Road Games (EP)

Road Games is an EP (or, according to its vinyl sleeve, a "specially-priced 6-cut mini album") by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1983 through Warner Bros. Records originally on vinyl only; a CD edition was reissued through Gnarly Geezer Records in 2001.

Holdsworth is joined on the album by former Cream vocalist Jack Bruce (who sings “Was There?” and “Material Real”), his former Bruford bandmate, bassist Jeff Berlin, and then current Frank Zappa drummer Chad Wackerman. Former Juicy Lucy and Tempest frontman Paul Williams sings the title track.

Holdsworth claimed to have received no royalties from either release, naming it as one of his least favourite recordings due to numerous creative differences with executive producer Ted Templeman. Road Games nonetheless received a nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 1984 Grammy Awards.

Critical reception

John W. Patterson at AllMusic awarded Road Games four stars out of five, describing it as "fusion-rock bliss" and Holdsworth's guitar work as "amazing". He also praised Chad Wackerman's "tastefully poised" drumming and Jeff Berlin's "killer" bass work.

Track listing

Personnel

• Allan Holdsworth – guitar, production
• Paul Williams – vocals (track 2)
• Jack Bruce – vocals (tracks 5, 6)
• Chad Wackerman – drums
• Jeff Berlin – bass
• Joe Turano – backing vocals
• Paul Korda – backing vocals

Technical

• Jeremy Smith – engineering
• Jeff Silver – engineering
• Gary Skardina – engineering
• Robert Feist – engineering, mixing
• Mark Linett – mixing
• John Matousek – mastering
• Joan Parker – production coordination
• Ted Templeman – executive production
• Tom Voli – executive production (reissue)
• Eddie Jobson – executive production (reissue)

Awards

References

External links

• Road Games at therealallanholdsworth.com (archived)
• Allan Holdsworth "Road Games" at Guitar Nine