Allan Holdsworth/BBC Radio Tapes 1977-1981

This is a collector’s item that compiles Allan Holdsworth’s live performances around 1980 using recordings broadcast on the British BBC. Although the title says “Lost Years,” that doesn’t mean that he had disappeared from the public eye. In the 70s, he was in high demand with many famous bands, from British progressive rock to jazz rock, but around 1980, he had not yet decided on a label and album releases were stalled. In fact, as recorded here, he was also active in live performances, and this item is a convenient compilation of those recordings. One disc contains two recordings with Pat Smith and the other with Gordon Beck. Since they are radio recordings, they are soundboard recordings, but there are some problems with each, such as small noise due to the master and sound distortion due to over-leveling. The 1981 recording has sound quality like a record drop. Although I have honestly mentioned only the drawbacks above, it is still a soundboard recording. The input level has been adjusted as much as possible, resulting in an easy-to-listen-to item that is incomparable to audience sound sources. Recorded Live in London, UK, 1977-1981 DISC 1 // ALLAN HOLDSWORTH with PAT SMYTHE [November 14, 1977 // EXCELLENT Soundboard Recording // 18 min] Allan Holdsworth – guitar Pat Smythe – piano Ron Mathewson – bass Martin Drew – drums 01. FOREVER UNTIL SUNDAY 02. WAILIE WAILIE 03. Drum Solo K IBBY FOWLER [unknown date in 1980 // EXCELLENT Soundboard Recording // 27 min] Allan Holdsworth – guitar Pat Smythe – piano Ray Warleigh – alto saxophone, flute Chris Laurence – bass John Marshall – drums 05. LETTERS OF MARQUE 06. REFLECTION 07. OUT FROM UNDER 08. STEPPES DISC 2 // ALLAN HOLDSWORTH with GORDON BECK [January 08, 1980 // EXCELLENT Soundboard Recording // 27 min] Allan Holdsworth – guitar Gordon Beck – piano Ray Warleigh – saxophones John O’Whey – bass John Marshall – drums 01. THE THINGS YOU SEE WHEN YOU HAVEN’T GOT YOU GUN 02. EVERY LITTLE BREEZE 03. SUNDAY ( NEVERMORE) [December 02, 1981 // EXCELLENT Soundboard Recording // 25 min] Allan Holdsworth – guitar Gordon Beck – piano Jeff Clyne – bass Gary Husband – drums 04. DIMISHISHED RESPONSIBILITY 05. Piano Interlude by Gordon Beck 06. SANS MELODIE TOO 07. FOR C.W.