Allan Holdsworth Wolverhampton 30-9-2008
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Topic: Allan Holdsworth Wolverhampton 30-9-2008
Posted By: Dick Heath
Subject: Allan Holdsworth Wolverhampton 30-9-2008
Date Posted: October 01 2008 at 09:13
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Allan Holdsworth and co. did a great set last night. Huge shame that in a club, The Robin, which is several sizes bigger than Jazz Cafe, there were only 80 to 90 people in the audience (I estimated) . At least you sit or stand anyway and get a great view of what these guys were doing. Allan made comment at the start of the set about a 'lonely crowd'! One minor complaint Wackerman was slightly louder than the other two in mix, although I can't really complain: I could hear every note Allan played. Regardless of the size of audience the trio were at the top of their game and were astounding in numerous way throughout. Audience favourite Fred got played second, Protocosmos (with a new opening(?)) the encore, then both the familiar (e.g. Texas, Water On The Brain) and unfamiliar for a set approaching 90 minutes. Unlike 'seeing' Allan at Jazz Cafe last November but from a distance, here I could see in far greater detail his switching of effects, the hand postions for chords etc - which at times left me and colleague looking at each other in disbelief: what the hell did he do that? Chad Wackerman did a couple solo breaks at the beginning or mid ways from tunes, which demonstrated his virtuosity without outstaying their welcome. Earnest Tibbs, on 6 string Yamaha bass, was unfussy slipping in the occasional impressive solo.
I gleaned from Wackerman afterward, that attendance at Jazz Cafe the night before was better but not as good as that last November. I would assume that tonight's (thinking about it probably tomorrow night's) show in Worcester will also give you a grandstand view of the maestro in action, if the venue is anything like last night's in Bilston - not in Wolverhampton!!!!!! - and so you can probably get tickets at the door, although I hope that won't be the case. BTW the band signed CDs after the set, talking to the fans in their usual warm ways - however, there was little choiceof CDs on sale - 3 of Wackerman's and one of Holdsworth (and the few of these available went very quickly). BTW another tip, Ernest Tibbs will be probably most happy to spent time and talk !
A good night out. ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Replies:
Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: October 01 2008 at 11:14
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Oh man that would've been killer. One of the best guitar virtuosos of all time IMO, absolutely magnificent legato chops. Sounds like a really great night and a good mix too, it definitely would have been a shame to not be able to hear Holdsworth properly. Do you happen to know what kind of rig Holdsworth was running through that night? I've always been curious as to how he has been getting in his guitar tone in recent years. ------------- 
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Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: October 03 2008 at 05:59
Any help - I am afraid that whilst I was allowed to photo I was asked not to use flash. AH had 6 Yamaha effect boxes on cases/table (LHS in photo) which seemed to be important including achieving the soundscape effects .  ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
HughesJB4 wrote:Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: October 03 2008 at 08:22
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 http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/jazzrockwriter/DSC02077.jpg - ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: mr70s
Date Posted: October 03 2008 at 08:43
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Love the movement on that last picture. Appropriate avant garde art !
I saw Holdsworth in a small venue in Sheffield 1981. There was Gary Husband, Jeff Clyne and Gordon Beck. He had problems keeping his guitar in tune, and the sound wasn't so good. This was before he began to use a double locking tremelo, which maintains tuning stability. The band seemed a little tense, and the crowd wasn't very appreciative. Alan was developing his eerie volume - swell soundscapes at this time, and the crowd just scratched their heads. How times change !
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Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: October 03 2008 at 08:57
As close as I could get and still ~2second shutter speed. Intrigued that his hands appear still for such a long period of his usual fast runs? Maybe the animation with this Wackerman shot is better.
 ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: mr70s
Date Posted: October 03 2008 at 09:01
| Yes, I think you caught that just right. That relatively still hand makes the picture ! |
Posted By: Dan Bobrowski
Date Posted: October 14 2008 at 11:01
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Allan and Company are going to be playing at Yoshi's in Oakland next month. I'm waiting for ticket sales to be announced.
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