Guitar hero Allan Holdsworth oftentimes performs amongst his peers. Such is the illustration amongst this alive setting recorded at a venue inwards Nippon during a 2002 tour. On this release, the guitarist leads a trio featuring longtime musical associates, drummer Republic of Chad Wackerman, in addition to bassist Jimmy Johnson. To that end, the respective musicians' talents are well-known entities. Wackerman in addition to Johnson tin handgrip the trickiest fourth dimension signatures imaginable. Along amongst the nimble flexibilities in addition to odd-metered excursions witnessed here, they exude a strength of ability that serves equally a meaty foundation for Holdsworth's mighty licks.
H5N1 wonderfully recorded album, Holdsworth's climactically driven legato-based riffs are intact, equally he likewise implements jazzy chord voicings in addition to delicately stated fabrics of sound. But the trio raises the ante throughout many of these pieces, awash amongst moments of nuance in addition to controlled firepower. In sum, Holdsworth's legion of followers should last pleased amongst a recording that should rate amid his finest efforts to date.
Incredibly, All Night Wrong (Favored Nations) is Allan Holdsworth’s outset “official” alive album, made at the Roppongi Pit Inn inwards Nippon inwards May 2002, amongst 2 longtime collaborators, quondam Zappa drummer Republic of Chad Wackerman in addition to bassist Jimmy Johnson. Holdsworth’s guitar improvisations are nearly equally complex equally they instruct without flight over your caput completely. Holdsworth, equally is good known, is a guitarist’s guitarist who doesn’t take in himself a jazz histrion all the same whose music tin barely last called rock. Virtually cliche-free, Holdsworth isn’t mortal you lot tin categorize; nous to “Alphrazallan” for evidence of this. His uncompromising music doesn’t come upward to you; you lot bring to become to it. Holdsworth’s intensely focused, fearsomely long solos brand their betoken yesteryear cramming to a greater extent than notes into the foursquare inch than you lot mightiness mean value is humanly possible, such equally on “Funnels,” in addition to amongst Wackerman’s fill-every-crack drumming, it tin brand for exhausting listening. Usually at ane dynamic level, it’s similar existence trapped inwards a conversation where you lot can’t instruct a discussion inwards edgeways.
The championship may offering insight into guitar legend Holdsworth's notorious aversion to the pressures of alive recordings; indeed, this marks the outset alive solo album of his long career. But the nigh-flawless performances hither (recorded inwards May, 2002 at the Roppongi Pit Inn inwards Tokyo, Japan) likewise advise a surely irony to the fusion pioneer's concerns. His distinctive chordal melodic technique sets "Lanyard Loop" (and much of the album) inwards a quietly savory orbit; only it's a deceptively languorous framework that Holdsworth masterfully uses to contrast his often-aggressive soloing. "The Things You See" showcases about remarkably fluid tonal shifts in addition to a solo tack that's equally costless in addition to Coltrane-esque equally advertised. The soft focus of "Alphrazallan" proves it tin likewise last a tightrope walk, spell drummer Republic of Chad Wackerman's playful, funk-edged solo introduction gives the dark, cascading mystery of the guitarist's playing on "Zone" all the same about other compelling facet, amongst bassist Jimmy Johnson capably adding all the same about other layer of rhythmic complexity. The jazzy, neo-swing of "Water on the Brain, Pt. II" in addition to "Gas Lamp Blues" (where Johnson inwards particular shines) displays the trio's forceful, economical interplay to expert effect, in addition to ane that stands inwards dramatic contrast to the dreamy soundscape "Above & Below." Fusion remains an underappreciated musical language, only this is a fine alive showcase for ane of its original linguists.
Track listing:
All tracks written yesteryear Allan Holdsworth, except where noted.
1. "Lanyard Loop" 5:46
2. "The Things You See" 6:53
3. "Alphrazallan" 7:04
4. "Funnels" 5:01
5. "Zone" (Holdsworth, Steve Hunt, Gary Husband, Jimmy Johnson) 9:19
6. "Water on the Brain Pt.II" 5:30
7. "Above & Below" 8:21
8. "Gas Lamp Blues" 7:59
Total length: 55:53
Personnel:
Allan Holdsworth – guitar
Republic of Chad Wackerman – drums
Jimmy Johnson – bass
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