Allan Holdsworth

I'm sure many guitarists and musicians know his name, but how many actually know his music and have recognized his genius? His amazing and unique superhuman speed and techniques are widely respected and acknowledged by important guitarists such as Eddie Van Halen, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, just to name a few. But why isn't he a household name, like some of the above musicians?

I DO admit, it took me a long time to truly appreciate his music. His music is not for anyone who isn't willing to spend the time listening to it. What sets him apart from most players is his SENSE and that's really difficult to analyze.

A lot of guitar players only like the songs that he's NOT using the Synthaxe on. I was one of those people, but I've finally gotten past the cold sound and the cheesiness of it and I've learned to appreciate the MUSIC itself...

Other things about his SENSE. He sometimes just ends a song on a dime, in the middle of a blistering solo. He'll put the sound of a toilet flushing followed by a guy yelling in the background "HEY!!!, HEY!!!!!!, what're you guys playing? ......... Jazz?! ....... is that what you call that?!" at the end of a song. He sometimes has guest vocalists singing bizarre kind of science fiction lyrics in really angular stylings.

He is so fucking fast and precise, he makes even Steve Vai look embarrassing, and when you watch him, he's no even breaking a sweat. His hands look like they're barely moving. You're asking yourself, "Where the hell are all these fucking notes coming from?" But it's not just speed for the sake of being fast. His techniques are flawless and every note is carefully calculated and in perfect balance, complimenting the song, not burying it meaningless notes, which many shredders do.

His design sense is pretty strange, to say the least I guess, depending on your tastes in design. Take a look at any of his cover designs, you could say that many of them are pretty cheesy, but somehow they work and they also fit the music.

I was only a casual Allan Holdsworth listener a few years ago, but now I am a huge fan. My only complaint is that he doesn't release an album very often. He's rarely released any live recordings until recent years, probably because of his perfectionist nature.

Anyway I recommend the best place to start is with "I.O.U" which is widely regarded as his best album. Next I'd dive into "Wardenclyffe Tower", the short but sweet "Road Games" or the fairly recent "Sixteen Men of Tain", all masterpieces. Then I'd approach his more synth-heavy albums like "Atavachron" "Sand" and "Flat Tire".

Check out his homepage for info, discography, interviews and more here.