Forty Reasons

Chad Wackerman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 27, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Times Square Records
• ASIN: B000058THT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #531,243 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Holiday Insane

2. You Came Along

3. Forty Reasons

4. Fearless

5. Quiet Life

6. Waltzing on Jupiter

7. Tell Me

8. House on Fire

9. Hidden Places

10. Go

11. Schemes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A hidden gem, January 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Forty Reasons (Audio CD)

This is really an Allan Holdsworth album (at least harmonically and melodically) - his signature is all the way through it which is no bad thing.

It's a shame it's so obscure because it's full of interesting music. Two thirds is structured and about a third is free-form improvisation. I don't care for the latter (hence the 4 stars) - it works better for me when incorporated into a composition, c.f. 'All our yesterdays' off Holdsworth's 'Atavachron' album.

All the musicians seem to be enjoying themselves. The organ is a nice departure for the Holdsworth band sound. In one track, Johnson pulls off a beautiful fretless solo - my favourite out of his numerous features on Holdsworth tunes.

For me, the standout track is 'Hidden Places' with its slowly building, maze-like intro, cathartic drumming and then triumphant introduction of the band. Holdsworth guitar gives an alarming exclamation over Johnson's cavernous bass. Holdsworth goes onto to give a standout solo of his recorded career: economic, emotional, diatonic and spacious.

If you like any of the musicians that appear on this record, buy this album. (They did another one but that's even more obscure and appears to have disappeared.)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best fusion albums ever!, June 29, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Forty Reasons (Audio CD)

plain and simple this is an amazing cd from start to finish. chad covers all styles and plays them flawless. he also knows how to put a great gruop together as well. i will agree that this is a holdsworth "showcase" in many respects but it also has some of his best playing in years and he is just restrained enough to not lose the listener, this is a must have for any serious jazz/fusion fan. anyone claiming this is muzak is deaf and should stick to there kenny g cd's.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Adding to "A hidden gem" review - great drum sound, March 24, 2006

By 

Ian Martin (Auckland New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forty Reasons (Audio CD)

Please read "A hidden gem" review. Someone has written a great review expressing very similar thoughts to mine about this surprisingly good album. (I stumbled upon it in a $2 sale bin - what joy finding this gem amongst the trash)

What I wished to add to the review, "A hidden gem" was the recording quality is quite striking. I have a entry level audio setup - Denon amp, NAD CD player and Acoustic research speakers. I use this album particularly, the track "Hidden places" to demonstrate a great drum audiophile recording. I also happen to think this is the stand out track and up there with my favourite Holdsworth tracks.

There is also a texture and a distortion on Holdworth's guitar sound that is quite unique to this album.

If you like fusion/jazz-rock then this album is indeed a hidden gem.