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Topic: Allan Holdsworth and pedal steel |
John McGann
From:
Boston, Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Mar 2004 1:22 pm |
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Allan Holdsworth is one of the world's most advanced guitarists. I read somewhere that he used steel on some tracks, so I posted a question about it at his website and got the following reply:
"I'd like to hear a bit about Allan's involvement with pedal steel guitar. It sounds like the chords on "Tokyo Dream" were played on the C6 neck? I'm curious as to which brand of steel you own?"
Allan writes: I experimented with pedal steel for a while when I was living with Tony Williams, ( Tony had one at his house, I think there was a connection between Gretsch and Showbud ) I came up with two tunings of my own, something that is not to difficult, as the pedals and knee levers are flexible on pedal steels. I used a Showbud double 12 (all the pedals, all the knee levers) Yes, I did use it on Tokyo Dream, and In The Mystery.
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He may not have learned A Way to Survive, however 
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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff.
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 23 Mar 2004 1:33 pm
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I met Alan a few times in NYC, he is a serious
theory head and a fine, fine technician.
Not suprising he was developing his own thing to fit a particular specific usage.
Nice guy too. |
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Jeff A. Smith
From:
Angola,Ind. U.S.A.
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Posted 23 Mar 2004 5:57 pm
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That's interesting, John. I didn't know the specific tunes that Allan had used steel on, or even if it ever made it to a record.
There was a period of time in the 80's where Holdsworth was practically all I listened to.
I haven't been listening to him much lately, but I still can never let a CD of his go by without having a copy of it. I'll dig out those two tunes and have another listen.
Considering the very individualistic approach Allan evolved regarding theory, scales, etc., I would imagine his steel playing is similarly unique.
Fortunately he didn't do enough with it to become the jazz version of Jerry Garcia or Robert Randolph, here on the Forum. I don't think I could sit by and watch that for very long. 
He's one of my "fingers on one hand, minus one or two" favorites, for sure. |
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Jim Phelps
From:
Mexico City, Mexico
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Posted 24 Mar 2004 1:29 am
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| . [This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 09:13 PM.] |
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Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
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Posted 24 Mar 2004 10:39 am
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| Jeez...I'm gonna have to try to find those cuts. I always thought he sounded kinda "steelish" anyway. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 24 Mar 2004 11:26 am
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| Moved to 'Steel Players' section of the Forum. |
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Greg Derksen
From:
Alberta, Canada
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Posted 25 Mar 2004 6:47 am
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I think given the time with the instrument,
he would blow open a new set of rules,
he has a downright amazing mind, ask any of the " Best" guitar players in the world
who annually get their yearly thrashing at one of his shows, Makes the G3 show merely
theatrical and racketty. Greg |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 25 Mar 2004 7:01 am
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Besides his amazing mind, he also has HUGE HUGE hands, this was one of the main elements that allowed him to get a very distinctive single note style on guitar.
I remember him being basketball tall too.
I imagine he could do astounding C6 grips also.
My hand was virtually swallowed to the wrist by his. |
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ed packard
From:
Show Low AZ
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Posted 25 Mar 2004 7:26 am
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Allan endorses CARVIN instruments. I have used CARVIN Guitars, Bass's, Amps, Speaker systems for years. In my opinion, the best bang for the buck out there, ..rugged & all the sound that you can use. Check their web site and see what you think.
Edp[This message was edited by ed packard on 25 March 2004 at 07:26 AM.] |
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Gerald Menke
From:
Stormville NY, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2004 2:02 pm
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Allan also played steel on a record by the band Gong. The album: Gazeuse, the song Percolations", available in the US under the title Expresso. I probably misspelled the import title, my apologies to our French colleagues. Allan's playing is quite nice on the track, makes sense as he's a master of volume pedal and intense harmonic tensions on the six-string, after all.
Gerald[This message was edited by Gerald Menke on 26 March 2004 at 02:02 PM.] [This message was edited by Gerald Menke on 26 March 2004 at 02:03 PM.] |
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