Attack Of The Neon Shark (album)
"Attack Of The Neon Shark" is a 1989 album by guitarist Alex Masi. Allan plays a long SynthAxe solo bathed in reverb on “Cold Sun”, which can perhaps best be described as a blend of experimental progressive rock with fusion. The whole track, as well as Allan’s solo, has an unsettling, probing quality.
Track listing
No. | Track title | Composer | Length | |
---|---|---|---|---|
6. | Cold Sun | Masi | SynthAxe | 4:08 |
Alex on Allan
ALEX MASI ON WORKING WITH ALLAN
Allan played an otherworldly SynthAxe solo on Alex Masi's track "Cold Sun" in 1989. In a recent Guitar World interview he recalls the experience:
Q: Is it true Stevie Ray Vaughan was almost involved with Attack of the Neon Shark?
“I wanted a few guests and my management at the time was also working with Stevie, so they offered me the option. But as much as Stevie was an amazing player, I thought the type of music I was recording wasn't really suited for him, so I asked someone to put me in touch with Allan Holdsworth.”
Q: How impactful was Allan on you?
“I first heard him in 1973 on the first Tempest album and I’ve been an avid fan ever since. His feel, choice of notes, tone, dynamics, and everything about his playing have always made me feel like he was in a different league from all the other players. He will remain unmatched – much like Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Hendrix and Beck.”
Q: What was it like working with Allan?
“I just sent him the track I wanted him to play on, and he recorded a bunch of takes. He apologized, saying they all sucked and I should feel free to choose not to use any of them. Of course, every note he played was miraculous!
“When I went to his house to pick up the tape, I tried to convey how much of an honor it was to have him on my record. We hung out all afternoon, drank his homemade beer, talked music, and listened to a lot of stuff. I played him the only demo of Shawn Lane circulating at the time; he was extremely impressed.”
Links
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPCA1jni8UQ
Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/master/102153-Alex-Masi-Attack-Of-The-Neon-Shark