Allan Holdsworth / Denmark 04.20.1993

This newly unearthed audience recording captures a period in the 1990s when Allan Holdsworth was further refining his guitar expression. It’s a live recording from April 1993 at the famous Pumpefoussett hall in Copenhagen, showcasing Holdsworth’s aesthetic of pushing synthesizer guitar and legato techniques to their limits, in its most natural form. The entire performance is dominated by his unique legato phrases—extremely fast yet flawless—unpredictable chord voicings, and a floating sense of harmony. A highlight is the high-level coexistence of improvisation and structural beauty, even more so than in his studio recordings. In particular, the solo sections vividly portray Holdsworth’s guitar as a “continuous flow of melodies” that transcends the concepts of scales and modes. The rhythm section supporting the backing is also crucial, effortlessly handling odd time signatures and complex developments while maintaining flexibility and never letting the performance become rigid. The intense focus and tension unique to European performances further enhance Holdsworth’s intellectual yet sensual sound. Transcending the boundaries of fusion, progressive jazz, and contemporary guitar, this definitive live performance allows you to experience the genre of “Alan Holdsworth” itself, and is highly recommended for understanding the core of Holdsworth’s work in the 90s. Live At Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, Denmark April 20th, 1993 1.Looking Glass 2.Pud Wud 3.Ruhkukah 4.Low Levels High Stakes 5.Devil Take The Hindmost 6.House Of Mirrors 7.Proto-Cosmo / Drum Solo 8.Funnels 9.Water On The Brain Pt.2 10.Non Brewed Condiment 11.Prelude / Zone Allan Holdsworth(g, syntaxe) Skuli Sverison(b) Steve Hunt(keyb) Gary Husband(dr)