LEVERKUSEN 2010

Another from this wonderful posthumous run of live performances, this time from the Leverkusener Jazztage Festival 2010. This performance had a Japanese release to CD before, but now we have it expanded to an hour's length.

Chad Wackerman, of whom I'm really very fond, seemed to have been on a whole other level on this date. In particular, the performances of "Fred" and of "The Things You See..." seem to have some new life to them, the former a true classic in Fusion, I would think. And I can't say I'm familiar with nor know of another date off the top of my head in which Ernest Tibbs joined Holdsworth, but, boy, is he a welcomed component. Great soloing and accompaniment; very welcomed indeed.

Other highlights are unsurprisingly the two other definite classics: a lengthy rendition of "Letters Of Marque" and, immediately following, the exemplary "Proto-Cosmos".

Ultimately, a lot of this is on par with the lot of Allan's other live material. It's always so well performed, he always has the best of the best alongside him, and his compositions are always (more than) satisfactory. Aside from Chad's performance, it's hard to claim what exactly there is that really sets it apart, but I am just delighted to have another release of this great man's work. I miss him often.

Of the five live recordings released since the passing of Allan Holdsworth, this one is my favorite. It might have something to do with Chad Wakerman. I always liked his work with Mr. Holdsworth. He plays on the '97 recording which is only slightly less exceptional to the 2010 session. He plays the drums with a feel I don't quite hear with other jazz fusion drummers who spent sessions with the guitar wizard. Gary Novak and Gary Husband are outstanding and they are featured on other releases. However, I find Chad to be the best. The bass is held down by Ernest Tibbs and he really seems to be enjoying playing with this trio. This is a very mature Allan Holdsworth and he was in his prime, having abandoned the synthaxe for live touring, focusing on making the guitar sound fluid and very fine. Like an expensive bottle of wine.