Pierre Moerlen's Gong with Allan Holdsworth on guitar, recorded 25 October 1976 in Nancy, France, performing Night Illusion. Holdsworth found himself very busy in 1976: During the first few months of the year he was gigging and recording with the The New Tony Williams Lifetime, but left after completing sessions for their second album 'Million Dollar Legs'. While his date of departure is unknown, he was still performing live with the Lifetime as of March 3, 1976, as documented by the live Lifetime recording at Gabe & Walkers, Iowa City from this date. This was followed by Holdsworth's 'Velvet Darkness' sessions in New Jersey from May 24-26th. By August, Holdsworth was gigging with Pierre Moerlen’s Gong and had recorded Gazeuse/Expresso, his debut with the band. Live recordings of Gong with Holdsworth are scarce; two are known: Nancy, France, October 25, 1976 and this Reading Festival gig from August 27, 1976. Lineup: Didier Malherbe, Pierre Moerlen, Mireille Bauer, Benoit Moerlen, Francis Moze, Allan Holdsworth, Mino Cinelu. The Gong studio sessions for Gazeuse/Expresso reportedly took place around the time of this gig. Okay, let's hear from some Berklee/MI guitar nerds who think that this isn't Allan Holdsworth playing!
