Do you know Roy, Kelly??

[@LawofThree]

Kelly I'm touched by your kind words. My own father rarely offered encouragement so it's a pleasure to hear your supportive of me and our new band. Much appreciated Sir!

[@kellybanks3720]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer only as a keen follower. Virtuosity and audience reaction to it has always enthralled me.

[@kellybanks3720]

@@LawofThree You’re welcome. I say it as I see it! Keep up the good work.

[@adamjacksonmedia]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE... How the greatest electic rock-guitar playing ever recorded, was performed by a guy who didn't really like guitar, and doesn't really enjoy playing rock 😂😂😂 Bless Mr Allan Holdsworth!!!

[@IsothermeMusic]

I bought Atavachron at the Harvard Coop in Cambridge, MA in 86 when it came out…my first Holdsworth album. Naively, I was a 16-year old guitarist and was curious about all the hype Metal Fatigue had stirred. I saw him open for Chick Corea Elektric Band a few months later and I never looked back. I was smitten. I got to shake his hand about 10 years later in a small club outside Albany, NY and thanked him for all the years of music that grew to mean so much to me. That’s a moment I’ll never forget.

[@gcrauwels941]

My friends once told me what I was playing sounded like Allan back in the early 80s. I had no idea who he was but became an instant fan once I got Road Games and was blown away by 'Tokyo Dream'. Also became a Chad Wackerman fan from that, but didn't realize he was with Zappa. Incredible artist.

[@zoomzoom3950]

Great insights, narrative and analysis. Thank you! If only Allan would have done the "one" commercially successful album and tour to solidify his future income, I can only imagine what he would have done when he didn't worry about finances. Cheers! edit: I will never play like Allan, but I am working to capture some of his tones in homage. Allan is by far my favorite guitarist and tied with Keith Emerson for my favorite musician. I often imagine a Holdsworth & Emerson collaboration in my music dreams!

[@lucydayLucida]

Both incredible musicians and sorely under-appreciated. A collaboration between those two would be sublime indeed!

[@danu6718]

Great show, again, Andy. I just checked out a short video of "Law Of Three", your band, wow. That's amazing stuff 👏👏🎉 I'd love to see you interview and chat with your guitar player. He's incredible. He was doing what sounded like "The Lark Ascending" amongst other mind blowing stuff. It sounded excellent.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

There are a couple of interviews with him on here. I started out as a big fan...

[@danu6718]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I will check them out. The band really sounds incredible, I'm amazed. You are a very modest person 😃👍

[@fusionfan6883]

Hi Andy, as you know I am an Allan nut having bought Igginbottom when it came out and preached his gospel ever since. I agree with nearly all you say (happy to discuss those things I don't 🙂), but the one thing that has lifted my heart is we are now seeing Allan's influence permeating so many young advanced guitarists today, if you look at YT, there are countless videos featuring Allan inspired tutorials etc. John Mclaughlin is absolutely entitled to be up there with the greats, but Allan was and always will be otherworldly. What a lot of people fail to remember about Allan is that he innovated guitar technique on a number of occasions in addition to his obvious harmonic and compositional genius. For me, Allan is above all others.

[@arnaudb.7669]

Very insightful. Thanks.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TractorCountdown]

I hope Roy is thick-skinned enough to take the Luddite comments as compliments, albeit backhanded ones. But, yeah, your rant is well justified, Andy. As for Alan; you say he was a perfectionist, which can be a curse, making someone their own worst enemy. It's unfortunate that he apologised to you about what he considered a bad performance after you'd been so enthused by it. It seems like it didn't affect you too much (correct me if I'm wrong), but over the years performing on stage I've seen that happen a lot with fellow actors saying to friends/fans/family who've come a long way to see them perform, really enjoyed it, only to be told, "Oh, but you should've come last night, it was much better" - or, worse - "the audience was much better." Cheers, Ian

[@johannhauffman323]

Wonderful Video Andy ! I really hope you and your mates blow the gate up to the point there is no gate anymore !

[@mattdowie92]

Nice one, Andy. I shall sit down with a beer this evening and watch this. Thanks for giving me a good Friday night!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

i get a bit incendiary at the end. There are some twats out there....

[@mattdowie92]

​@AndyEdwardsDrummer I like your passion at that bit. Right on!

[@JCM-LedZeppelin-Stories]

Andy thank you for sharing this video. Spot on and sheds light into the enigma of AH. I have mixed feelings on the musical education industry revealing the maestro's secrets...lots or players want to learn but forget to follow their own sound. A thought provoking video throughout :)

[@teletdf]

I hear this and think of Les Paul and Bill Frisell and Django. Innovators who changed music. Good show, Andy.

[@mpwjones1]

Saw him in Toronto with Stanley Clarke and friends (Steve Smith, Airto, sax Brecker) playing real book standards....Stanley on upright. AH just wove cool things through those guys all night.

[@lw1391]

Wow. When was this? (and what venue?)

[@Ken-gf1vb]

I saw Allan in the 80s and then again actually opened for Allan at a club in Miami in the 2000's. He always inspired me and i always looked forward to his next recording and i was never dissapointed. Now the closest musician i know who i actually look forward to his recordings now is Scott Henderson.

[@josexavierjr.5633]

Great video, Andy! Thank you telling it like it is about Allan H., and other wannabee music critics who don’t know a thing about music, musicians, and most off all, JAZZ!! 👍🥁🥁🥁🥁👌

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks for that

[@zootallures6470]

I’ve seen Allan twice. First time with Steve Hunt, Jimmy Johnson, Chad Wakerman. Second time with Gary Novak and Dave Carpenter. Novak and Carpenter went backstage, Allan to the bar. So I managed to have a short conversation with him before more fans came and started talking to him. He is the world’s most modest person.

[@joeylodes]

Buddy of mine from Long Island , guitarist John Vullo , did an amazing 5 Hour deep dive youtube lesson on Holdsworth’s playing. It’s incredible. Everyone should check it out.

[@davidscott1052]

Don't forget the wonderful Jim Mullen if you are mentioning British guitar greats ....happily still with us.....plus (not a guitarist) Gary Husband who played drums with both Allan and Jim

[@johngarbutt]

Well said Andy. Many of us agree with you. Allan Holdsworth was very special.

[@MarvinSheats]

I had never heard of guitarist Roy Marchbank prior to your video and he is AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for his introduction. I'll be listening more of him.

[@roddmcleodable]

I love Atavachron. To me, it's the jazzy cousin of Rush's Grace Under Pressure... a kind of humanistic take on cold war paranoia.

[@Samsgarden]

Holdsworth was a purist and an artist, which is why he self-deprecated, died penniless and according to Husband, had an alcohol addiction.

[@vincentrockel1149]

I discovered Allen probably through Jean Luc Ponty, but it's hard to remember. That was a long time ago. Love the Bill Bruford album he's on as well.

[@vbassone]

The onset of people/guitarists/musicians transcribing and analyzing Holdsworth started to become an “industry” as you say, before Allan passed away in 2017. Your point in this video however is true and well taken; it does seem that since his passing there are more and more analysis videos of his playing and music now on KZbin for instance, as well as transcription books appearing.

[@alanmatthew5713]

"Holdsworth is the BEST in my book." - Edward Van Halen

[@deetgeluid]

Same with Lukather. Or any top player for that matter.❤

[@flame-sky7148]

Yea, I remember Allan Holdsworth even had to shut his forum down years ago because of the negative insults towards other musicians. Yea, we were all waiting for a studio album after the year 2000 but it didn't happen. Great breakdown and the comparison to the story of Round Midnight is synonymous with darkness of life of being a jazz musician, Velvet Darkness. Allan's music was also dark and beautiful, and his playing was like lightning sort of like the concept on Nikola Tesla.

[@steliosposeidon6871]

Thanks for this, very good precis on the man. FWIW I love and would recommend to the uninitiated: IOU, Believe It (Tony Williams New Lifetime), UK’s first album and ‘The Sixteen Men of Tain’.

[@patrickselden5747]

Brilliant video, Andy!! ☝️😎

[@johnreilly9748]

Yes AH! Had the opportunity to see him many times over the years and always had a good chat and drink with him at the venues but yes a sad end for the Paganini of the guitar, one of the most brilliant!

[@wolfchapz7669]

Great video. I learned a lot man you’re killin it

[@nogbadthebad2609]

One thing I have found frustrating over the years is, I can't find a single quote from Jeff Beck about Allan Holdsworth. I even asked Gary Husband had Jeff Beck ever discussed Allan with him, and his answer was "not to his recollection" . Why? as he often commented on McLaughlin being the best guitarist, plus Vinnie Colaiuta played with both Allan and Jeff. Who knows? Sadly, two of the best electric guitarist ever have now departed. Also, let's not forget the late, great Ollie Halsall everyone. Another great player ahead of his time and with mutual respect for Allan.

[@naderzekrya5238]

Man absolutely! - they have a lot in parallel common. Not a single public comment from Jeff since the release of "Blow by Blow" + "Bundles" until the end!

[@johncasu4066]

There was a story about Allan being approached at a NAMM show by someone who asked him if he was Allan, and it turned out to be Jeff Beck.

[@snowfiresunwind]

I've often wondered that as well. I was very disappointed when I saw the Beck documentary on BBC4 some years back that he raved continually about JM but not a word about Holdsworth.

[@nogbadthebad2609]

@@snowfiresunwind Absolutely, my thoughts at the time too

[@nogbadthebad2609]

@@johncasu4066 I find that hard to believe, especially when they are both in that world of guitar fusion music. I always wondered if perhaps Jeff wasn't jealous of Allan? Every other guitarist of note, from rock and metal, to jazz and fusion, has given the nod to Allan, the list is endless.

[@bluecrueful]

I loved that album. Found it at a college radio station library back in the late 80s, and dubbed it to cassette-- as they used to say

[@shitmandood]

I used to borrow CDs from ppl and “dub” to cassette…Stone Age Napster. 😅

[@erikheddergott5514]

Just comming back from Vienne in France and finally have seen Pat Metheny for the first Time and being served in the best Way, I thought that he has integrated some Allan Holdsworth whom I have never seen Live. Being the grumpy nasty Nerd I am I want to mention that Richard Thompson is my favorite British Guitar Player. Thanks for a great Explanation of Allan.

[@alexpaton2818]

I loved this an thank you. I first came across Allan in 1967 and later became a huge fan buying almost everything he made. It s nice you mentioned great players like Halsall and Lane. Another guitarist of note back then was John Etheridge and also Gary Boyle is worth a mention. I wish someone would write Allan s biography. How about you Andy? I m sure you could put something very worthwhile together.

[@andrewwilson711]

Great tribute Andy to a.true one off legend x

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@glennliljeblad7534]

Hi Andy. I am thoroughly enjoying your videos and your knowledge and appreciation of music. I have a quick little Holdsworth story. In December 1988. I was in a small little bar here in my little town playing pinball. This swinging doors right next to the pinball machine opened and three guys wearing leather jackets walked in and the third guy was a Allan Holdsworth. I made iContact with him And I must’ve made a funny expression the way he looked back at me. I let the ball just drop down and bounce off the flippers and go away. I decided to turn around and introduce myself, and he let me sit down with him for about an hour and a half and we had beers and chatted it up. He had Doug Boyle from Robert Plant’s band with him so he was of the same alumni as you. He introduced himself as the biggest Allan Holdsworth fan. Allan’s album Sand had just been released, and we had a great time chatting about music and guitars. I was fortunate enough to meet him one more time after a local show. He was a true innovator.

[@ApolloSuns]

Great video. Appreciation grows for Holdsworth

[@dirtharris]

Violinists, piano players, trumpeters, saxophonists, drummers, flautists ..... you name it .... have had free reign to go speeding into the night with a flurry of fast notes without anyone complaining or screaming 'LACK OF EMOTION!!!'. When guitar players play fast, for some reason, it's emotionless, self-indulgent, technical. An improvisational guitar player, with a knowledge of music and their instrument are just expressing what they feel, IN THE MOMENT, and if they are good enough, like Holdsworth, they can express ANYTHING they want to. Playing fast is an expression of an emotion; just a different emotion than playing more slowly. It's like the difference between gentle rain or a raging torrent from a huge waterfall.... and all points in between. All tempos have their place in the human well of emotion... you can walk slowly, or you can run as fast as you want.... one is relaxing, the other is exhilarating ... but they all expressions of different human feelings, therefore equally valid. Allan Holdsworth is amazing, and he can express whatever he wants to.... and there are more emotions than just 'sad' or 'uplifting'... that players like David Gilmore brilliantly express. Uncertainty, confusion, anger, desperation, euphoria, bliss, elation, searching, contentment, hunger ..... players like Allan Holdsworth show it is possible to express so many different emotions than the standard happy or sad. Lots of people don't get it because it's too challenging for them, and I understand why... lots of people are content with the straightforward, tried and tested and the 'what they know'.

[@PeffDada]

Great metaphors......I completely agree

[@ericarmstrong6540]

Much respect to Allan for his obstinate attitude about his music. My favorite Allan Holdsworth work is on the Ian Carr album, Belladonna, the Bill Bruford albums, Gazeuze by Gong, Bundles by Soft Machine and on UK. Allan did not seem very healthy at the end. Maybe it was the alcohol. IMHO, videos of his last live performances near the end of his life seem to show his technique as being somewhat diminished, by Allan's standards, with frequent pauses in his playing as if he was searching for the "right" note to play. He was the greatest guitarist I have ever heard.