2008 Japanese interview

In 2008, Japanese writer Tomoyuki Yamazaki conducted an interview with Allan in conjunction with a concert by HoBoLeMa. This was apparently published in the Japanese magazine Player(???). An excerpt of the interview is published on this webpage:

https://note.com/yamazaki666/n/nc3fe7cc522dc

I have no knowledge of Japanese, and I have to rely on automatic translation. Therefore, I will not provide a word for word translation. Instead, I asked ChatGPT to provide a summary, and this is the result of that prompt:

1. Playing with the other musicians

Holdsworth says he was delighted to perform with musicians whose recordings he had admired, particularly Bozzio. He explains that improvisation was exciting precisely because nobody knew what would happen next.

2. The art of improvisation

He praises Bozzio and Mastelotto for making complex rhythms feel comfortable to play along with. His advice is to become experienced through playing with others, listen carefully, concentrate, and respond to what the other musicians are doing.

If another musician plays rhythmically, you can build on that rhythm; if they play melodically, you can develop a harmony with them. You then find your own space within the music.

He also admits that improvisation is instinctive and difficult to explain. Unlike tightly rehearsed performances, improvisation involves risk—and the possibility of achieving something extraordinary.

3. His relationships with fellow musicians

Holdsworth discusses his earlier near-miss with Bozzio in the band UK, his respect for Tony Levin's playing, and guitarist Alex Machacek's admiration for him. He recounts Machacek joking that watching Holdsworth play guitar was like visiting a chiropractor because it straightened his back.

4. His later recordings

The visible text begins a question about Holdsworth's studio album Flat Tire (2001/2002, depending on release reference) and rumours about a new album titled Snakes and Ladders, but the answer is behind the article's paywall.