Musicians Who Admit They Aren't Good - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Allan Holdswoth was humble. That's why he didn't release many of his live shows while he was alive. He was never happy with his playing.

I'm glad his family is releasing posthumous recordings. They sound awesome to me.

Well there is the Danish heavy metal band Red Warszawa...

Grumpyprogfan wrote:

Allan Holdswoth was humble. That's why he didn't release many of his live shows while he was alive. He was never happy with his playing.

I'm glad his family is releasing posthumous recordings. They sound awesome to me.

Me too--- not all equally, but they are fascinating to listen to :

Japan '84

Poland '98

Gny 2010

Edited by Atavachron - May 19 2022 at 19:13

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy

^ both incredible-- I've been a fan since the early 80s and I'm still beginning to appreciate the nuances of his music, complex & subtle rhythms, and the interface of vocals with composition & synthesizer .

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy

Love his solo with UK on “In the Dead of Night” too. One of the best legato style players ever. So creative. I doubt we’ll ever hear someone like him again in our lifetime.

Every once in a while I get the urge to listen to the Unmerry-Go-Round on Metal Fatigue. The arpeggiated patterns and drop-in volume-controlled chords are hypnotic and haunting. There has to be some back story to that one.

^ Execellent description! Allan sounded and played like no one else. It's a shame his work as a hired hand gets more praise then his solo work on PA.

^ For some, maybe. I was hooked on his first note as a solo artist.

Cool that this has morphed into a Holdswoth appreciation thread.

Grumpyprogfan wrote:

Cool that this has morphed into a Holdswoth appreciation thread.

buncha Holdsworth thugs we are-- I'm sure the OP would like to see someone else mentioned.

Let's see...yeah I got nothing. I know Roger W. and Keith E. and Peter G. and Eddie VH were not thrilled with the sound of certain records, but that's different. And I'm sure many musicians felt an album performance was poor and we just never heard their thoughts. The urge is to apologize but maybe it's better to say nothing and do better next time.

Edited by Atavachron - May 20 2022 at 19:04

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy

I'll fully admit I'm not a good musician. Because if you don't, you never get better.

Music isn't an exam, there is no pass / fail. It takes you a lifetime to learn, you stop learning when the lid gets screwed down on the big pine box. Once you start thinking you're good at music, someone will come along with more experience and wipe the floor with you.

I went into work on Friday. The boss is in a band. He's an amateur musician, nice bloke. I do a setup on his bass, he's really pleased with it. To test it, I play some Jaco on it - he says "You're putting me to shame".

"No, honestly", I said, "I've got no kids, I don't work all the hours God sends like you do, it's not a competition, you're doing great, don't worry about it."

"Good" is relative where music is concerned. It's a dangerous concept as well. "Good enough for what you do" might be a bit safer.

The number of arrogant, impatient "good" musicians I have met... who are utterly intolerant of anyone who's not up to *their* superior standard.

Edited by Davesax1965 - May 21 2022 at 03:21

^ And he'd be right--- Belew's an artist, and does exactly what he's supposed to. The Edge, too, for that matter. (consummate professionals, of course. You don't rise to the top of the rock food chain without totally knowing you're sh*t.)

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy

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