ALLAN HOLDSWORTH & GORDON BECK: WITH A HEART IN MY SONG

To be honest, this duo album from Allan Holdsworth and Gordon Beck doesn't sound very different from an Allan Holdsworth solo album. Allan found himself a kindred spirit in Gordon Beck, a jazz keyboardist who was already performing in the sixties. As you look at Allan's discography, you will see that it is not the first album which he made together with Gordon (and it wouldn't be the last either).

Both musicians are excellent soloists. The music is vibrant. If you would make comparisons with an existing Allan Holdsworth solo record: it is closest in sound to Sand, which is no wonder, because it was released a year before.

Even though this album sounds much like an Allan Holdsworth solo album, surprisingly 5 out of 7 compositions are credited to Gordon Beck. Only 54, Duncan terrace and Sundays are written by Allan. The former is also to be found on Allan's solo album Secrets.

Allan and Gordon are bothe virtuosos on their instrument, but their virtuosity serves the music, is just there to create an atmosphere.

Allan is playing a lot of Synthaxe (guitar controller, guitar synthesizer) on the album, which together with Gordon's keyboards give the album a dreamy atmosphere (like often with Allan's Synthaxe albums).

The compositions are very well, the sound is representative for that era, but better than on Atavachron, his first Synthaxe - endrenched album.

Four stars, especially because Allan and Gordon really stimulate in giving their best efforts for this album.