John McLaughlin vs Allan Holdsworth

John, but mainly for his playing with Miles Davis and thems all

Close, but Holdy for me.

The Shakti Man.

Two astonishing players, but I just prefer Holdsworth.

I prefer Holdsworth. His playing sounds more "musical" to me, if that makes any sense.

Both are awesome.

I absolutely love his playing with Soft Machine, Gong, UK and Bruford, so my vote goes to Holdsworth.

Two of the absolute best.  I think Holdsworth has the better technique, the most identifiable style, the more complex musical tonalities, but his adherence to electric and synthetic abstractions makes a lot of his music sound the same.  McLalughlin is more conventional but also more flexible in what he plays - he has offered us a wider diversity of sounds and styles.  I will choose based on the most recent albums I have purchased by these two giants: McLauhglin's Que Allegria is mostly acoustic.  The music runs from contemplative to high energy, from straight jazz to flamenco, and he is one of the few that can convincingly wail on an acoustic.  I like this album a lot.  On the other hand, Holdsworth's Sixteen Men of Tain has proven a disappointment.  I really cannot tell one track from the other, most of what he does on it he has done countless times before and for once I will accuse him of merely noodling.  The vote goes to St. John.

McLaughlin

Progosopher wrote: Two of the absolute best.  I think Holdsworth has the better technique, the most identifiable style, the more complex musical tonalities, but his adherence to electric and synthetic abstractions makes a lot of his music sound the same.  McLalughlin is more conventional but also more flexible in what he plays - he has offered us a wider diversity of sounds and styles.  I will choose based on the most recent albums I have purchased by these two giants: McLauhglin's Que Allegria is mostly acoustic.  The music runs from contemplative to high energy, from straight jazz to flamenco, and he is one of the few that can convincingly wail on an acoustic.  I like this album a lot.  On the other hand, Holdsworth's Sixteen Men of Tain has proven a disappointment.  I really cannot tell one track from the other, most of what he does on it he has done countless times before and for once I will accuse him of merely noodling.  The vote goes to St. John.

Great post.