Blues for Tony is a live album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, keyboardist Alan Pasqua, bassist Jimmy Haslip, and drummer Chad Wackerman. It was recorded in 2007, and was released as a double CD set by Moonjune Records in 2009.[1][2] The album, which is dedicated to drummer Tony Williams, was issued after the release of a DVD titled Live At Yoshi's, featuring the same personnel.[3][4] Pasqua appears on Holdsworth's first solo album (Velvet Darkness), and both Holdsworth and Pasqua were members of the New Tony Williams Lifetime during the mid-1970s, recording two albums with that band, Believe It (1975) and Million Dollar Legs (1976).
| Blues for Tony | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Live album by | |
| Released | 2009 |
| Recorded | 2007 |
| Genre | Jazz fusion |
| Length | 1:30:16 |
| Label | Moonjune Records MJR029 |
| Producer | Alan Pasqua, Allan Holdsworth, Chad Wackerman, Jimmy Haslip |
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| All About Jazz | [5] |
In a review for AllMusic, Alex Henderson wrote: "this quartet... demonstrates that being influenced by rock and funk and making extensive use of electric instruments doesn't mean that a group cannot maintain a jazz mentality. In fact, Blues for Tony thrives on a jazz mentality. Improvisation and spontaneity prevail, and... the quartet's amplified performances can easily be described as 'the sound of surprise'... Blues for Tony is an album that fusion lovers shouldn't miss."[1]
Background Magazine's Pedro Bekkers stated: "For us fusion lovers, this album is a showcase of what happens when you put four of the finest fusion players on a stage. I just love this kind of music!"[6]
S. Victor Aaron of Something Else! singled out Holdsworth's "Fred" for praise, and commented: "'Fred' assumes virtuosic power and control. Balls-out fusion when done right can be as much of a pleasure to rock along to as much it can be to marvel at. That's what Holdsworth, Pasqua and their two in-demand surrogates did for AH's enduring classic. There's no better way they could fete the late, great Tony Williams."[7]
Track listings
editDisc 1
edit- "Blues for Tony" (Alan Pasqua) – 11:12
- "The Fifth" (Chad Wackerman) – 8:58
- "It Must Be Jazz" (Alan Pasqua, Allan Holdsworth, Chad Wackerman, Jimmy Haslip) – 8:38
- "Fred" (Allan Holdsworth) – 9:56
- "Guitar Intro" (Allan Holdsworth) – 3:35
- "Pud Wud" (Allan Holdsworth) – 9:59
Disc 2
edit- "Looking Glass" (Allan Holdsworth) – 10:07
- "To Jaki, George and Thad" (Alan Pasqua) – 4:51
- "San Michele" (Alan Pasqua) – 11:31
- "Protocosmos" (Alan Pasqua) – 5:46
- "Red Alert" (Alan Pasqua) – 5:50
Personnel
edit- Allan Holdsworth – guitar
- Alan Pasqua – keyboards
- Jimmy Haslip – bass
- Chad Wackerman – drums
References
edit- ^ a b c Henderson, Alex. "Allan Holdsworth / Jimmy Haslip / Alan Pasqua / Chad Wackerman : Blues for Tony". AllMusic. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- ^ "Allan Holdsworth - Blues for Tony". Jazz Music Archives. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- ^ Meredith, Bill (July 1, 2007). "Allan Holdsworth & Alan Pasqua: Featuring Chad Wackerman & Jimmy Haslip". Jazz Times. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- ^ "Allan Holdsworth & Alan Pasqua - Live At Yoshi's DVD - Avalable [sic] 04/15/08". All About Jazz. March 9, 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- ^ Italy Staff, AAJ (January 7, 2010). "Allan Holdsworth: Blues For Tony". All About Jazz. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- ^ Bekkers, Pedro (2013). "Holdsworth Pasqua Haslip Wackerman - Blues For Tony". Background Magazine. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- ^ Aaron, S. Victor (May 21, 2010). "One Track Mind: Holdsworth/Pasqua/Haslip/Wackerman – "Fred" (2010)". Something Else!. Retrieved November 28, 2022.