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.[1]

Road Games
EP by Allan Holdsworth
Released	1983
Studio	Music Grinder Studios, Los Angeles
Genre	Jazz fusion
Length	24:11
Label	Warner Bros.
Producer	Allan Holdsworth, Ted Templeman
Allan Holdsworth chronology
I.O.U. (1982) Road Games (1983) Metal Fatigue (1985)
Alternative cover
2001 reissue

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,[2] naming it as one of his least favourite recordings due to numerous creative differences with executive producer Ted Templeman.[3] Road Games nonetheless received a nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 1984 Grammy Awards.[4][5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

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.[1]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Paul Williams; all music is composed by Allan Holdsworth.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Three Sheets to the Wind"	4:14
2.	"Road Games"	4:14
3.	"Water on the Brain Pt. II"	2:49
4.	"Tokyo Dream"	4:04
5.	"Was There?"	4:09
6.	"Material Real"	4:41
Total length:		24:11

Personnel

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

Title	Event	Award	Result
Road Games	1984 Grammys	Best Rock Instrumental Performance	Nominated[5]

References

1. Patterson, John W. "Road Games - Allan Holdsworth". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
2. Morrison, Mike (9 February 2006). "Allan Holdsworth Interview with Mike Morrison". therealallanholdsworth.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
3. Brinn, David (10 November 2010). "Fusion, rock and something else". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
4. "Bio & History". therealallanholdsworth.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
5. "26th Grammy Awards - 1984". Rock on the Net. Retrieved 14 April 2020.

External links

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