Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 truthful masterpiece, Secrets is the massive culmination of Allan Holdsworth's years-long legato technique too SynthAxe development. Conceptually inspired past times but significantly dissimilar from the electrical guitar, the SynthAxe is non a guitar-controlled synthesizer; it's a completely unique musical instrument of its own, making the guitarist's gripping performances all the to a greater extent than impressive. Holdsworth really plays both instruments at a world-class level, setting an most unreachable technical measure for aspiring rock, jazz, too fusion players. In improver to Secrets' technical accomplishments, Holdsworth contributes closed to of the most inspired songwriting of his career. The instrumental choruses are subtle too fluid, too the vocal lines on "Secrets" (performed past times Rowanne Mark) too "Endomorph" (Craig Copeland) surpass before Holdsworth-penned efforts with their touching lyrics too melodies. Simply put, this 1989 Enigma unloosen is a triumph, the lastly contribution to the artist's seminal '80s collection that includes Metal Fatigue too Atavachron. Fans of progressive music (no affair the genre) are recommended to search out the furtive Secrets, too unearth the sadly hidden cognition of a musician's sublime transcendence of form, through passion too genius.
This CD but slams from greenback 1. Vinnie Coaliuta does a fantastic labor on drums. I recall talking to Vinnie a few years before this too holler for him who he would similar to play with that he hadn't had the oppurtunity to yet. His reply was real quick. . . Holdsworth. He was a flake connected inward that Holdsworth liked Vinnies playing too Vinnie was doing a band with Holdsworth's too thence bassist Jimmy Johnson. Great equally Vinnie's functioning is (by far the best drum functioning of that year) it isn't what carries the CD. Holdsworth sounds amazingly fresh on this CD. He is ripping, of course, but at that topographic point is to a greater extent than to it. He was backing off of the Synthaxe at this point. Not that he was done with it, but backing off. I am e'er moved past times the ii compositions 'Joshua' too '54 Duncan Terrace.' This is but a fantastic CD. One of those that you lot but intend somehow this CD absolutely HAD to live recorded.
City Lights, the kickoff track, is jaw-dropping - Holdsworth seems possessed past times the spirit of Coltrane too but lets loose. City Lights takes off similar a rocket plane, soars into space, too thence comes dorsum to globe again, depositing the listener safely - leaving him/her to wonder what happened too where they were taken to. As with many of Holdsworth's tunes, particularly his faster, complex ones, they beg to live heard ane time again too again. Vinnie Coliauta's drumming is inward lock-step with Allan, creating a hard-driving, fiery paced melody fueled with intensity.
Like fractal geometry, the to a greater extent than you lot follow Holdsworth's musical lines equally they smoothly spiral around, getting to a greater extent than too to a greater extent than reflective on an overall theme/picture, the to a greater extent than you lot realize their incredible particular too intricate structure. Holdsworth has genuinely tapped into something beautiful - something that makes him stand upwards out equally incredibly unique alongside a body of body of water of other skillful too fifty-fifty swell guitarists.
Of all the Fusion records I've heard, this is the best one. It showcases non alone Mr H's superhuman might on the fretboard, but at the same time, his might equally composer. What's amazing is that he is able to create highly melodic steams of notes at whatever speed. Sometimes fusion tends to operate somewhat mechanical too metallic, but non on Secrets. Here the music is fresh, lyrical too fluid, filled with imagery too movement. Vocals on ii songs contribute to the atmosphere, too keyboards add together a lush symphonic backgrop to closed to of the songs. Recommended for anyone who likes fusion an contemporary jazz.
Tracks Listing
1. City Nights (2:33)
2. Secrets (4:21)
3. 54 Duncan Terrace (Dedicated To Pat Smythe) (4:35)
4. Joshua (5:59)
5. Spokes (3:32)
6. Maid Marion (7:17)
7. Peril Premonition (4:44)
8. Endomorph (Dedicated To My Parents) (4:19)
Total Time: 37:20
Line-up / Musicians
- Allan Holdsworth / guitar, Synthaxe (2,5,8), spoken vocalization (7), producer & mixing
With:
- Rowanne Mark / vocals (2)
- Craig Copeland / vocals (8)
- Gary Husband / keyboards (1)
- Alan Pasqua / pianoforte (3)
- Steve Hunt / keyboards (4,6)
- Jimmy Johnson / bass (1-6,8)
- Bob Wackerman / bass (7)
- Vinnie Colaiuta / drums (1-6,8)
- Republic of Chad Wackerman / drums & keyboards (7)
- Claire Holdsworth / spoken voice, inward French (7)
- Jeffrey Ocheltree / "hammer" (7)
EmoticonEmoticon