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Allan Holdsworth

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British guitarist Allan Holdsworth (born Aug 6, 1946 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England) occupies a legendary status among players of his instrument. Most of his work has been in the realm of electric jazz fusion and progressive rock, though he has also dabbled in more straight-ahead rock and jazz. Aside from many solo albums, he has performed with Bill Bruford (both in his band and in UK), Soft Machine, Gong, Tony Williams, Jean-Luc Ponty, and many others.

He is known for his unusual technique, which is filled with unusual chord voicings and legato melodies of great harmonic sophistication. Many guitarists, including Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai have lauded him as a master. He has also been a pioneer in the use of guitar synthesizers. Holdsworth was also Frank Zappa’s favorite guitarist.

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fusion, jazz, guitar, jazz fusion, progressive rock
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Wardenclyffe Tower
Allan Holdsworth
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Metal Fatigue
Allan Holdsworth
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Secrets
Allan Holdsworth
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All Night Wrong
Allan Holdsworth
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Top Tracks

1	Metal Fatigue	89
2	Questions	73
3	Oneiric Moor	71
4	Water On The Brain Pt. II full track	69
5	Dodgy Boat	67
6	Against the Clock	61
7	Sphere of Innocence	60
7	Devil Take the Hindmost	60
9	5 to 10	59
9	Michelle full track	59
11	City Nights	57
12	Zarabeth	50
13	Home	49
14	Panic Station	46
15	Spokes	44

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progtrance7 wrote:
Sunday afternoon

Holdsworth is simply fantastic. Alongside McLaughlin and Fripp, those three are my favorites. Unique technique and compositional skills....

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Chavie1982 wrote:
December 2009

the mans from another planet complete genius !!!

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ultrandy wrote:
November 2009

Seeing him on the 27th!!! YESSS!!!

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Pobinr wrote:
November 2009

Hope you come to Southampton UK again soon Allan.

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Viper1991 wrote:
October 2009

seeing him at kuumbwa jazz club in santa cruz on january 6th! wonder if he'll sign something... god that'd be awesome.

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crazytribe wrote:
October 2009

Seriously.

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tkarakurt wrote:
September 2009

He's amazing guitarist !!

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denpotfm wrote:
September 2009

f.thordendal too close

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VerrucktsAl wrote:
August 2009

it sucks. allan was playing in nyc, but i couldn't go see him. the venue was 21+ only -_-

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jonas58 wrote:
August 2009

Which album of his should I get into first?

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Reptl wrote:
June 2009

One of the most incredible guitar player today Frank Zappa said about him he was an "alien" an Zappa was Zappa... When a concert in Spain...?

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C_Shadow wrote:
June 2009

What a superior musician. His shredding skills are as outstanding as his unique chords / scales.

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whyteboi101 wrote:
May 2009

does he ever come to Canada?

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Abort3d wrote:
May 2009

Go dad! :)

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MarkoRaguz wrote:
April 2009

Allan is a very kind human being. I got to meet him here a few years ago after a show in Cleveland and get a picture with him. His playing and music come from such a strange and beautiful place. I bought his REH video and almost cried after I watched it.. A very special, one-of-a-kind musician.

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AudiophiliaX wrote:
April 2009

Geez, I guess nobody will ever reach such proportions of guitar technique and improvisation, what a monster ! I wouldn't say that AH is godlike, it is God who's AH-like

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GrantRS wrote:
April 2009

re Mr LJM: "I was surprised that The Mighty Boosh appreciate him (Julian Barrett says that Allan was all he listened to at some point)." I saw Julian Barrett at one of Holdsworth's gigs. There was no one else there so obviously into the music as he was.

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HardRockZombiez wrote:
April 2009

I'm seeing him live again soon and It'll be my 3rd time. So excited!

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ahab666 wrote:
April 2009

seen him several times - no doubt he is the most important guitar player so far - not only because of his technique - his composer and arranger skills are outstanding too

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jessicasummer wrote:
March 2009

I've seen Alan live three times. One of the best guitarists I've ever witnessed. Seeing him live five feet away was mesmerizing

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Videos

Events

Jan 10 Allan Holdsworth Yoshi's Oakland, Oakland, CA, San Francisco CA, United States
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Jan 28 Allan Holdsworth Iridium Jazz Club, New York NY, United States
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Jan 29 Allan Holdsworth Iridium Jazz Club, New York NY, United States
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