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Allan Holdsworth | '''''Summary''': In this 1981 interview with guitarist Allan Holdsworth, he emerges as a musical maverick, celebrated for his unconventional yet masterful approach to jazz and rock. Holdsworth discusses his preference for improvisation in his solos, emphasizing the importance of individuality over imitating others. He shares insights into his career journey, from playing with bands like Tempest, Soft Machine, and U.K., to collaborating with musicians like Tony Williams and Jean-Luc Ponty. Holdsworth's guitar preferences lean towards Fender guitars with modified electronics and DiMarzio pickups. His quest for unique sound and quality underscores his commitment to artistic innovation, despite challenges in gaining industry recognition.'' ''[This summary was written by ChatGPT in 2023 based on the article text below.]'' | ||
==Allan Holdsworth: International Musician and Recording World August 1981== | |||
[[File:AH IMRW1981.jpg|400 px|right]] | |||
Max Kay | |||
Photo by Paul Cox | |||
Over the years many musicians have been accused of being 'before their time'. Lifetime were one such band of whom this was certainly true, and Jimi Hendrix also, but the public soon caught up with him. These days the current holder of that title seems to be the unique Alan Holdsworth. By right his main problem should be how to spend his fortune; but, due to divine intervention, a distinct lack of hit singles in his repertoire, and no desire whatsoever to churn out three chords for the rest of his natural, not to mention the magnanimous lack of interest on behalf of all the major U.K. record companies, this is not the case. He is held in very high esteem by the business, but so far the old school tie just doesn't seem to help. Alan Holdsworth 'J'accuse'. | Over the years many musicians have been accused of being 'before their time'. Lifetime were one such band of whom this was certainly true, and Jimi Hendrix also, but the public soon caught up with him. These days the current holder of that title seems to be the unique Alan Holdsworth. By right his main problem should be how to spend his fortune; but, due to divine intervention, a distinct lack of hit singles in his repertoire, and no desire whatsoever to churn out three chords for the rest of his natural, not to mention the magnanimous lack of interest on behalf of all the major U.K. record companies, this is not the case. He is held in very high esteem by the business, but so far the old school tie just doesn't seem to help. Alan Holdsworth 'J'accuse'. | ||
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Can you give me a career résumé so far? | Can you give me a career résumé so far? | ||
ALAN: 1971 I was still in Bradford; 1972 I had an invite from Ray Warleigh to come to London and a place to stay. Later that year I played with, Jon Hiseman in Tempest but I left in '73. He thought I played too many notes, I don't like being told what to do, I'd rather find out for myself. Anyway I was on the dole for six months and in '74 I made some guest appearances with Soft Machine. In '75 I did two albums with Tony Williams in New York City. I like that place. | ALAN: 1971 I was still in Bradford; 1972 I had an invite from [[Ray Warleigh]] to come to London and a place to stay. Later that year I played with, [[Jon Hiseman]] in Tempest but I left in '73. He thought I played too many notes, I don't like being told what to do, I'd rather find out for myself. Anyway I was on the dole for six months and in '74 I made some guest appearances with [[Soft Machine]]. In '75 I did two albums with [[Tony Williams]] in New York City. I like that place. | ||
Lots of energy going down there for sure | Lots of energy going down there for sure | ||
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ALAN: Oh yeah I love it. L.A. on the other hand I find a bit too laid back, it's not for me. In fact I was there in Frisco in '76 with Tony or should say without Tony. He was in N.Y.C. trying to sort out the management problems. It was a ridiculous situation, no money, nowhere to stay. Regretfully I sold my beloved 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom to raise the plane fare back to London. | ALAN: Oh yeah I love it. L.A. on the other hand I find a bit too laid back, it's not for me. In fact I was there in Frisco in '76 with Tony or should say without Tony. He was in N.Y.C. trying to sort out the management problems. It was a ridiculous situation, no money, nowhere to stay. Regretfully I sold my beloved 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom to raise the plane fare back to London. | ||
In 1977 I joined Gong which was a potentially interesting writing situation, but they could never stop arguing long enough to orgnaise (sic) anything. We toured a little and then I left. Later that year I played on an album with Jean Luc Ponty - 'Enigmatic Ocean. In 1978 I played on Bill Bruford's solo albums 'Feels Good To Me' and 'One Of A Kind'. I joined U.K. in '78 which consisted of Bill, John | In 1977 I joined [[Gong]] which was a potentially interesting writing situation, but they could never stop arguing long enough to orgnaise (sic) anything. We toured a little and then I left. Later that year I played on an album with [[Jean-Luc Ponty]] - 'Enigmatic Ocean. In 1978 I played on [[Bill Bruford]]'s solo albums 'Feels Good To Me' and 'One Of A Kind'. I joined [[U.K.]] in '78 which consisted of Bill, [[John Wetton]], [[Eddie Jobson]] and myself, one album there. In 1979 I went to Paris with the new trio, and here we are two years later about to make another album. Ultimately I'd like the band to do a couple of albums and establish in the USA: I'm sure we'll have more success over there. | ||
Who is in the band? | Who is in the band? | ||
ALAN: Gary Husband is the drummer, I found him in Leeds, he plays piano too. The bass player is Paul Carmichael, and vocals for the band are handled by Paul White (sic). | ALAN: [[Gary Husband]] is the drummer, I found him in Leeds, he plays piano too. The bass player is [[Paul Carmichael]], and vocals for the band are handled by Paul White (sic). | ||
Where do your preferences lie as far as equipment goes? | Where do your preferences lie as far as equipment goes? | ||
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Do you have any favourite players? | Do you have any favourite players? | ||
ALAN: There's a guy called Steve Topping I like very much. Mostly it's musicians who play other instruments that move me, horn players for example. I'm more interested in trying to figure out what they're playing than what some other guitarist is playing. Actually Hendrix didn't make any kind of impression on me until after he died. | ALAN: There's a guy called [[Steve Topping]] I like very much. Mostly it's musicians who play other instruments that move me, horn players for example. I'm more interested in trying to figure out what they're playing than what some other guitarist is playing. Actually Hendrix didn't make any kind of impression on me until after he died. | ||
You amongst most people in the business must have had a worse moment. | You amongst most people in the business must have had a worse moment. | ||
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-MESSAGE TO THE BUSINESS PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS... | -MESSAGE TO THE BUSINESS PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS... | ||
[[Category:Press]] | |||
