Max Phelps - City Nights (Allan Holdsworth)

[Jazzfusion1980]

Dude you just made me cry! Awesome!

[crazyedd123]

You should do a cover of Devil Take the Hindmost.

But still, that was amazing. Allan would be proud.

[lorenzosalamone]

Well done mate!-u r the man!!!!

[yourideweride]

absolutely spot on mate, well done!

[tuvokzeta9]

That must have taken FOREVER to learn. Max did you use a tab or did you transcribe by ear?  Pretty killer job dude.

[vonalxao1]

Those shorts are killing me. I pretty sure I lost at least a few years from my life looking at your legs. Please, for the sake of decency and goodness, wear pants, ALWAYS.

[HotRodSixString]

Nailed the tone 

[utopiandesign]

Great dexterity man! Only one thing I might add, if I may:

1. To be creative is to be innovative (don't let imitation stifle your imagination)

2. Three tools of artistry:

a. freedom of rhythm—accel. & retard. according to good taste

b. freedom of dynamics—non-chord tones should be emphasized so their resolution gives deliverance from the tension

c. freedom of articulation—blend legato and staccato to provide a playfulness.

I raise these issues because lasting music is found in the Masters.

[SmexyKream]

Amazing job, Max. I met you the other night after the Cynic set. Thanks for signing the new EP!

[ShittyMcPoopyBalls]

Can't wait to see you with Cynic at the Key Club on the 23rd!

[jfunkfinger69]

Amazing !

[altrogeruvah]

You are insane Max. I tried covering this song years ago and failed, but with this video, I want to go back to trying to cover it!

[alexfattoruso]

Good work Max. Lots of dedication here, good to see. Question then is: what did you learn from the process?

[arcofascent]

Nice!

[tinkiwinkixeraser]

tremendo!!! sos muy bueno!! felicitaciones!!! Holdsworth es muy complicado y vos lo emulas a la perfección, es obvio que el sonido no es el mismo por los equipos, pero la intensidad que transmiten las notas y la correción es lo quela hace una exelente versión

[phreestylesk8r]

cool new guy in cynic

[Dtoburn2]

I read you are in Cynic now, cool...congrats!

[supertrixxx]

@Dtoburn2

Yeah, but... judging from CBA it seems he barely has to play anything, at least not for the title track. *trollface*

[jhep1]

more holdsworth please!!! Is great to see another mortal play his stuff...it gives hope lol

[jhep1]

awesome job

[thecouchonfire]

Haha mullets

[trempatrompa666]

obiusly fake

[mphelps540]

@trempatrompa666 shit, busted.

[XxOZONEPARKxX]

@trempatrompa666 lol, n00B

[metabaron8586]

great Job man!!!!!

[crassanova]

the May 1989 Guitar World has a complete transcription. Not that it makes it any easier to play.

[crassanova]

thanks

[Samsgarden]

Now play to that song again and this time improvise ;-)

[phoenixeye88]

How does one even begin to think in musical phrases like this? Holdsworth is truly from another planet. You seem to be too..

[thundercross9]

Amazing stuff man, congrats.

Especially the slow phrasing... tempos gone wild...

Do you know where I can get the tab for this song?

[JOHNNYG99X]

incredible.. how long did it take you to work it out ?

[greeeenmachine]

haha max the first time nick showed me this vid i thought you were playing to an instrumental track cause i couldnt hear any original guitar! awesome job, and a great song

[jerefelis]

Good man, you play very well. I’m to see other Allan Holdsworth’s fans

[Maxedher]

You go man!  Nicely done!

[largemoose]

Intro lick is not actually played as a sweep...

[fusioniskey]

NICE!!! How many times did u go over that song to get it right,,, many props to u my friend GG

[squintzzz]

haha nice man

[cmccabe07921]

GREAT JOB!! I posty linky to holdsy.com

[Crussman499]

Where did you get the sheet music for City Nights? I've been looking for it everywhere. I might end up having to transcribe it.

[zoso4563]

just an fyi... holdsworth doesn't go crazy with the vibrato, all he really does is a kinda side to side motion if anything (for the most part)

[PhuckHue2]

holy shit!

[Storviksbo]

Anyone who knows what the beginnings time signature is?

[urec13]

Great

[Valerio721]

You are an excellent guitar player!!!

Can you charge in youtube a video in where you show rallenty how to play this Allan Holdsworth song?

Thanks, Valerio.

(Exuse me for my English... I am Italian... I hope you can understand me) 

[beeroosterm]

Amazing playing, bub. But now that you've announced your awesome chops, why don't you play something that has some melody? Really, Holdsworth always sounds like he's practicing. Always...

[mphelps540]

@beeroosterm I would argue he has a better melodic sense than almost any guitar player I can think of. Personally I don't listen to him for the "wow" factor of what he's doing but because he really moves me as both a composer and an improvisor. The technicality is only a byproduct of him trying to emulate what's in his head. If you don't like it or understand it there's nothing wrong with that, but if I could only listen to one artist for the rest of my life there's a good chance he'd be it.

[beeroosterm]

@mphelps540 Interesting that you admire his sense of melody - because I cannot detect any melody in the man. My dislike of his playing is not due to a lack of understanding; it is due to his consistent inability to create even one piece of music that instills any kind of pleasure in me. I find that in itself to be remarkable, especially given his obvious talent. Just once - I would love to hear him play a straight tune instead of something more akin to fretboard gymnastics.

[sextenica]

@mphelps540 Great Answer

nobody has the melodic sense like allan

he is from another galaxy

[KingTabor]

@mphelps540 I agree 100%. And things like Above and Below are just as melodic as any Paul Macca's classic

[Fjord76]

@beeroosterm Try Endomorph, no fretboard gymnastics in this one...

[Khaos427]

@Fjord76 Quite possibly the most personal of his tunes... Hard not to feel the emotions that swell in that song.

[jazzpsalti]

@beeroosterm max has already done his defense, but I agree. Holdsworth (especially currently) is a great melodist. We could all learn some things from his solos

[beeroosterm]

@jazzpsalti Indeed. Especially on how to avoid large audiences...

[jazzpsalti]

@beeroosterm As funny as that is, it's more funny how pop artists are failing, and how guys like Allan Holdsworth still sell out 500 person venues. It's not wealth, but hell, it's a good living!

[beeroosterm]

@jazzpsalti Well...Holdsworth has his fans, and if his manager is doing his job he's finding the right venues for Holdsworth to sell out. That being said, 500 person venues aren't that large, jazz. My local bar/music club holds more than that. More power to him if he can make a good living doing what he loves. Christ knows I'm not...

[Listendudeok]

@beeroosterm You must be crazy. Allan Holdsworth wrote the most amazing melodies in the known universe. You can take apart any of his solos in slow motion, you will discover incredible phrasing in every 3 notes. We Holdsworth disciples know. Great playing, besides... much respect. Really difficult tune.

[beeroosterm]

@Listendudeok Actually...I've softened a bit on some of Holdsworth's stuff. This tune actually has some melody to it (although I don't think many can whistle it in the car). That being said, I think you're the first one who's actually used an appropriate term to describe the level of devotion some of his more rabid fans have toward him: Disciple. As such he can do no wrong, and when criticized I am called an asshole/dipshit/moron with no taste, no ability, and no heart. He is just a man...Peace

[Listendudeok]

@beeroosterm No way I'm going to call you names, I understand what you mean, and most people, honestly, don't like Allan Holdsworth's music. But in my quest with music (I play bass a bit), I just began looking for the best, most special virtuosos, as time went by, and discovered Holdsworth. I don't like other guitar heroes though... It's all a matter of taste anyway.

[beeroosterm]

@Listendudeok My introdution to Holdsworth was with his most recent stuff and like most, it came off as weird, unmelodic, and unsatisfying. However, looking farther back into his time as a straight jazz player in groups like Soft Machine gave perspective. His complete mastery of the guitar in his 20's amazed and provided clues to his evolution. Having completely mastered jazz guitar, he embarked on a trip to the unknown/undefined - at great risk to his wallet and fans present and future.

[beeroosterm]

@beeroosterm Part 2 - I feel this is a mark of a great artist: giving in to the artistic impulse at the risk of alienating those fans who might demand more of what they found pleasant in the past for whatever satisfies in the present, regardless of the outcome personally, professionally, and certainly monetarily. See Robert Pirsig's description of Dynamic Quality. I think Holdsworth mastered the guitar long ago and has been on the leading edge of that guitar train, not knowing where it will go.

[Listendudeok]

@beeroosterm Yep - Holdsworth never compromised - he lived like a bum for many years, just being totally free and independent in his musical expression. I think you respect him quite a lot. My fave records are "Wardenclyffe Tower" and "Secrets", but I also recommend the raw "I.O.U.", done without keyboards, a great, unique gem to me (of course, ha ha). Just a great dummer, bassist, and Holdsworth simple Charvel guitar, Coltrane level, crazy music, no strings attached.

[freejazzfree]

@beeroosterm something that has melody!! hahaha

maybe you're ears need a little work

[beeroosterm]

@freejazzfree Read my other comments - I haven't really changed my mind as to his melodies, but I do certainly acknowledge his utter mastery of the guitar and his no-compromise approach in chasing his muse...

[zoso4563]

@beeroosterm listen to like the unmerry go round or something where he plays a lot of chords... he's got a better sense of melody than anyone out there almost

[beeroosterm]

@zoso4563 I've basically given up on anything newer than his very old jazz stuff. Anything after that basically offends my ear...Good luck to you.

[XxOZONEPARKxX]

@beeroosterm lol, n00B comment

[nandothompson]

Dude you have the best cover of this that I have seen on youtube or anywere else for that matter. Would you happen to have the tab for this. I have found one but its not as good what you are doing. Please help. Thanks Nando

[soulslaveone]

WOW! I thought that guitar was impossible, but U nailed it!:-)

[diecorgan]

muy bieeen!

[ckorch]

Fantastic playing. Great job emulating Holdsworth!

[Listendudeok]

wow BADASS... keep it up man, great playing. I discovered Holdsworth with this tune. Very well done, I hear every note etc.

[sextenica]

excelleeeeent

congrat.



[BiorythmicDrifter]

holy fuck, that was badass dude!

[Holdsyfan]

Bows down! you are amazing!

[guitarproud]

Spot on. Great, great job, dude!!!!

Now just think, Holdsworth supposedly improvised all of that!!! O_O

[mphelps540]

@guitarproud Haha, yep.

[Fjord76]

@guitarproud supposedly? Allan Holdsworth can't do anything but improvise, that's for sure...

[alembicbassguy]

Amazing job!!! Superb.

[CherubicGuardian]

That's amazing. You make it look so easy. By the way, do you sweep pick that part at 0:15?

[mphelps540]

@CherubicGuardian Yep, although I'm pretty sure that's not how he played it on the recording.

[CherubicGuardian]

@mphelps540 Yeah I think I heard somewhere that Allan doesn't sweep pick. But you nailed it none the less. I'd give anything to be able to play this song. I still can't get past that part haha.

[bienesvi]

good playing 

[bubbajim91]

show me your tats

[Timotheedle]

nice!

[aryuserius]

Wicked!!! Nice work bro!

[mphelps540]

@aryuserius Thanks man, definitely took some time haha.