Got into Holdsworth in the late 70's, early 80's. Bought up everything I could find - Bruford, JLP, Gong, Soft Machine. Road Games, IOU, cassette of the Tempest record. Saw him at dinner clubs. Met him several times, had my pic taken with him at the Carvin booth at NAMM. Still have the GP mags, learned to mimic him on guitar but I could never actually play his music. >>SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME STORY! It's amazing how much of an impression he left.
I hear other people comment that they have heard people say Allan didn't play with emotion. I have never heard that. I will say that he, with the first note I ever heard him play struck me in the heart where I had never felt it before. From that note I have followed every note he played in everyone's music. I'm a drummer but he is my idol. He is self taught and couldn't read music. To me, he is so far ahead of everyone. If people say he doesnt play with emotion, perhaps it's because they cant understand it. I just hate the fact that I wont hear anything new from him. I have been going back to the stuff I used to play to in high school and his solos still hit my heart. I had forgotten about gong and being a drummer... how could I forget that stuff. But, I absolutely love his solo on "Sleepy" and "3 blind mice" and others from that album. I think that 200 years from now people will be studying Allan. Honestly, I just have never heard anyone on his level. Miss him!!!
Steve Vai mentioned this in one of his videos. He said that AH didn't play with emotion, he played connected, which is much higher than playing with emotions. Lots of people can play with emotion, but few can play connected.
@@Simon-xi8tb saw that interview. Was a brilliant point. Who could make guitar players or otherwise very "involved" musicians sob besides this rare human.... being like no one else.
You must remember that most people have their ears placed deep up their ass ,especially guitar players! IMHO Allan was one off the most emotional musicians that ever walked this planet!
Allan Holdsworth always seems to play his best stuff in other people's bands. His playing, and his tone, are magnificent here. One of his best studio solos for sure.
The more ihear of Holdsworth , the more i REALLY LOVE this Music ..So "Not from this World" i mean Allan Holdsworth ...GENIUS MAXIMUS #This Solo Give me Goosebumps ... It´s UNBELIEVABLE Beautiful .
Couldn't agree more, man. On the Lifetime albums & all his stuff w Jean-Luc P... amazing. I've sometimes wondered if his harmonic sense was just SO far ahead of mine that I couldn't quite follow where his compositions were going on his own records, lol.
I’ve been an AH fan for over 35 years and I’ve never heard this before.I HATE it when a masterpiece like this slips buy me for all these years. Also have to give a shout out to the drummer. Listening to the guitar makes you take your attention away from the great drumming. The guitar and drums are absolutely in sync. Great tune.
I laugh and cry when I listen to Allan play. He tells the story of the beauty of mankind. I cry because I can't see the beauty he could. And I laugh because thanks to him I know it exists. Instrumentality is nothing compared to the weight of those truths. I experience the world through a different lens.
I am not a religious person. But this is the kind of music to which I completely surrender my sins, and beg for forgiveness. I have done so much wrong. I'm not deserving of his words of encouragement. I can't stop crying.
The level of transcendence in this track is just beyond words... I compare it to Maggot Brain, it's just full of emotions, and both songs are so similar in that regard and even the arpeggiated chords in the background... It's just a lovely track to ponder about life or to just take a step back and let it do the talking. Thanks Allan for your beautiful music and contributions, I'm aware you never liked compliments, but I can sense just how connected you were to everything... Your music is the only thing getting me through rough times, so thank you again for everything. Hope you are well on the other side. Much love from planet Earth, Allan.
Ian Muir Rest assured, there are many who worship the product of AH's musical contribution. His music will be mindfully listened to and studied for a long time. He created an inimitable "one in a billion" product.
Yes! myself is discovering his music after nearly 30 years of Guitar playing ..i am SO Fascinated ...that i NEED to put some of his Style , which is very Complex and unique , into my playing ...ABSOLUTE Stunning and Genius/Virtuos ..His Tonematerial and Chords are ....(Looking Glass...so BEAUTIFUL Music ) NOW i understand why Eddie Van Halen (one of my fvourite rock players) Steve vai etc say that he´s the absolute Master of all Masters (Especially Eddie is his biggest fan i think ..)
I discovered Alan H after reading an interview with Eddie Van Halen. I was a teenager, and listened to a lot of virtuoso music, both in metal and in jazz fusion. The sound of the 80s is necessarily a little dated, there were also a lot of technical but uninteresting bands. When I had in my hands the album "Metal Fatigue, I felt a lot of things. It was so deep, singular. I felt like I had a universe to discover, as it was the case. with the French group Magma, and other references from the 70s. In the 80s, between the difficult beginnings of digital sound and the futile complexity, there were still miles of shitty music. Alan Holdsworth's music easily makes you forget a somewhat dated production It speaks to your soul
WHAt a PerfectGuitar Sound ..i Think i am in Dream Land This Music is SO NOT Describable to find Words , so Eternally Beautiful ..i NEVER heard something Like Holdsworth ..OMG
Holy Lord Jesus Christ Allan he wasn't human ....no way. ni first time listen to him 1979 and still I have the same feelings ...he wasn't from this universe ...no way
yup, you're spot on - not just the tune but the TONE here is what sets AH apart. Here is another beautiful AH tone, almost sad and wistful from Andrea Marcelli's "Moon.": th-cam.com/video/mSQxnpQg83A/w-d-xo.html
I think this is one of my favorite songs that Allan played. There is so much feeling and heart in this song. The feeling reminds me of Above and Below. After hearing this song, i purchased "Gongzilla" "Suffer" and love the whole release. Thank you so very much for the post John Narnia!
Indeed it is a beautiful gift from Allan. One of my favorites. I was so taken with this track I actually did a cover of it...could not get it out my head so I needed to release it through my fingers. Great analogy to Above and Below! Hansford Rowe just released a follow up via PledgeMusic called 'Gong Expresso.' The album includes a bonus track - a 1979 trio recording of The Things You See by Allan Holdsworth featuring Gary Husband and Hansford Rowe. Allan is so missed.
I can understand why you were taken with this song. I listen to it over and over just to feel that joy that it creates in my mind. Thanks for the mention of Mr. Rowe's PledgeMusic release. I will be listening to it. Mr. Rowe wrote this song. He really knew how to write to Allan's strengths. That is some kind of good trio! Take care.
Is it Allan all the way through? Totally Allan in the big solo but the start and end parts sound different. A song could not be more beautiful than this.
Me neither, but there are several comments in social media. I just think that those making those comments are not patient enough to listen to his works. The more I listen to his solos, chord progressions, etc, the more I'm just floored by his abilities.
Couldn't agree more. AH's music may need a few listens but then the rewards that you get back for the effort are tremendous - your musical horizons will be expanded significantly. Everything he plays on turns to gold imho.
@@kelvinpanesar6511 Trolls of the greats are idiots that don't realize they only embarrass themselves by displaying foolish disrespect for people that are obviously infinitely more significant and talented than themselves.
Allan was an incredible improviser he kind of reinvented his style and sound to a lesser extent through his life he took chances and with his unique genius came highs and lows I myself heard several pieces that I didn’t like and put me off30 yrs ago then just browsing saw him play looking glass live bin catching up last 18 moths
As others have stated so well - spot on - it is not just the tune but the TONE here that sets this piece and AH apart. Here is another beautiful tone, almost sad and wistful from Andrea Marcelli's "Moon" AH plays Baritone guitar. Anyone out here know of other tunes where AH plays Baritone? : th-cam.com/video/mSQxnpQg83A/w-d-xo.html
This is a very good question, all I found was some live performances of him using it, it's a shame he didn't use it more and implement those lower notes. I'd love to hear more material of the baritone
It's actually pretty easy for me to differentiate between Bon and Allan. There are so many players over the years that have developed and mastered the legato approach, but there is only one Allan Holdsworth. The closest I have heard, in my opinion, was Bill Connors on a CD called STEP IT.
+Jeff Felderman Check out the guitarist Nico Stufano (Trace of Jazz song). It's amazing how at some point you check out the album's credits to make sure Holdsworth wasn't playing there instead.
Step It was/is a great release! Bill Connors can play anything very well. I think he is very underrated. If you like Step It, check out Double Up and Assembler. They were great too!
Now there is another young virtuoso that we must pay attention to, it seems that he is Allan's advanced student, he is an Italian guitarist, search for "Mancuso"
is it Pierre Moerlin on drums? i love him but really hate the wildly overplayed drums on this. Let the music breathe for god’s sake, it’s not an technique exhibition. Holdsy amazing of course
Got into Holdsworth in the late 70's, early 80's. Bought up everything I could find - Bruford, JLP, Gong, Soft Machine. Road Games, IOU, cassette of the Tempest record. Saw him at dinner clubs. Met him several times, had my pic taken with him at the Carvin booth at NAMM. Still have the GP mags, learned to mimic him on guitar but I could never actually play his music. >>SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME STORY! It's amazing how much of an impression he left.
I hear other people comment that they have heard people say Allan didn't play with emotion. I have never heard that. I will say that he, with the first note I ever heard him play struck me in the heart where I had never felt it before. From that note I have followed every note he played in everyone's music. I'm a drummer but he is my idol. He is self taught and couldn't read music. To me, he is so far ahead of everyone. If people say he doesnt play with emotion, perhaps it's because they cant understand it. I just hate the fact that I wont hear anything new from him. I have been going back to the stuff I used to play to in high school and his solos still hit my heart. I had forgotten about gong and being a drummer... how could I forget that stuff. But, I absolutely love his solo on "Sleepy" and "3 blind mice" and others from that album. I think that 200 years from now people will be studying Allan. Honestly, I just have never heard anyone on his level. Miss him!!!
People are stupid. Allan was 100% emotionally player.
Steve Vai mentioned this in one of his videos. He said that AH didn't play with emotion, he played connected, which is much higher than playing with emotions. Lots of people can play with emotion, but few can play connected.
Every musicians expressions are not the same.
@@Simon-xi8tb saw that interview. Was a brilliant point. Who could make guitar players or otherwise very "involved" musicians sob besides this rare human.... being like no one else.
You must remember that most people have their ears placed deep up their ass ,especially guitar players!
IMHO Allan was one off the most emotional musicians that ever walked this planet!
Allan Holdsworth always seems to play his best stuff in other people's bands. His playing, and his tone, are magnificent here. One of his best studio solos for sure.
The more ihear of Holdsworth , the more i REALLY LOVE this Music ..So "Not from this World" i mean Allan Holdsworth ...GENIUS MAXIMUS #This Solo Give me Goosebumps ...
It´s UNBELIEVABLE Beautiful .
Totally agree
The imminent comparison makes him stand out even more.
Couldn't agree more, man. On the Lifetime albums & all his stuff w Jean-Luc P... amazing. I've sometimes wondered if his harmonic sense was just SO far ahead of mine that I couldn't quite follow where his compositions were going on his own records, lol.
I completely agree. I first heard him playing on a Jean Luc Ponty album and have been a huge fan ever since then.
I’ve been an AH fan for over 35 years and I’ve never heard this before.I HATE it when a masterpiece like this slips buy me for all these years. Also have to give a shout out to the drummer. Listening to the guitar makes you take your attention away from the great drumming. The guitar and drums are absolutely in sync. Great tune.
I just found this about 2 weeks ago! I've been a big fan for decades starting with Tempest. I just checked-1972.
Me neither. I have so many live and bootleg recordings, but I haven't heard this.
I laugh and cry when I listen to Allan play. He tells the story of the beauty of mankind. I cry because I can't see the beauty he could. And I laugh because thanks to him I know it exists. Instrumentality is nothing compared to the weight of those truths. I experience the world through a different lens.
I am not a religious person. But this is the kind of music to which I completely surrender my sins, and beg for forgiveness. I have done so much wrong. I'm not deserving of his words of encouragement. I can't stop crying.
Well said. Allan was a gift to all humanity.
Wow!! Very well said!!!
One of the best tunes ever from the great Allan Holdsworth. Love this guy forever
The level of transcendence in this track is just beyond words... I compare it to Maggot Brain, it's just full of emotions, and both songs are so similar in that regard and even the arpeggiated chords in the background... It's just a lovely track to ponder about life or to just take a step back and let it do the talking. Thanks Allan for your beautiful music and contributions, I'm aware you never liked compliments, but I can sense just how connected you were to everything... Your music is the only thing getting me through rough times, so thank you again for everything. Hope you are well on the other side. Much love from planet Earth, Allan.
Holdsworth is beyond the simple noodling of we mere mortals. Remember he heard every note before he played it.
Very melodic and subdued. A great vibe with this arrangement. Allan had a feeling and a touch which connected with the universal.
quite possibly the best track EVER.
Brought tears to my eyes playing this today .
So sad he has passed on, and was so unrewarded for his genius.
Agreed. One of a kind that we will never see again. So thankful for the music he left behind.
Ian Muir Rest assured, there are many who worship the product of AH's musical contribution. His music will be mindfully listened to and studied for a long time. He created an inimitable "one in a billion" product.
Yes! myself is discovering his music after nearly 30 years of Guitar playing ..i am SO Fascinated ...that i NEED to put some of his Style , which is very Complex and unique , into my playing ...ABSOLUTE Stunning and Genius/Virtuos ..His Tonematerial and Chords are ....(Looking Glass...so BEAUTIFUL Music )
NOW i understand why Eddie Van Halen (one of my fvourite rock players) Steve vai etc say that he´s the absolute Master of all Masters (Especially Eddie is his biggest fan i think ..)
No rewards, no remorse
wow just wow 25 years of listening to this man and he never ceases to amaze me, the tone the texture the flow and the sophistication, outstanding!!
Rest in piece, maestro! You will never be forgotten.
I discovered Alan H after reading an interview with Eddie Van Halen. I was a teenager, and listened to a lot of virtuoso music, both in metal and in jazz fusion. The sound of the 80s is necessarily a little dated, there were also a lot of technical but uninteresting bands. When I had in my hands the album "Metal Fatigue, I felt a lot of things. It was so deep, singular. I felt like I had a universe to discover, as it was the case. with the French group Magma, and other references from the 70s. In the 80s, between the difficult beginnings of digital sound and the futile complexity, there were still miles of shitty music. Alan Holdsworth's music easily makes you forget a somewhat dated production It speaks to your soul
Colossal tone.
WHAt a PerfectGuitar Sound ..i Think i am in Dream Land
This Music is SO NOT Describable to find Words , so Eternally Beautiful ..i NEVER heard something Like Holdsworth ..OMG
Allan created an inhabited a planet that no one else could reach. The absolute best. Without peer.
Incredible Allan
So lovely thank you Allan Holdsworth, RIP💚
Nice instrumental ballad - lovely guitar from Allan.
This is the kind of playing that got me into fusion!
One in a million, never to be surpassed, a truly blessed talent.
Divine...
This is just one of the most beautiful songs in the planet for sure.
Absolutely Magnificent!
"It's noodling Jim but, not as we know it" Amazing stuff from THEE game changer. R.I.P.
Just great, no more, no less, words do not give this track justice.
The mucik will live forever
Holy Lord Jesus Christ Allan he wasn't human ....no way. ni first time listen to him 1979 and still I have the same feelings ...he wasn't from this universe ...no way
Damn. Even for the standards of Holdsworth this is a pretty amazing solo. Not sure if this is his greatest since there are so many but maybe it is.
Great playing as always but also an exceptionally lovely guitar tone!
yup, you're spot on - not just the tune but the TONE here is what sets AH apart. Here is another beautiful AH tone, almost sad and wistful from Andrea Marcelli's "Moon.": th-cam.com/video/mSQxnpQg83A/w-d-xo.html
RIP, Allan. You are sorely missed.
I think this is one of my favorite songs that Allan played. There is so much feeling and heart in this song. The feeling reminds me of Above and Below. After hearing this song, i purchased "Gongzilla" "Suffer" and love the whole release. Thank you so very much for the post John Narnia!
Indeed it is a beautiful gift from Allan. One of my favorites. I was so taken with this track I actually did a cover of it...could not get it out my head so I needed to release it through my fingers. Great analogy to Above and Below! Hansford Rowe just released a follow up via PledgeMusic called 'Gong Expresso.' The album includes a bonus track - a 1979 trio recording of The Things You See by Allan Holdsworth featuring Gary Husband and Hansford Rowe. Allan is so missed.
I can understand why you were taken with this song. I listen to it over and over just to feel that joy that it creates in my mind. Thanks for the mention of Mr. Rowe's PledgeMusic release. I will be listening to it. Mr. Rowe wrote this song. He really knew how to write to Allan's strengths. That is some kind of good trio! Take care.
wait till you hear his solos on Jean Luc Ponty album
Thanks for this. Another amazing thing I have not heard over the years from Allen Holdsworth.
Is it Allan all the way through? Totally Allan in the big solo but the start and end parts sound different. A song could not be more beautiful than this.
All Allan
@@Naniamania3 The first solo is _not_ Allan. Allan starts at 2:29.
absolutely stunning playing
Allans solos get better as he plays last 10 seconds of this one gorgeous
Another transcendent solo from Holdsworth, but all the more special with Hansford Rowe holding down the bass and Vic Stevens on drums.
goosebumps...
ALLAN
The main motiff of this is from the song "Alan Key" from Pierre Moerlen's Gong album Second Wind. Guess it was him on that album but not credited.
thanks a lot for that input!, I went straight to hear that song and it is quite a fantastic piece as well.
I was like "Huh, I can actually learn AH solo..", then 3min mark came and I was like "Noooooooooooooooo...." :(
Simon he set a trap. :-)
@@Naniamania3 he really got me this time.
Allan's solo starts at 2:30
Allan Qui? is always my reply whenever I hear or read that someone says that AH never played with emotion. I love the entire Gongzilla album!!!
There are many, many examples of Allan playing with incredible emotion. I don't understand how anyone could say that.
Me neither, but there are several comments in social media. I just think that those making those comments are not patient enough to listen to his works. The more I listen to his solos, chord progressions, etc, the more I'm just floored by his abilities.
Couldn't agree more. AH's music may need a few listens but then the rewards that you get back for the effort are tremendous - your musical horizons will be expanded significantly. Everything he plays on turns to gold imho.
@@kelvinpanesar6511 Trolls of the greats are idiots that don't realize they only embarrass themselves by displaying foolish disrespect for people that are obviously infinitely more significant and talented than themselves.
Allan was an incredible improviser he kind of reinvented his style and sound to a lesser extent through his life he took chances and with his unique genius came highs and lows I myself heard several pieces that I didn’t like and put me off30 yrs ago then just browsing saw him play looking glass live bin catching up last 18 moths
wow!!!!
Amazing track - is that Holdsworth playing the clean guitar melody as well as the distorted tones solo?
Yes. He's playing both.
Allan starts at 2:29. The first solo is someone else.
As others have stated so well - spot on - it is not just the tune but the TONE here that sets this piece and AH apart.
Here is another beautiful tone, almost sad and wistful from Andrea Marcelli's "Moon" AH plays Baritone guitar. Anyone out here know of other tunes where AH plays Baritone? : th-cam.com/video/mSQxnpQg83A/w-d-xo.html
This is a very good question, all I found was some live performances of him using it, it's a shame he didn't use it more and implement those lower notes. I'd love to hear more material of the baritone
Zarabeth is one.
It's actually pretty easy for me to differentiate between Bon and Allan. There are so many players over the years that have developed and mastered the legato approach, but there is only one Allan Holdsworth. The closest I have heard, in my opinion, was Bill Connors on a CD called STEP IT.
+Jeff Felderman Check out the guitarist Nico Stufano (Trace of Jazz song). It's amazing how at some point you check out the album's credits to make sure Holdsworth wasn't playing there instead.
Step It was/is a great release! Bill Connors can play anything very well. I think he is very underrated. If you like Step It, check out Double Up and Assembler. They were great too!
Jeff Felderman I always liked Step It. Bill Connors was not a fan of the album at all in his later years...go figure.
Tim Miller is great.
But none is as good as Holdsworth.
Now there is another young virtuoso that we must pay attention to, it seems that he is Allan's advanced student, he is an Italian guitarist, search for "Mancuso"
"Allan who?" ;-)
(Louise Holdsworth, 2015)
Could you explain? Thanks!
Sure... that's what Allan Holdsworth's daughter (Louise) said on hearing this track.
that's fine...great tune indeed
Allan's granddaughter from Louise i named RORI .... blessings to that !!!
I don’t get it. Was she being offensive to his father?
The best guitar player in all the milky way (Frank Zappa)
"One of the most interesting guys on guitar on the planet is Allan Holdsworth. I really respect his playing.” - FZ, Guitar World, April 1987
superb stylistic
Onirique.
Allan plays for JLP.
th-cam.com/video/o7FDAZz_ppQ/w-d-xo.html
The clean guitar is sleepy. Back to Berklee, sleepy.
Hard disagree.
is it Pierre Moerlin on drums? i love him but really hate the wildly overplayed drums on this. Let the music breathe for god’s sake, it’s not an technique exhibition. Holdsy amazing of course
Vic Stevens is the drummer on this track
@@Naniamania3 hmmmm. not my favorite 😊
the drums sound is awful ,rigid and cold
who cares? Listen to the guitar!
Sounds fine to me!
The drumming is totally on another level also⭐️
If Yngwie Malnsteen cites Alan holdworth as the greatest, then that’s saying something.