Anthony Crawford

Anthony Crawford is an American bass player. He toured with Allan in later years, but does not appear on any official recording of Allan's.

From interview with Gitarre & Bass

Du bist auch bekannt geworden als Tour-Bassist in der Band von Allan Holdsworth. Wie kam es dazu?

Das lief über den Schlagzeuger Virgil Donati, in dessen Band ich spielte. Er empfahl mich für Allan, weil der einen Nachfolger für Jimmy Haslip suchte. Ich habe Jimmy Haslip vor vielen Jahren kennengelernt, er ist ein sehr netter Kerl, und ich war immer ein Fan von ihm, schon damals, als er mit den Yellowjackets spielte. Die habe ich rauf und runter gehört. Bevor ich den Job bekam, habe ich schon einmal bei Allan auf einer Tour in Indien ausgeholfen.

In Allans Bands spielten unglaubliche Bassisten wie Jeff Berlin, Jimmy Johnson, Skúli Sverrisson, Dave Carpenter oder Evan Marien. Hast du einen Favoriten?

Einer meiner absoluten Lieblingsbassisten ist Gary Willis, und die wenigsten Leute wissen, dass er auch ein wenig mit Allan gespielt hat. Jimmy Johnson ist natürlich der „O.G.“ (Original Gangster) aller Holdsworth-Bassisten. Jimmy ist ein unglaublicher Bassist, ich habe ihn ein paar Mal getroffen und mit ihm gearbeitet, er ist sehr nett und immer super entspannt und cool.

Allan-Holdworth-Kompositionen sind ja nun nicht die allereinfachsten Stücke … wie hast du dir diese zu Eigen gemacht. Sheets gab es ja bestimmt nicht.

Allans Musik fiel mir ziemlich leicht, ich habe dir ja schon vorher gesagt, dass ich mich immer auf mein Gehör verlasse. Und ich war verrückt genug, einige seiner Soli zu transkribieren und zu lernen, lange, bevor ich dann mit ihm gespielt habe. So war ich also gut vorbereitet.

https://www.gitarrebass.de/stories/interview-anthony-crawford/

Machine translated version:

You are also known as the touring bass player in Allan Holdsworth's band. How did that happen?

That went through the drummer Virgil Donati, in whose band I played. He recommended me for Allan because he was looking for a replacement for Jimmy Haslip. I met Jimmy Haslip many years ago, he's a very nice guy and I've always been a fan of his since he was playing with the Yellowjackets. I've heard them over and over. Before I got the job, I helped out with Allan on a tour in India.

Allan's bands featured incredible bassists like Jeff Berlin, Jimmy Johnson, Skúli Sverrisson, Dave Carpenter and Evan Marien. Do you have a favorite?

One of my absolute favorite bass players is Gary Willis, and few people know that he also played a little with Allan. Jimmy Johnson is, of course, the "O.G." (Original Gangster) of all Holdsworth bassists. Jimmy is an amazing bass player, I've met and worked with him a few times, he's lovely and always super chilled and cool.

Well, Allan Holdworth compositions aren't the simplest of pieces... how did you make them your own. Sheets certainly didn't exist.

Allan's music came pretty easily to me, as I told you before that I always rely on my hearing. And I was crazy enough to transcribe and learn some of his solos long before I actually played with him. So I was well prepared.

From interview with No Treble

Speaking of Allan Holdsworth, I was wondering if you had any stories you might share.

Like I tell anybody, he was one of the nicest people on the earth. He was a perfectionist and was very crucial about how he sounded. He was a very giving and loving person. I saw him give people guitars. That’s all I can say. Of course, everyone knows that he’s a revolutionary guitar player that influenced a lot of people.

As a bandleader, did he give you a lot of direction?

Man, no. Allan would literally say, “Just do whatever you wanna do.” That’s the way he was. When I started playing with him, he said, “Any time you want to start soloing, just start soloing.” Then I said, “Really? What if you’re soloing? Can I solo then?” He said, “Go right ahead.” [laughs]

https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2018/10/12/witherfall-an-interview-with-anthony-crawford/