WARDENCLYFFE TOWER

Allan' Holdsworth's Wardenclyffe Tower, the follow up to the great Secrets of 1989, a truly inspiring work, falls somewhat flat in that it never reaches new heights or attempts anything beyond those regions already explored. Except for a few surprises, the album lacks any envelop pushing that one expected from Allan in the nineties. Chad Wackerman and Gary Husband, drummers extraordinaire, show their talents on the keys. Husbands accomplished playing was intriguing and can further be enjoyed in his solo efforts.

Naomi Stars vocal's on "Against the Clock" are one of the highlights of this disc. A welcome addition to Allan's group of accomplished guests. Allan plays a slithery synthaxe solo before Vinnie Colaiuta's brief solo over some synth-chord washes.

I wouldn't suggest this album as a starting place to the Holdsworth catalogue, but it is worthy of inclusion to any jazz fan or musician who appreciates the overlooked beauty in modern music.

PS: I purchased the Japanese version of this disc, which features a remake of Allan's classic "Tokyo Dream." With Jimmy Johnson, Chad Wackerman and Gordon Beck on keys, this track is, IMHO, superior to the original from Road Games, and worth the added price of an import. Allan solos with passion and abandon that exceeds the earlier version's more spontaneous attack. The disc also includes part 4 and 5 of "The Unmerry Go Round" from Metal Fatigue. Gordon Beck plays a beautiful solo on part 4. Part 5 sounds like a clip, it has no intro or tag line, merely faded out, back in and out again.