Search - Allan Holdsworth, Paul Williams :: Live

A little nervous, but many great moments

TKrei1@aol.com | Griffin, GA USA | 11/20/1998

(3 out of 5 stars)

"You will find know one who will sing the praises of Allan Holdsworth and his various side men louder than I, but this release is not the best example of the talents of these great players. Jimmy Johnson's foundation is consistent throughout and Chad Wackerman gets around the drum kit with his usual fluidity, but the groove never seems to gel. Paul Williams is in good voice but is lacking his usual melancholy. Holdsworth himself sounds a little nervous and uncomfortable, even hurried at times. His trademark chromaticism and closely voiced inversions are still present, but without his usual fluid connection of phrasing. I have heard him live at the top of his game. This is not it. This CD is still a must for hardcore fans of the "master brewer", but newbies should lean toward the first I.O.U and Metal Fatigue albums for the best of Allan's primarily pre-Synthaxe excursions on this particular set of tunes. Worth the price of admission- Jimmy Johnson. One of bass guitar's greatest unsung heros. Tim Kreider, Griffin GA USA."

My fave, sorry Allan

TKrei1@aol.com | 06/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album, recorded for a Japanese tv show, and released against Allan's wishes, is nevertheless in my opinion, his most accessible work ever. Gone are the keyboards on this date, so every note that's not vocal, drum or bass, is Holdsworth himself. When you realize this, your jaw will drop open"

Stunning Throughout

TKrei1@aol.com | 02/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As AH fans know, he has disowned several semi-bootleg albums, like Velvet Darkness (even this has some exqusite accoustic guitar but I digress)but this live disc is wonderful. Although he would disagree, the truth is he just can't play badly. Diehard fans should look for the laserdisc which appears to be from the same show, on another night."