Allan Holdsworth: radio interview - by René Wiborg 1997

AUDIO ONLY - Copyright: René Wiborg In memory of the great Allan Holdsworth, who travelled ahead five years ago, I wish to pay my respects to him and his family by publishing an interview, that I had the privilege of making in 1997. This (telephone)interview was broadcasted at a local FM radiostation in Aarhus, Denmark way back when. THE STORY BEHIND In 1997 I was working as a host/DJ at Radio DÅB (Det Åbne Båndværksted). I found out that the local progressive venue Husets Musikteater had booked Allan Holdsworth. I was in Heaven and decided, that I HAD to do an interview prior to the concert. As I state in the feature it would be the equivalent of my mother getting an interview with Elvis Presley, fanboy-wise. Born in 1967 I´ve been a Holdsworth fan since, I discovered him on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine (in 1982, I think). At that time it was not easy to look up music, but a few years later my local record shop in Aalborg managed to get me the I.O.U. album (the red version). Much later I also got the black one. That album was gamechanger. For me and for the world. I could not believe what I heard. That mix of Paul Williams´ crooning a la Sinatra, otherwordly sounds (is that a guitar?), pumping bass and aggressive drumming. It is probably still my favourite AH album. Along with Metal Fatigue and Secrets. And many others … ;-) Via his agent I hooked up a phoneinterview with Allan, who was playing in Austria the day before Aarhus in 1997. Apparently he hadn´t been briefed about the (early) interview, so I woke him up. I then suggested to do it a few hours later, and fortunately AH agreed :-) It all ended up being the second part of my radioshow on October 20th 1997. Of course I went to the brillant concert at Husets Musikteater the next night. AH had a few technical problems, some guitarcables didn´t cooperate, but it was awesome. Originally we made an agreement to make another interview after the concert. I approached AH, as he was enjoying a danish pilsner at the bar. He stated that he was too exhausted to make the interview, so I thanked him for an excellent concert and we said our goodbyes. What a kind and gentle man. Just listen to
38:53, when we say goodbye. My heart is melting, hearing that voice … The first part of this radioshow features “Secrets 10 - Unsigned from Denmark” - a promotion cd by ROSA - The Danish Rock Council. Most parts of the show are in danish language. Sorry ;-) But listen to it ... and you´ll also get a scent of the Danish rockscene, the language and local radio in the 90s :-) Music tracks are shortened for legal reasons. I apologize to the bands for untimely fades. This one´s for you - Cheers, mr. Holdsworth. Enjoy - and feel free to share. Much love. /René ___________ NOTES
The first part of this radioshow features “Secrets 10 - Unsigned from Denmark” - a promotion cd by ROSA - The Danish Rock Council. Most parts of the show are in danish language. Sorry ;-) But listen to it ... and you´ll also get a scent of the Danish rockscene, the language and local radio in the 90s :-) Music tracks are shortened for legal reasons. I apologize to the bands for untimely fades. This one´s for you - Cheers, mr. Holdsworth. Enjoy - and feel free to share. Much love. /René ___________ NOTES
At the time I had not yet realized, that AH would have nothing to do with “Velvet Darkness”. I still like quite a few tunes on it …

About the music samples: At the time my (physical) AH collection was mostly from the 70s and 80s. It was way before Spotify …
___________ RUNNING ORDER
00:31. Intro (in danish): Themes of the show: 1) “Unsigned from Denmark - Secrets 10” promotion album 2) “Holdsworth is coming to town” + Soft Machine “Bundles”, 1975.
1) “Unsigned from Denmark - Secrets 10” promotion album 2) “Holdsworth is coming to town” + Soft Machine “Bundles”, 1975.
02:45 Urban Dance Squad: "Demagogue""
03:50 New album: "Secrets 10" (by ROSA - The Danish Rock Council).
04:57 Moi Caprice: "Pinocchio and Naked People"
06:16 Gung Ho: "Silver Machine"
08:48 SIAL: "WC"
10:03 Biff Baxter Band: "Bodybuilding Intellectuals"
- - - -

12:28 “Allan Holdsworth is coming to Aarhus" - theme

13:52 My first call to AHs hotel room in Vienna, Austria ;-) (in English).

15:48 Music from Metal Fatigue (1985) + introduction (in danish).

19:02 Interview with Allan Holdsworth (in English) on the phone from his hotel room in Vienna. About: the Europe Tour, broken gear and the forthcoming concert in Aarhus.

21:17 Danish interpretation, “I.O.U. blew me away” …

22:36 Music: “The things you see (when you haven´t got your gun)”, 1982.

24:35 Interview with artistic director Christoph Huber from Porgy & Bess - Jazz and Music Club in Vienna, where Allan Holdsworth Group played the night prior to the concert in
Aarhus.

27:28 Music from "Secrets", 1989 - Guitar synth

28:47 Interview with Allan Holdsworth (in English). About: the SynthAxe and bandmembers Chad Wackerman (drums) + Dave Carpenter (bass) + about the next album (which was to be “The Sixteen Men of Tain”).
About: the SynthAxe and bandmembers Chad Wackerman (drums) + Dave Carpenter (bass) + about the next album (which was to be “The Sixteen Men of Tain”).
32:23 Music: The Tony Williams Lifetime: "Proto-Cosmos", 1975.

33:17 Interview with Allan Holdsworth (in English). About his stint with Level 42 in the late 80s, gigging in Europe and festival sets!
About his stint with Level 42 in the late 80s, gigging in Europe and festival sets!
36:35 Acoustic Allan: "Floppy Hat" from “Velvet Darkness”, 1976.

37:31 Interview with Allan Holdsworth (in English) About airline handling and a pair of - very costly - maracas ;-)
About airline handling and a pair of - very costly - maracas ;-)

Allan Holdsworth radio interview - by René Wiborg 1997