Allan Holdsworth RIP

[felephant]

Holdsworth, to me, was this strange, shimmering, imposing palisade around something I was not at peace enough with myself to do more than touch with my fingertips so that I could feel its electricity course softly through me, through my heart and loin and toes. I couldn't do more not because it was too intense, but because it was too delicate; as

Comments

[johnny9fingers]

I've been rather upset about Holdsworth. I met him a few times as a young man. He used to play the Half Moon a bit in the late '70's. I once sat down and bent his ear about guitar for half an hour or so as a spotty teenager. He was kind, patient, and listened. Then he told me, as I was a rock guitarist, to listen to Ritchie Blackmore's playing as much as Pagey or Beck. He was right too.

Metal Fatigue, Secrets, etc will always be up there for me.

[felephant]

I knew you'd love him (despite you never having mentioned him to me), but I didn't figure that you'd have met him! I suppose the least I can do is check out Blackmore on his recommendation now!

I've been listening to Holdsworth, and some Gong, a lot these last few days. It's beginning to make a lot of sense to me (by which I mean I'm in love, but that I still glimpse that it goes so much deeper). Too late, but then, no accident either that it's now.

[johnny9fingers]

Made in Japan if you want Blackmore's best work. Ordinary songs, stellar playing.

Holdsworth was a genius of guitar, though there are many. Check out the track "Joshua" on secrets and marvel at the choice of notes.

[felephant]

Thanks. I listened to twenty minutes of that and couldn't hack it. I'll get back to it, though.

Was looking through YT videos and came across this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQu_O4nKK0I This was posted a year ago. I bring it to your attention for the sake of the very sad comments by the uploader, most but not all of them nested under the first comment.