| Author | Message | ||
| hendixclarke
Senior Member Username: hendixclarke Post Number: 654 Registered: 6-2007 |
Allen Holdsworth I loved "Road Games" back in the 80's That's a bad as Alembic too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro26GZlg52A | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2361 Registered: 2-2006 |
Some VERY tasteful bass playing too. Love the sound and the groove. Veryy cool. OO | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 672 Registered: 6-2002 |
Jimmy Johnson comes around here frequently. Thanks for the link. | ||
| jimmyj
Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 66 Registered: 8-2008 |
Thanks for spotting that ancient clip hal. And thanks OO. Allan's music is indeed special and with Paul's singing at that time it was an even crazier mix of musical styles (!!). I didn't play on the Road Games album, that was Jeff Berlin lighting that on fire. I joined the band shortly after that. The weirdest thing about this Japanese video is that I'm playing a graphite necked fretted instrument... I think this became my fretless bass after that trip, strange that I can't remember. Maybe someday Mica can see if "80-1467" started it's life with frets? OR, it could be what became the backup fretless, "82-2252". C'mon Jim, get your facts straight! Jimmy J | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 658 Registered: 11-2007 |
"Road games" changed my perception of how music should be - it was incredible. I had been a Jeff Berlin fan for a time when he played with Bill Bruford but this was something else! My admiration for Jeff Berlin led me to Allan Holdsworth which in turn led me to Jimmy J - music can be funny in the way that one thing can lead to another in this way! Jeff has always had a really negative reputation (he takes a lot of abuse on youtube etc) but for me I love the guys playing, just listen to the solo on "water on the brain" -- says it all for me! I consider Jeff to be one of the seminal electric bass soloists of all time. "Road games" - the unfinished masterpiece! John. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 705 Registered: 8-2005 |
Brilliant! | ||
| pauldo
Intermediate Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 125 Registered: 6-2006 |
Nice solo Jimmy - very expressive. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8012 Registered: 5-2002 |
This is a great video of Jimmy and his Alembic. Great tone, nice playing, and very nice solo! | ||
| hendixclarke
Senior Member Username: hendixclarke Post Number: 655 Registered: 6-2007 |
That was my favorite cut: "Panic Station" was melodic, with hint of edge. This song shows a a very good example of what I call: "A Directional Pump, or Groove". Its hard to interpret this music because it touches so many nerves in my brain. All I know, is I like this open feeling of such space. It's Angelic, peaceful, and very serene with a serious message on vocals. SO GOOD IT'S BAD!!! "Road Games" oh my GOD, I burned so many needles playing that album and many basses players including myself were using bass chorus to give that bass fullness and resonances. The only thing I didn't like about "Panic Station" was; I felt it was too short. I wanted to keep hearing the melody which drove the main theme. In other words, all great sounds never last long enough. Thank you JJ, for joining this thread. Your playing sound, opens my mouth in "Lock position" with amazement, skin with "Goose Pimples" and a serge's of warmth, down my spine which validates my ears are still working good from all those years... It still sound good! Hal- | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 814 Registered: 11-2004 |
Awesome bass sound, sounds fretless to my ears. Great groove with a superb drum rhythm. just wish I had a quarter of jimmy j's talent..even a 1/8 would do! I remember when Alan Holdsworth was with Level 42 back in the 90's. Although he played some great solos with them I though he didn't fit with the band as to the direction they were going. | ||
| jimmyj
Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 67 Registered: 8-2008 |
Allan's use of the harmonizer in "Panic Station" makes for some particularly open sounding chords that are a blast to play on. Sometimes the chords can make the solo and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to play over these. Yes John, it is great how music can lead you around. My first exposure to Allan was the Tony Williams album "Believe It" which kind of melted my brain... And yes also to your Jeff Berlin comments, he is one of those guys who makes you think about hanging up the bass when you hear how effortlessly he can play through chord changes. Crazy good. Thanks George, Paul, Dave and Hal. "Directional Pump"? Sounds more like one of my "Too Many Notes" grooves. Haha! Always fun to play in a trio setting because there is so much space - but I do tend to fill it up! Terry, that bass definitely had frets at the time. I know because I've never taken a fretless on tour and certainly didn't bring more than one bass on that trip.. But now I think this was the '82 series-I which has since shed it's frets and rarely appears in public... Oh and talk about music leading to unusual connections - Allan's appearance with Level 42 (which I thoroughly enjoyed) came about because Gary Husband was playing drums in that band and many years earlier had been a member of Allan's "IOU". And there's Mark King with his Alembic so we've come full circle! Cheers to all! Jimmy J (Message edited by jimmyj on May 09, 2009) | ||
| hendixclarke
Senior Member Username: hendixclarke Post Number: 660 Registered: 6-2007 |
Alan Holdsworth solo's always sound like his guitar is complaining... It's bothersome after a while of listening. I love his cords when holding the rhythm, but his solos almost sound like an out of tune violin at times. I still dig him, but taping notes puts me to sleep. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 816 Registered: 11-2004 |
Did you know that Alan Holdsworth was in Soft Machine in 1974/75. The album he played on was 'Bundles', before that Soft Machine were a sax/keys, bass and drum psychedlia jazz outfit. I think it was one of Alan's first album appearance but tell me if I am wrong. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8021 Registered: 5-2002 |
A quick check suggests that Holdsworth's appearances on Tony Williams' Believe It and Soft Machines's Bundles were both in 1975. Prior to that, he was a member of Tempest and appears on their first album Tempest from 1973. Prior to that, he was the guitar player on Ian Carr's Belladonna album from 1972. In 1971 he is credited on John Stevens' Re-Touch & Quartet. And before that he was a member of 'Igginbottom's Wrench which released it's only album 'Igginbottom's Wrench in 1969. This album may be Holdsworth's first album appearance. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8022 Registered: 5-2002 |
Here is the opening cut, Gorgon, from the Tempest album. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8023 Registered: 5-2002 |
And here is Nucleus - Summer Rain from the Ian Carr album. I really like this. The bass player here is Roy Babbington, who was also in Soft Machine when Holdsworth played with them, and of whom some of you will have probably heard before. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8024 Registered: 5-2002 |
And here is Sweet Dry Biscuits from 'Igginbottom's Wrench in 1969. This is pretty cool! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8025 Registered: 5-2002 |
Bonus coverage. Video of Holdsworth with Soft Machine. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 817 Registered: 11-2004 |
Oh my god I am 16, 17 and 18 years old again Thanks for that Dave. I guess you could say they were the english version of Return to Forever. MArshall's drumming is excellent, and they all look so art-college type guys..very serious man! | ||
| paulman
Advanced Member Username: paulman Post Number: 373 Registered: 2-2005 |
Jimmy, you and Chad really make a great team in the first clip! Love it  | ||
| blackelan
Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 95 Registered: 7-2007 |
I remember I had a chance to grab one of those original Alan Holdsworth Charvels in red. I still regret not buying it when I had the chance. The unique thing was the Dimarzio vintage style bridge in chrome. Grover had made Alan's guitar bodies out of basswood, necks were maple with ebony. Alan used to jam at the old Charvel San Dimas factory after hours back in the early 80s. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 713 Registered: 8-2005 |
Would that have been Hugh Hopper on bass?? Where is he now?? | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 820 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hugh Hopper..softs second bass man, brought fuzz bass to them..incredible player, not flash, no loads of notes in one bar, no slap or tapping but held the groove impeccably Listen to 'Gesolreut', 'Riff I', '37 1/2' and others from the Live Six album. was voted best jazz electric player for a few years in the Melody Maker in the early 70's One of my heroes, and an unsung hero as well | ||
| jakebass
Member Username: jakebass Post Number: 74 Registered: 7-2007 |
I've checked this video a few times before, but I never really listened that closely to the comping behind Jimmys solo before it is absolutely dynamite. Allan provides a great canvas. There is another track from that show 'Road Games' here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MqzFN5-5jk The opening passage is monstrous and Jimmy plays what I think is one of the most musical and death defying fills I've ever heard at 2.22. The notes are all within the scale/arpeggio but the range and execution make them special. Jimmy I hope the praise is not over doing it for you but I really dig this stuff. Jake | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 365 Registered: 2-2005 |
Jeff Berlin is really amazing on that album. Why is "Road Games" an "unfinished masterpiece"? Something to do w/ EVH? | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 367 Registered: 2-2005 |
BUT, you know what's amazing, the re-recording of...what's that song called? "China Dream"? Holy crap.... | ||
| jimmyj
Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 74 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Jake and Hugh, Yes, Allan's comping is ridiculous! Often more interesting than whoever is attempting to solo... That 2:22 fill is a typical JJ use (abuse) of open strings as passing notes - but thanks. Funny to hear me trying to play Jeff's chordal stuff on that song. Yikes! The stories I've heard about the Road Games recording project portray a teeth-pulling experience for Allan. I think there was at least one false start and necessary rerecording of the basic tracks, I don't remember the reason. The record company was insisting on choosing the singer. A classic example of music colliding with music business and a general misunderstanding of what Allan is all about. The final result was only a 25 minute record but chock full of amazing music. Tokyo Dream - cool tune. Jimmy J | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 372 Registered: 2-2005 |
Tokyo Dream -- omg, the remake is phenomenal... | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 373 Registered: 2-2005 |
So -- wait -- the record comapny CHOSE Paul Williams? | ||
| jimmyj
Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 76 Registered: 8-2008 |
I think Paul - who was in the band - was only allowed to sing on the title track and they may have snuck him in. Jack Bruce did the other two vocal tunes. I don't know if Jack was on the initial "list" of singers that the Company presented to Allan but they allowed it. I wasn't on the scene yet so I'm just retelling what I remember of the tale. I hope someday Allan will write down the entire chapter. His telling of the story is both hilarious and sad at the same time. Jimmy J | ||
| jakebass
Member Username: jakebass Post Number: 75 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hey Jimmy, I'm afraid I have blatently stolen that open string trick and inserted it into my bag of tricks, so a tip of my hat to you for that one. I don't feel too bad about it as I think we are all made up of our influences with a dash of our own personality. We can't help but sound like ourselves. There are so many great players out there and listening and regurgitating keeps the aural tradition alive. Jake | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 375 Registered: 2-2005 |
Yeah, but, does he ever play with his teeth? | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 897 Registered: 11-2004 |
ok jimmy j just so we can emulate you(well almost) and to be sad as well, what settings did you use to get that wonderful tone. And for my ignorance what is the 'open string' trick as well We await in anticipation | ||
| jimmyj
Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 82 Registered: 8-2008 |
Thanks Terry, that's funny. I've said this elsewhere, if you picked up and played my bass it would sound like you and vice versa. So I don't think settings really matter. BUT, being in here talking about these specific instruments makes it a valid question! I run my basses with more bridge pickup than bass pickup in the mix (via the trim pots) and all the large knobs all the way up all the time. The pointy cue boost knobs are generally OFF but the bridge channel gets just a touch to add a little HF zing. (On the Series-1 I used to have the switch in the middle position on the bridge channel). I guess I unconsciously move my right hand towards or away from the bridge at times to alter the tone. And that's it. I can't claim the "open string" thing as my own Jake, I'm sure I stole that from somebody else. All it is Terry is playing some sort of arpeggio that starts up high and then uses an open G or D on the way down to the basement. Obviously it doesn't work in all keys but almost any chord which includes G in it's scale is a candidate. Ha! I've been playing these exact instruments for so long that I can almost make this left hand leap without looking... OK the LEDs help... Jimmy J | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 898 Registered: 11-2004 |
Thank you jimmy j and I am going to practice that trick. As for the tone it is a coincidence that I set my own MK signature with more trimpot gain and raised pick up at the bridge, physics tell us there is less string incursion at that point as opposed to the bass pu which moves very easily in that area. Thanks again we are in your debt(again!) | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 700 Registered: 11-2007 |
I have to say (belatedly as my PC blew up - literally - and Im just back online) that Paul Williams has one of my favourite voices of all time...I love his vocals so much its ridiculous! Theres just something about a husky vocal that makes music sound so much better - Paul is class act. Its a shame that the record company interferred with the "Road Games" recording - but it is typical. The "talentless" often have too much influence in the creative process of the "talented" when it comes to the cut throat music world imho. And lets not forget this...Jimmy is an incredible bassist! "Road Games" changed my perception of how music should be played when it was initially released on vinyl(I bought it on an import as it was not available here in the UK)and Jeff was a massive part of that BUT Equally important is "Metal Fatigue" - for anyone who is not familiar with this LP I need to tell you....DO NOT BE FOOLED by Jimmys genuine endearing humble nature - he is a bass MONSTER on this recording and on EVERY Allan H recording he has apeared on! Check out "Spokes" on the Allan H lp "Secrets"...a bass masterclass of incredible bass tone and virtuosity! John. |
