Allan was so humble about what he was doing, even to the point of having a lot of self-doubt. Because what he was doing was so revolutionary that he was out there on a limb almost all the time. And he wondered if people would like it or think he was nuts. Apparently he got quite nervous before gigs because of this doubt. Astonishing.
The nervousness is pretty justified. He was doing serious daredevil guitar playing, sometimes at a frenetic pace. It's a tightrope walk during a hurricane. ;) Props to his band to keep the groove going and reading Allan so well. :)
@@dontillman9824 absolutely, and inventing radical leaps off the intervallic edge. He introduced new musical ideas that people are still trying to unravel.
Great lesson. What many people forget (and you highlight really well in this lesson) is the touch and feel Allan had. His phrasing, sense of melody and time were impeccable. He was in another league.
grew up in the same town as Allen ,, first time i met him he was working in a local music store then a few yrs later we lived in the same apartment complex ,, always very humble and very kind to everyone ,, at one point we all actually rehearsed at the same studio in orange county ,, he'd go on these amazing tours with who ever and then you'd see him in the grocery store buying eggs like everyone else the amazing part is he'd always be the first guy to come over and say hello and shake your hand ,, legend beyond words
What truly blows my mind about Allan's playing in that Montreaux video is that he's doing doing it with next to no distortion, and it's clear and clean as a bell. You listen to his playing, and it's just as technical, and full of notes, but very pentatonic. You see the progression from that to the total outer space harmony that he'd become known for later. I wish there was more early footage of him playing. No one was playing like that back then.
Fell in love with Allan Holdsworth on his "Metal Fatigue" album (1985). Just a brilliant player, completely unique, another inspiration that is missed by so many.
The Guitar Player soundpage (floppy little record and corresponding transcription built into the magazine) for "Devil Take the Hindmost" (from Metal Fatigue) is what got me!!!!
He was one of a kind. Never satisfied and always searching. He formed his approach as a way to get out the music within his mind. With Allan, technique was always subservient to the musical concepts. That's why he was so great. It's not just mind boggling technique. Its mind boggling music!
Thank you, great lesson. I'm a 63 year old LOOONG time A.H. listener and fan. Those early days when he was blistering the frets with Gong, Soft Machine, Tony Williams, was when I first discovered him. It changed my life literally. You do a great job of breaking down these riffs and licks thank you very much, keep them coming!!
Got turned on to Holdsworth by Alain Johannes, who I went to high school with. I picked up the album UK and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. From there it was on to Soft Machine, Tony Williams Lifetime, Bill Bruford, IOU and on. To me he was one of the most expressive and lyrical “outside” guitar players. His solos still completely enthrall me to this day whenever I listen to them. Thanks for this video!
I was five in 1974. First heard the man, winter term, January 1987... Been obsessed ever since. Very refreshing breakdown, style and playing... Many thanks. Subscribed. Kindly, Daniel
DAVID !! Thank you !! You nailed Holdsworth on this. Truly ... he was the best. I grew up in Cleveland Ohio and had the opportunity to meet him and Chad Wackerman after a show one night promoting the album Sand. The nicest dudes . My heart was sad when I heard about his passing. Hey .. The Red Album .. I.O.U. was my favorite . Keep up the great work brother .
In the 1970's Allan Holdsworth was every bodies guitar hero. He is and was utterly unique. Wide interval notes, Sus 4 and minor 11 and an indescribable tone. Essentially cranking your bass EQ and going from there. THat Soft MAchine stuff is fantastic.
All time favorite guitar player. Having already been a huge fan and player of guitar myself, by the time I found Holdsworth, I thought I had heard it all, Satriani, vai, Becker, Gilbert, buckethead, thordendal, Shawn Lane, and when I finally found Holdsworth it was such a moving, life changing experience. I was immediately obssessed and in love with his Tone! The fact that he has this unmistakable tone along with the craziest lines and sense of harmony you ever heard, it’s just an amazing treat. I feel lucky and blessed to care about his music, I feel bad for those who have never heard of him. RIP the master
You’re right man, I always thought shredding started in the ‘80s. But after getting into fusion guys like Holdsworth and DiMeola they were absolute shred monsters. It just took a while for mainstream rock to catch up to them!
Yes Holdsworrh’s best work is with Ponty, Bruford and UK. I saw him live with those bands back in the days and he was amazing. He was definitely the most creative guitarist on the planet and in heaven now. RIP Sir Allan ! You were the GOAT!
I was a teen when I first heard him. It was the Road Games album (shortly followed by IOU & Metal Fatigue). I was hooked for life. All my friends and family thought I was nuts, but to me it was special.
The first Album I ever heard with Holdsworth was "Bundles" by Soft Machine I was a Hendrix kid and couldn't cope and gave it back to my friend. A year later and after listening to a lot of Bill Connors and Al Di meola it was time! I met him on 4 occasions too.
Walked from the 30th Street Station to my fiends house off Lombard while on a 15 day leave in 1977. A long walk. Smoking an Old Gold I stopped in a new and used record store. Siting there was a used copy of the first Tempest album. Bought it for 2 bucks. Great album, great guitar (and violin) work from Allan.
Love your teaching! I’ve listened to Allan since my dad took me to see UK in 78 I think. I would contend that he opened the door for no one, but existed in another universe technically, harmonically, creatively. As an example, in studying his lines I was struck that some sound “wrong” or nonsensical at slow tempo but sound otherworldly played at his tempo. As if it’s not the notes but the sound that is being formed 😊
My brother gave me the Bundles album on my 14th birthday in 1974. It took me a while to totally appreciate it but in a few months I would lie on my back, headphones on and spin that LP. We would listen to the Tony Williams albums and Gong. He was our guitar god, even more so than FZ or Steve Howe. He had a great tone and in the early days it was not as cram packed with notes. I was fortunate enough to see him many times, including a Rising Star concert in Seattle as the guitarist for UK - i sat in the front row and drooled.
Thank you, this concert is just amazing. One song disapeared 2 years ago for copyright issues, but I downloaded it before thanks Mr God. Best live performance from this particular year without a doubt. Spaceshifting guitar playing on an SG… Just incredible. Thank you for reviving this unique music moment.
This really made my day - Allan Holdsworth is my favorite musician! His earlier material is much more accessible, and I bet some of his earlier chord work would be illuminating. I have one of his prototype guitars (he gave it up as it was too heavy for his taste), so I can try these licks on it!
Enjoyable guitar & history lesson about a musician/guitarist I've heard of for decades but haven't focused on listening to his performances. This video has changed that for me and I'm hoping you'll have other esoteric tidbits of licks and riffs from players back in the day.
Thank you for the insight. One of the most attainable Holdsworth lessons I've seen. I was one of the what the hell is this guys... Now I can't go back ! You play beautifully also.
Great Lesson. Allan Holdsworth. Thanks for expanding my guitar player influence. My previous knowledge of guitarist seems minuscule every time you feature someone I should have known but don't. Thanks Dave!
BRO you rock, way to go I got turned on to allen by a sax player back in the 70's . Also got turned on to Joe Burger who had board tapes of soft machine. My name is Wayne Frost I played bass with seacloud, & mighty sphincter. Nice to meet you love the tone your getting on your strat.
Great choice. Love me some Holdsworth. My personal faves are his work on Bruford’s ‘Feels good to me’ and on his own ‘Road Games’. As you intimated, his later stuff was less accessible. I certainly found it so.
I was 14 when I bought metal fatigue ... fell in love 😻 with it ... and bought everything he played on ... got seem him play at the baked potato in LA ... Sick
Great stuff David. I got into Holdsworth via Metal Fatigue, and explored from there. He gave me my love of weird chord voicings and songs that use modes. I now always end up writing stuff that I find hard to play, partly because I don’t want it to sound dull or derivative (although obviously my influences will show through) and partly because it’s fun!
It's kind of weird I have been playing in bands of and on through the years playing blues & rock standards etc,first stumbled on A/H in early 70's in a band called Tempest,was just starting out,tried to emulate his work,"not a bloody chance" .The lines on The album Gorgon stand up to the test of time ,is still fresh today.what ime getting at is thruogh watching your video didn't realize how much it's influenced my approach a real eye opener, and re-inspiring thank you so much ,gotta get on the road again! His work will live on
Great job Dave, as always. Holdsworth was an absolute monster, no doubt about it. If I'm not mistaken, that cool SG Custom that he played during his stint with Soft Machine was originally owned by another sadly forgotten English rock/fusion pioneer by the name of Ollie Halsall, and it's very interesting to see him play something other than the Strats and Carvin/Kiesels. Maybe some other viewers might be able to add more info on the SG.
Allan was so humble about what he was doing, even to the point of having a lot of self-doubt. Because what he was doing was so revolutionary that he was out there on a limb almost all the time. And he wondered if people would like it or think he was nuts. Apparently he got quite nervous before gigs because of this doubt. Astonishing.
The nervousness is pretty justified. He was doing serious daredevil guitar playing, sometimes at a frenetic pace. It's a tightrope walk during a hurricane. ;) Props to his band to keep the groove going and reading Allan so well. :)
@@dontillman9824 absolutely, and inventing radical leaps off the intervallic edge. He introduced new musical ideas that people are still trying to unravel.
Great lesson. What many people forget (and you highlight really well in this lesson) is the touch and feel Allan had. His phrasing, sense of melody and time were impeccable. He was in another league.
grew up in the same town as Allen ,, first time i met him he was working in a local music store then a few yrs later we lived in the same apartment complex ,, always very humble and very kind to everyone ,, at one point we all actually rehearsed at the same studio in orange county ,, he'd go on these amazing tours with who ever and then you'd see him in the grocery store buying eggs like everyone else the amazing part is he'd always be the first guy to come over and say hello and shake your hand ,, legend beyond words
He grew up in Bradford, west Yorkshire.
@@claymor8241 Allen moved to Tustin in orange county California 1980 was my neighbor for about 6 yrs lovely man
@@schreds From these youtube comments it seems like Im the only person that never met allan lol
More youtubers should be like you. You don't show off, and you talk in a natural way. It's hard to explain. Great video
What truly blows my mind about Allan's playing in that Montreaux video is that he's doing doing it with next to no distortion, and it's clear and clean as a bell.
You listen to his playing, and it's just as technical, and full of notes, but very pentatonic. You see the progression from that to the total outer space harmony that he'd become known for later. I wish there was more early footage of him playing. No one was playing like that back then.
Fell in love with Allan Holdsworth on his "Metal Fatigue" album (1985). Just a brilliant player, completely unique, another inspiration that is missed by so many.
The Guitar Player soundpage (floppy little record and corresponding transcription built into the magazine) for "Devil Take the Hindmost" (from Metal Fatigue) is what got me!!!!
Yeah same here. It just melted my mind. I didn't have to warm up to it, raised the hair on the back of my neck first time I heard it.
So did I .... It floored me.
@Cire Rednulk I've heard people say the same thing about Robert Fripp.....
Great lesson about one of guitar's greatest players.
noble act to bring us closer to Allen Holdsworth! Thank you!
He was one of a kind. Never satisfied and always searching. He formed his approach as a way to get out the music within his mind. With Allan, technique was always subservient to the musical concepts. That's why he was so great. It's not just mind boggling technique. Its mind boggling music!
You picked the right live video. I’ve watched that Soft Machine concert so many times.
Absolutely intimidating.
Allan re-invented guitar playing, really one of a kind, I still listen to almost all his records.
I love his guitar work on Jean Lu Ponty’s Enigmatic Ocean. Way ahead of his time
Thank you, great lesson. I'm a 63 year old LOOONG time A.H. listener and fan. Those early days when he was blistering the frets with Gong, Soft Machine, Tony Williams, was when I first discovered him. It changed my life literally. You do a great job of breaking down these riffs and licks thank you very much, keep them coming!!
The Soft Machine "Bundles" album is such a great Holdsworth performance. The Steven Wilson remix is great, too.
Awesome, now can we hope to see a video on Ollie Halsall?!
Thank you Dave. You are an awesome teacher.
Cool lesson. Holdsworth was light years ahead of everyone. Aside from his single note runs, his harmony was amazing and beautiful.
Yeah. Great stuff. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I got to hang a bit with the Master in the late 80's. It was an honor.
Thanks for posting, very instructive.
Got turned on to Holdsworth by Alain Johannes, who I went to high school with. I picked up the album UK and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. From there it was on to Soft Machine, Tony Williams Lifetime, Bill Bruford, IOU and on. To me he was one of the most expressive and lyrical “outside” guitar players. His solos still completely enthrall me to this day whenever I listen to them. Thanks for this video!
Glad i saw him six times. 1st time 1979 with nucleus. Mind blown.
I was five in 1974. First heard the man, winter term, January 1987... Been obsessed ever since. Very refreshing breakdown, style and playing... Many thanks. Subscribed. Kindly, Daniel
Beautiful music and very out there at times. Sand album... phew!
Nicely explained: searching for sounds after you’ve become accustomed to a “new” lick.
I love Allan's 70's Fusion/Prog career, please do more of these.
Amazing player! Love what he did on the Bruford album "One of a Kind"
Thanks! More Holdsworth please, especially licks that work in basic rock context.
Credit to you for this great lesson I keep comming back to get inspiration👍
1974! The year I was born and I'm 45. What a forerunner and ahead of his time was Allan, Indeed!
DAVID !! Thank you !! You nailed Holdsworth on this. Truly ... he was the best. I grew up in Cleveland Ohio and had the opportunity to meet him and Chad Wackerman after a show one night promoting the album Sand. The nicest dudes . My heart was sad when I heard about his passing. Hey .. The Red Album .. I.O.U. was my favorite . Keep up the great work brother .
In the 1970's Allan Holdsworth was every bodies guitar hero.
He is and was utterly unique. Wide interval notes, Sus 4 and minor 11
and an indescribable tone. Essentially cranking your bass EQ and going from there.
THat Soft MAchine stuff is fantastic.
I love your lessons, and have watched most of them. Your playing on this lesson is incredible. thank you for doing these.
All time favorite guitar player. Having already been a huge fan and player of guitar myself, by the time I found Holdsworth, I thought I had heard it all, Satriani, vai, Becker, Gilbert, buckethead, thordendal, Shawn Lane, and when I finally found Holdsworth it was such a moving, life changing experience. I was immediately obssessed and in love with his Tone! The fact that he has this unmistakable tone along with the craziest lines and sense of harmony you ever heard, it’s just an amazing treat. I feel lucky and blessed to care about his music, I feel bad for those who have never heard of him. RIP the master
That last lick is a face melter! Allan was shredding about 10 yrs before shredding hit the radar! Wow!
listen to the full guitar solo of hazard profile which starts at around 3 minutes. Some parts of it feel like shred guitar.
You’re right man, I always thought shredding started in the ‘80s. But after getting into fusion guys like Holdsworth and DiMeola they were absolute shred monsters. It just took a while for mainstream rock to catch up to them!
@@allthingsclassicrock Don't forget this guy!
ua-cam.com/video/g4ouPGGLI6Q/v-deo.html
Lots of guys were shredding way way before Allan even on popular records!
Allan hated shredders. He loved sax 🎷 players.
Your best lesson yet. Thank you.
Thanks for the lesson on Alan H. He's work with Jean-Luc Ponty is awesome. Trading licks with Daryl Struemer on Enigmatic Ocean is wonderful.
Oh my god yes it is, love that era along with his playing on brufords records
Yes Holdsworrh’s best work is with Ponty, Bruford and UK. I saw him live with those bands back in the days and he was amazing. He was definitely the most creative guitarist on the planet and in heaven now. RIP Sir Allan ! You were the GOAT!
Thanks for sharing...
Amazing Lesson. Thank you. He lived not too far from where I am based. Hugely inspiring player who I miss dearly. 👍
Thanks for a great analysis of these phrases; nice tone on your rig too!
I was a teen when I first heard him. It was the Road Games album (shortly followed by IOU & Metal Fatigue). I was hooked for life. All my friends and family thought I was nuts, but to me it was special.
Thanks. Now, looking forward to the daily Holdsworth breakdown 😉
Awesome! Love that performance and never thought I’d run across a lesson for it.
Great lesson Dave 👍
Loved this. Thank you. All very well explained.
Awesome video sir, thanks
The licks are roughly at:
2:24
3:39
6:10
8:30
Thank you!!!
Great lesson dave
Allan was a beautiful monster on the instrument
thanks Dave! that was great!
Another great lesson. Thanks, Dave.
Dude that was amazing! 30 years a Holdsworth fan! Hazard Profile a huge favorite..... so happy to see Alan’s genius explained.... just awesome Bro!
Agree with your closing comments, well stated. Thank You for the great content.
I totally loved the lesson. Thanks for sharing.
Allan was one of the best ever! I saw him with Tempest here in Sweden 1973 or 74!
Dude you are fabulous. Such an Allan fan. It’s beautiful to watch someone break it down so respectfully and skillfully. Thank you. Subscribed.
The first Album I ever heard with Holdsworth was "Bundles" by Soft Machine I was a Hendrix kid and couldn't cope and gave it back to my friend. A year later and after listening to a lot of Bill Connors and Al Di meola it was time! I met him on 4 occasions too.
Great lesson sir.
Really enjoying your enthusiam mate cheers
beautiful job, Dave
That’s you? In the rag? Cool. Crazy riffs & phrases.
Walked from the 30th Street Station to my fiends house off Lombard while on a 15 day leave in 1977. A long walk. Smoking an Old Gold I stopped in a new and used record store. Siting there was a used copy of the first Tempest album. Bought it for 2 bucks. Great album, great guitar (and violin) work from Allan.
saw alan playing at three pu white sg in Manchester playing with p. meorlin's gong. had a chat with hm that night. brilliant gig.
Loved it. Subscribed. Will definitely be back for more, Teach.
Love your teaching! I’ve listened to Allan since my dad took me to see UK in 78 I think. I would contend that he opened the door for no one, but existed in another universe technically, harmonically, creatively. As an example, in studying his lines I was struck that some sound “wrong” or nonsensical at slow tempo but sound otherworldly played at his tempo. As if it’s not the notes but the sound that is being formed 😊
My brother gave me the Bundles album on my 14th birthday in 1974. It took me a while to totally appreciate it but in a few months I would lie on my back, headphones on and spin that LP. We would listen to the Tony Williams albums and Gong. He was our guitar god, even more so than FZ or Steve Howe. He had a great tone and in the early days it was not as cram packed with notes. I was fortunate enough to see him many times, including a Rising Star concert in Seattle as the guitarist for UK - i sat in the front row and drooled.
Great licks dude! Thanks a lot 🤘🏼
Love your lessons, very unique and insightful
Thank you, this concert is just amazing. One song disapeared 2 years ago for copyright issues, but I downloaded it before thanks Mr God. Best live performance from this particular year without a doubt. Spaceshifting guitar playing on an SG… Just incredible. Thank you for reviving this unique music moment.
The Montreux 74 video isn't on YT anymore, but I found it today on Facebook on a public page.
I like, very cool, thx. Dave.
Really great licks loved the last one particularly 👍
You are a very good guitar teacher. Inspired.
Great lesson
Great playing my friend ! Great representation of a great player !
I've seen videos of Soft Machine LIVE with Allan playing a Gibson SG. Oh, there it is!!!!!
Great lesson mate. I agree that his early playing was like 'Holdsworth junior'. However it was still light years ahead of it's time.
Wow . Sick lesson
Awesome video!
Great stuff Dave.
Subscribed! Fantastic channel and a joy to see this wonderful homage to Allan.
Great video!
Great teacher!
Ah my early teens soft machine and his playing on bruford, golden era
Keep well from England
This really made my day - Allan Holdsworth is my favorite musician! His earlier material is much more accessible, and I bet some of his earlier chord work would be illuminating. I have one of his prototype guitars (he gave it up as it was too heavy for his taste), so I can try these licks on it!
Enjoyable guitar & history lesson about a musician/guitarist I've heard of for decades but haven't focused on listening to his performances. This video has changed that for me and I'm hoping you'll have other esoteric tidbits of licks and riffs from players back in the day.
Thanks for the lesson lizard hand
Thank you for the insight. One of the most attainable Holdsworth lessons I've seen. I was one of the what the hell is this guys... Now I can't go back ! You play beautifully also.
Great lesson, thoroughly enjoyed it! good progression of difficulty right up to that monster of a final lick.
Great Lesson. Allan Holdsworth. Thanks for expanding my guitar player influence. My previous knowledge of guitarist seems minuscule every time you feature someone I should have known but don't. Thanks Dave!
Heard him first on the U.K. U.K. album back in high school, loved the sound ever since!
BRO you rock, way to go I got turned on to allen by a sax player back in the 70's . Also got turned on to Joe Burger who had board tapes of soft machine. My name is Wayne Frost I played bass with seacloud, & mighty sphincter.
Nice to meet you love the tone your getting on your strat.
Thank you!
I really dig 70s music instrumentation. The world before midi was real.
Great spotlight on the licks. I am going to attempt the last one for sure.
Great choice. Love me some Holdsworth. My personal faves are his work on Bruford’s ‘Feels good to me’ and on his own ‘Road Games’. As you intimated, his later stuff was less accessible. I certainly found it so.
"Beelzebub" and "Back to the Beginning" (with female vocals) are among the many masterpieces on "Feels Good to Me."
His work with Tony Williams Lifetime and UK from same mid-late 70s era is also essential listening.
I was 14 when I bought metal fatigue ... fell in love 😻 with it ... and bought everything he played on ... got seem him play at the baked potato in LA ... Sick
Just discovered your channel and subbed immediately! Great stuff ...thx
Great stuff David. I got into Holdsworth via Metal Fatigue, and explored from there. He gave me my love of weird chord voicings and songs that use modes. I now always end up writing stuff that I find hard to play, partly because I don’t want it to sound dull or derivative (although obviously my influences will show through) and partly because it’s fun!
Hope you don’t mind me adding a link to my latest acoustic noodle:
ua-cam.com/video/rmDatKQPGoM/v-deo.html
Great lesson !
The UK first album, just amazing songs and playing.
Allan from Bradford Yorkshire what a guitarist
Nice job!
Wheeeeeeeeewwwwwww!!!!! Thank you, David!!!!!
It's kind of weird I have been playing in bands of and on through the years playing blues & rock standards etc,first stumbled on A/H in early 70's in a band called Tempest,was just starting out,tried to emulate his work,"not a bloody chance" .The lines on The album Gorgon stand up to the test of time ,is still fresh today.what ime getting at is thruogh watching your video didn't realize how much it's influenced my approach a real eye opener, and re-inspiring thank you so much ,gotta get on the road again! His work will live on
Great job Dave, as always. Holdsworth was an absolute monster, no doubt about it. If I'm not mistaken, that cool SG Custom that he played during his stint with Soft Machine was originally owned by another sadly forgotten English rock/fusion pioneer by the name of Ollie Halsall, and it's very interesting to see him play something other than the Strats and Carvin/Kiesels. Maybe some other viewers might be able to add more info on the SG.
ua-cam.com/video/JcCoPmVLwjE/v-deo.html
What's your opinion? Allan did not do licks per se, maybe more apt word word be riff?
Ollie Halsall ! Great on the Patto album but rarely gets a mention.