Propensity

Danny Thompson, Allan Holdsworth, John Stevens | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 28, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Art of Life Records
• ASIN: B002D6EXQG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #248,731 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Piece Of History for Holdsworth Fans!..., September 4, 2009

By 

Jeff T. Jesmorh "Jeffrey" (Mexico City.) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Propensity (Audio CD)

The first time that Allan Holdsworth worked with John Stevens was in 1977, where a lot of material were recorded by the band in England. As a result of a lot of extended jam sesions and recorded rehersals were released: "Touching On" (1977); "Conversation Piece" (1980) and "Retouch" (1983); And now "Propensity" (1978)...

The interesting thing about this disc is that it is showing part of the Allan Holdsworth's "Acoustic Period" that goes from 1975 to 1979 with the following bands and tracks:

1. "Gone Sailing" with Soft Machine (BUNDLES, 1975);
2. "Floppy Hat", "Kinder" and "Last May" in his first ever solo album VELVET DARKNESS (1976)
3. "Shadows Of" and "Mireille" with Gong (GAZEUSE, 1976);
4. "Golden Lakes", "The Things You See", "Diminished Responsability", "She's Looking I'm Cooking" and "Up Country" with Gordon Beck in THE THINGS YOU SEE (1978);
5. "The Gathering" and "Sunbird", again with Gordon Beck in SUNBIRD (1979);
6. "Jools Tune" With John Stevens in PROPENSITY (1978);
7. And the introduction of his self penned track "Nevermore" for U.K. (U.K., 1978).

In this "Propensity" project the band was formed by Danny Thompson (Acoustic Bass), John Stevens (Drums) and Allan Holdsworth (12 string Acoustic and Electric guitars). Propensity contains just two pieces: the acoustic "Jools" and the electric "It Could Have Been Mono". It was originally planned as a mini EP. Recorded and mixed in 1978 at Island Studios, St. Peter's Square, London, England; failed to see the light in the english market by company problems but rescued it, and produced by Danny Thompson in 1997, and now this EP is in the market.

Unfortunately, It is well known that Allan Holdsworth does not approve all the John Stevens recordings, because Allan don't like the recordings made with the pressure in the studio or the hurry of the moment; as he has explained, in a fast recording the music might have some disgusting mistakes... That's why These CDs didn't appear in his official web page. But I must say that "Propensity", for sure, in the modern Jazz field, is the better John Stevens recording, because is really interesting to listen all the "free Jazz" soloing of Holdsworth (like in the good old days of Ornette Coleman or John Coltrane) in these two pieces. So don't miss the opportunity to add this disc to your collection... Good Luck!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I don't get Allan's objections, this is good!, November 7, 2009

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Arthur Simon (Albany, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Propensity (MP3 Download)

I'm a musician, and I like to jam with friends. The results are varied, so I understand when someone is reticent about releasing "jam" recordings. But these are good! I'm a big Holdsworth fan, and I would say that this ranks with the best of his work. Honestly, I wish that he "stretched out" like this with his current work. Great Stuff and highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant 1970's holdsworth, May 14, 2011

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djentmusic - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Propensity (Audio CD)

This is an instrumental,unreleased cd from 1976.I would call it purposfull improv.It's under Danny Thompsons name,but is clearly an "Alan" outing.inventive as always & brilliant!My only complaint is it's way too short:25minutes.This was probably done aruond the time as the 2 cds alan did W/ John Stevens*(Touching on ,etal)mostly known as a freejazzer.Danny thompson being mostly known as bassist of "Pentangle" & early work (John Mclaughlin*(a cd of this also exists).Track 1 features Alan on 12 string gtr(!).Well recorded for its time:a definate buy!