Rest In Peace Allan Holdsworth (August 6, 1946 - April 16, 2017)

Music Industry Friends Share Appreciation for Allan Holdsworth
Hello to my friends and colleagues in music. Along with Manifesto Records’ Dan Perloff, it’s been a pleasure to work Allan and his two new reissues: the box set:“The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever” which has all of Allan’s solo albums, and “Eidolon,” a 2 CD collection that Allan chose the songs for.
Between April 4 and April 10, Allan played 3 SOLD OUT shows in Southern California. He left us on a high chord!
A tech-savvy man of 71, he taught me to have fun with my cellphone, as he always requested that we text important notes to him. No email, just texting! He got me using emojis like the British flag, pictures of snowmen, and broken hearts. Allan’s favorite was a smiley guy that gritted its teeth.
I will be making MP3s available for radio programmers, music supervisors, and other accredited journalists—please email me if you’re interested.
This note is a scrapbook of remembrances from friends of Allan’s. Chris Hoard’s two paragraph recollection will give biographical insight and personal remembrances. I’m also including links to video, writing, and a podcast interview. In the next few weeks there will be a variety of articles on Allan—interviews conducted by Bill Kopp for PROG magazine and Joe Lalaina for GUITAR WORLD.
One of the fans posted on his Facebook page, “I swear he made some chords up.”
Robben Ford dubbed Allan “the John Coltrane of the guitar.”
This instructional video, put out by Alfred Music in the 1980s, shows Allan explaining how he comes up with his chords: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h-MdM7JCGs
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing a number of industry people that have worked intently with Allan through the years: Manifesto Records’ Dan Perloff, manager Leonardo Pavkovic, music writer/researcher/Allan friend Chris Hoard, guitar maker Jim Reiske, photographer Glen Laferman. Under their thoughts are links to some of my favorite interviews that Allan did in the past few months. Eric Harabadian was the last person that interviewed Allan.


NOTES FROM FRIENDS AND THE MEDIA
“I feel very fortunate to have been the producer on the recent Allan Holdsworth reissue projects for Manifesto Records. Getting to know Allan over the last year and putting together something for him that will honor his great legacy was a privilege. Allan hadn’t played out in a while, but had recently done four sold out shows in Southern California, that’s what I call going out on a high note!"
-Dan Perloff, Manifesto Records,

  "There is no greater measure of a life well-lived than the amount of people he had impacted, and by that measure the artist Allan Holdsworth lived a very good life. This man took a plank of wood, a few strings and some wires and transformed people's lives in a way that few others have. The ultimate genius of the rarest kind. So much history with Allan."
–Leonardo Pavkovic, MoonJune Music (Managed Allan Holdsworth between 2001-2016)

“Allan is a celebrated musical legend among so many great contemporaries, and among today’s younger generation of master musicians whom he performed and collaborated up until his sudden passing.  So many of the most revered musicians of the half-century consider Allan Holdsworth to be one music’s leading musical innovators and most original voices. Those close to him knew him as a humble genius with a wonderful sense of humor, and a generous and kind soul at his core.  Allan’s many collaborations are now the stuff of legend, as were his friendships, collaborations, touring performances and recordings with so many jazz and rock luminaries, among them the late Tony Williams, Jack Bruce, Gordon Beck, and John Wetton among others. 
“Allan’s career began as a London-based journeyman sideman who captivated the attention and imagination of guitarists world over was unparalleled in modern times—he recorded and toured with Soft Machine, U.K., Bill Bruford, Jean-Luc Ponty, Gong, Stanley Clarke, and performed as a member of HoBoLeMa, the improvisatory “supergroup” ensemble which last performed in 2014; it was formed by Frank Zappa/Jeff Beck drummer Terry Bozzio, with drummer Pat Mastelotto, and bassist/stick player Tony Levin.  In 1980 Holdsworth launched a successful solo career with drummer/keyboardist Gary Husband, which began a succession of self-produced studio albums band leader and principal composer featuring his singular “Holdsworthian” conception.  Allan had just released his solo career retrospective 12-CD box set of 11 studio albums, and one live disc, aptly titled The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever.  Holdsworth strongly resisted the proposed name, but eventually allowed it, having been lobbied by many friends and fellow musicians that it was indeed an accurate view of how his fellow musicians and fans viewed his contribution to music and the evolution of his instrument.”
-Chris Hoard

“There is an indisputable truth suspended in all the music Allan created. The burden of being a mortal, saddled with this answer to a universe of creativity, weighed heavily on Allan. He was the temporary flame keeper, like Parker and Coltrane before him. His musical genius was searing. I will miss his humbleness and hospitality. Seldom has a man walked so unassuming a walk and influenced so many fellow human beings. Rest in Peace Maestro.”
—singer/songwriter Jim Reiske built several guitars for Allan, “We have been friends since mid 1980s. He was like a brother.”

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the loss of my friend and client, Allan Holdsworth. I have been Allan’s photographer nearly 33 years, and just saw him live last week. His box set was just released. Condolences to his family and circle of friends. He and Gary Moore are drinking with God. Goodbye my friend, and thank you for your music and friendship.”
-Glen Laferman, photographer

More Allan info for you:
George Varga, San Diego Union Tribune Obituary:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sd-et-music-holdsworth-obit-20170416-story.html
Eric Harabadian conducted Alan’s last official interview for DOWNBEAT:
http://downbeat.com/news/detail/qa-with-allan-holdsworth-the-man-who-changed-guitar-forever
Friends of Dan has friends and fans of Allan talking about his guitar chops interspersed in a very spiritual interview about playing his instrument:
http://www.friendsofdanmusicpodcast.com/allan-holdsworth/
Delightful overview on Allan’s boxset by John Kelman
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/allan-holdsworth-the-man-who-changed-guitar-forever-by-john-kelman.php

Billy Sherwood's New Single "Just Galileo and Me" Features XTC's Colin Moulding

Billy Sherwood Available for Interviews in Advance of Album Release of CITIZEN due November 6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 13

Frontiers Music Srl has released the single, “Just Galileo And Me” from Billy Sherwood's upcoming concept album, CITIZEN: and it can be heard on youtube at youtu.be/9Rp-Gblyzpw. The song features XTC’s Colin Moulding on lead vocals. 

"Just Galileo And Me" is about Galileo’s friend and confidante trying to convince the scientist to keep his theory that “the earth is not flat,” which is also the song’s hook, to himself for fear he’ll be labeled a heretic. The friend does acknowledge the scientist’s conviction, and the lyrics show how he knew that “eventually they would see.”

CITIZEN will be in stores and online November 6th.  Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. 

Fans can pre-order the album on Amazon at radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon and on iTunes: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes . All digital pre-orders include instant downloads of "No Man's Land" and "Just Galileo And Me."

 Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.  

CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”

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Listen to "Just Galileo And Me" at youtu.be/9Rp-Gblyzpw

Amazon pre-order link: radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon
iTunes pre-order link: radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes
CITIZEN EPK: youtu.be/0t2xBIRHW7I
BillySherwoodHQ.com
Facebook.com/BillySherwoodMusic
   

Billy Sherwood's CITIZEN Due November 6

Billy Sherwood

On November 6, 2015, Frontiers Music Srl will release Billy Sherwood's latest, a concept album called CITIZEN.

The album can be pre-ordered at Amazon: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodAmazon and iTunes: http://radi.al/BillySherwoodiTunes.

Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history.

The lead off track is called “The Citizen" which sets the stage for what's to come on the recording. “The Citizen” features Billy's longtime friends and members of the legendary Progressive Rock band Yes: bassist Chris Squire and former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye.

Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. In the song “No Man's Land" (featuring Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse) the Citizen appears as a World War I trench runner who passes the message along to the troops that it's time to attack; the Citizen remains behind and is, ultimately, the only survivor. “Empire" (with lead vocals by Alan Parsons & violin from Jerry Goodman of the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) finds the Citizen as a conscript legionnaire in the final days of the Roman Empire. “Just Galileo and Me" (sung by Colin Moulding singer/bassist of XTC) shows the Citizen as a protective friend to Galileo, trying to tell the astronomer that he should not tell people that the earth is not flat or he will be labeled as a heretic.

Known as a multi-instrumentalist, Billy performs drums, bass, guitar, keys and sings several of the songs, including “A Theory of its Own” in which the Citizen appears as companion to Charles Darwin on the evolutionist’s maiden voyage. He sings of Native Americans affected by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 in the song, “Trail of Tears,” which features Patrick Moraz on keyboards. Former Genesis guitar player Steve Hackett adds his chops to “Man And The Machine,” which is about an assembly line worker and activist in the late 1890s. "Age Of The Atom” is about the creation of the Atomic Bomb and the questions of morality as a result of it; this features Geoff Downes on keyboards. Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess appears on “Escape Velocity,” a song that speaks to the political implications of the space race in the 1960s.

In “The Great Depression,” Billy's songwriter’s pen draws pain from the heart of a distraught Wall Street investor, who has lost everything in the stock market, and steps out to make a final step off the ledge. Rick Wakeman plays grand piano and other keyboards on this one. Finally, in CITIZEN’s 11th song, “Written In The Centuries,” performed by current Yes singer Jon Davison, Nostradamus is the Citizen busily composing his many predictions.

Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes. He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.

CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”

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Enjoy a CITIZEN EPK following this link: youtu.be/0t2xBIRHW7I
Billy online: www.facebook.com/pages/Billy-Sherwood/137916570076?fref=ts
twitter.com/billysherwood

Downloadable JPG of The Album Cover of CITIZEN

RENAISSANCE's SYMPHONY OF LIGHT Available As Classical Rock Band Plan 2014 Fall Shows

Symphony of Light's three bonus tracks include a song "Renaissance Man" dedicated to the memory of Michael Dunford, Renaissance's Late Great Songwriter and Guitarist

Renaissance have secured a distribution deal with Red River Entertainment, which now allows their new music to be heard worldwide.  The new album is called, SYMPHONY OF LIGHT and contains the songs of its 2012 release, GRANDINE IL VENTO, plus three bonus tracks: "Renaissance Man," "Immortal Beloved" and "Tonight.” 

“Symphony of Light” is the title track-about and dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci.  Also featured is "Renaissance Man," written by leadsinger Annie Haslam and keyboardist Rave Tesar in honor of the late Michael Dunford.  Michael joined Renaissance in 1970; in January 1971 Annie joined the band.  They continued touring and recording until 1987. In 2009 the band reunited, spearheaded by Annie and Michael for their 40th Anniversary tour, they continued to tour and write new songs.   

SYMPHONY OF LIGHT is now regarded as a true testament to the unforgettable melodies and love that Michael Dunford infused into his work. Michael died prematurely in late 2012 after GRANDINE was completed. The album starts off with powerful lyrics by Annie Haslam in the song "Symphony of Light" followed by "Waterfall," a song written about the rainforests in Brazil.  All the songs bathe the listener in flavors from far off countries, with lush orchestral arrangements and unusual lyrical content, with guest performances from Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and John Wetton (Asia).

SYMPHONY OF LIGHT's album cover was designed and painted by Annie Haslam, who has a flourishing career as an artist known for her unique, signature style.  Annie calls herself an “Intuitive Visionary Painter,” "I channel other dimensions, planes of existence, deep into space. I can tune into people, animals, situations, places, tangible and intangible, all from a simple thought and intention."

Annie has donated paintings to animal groups that include The Farm Sanctuary and the Humane Society of the United States for their fundraising auctions.  She paints musical instruments and has painted acoustic guitars for C.F. Martin Guitars (one of her guitars hangs in their museum) and electric violins manufactured by Mark Wood. Her work was on display at The Florence Biennale in Florence, ITALY in 2005. Fans have commented that looking at Annie's paintings is like looking at her music, and she displays her work at all her concerts for the fans to enjoy.

Nicholas J. Sands, director of Sands & Company Fine Art in New York City, heralded Annie's paintings as “magical, enigmatic and wondrous for their ability to take us to a far-away place… of fluid forms that are at once alien and familiar, primordial yet recognizable, which dance in an endless array of colors that are as rich and intense as molten lava.”

Renaissance is: Annie Haslam lead vocals, Rave Tesar keyboards, David J Keyes bass guitar, Jason Hart keyboards, Frank Pagano drums, Ryche Chlanda acoustic guitars.

TRACK LISTING

The Annie Haslam-painted cover of Renaissance's SYMPHONY OF LIGHT

1. Symphony of Light

2. Waterfall

3. Grandine il Vento

4. Porcelain

5. Cry to The World (guest appearance Ian Anderson on flute)

6. Air of Drama

7. Blood Silver Like Moonlight (Annie's duet with Asia's John Wetton)

8. The Mystic and The Muse

9. Tonight

10. Immortal Beloved

11. Renaissance Man

RENAISSANCE TOUR DATES

(Stay tuned to www.renaissancetouring.com as more dates are announced.)

October 23   Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT

October 24   The Concert Hall, New York NY 

October 25   Keswick Theater, Glenside, PA

October 30   The Center for Arts in Natick, Natick, MA

October 31    Hart Theatre, Albany, NY

November 1  Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry, NH

November 2  Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River, MA

www.renaissancetouring.com

www.facebook.com/RenaissanceTouring

www.facebook.com/AnnieHaslamArt

www.anniehaslam.com

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/symphony-of-light/id854339175

http://www.amazon.com/Symphony-Light-Renaissance

                                                                               ###

BRITISH ROCKERS ASIA ANNOUNCE GRAND PRIZE WINNER

New Mexico Fan’s Video for “An Extraordinary Life”
Selected by ASIA as Song’s Official Online Music Video


In what may be an exciting new case of “life imitating art,” the acclaimed British rock super-group, ASIA has announced Doug Purdy of Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the grand prizewinner of the band’s QuickTime music video contest for “An Extraordinary Life.” The video contest was launched by the band, its label, and strategic partners as a new initiative between ASIA and its fans. For the contest, (which was hosted by www.asiavideocontest.com), ASIA fans were invited by the band, in partnership with QuickTime, to create their own music videos for “Extraordinary Life,” a track from ASIA’s new EMI America Records album, PHOENIX.

The song was designed to celebrate the positive aspects and memories in everyone’s life, and encourages the listener to “Carp Diem;” living every day to the fullest. The song was written by ASIA members John Wetton and Geoff Downes in direct response to Wetton’s recent successful recovery from open heart surgery. Purdy’s video, like many others entered into the contest, contains personal home video footage and photos interspersed with footage of ASIA performing the song, for unique interactive experience.

“This was a unique way of connecting with our fans, via the web,” says Carl Palmer, drummer. “It was interesting to see the type of images our fans thought could fit the song, itself.”

As the contest’s top prizewinner, Purdy has also won an Apple MacBook AIR laptop, custom etched with ASIA’s logo. In addition, his creative video has been selected as the song’s official online music video by ASIA’s Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton. The video is featured at ASIA’s official websites, www.myspace.com/asia and www.originalasia.com.

PHOENIX, ASIA’s first studio album since 1983 with all four original members, was released in North America on April 15, 2008 by EMI America Records. Since 1982, ASIA has sold more than 15 million albums, and the band recently completed its latest 52-city world tour (the third since the band re-formed in 2006) to support the global release of PHOENIX.

Media Contact: Bruce Pilato - brucetune@aol.com
585-454-2756
http://www.originalasia.com