Allan Holdsworth at Yoshi's 10-1-06

 

The band played a good variety of Tony Williams "Believe It" tunes (Fred, Proto Cosmos, Wildlife), a few Holdsworth pieces (Looking Glass, Pud Wud) and what must have been Alan Pasqua originals. They were relaxed and polished after having already played seven gigs in four nights. Each man was totally ON. I only heard one or two clams, nothing that detracted from the overall performance. Holdsworth's soloing was sharp and fluid as anything on record. Jimmy Haslip made the most of his solo spots, very lyrical in his approach. Pasqua took some powerhouse solos, even adding some proggy flourishes to the jazz envelop. Wackerman? Damn, that's it. Damn. He really has an individual style, kind of like a hestitation between flurries that cause you to hold your breath for an instant expecting the strike of the stick.

 

I did get the opportunity to meet Allan. Of course I was a bit starstruck by him, but Dick Heath gave me the opening phrase, "Allan, Dick Heath wants to know when he can expect a commission check for the liner notes to the 16 Men of Tain?" At first he looked at me as though I were a Tax Collector, then laughed and said, "Tell him hello." Allan seemed uncomfortable with the swarming revellers, so I said, "Come back soon," shook his hand, got an autograph and photograph, then ducked out. I guess someone came up after me asking Star Trek questions.  Oy!