Allan Holdsworth/Gordon Beck – The Things You See (1980) Review | The Little Black Notes Are Tiny Tadpoles That Flutter to the Touch
Kronomyth 2.0: The nucleopus is to the rhybipsalm as.
Allan Holdsworth and Gordon Beck first crossed musical paths in Nucleus, reuniting on Gordon Beck’s 1979 solo album, Sunbird. The following year, they released The Things You See in select markets. Billed to the pair, the album features mostly duets plus a solo piece each. This is the most jazz-oriented of the Holdsworth records I’ve heard, at no point crossing over into the fusion or progressive rock factions most associated with the man. The music is restrained, intelligent, proficiently executed with moments of pure perfection. At one point in my notes, I wrote “who needs Metheny and Mays when you have these guys?,” and that sort of sums up The Things You See at its best (e.g., Golden Lakes, The Things You See). Beck, the elder statesman, is more likely to follow a traditional path (cf. Stop Fiddlin’, Up Country). Holdsworth is still shedding his rock skin, especially on At the Edge, which showcases the guitarist’s remarkably solid singing. Suffice it to say he’s no Steve Howe. I’m surprised he hasn’t been asked to step behind the microphone more often, but I guess the man is being paid to shred not sing. Jazz duets are often dry and mathematical undertakings. The presence of the mathematically minded Holdsworth would seem to increase those odds, yet the operative scientific reference here is chemistry rather than mathematics. Beck and Holdsworth have a natural chemistry that shines through on songs like Golden Lakes and The Things You See. Both musicians are fast, unconventional and (I suspect) romantics at heart. Beck also seems to be something of a nostalgist, to judge from Stop Fiddlin’ and Up Country, although my familiarity with the man is limited to his forays into the world of fusion. Many a great jazz fusion guitarist (e.g., Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny) has sought respite at the cool oasis of the jazz duet, if only to glimpse their own reflection in the water. The Things You See invites you to peer over Holdsworth’s shoulder at the edge of the oasis and, oh, the things you’ll hear.
The Product
A1. Golden Lakes (Allan Holdsworth) (4:45)
A2. Stop Fiddlin’ (Gordon Beck) (2:50)
A3. The Things You See (When You Haven’t Got Your Gun) (Allan Holdsworth) (4:25)
A4. Diminished Responsibility (Allan Holdsworth) (8:10)
B1. She’s Lookin’, I’m Cookin’ (Gordon Beck) (12:00)
B2. At the Edge (Allan Holdsworth) (3:10)
B3. Up Country (Gordon Beck) (4:15)
The Players
Gordon Beck (piano and Fender electric piano), Allan Holdsworth (acoustic and electric guitars, vocals). Produced by Jean-Marie Salhani; engineered by Jean-Claude Egreteau.
The Pictures
Photos by Patrick Tandin. Cover design by F.L. Publicité. Illustration by Marcel Pettineo.
The Plastic
Released on elpee in 1980 in France (Disques JMS, JMS 09) and Japan (DIW, DIW 1003).
- Re-issued on compact disc in 2007 in France (JMS, JMS 048-2).
