| Road Games | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | September 1983 (1983-09)[1] | |||
| Studio | Music Grinder Studios,Los Angeles | |||
| Genre | Jazz fusion | |||
| Length | 24:11 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Producer | Allan Holdsworth,Ted Templeman | |||
| Allan Holdsworth chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
.jpg) 2001 reissue | ||||
Road Games is an EP (or, according to its vinylsleeve, a "specially-priced 6-cutmini album") by guitaristAllan Holdsworth, released in 1983 throughWarner Bros. Records originally onvinyl only; aCD edition was reissued through Gnarly Geezer Records in 2001.[2]
Holdsworth is joined on the album by formerCream vocalistJack Bruce (who sings “Was There?” and “Material Real”), his formerBruford bandmate, bassistJeff Berlin, and then currentFrank Zappa drummerChad Wackerman. FormerJuicy Lucy andTempest frontmanPaul Williams sings the title track.
Holdsworth claimed to have received no royalties from either release,[3] naming it as one of his least favourite recordings due to numerous creative differences with executive producerTed Templeman.[4]Road Games nonetheless received a nomination forBest Rock Instrumental Performance at the1984 Grammy Awards.[5][6]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
John W. Patterson atAllMusic awardedRoad Games four stars out of five, describing it as "fusion-rock bliss" and Holdsworth's guitar work as "amazing". He also praisedChad Wackerman's "tastefully poised" drumming andJeff Berlin's "killer" bass work.[2]
All lyrics are written byPaul 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 | |
Technical
| Title | Event | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road Games | 1984 Grammys | Best Rock Instrumental Performance | Nominated[6] |
