Michael Hedges

Michael Hedges was truly an amazing guitar player. His approach and skill easily places him among the best there has been.

"Aerial Boundries" is one of his defining moments, from the instant his guitar starts with the title track his songs and skill take you to another place.

It does seem that some of the sound is a bit compressed because I recall hearing dynamics before on some of these songs (though granted I used to listen to this a friend's system, which was a pretty good one compared to what I have now), but there is still alot to listen to hear. If you have heard of Hedges before you may notice, if not, even if somethings are missing, it will not detract from your enjoyment of the record.

I discovered Michael Hedges 'accidentally' by a reference made about him from Gregg Braden. Although I don't play guitar myself, both my sons and two of my grandchildren do and I appreciate a good guitarist. I pulled up some videos of Michael Hedges on YouTube and was transported by the unusual sounds he was able to finesse from an ordinary instrument. I was saddened to learn that he is no longer with us. If you want to have a listening experience like no other you will want to do the same as I and purchase the CD's of Michael Hedges.

Michael Hedges was a truly extraordinary player. He also personified New Age-y-ness in a good, real, and human way. If you put aside the stereotype, he was really working to live a good life in the way that he wanted to. I saw him play several times in Nashville and then in California, in the early 1990s. When he came to Stanford and played with Michael Manring, it was one of the best concerts of my life. He was in a great mood, energized, and absolutely blew the crowd away. Then there were quieter moments; for example he recited the Jabberwocky whilst walking, hunched down, with his elbows wrapped behind his knees and his hands also on the floor (playing a borogove?--see the cover of Road to Return). His covers, like Drive Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals, or Lucky Star by Madonna started out like a bit of tongue in cheek, but they became rocking, gleeful, pyrotechnic liberation.

Aerial Boundaries is wonderful. Other albums are definitely worthwhile, or if you want to get a couple of mp3's where he's doing great guitar, try Silent Anticipations (off of Breakfast in the Field or Live on the Double Planet) or The Rootwitch (off Taproot), or Jitterboogie (off Oracle, and not avail. as mp3 on Amazon I think).

I was really bummed when Michael Hedges died in a car wreck, tumbling alone off of California's coastal Highway 1. I think I had this album on CD along time ago, or cassette, but it's lost. I'm finally coming back to buy it again today.

Micheal Hedges lived to please his listeners with the best possible music that he could get from a guitar!!

Great CD if you enjoy acoustic guitar. Sophiscated, romantic,ethereal, and abstract all rolled into a ball. Good stuff!

I really like this style of guitar and have no regrets with my purchase.

I just landed here. If this is considered New Age, then I am a newager. Pretty intense sounds in this album. I'll be starting coverage of Michael Hedges.

Michael Hedges, without exaggeration, was the most brilliant solo acoustic guitarist who ever walked this Earth. This CD is not only a great starting point for those who are not familiar with his work, but it is essential listening for anyone with general interest in the field of solo instrumental acoustic guitar.

During his lifetime, Hedges was acknowledged as the "king of the hill" among an elite handful of guitar virtuosi. Years after his untimely death, the music of this artist still towers above the pack.

Also highly recommended: Areial Boundaries, Oracle, and Taproot.

Every now and then an album comes along that seems to stand outside the constraints of time. This is one of those albums. Beautiful and unlike anything you've ever heard before, this is one of those albums that makes you truly grateful that God gave you ears.

I am a late bloomer, in regards to Hedges' music, but I can't express how much I like his songs. The first time I even heard about him was on the LAGQ Cd "Guitar Heroes" where they play a piece for him called "Lament and Wake".Then I bought the CD "Beyond Boundaries" and saw why they included him on their CD. What a great loss to lose such a talented musician.

This CD is a great introduction to the amazing world of Michael Hedges.

When I first listened to this album, I think it was back in 1987, it was a blow of joy for my ears, a new style, a new very creative way of playing acoustic guitar. Hedges use of harmonics and deep and low notes creates a unique experience for the listener. Great album, great player.

Michael Hedges is the top guitarist of all time in my opinion!! His compositions and inovative style are unsurpassed!!!

My parents flirted with Hedges as I was growing up, playing Breakfast in the Field and Live on the Double Planet every so often, and so when, at the age of 15 or so, the news caster played a clip of his "Because it's There" in memory of his life and death, I recognized the song and immediately went and searched out the cds which had floated in and out of my childhood.

Thankfully, both were still intact, and Breakfast in the Field soon became an album I was never without. This remains true, having replaced it a few times after losing or giving it away. And it is an album I will have until I die.

My favorites are The Happy Couple, Baby Toes, Two Days Old, and Lenono - and yet I can start the album at any point and listen, enthralled, until it ends. Each track is gorgeous, and each is incredibly different. And different from anything else you'll ever hear, especially with the added bonus of Michael Manring on multiple tracks (his additions inspiring me to buy a fretless bass).

This is one of those albums that, as another reviewer has said, will bring you to tears. He (the reviewer) is a year older than my 23 years - and here are two grown, but still young men talking about crying over another man with an acoustic guitar.

Just take some time and listen. By yourself, in a dark room, as the snow falls outside. It will find you.

Very little melody,harmony, or rhythm.Not in the same class as L.Juber,D.Smith,or even E.Gerhardt.Boring.

This disc is worth getting just for one track "The Happy Couple" which is one of the most beautiful, haunting tunes every written by Michael. The single plucked string against the backdrop of the low E string is nothing short of stunning. Some of the artists out there who try to impress by bombarding us with 32nd note scales could learn a few things from Mr. Hedges. Often, 'simple' is better for effect. But the term 'simple' does not fit with Michael Hedges. What's great about his music is that it is actually very complicated and difficult to play, but it doesn't sound like it would/should be.

The rest of the album is a treat as well, especially "Layover", "Eleven Small Roaches", "Baby Toes" (oh my, a gorgeous tune), and "Lenono". All of these display the impecable finger-stylings of Hedges with awe-inspiring hammer-ons, pull-offs, and timing. A great debut by the master.

This was the first Mike Hedges album I ever owned on cassette. Now it is the last that I have bought on CD. I own most all of his collection and love his music. I was sad to here that there will be no more.

This is a wonderful cd but just hearing him does not fully depict how amazing of an artist he was.

If you are here, then you must be a guitar nut. Go all the way and get the dvd "WIndham Hill Live" where Hedges plays 3 or 4 songs.

He is not only phenomenal but also you can see the physicality of his playing. It puts his music in a totally different light! That dvd is the absolutely best work by this tremendous musical visionary.

this being the only Micheal Hedges album that i own and the only one that i have heard, i cannot comment in much detail about how this compares to his other recordings; but Live On The Double Planet is an extraordinary listen. full of inventive and creative playing that is beautiful and mind-boggling. the cover songs are amazing and really break out of the mold of the original...some are almost unrecognizeable until the vocals begin. the quiet pieces are the most effective compositions on here... the mood is very reflective and the beauty in his playing is astonishing.

Unaware of how into the genre I had become, a friend of mine, one day, told me that if I combined the words new and age it would be read "newage." That, he went on to say would rhyme with sewage, a word perhaps best describing the former. I laughed at the little quip. But in the back of my mind I tried to search for an example of genius in the genre which might turn the tide in his thinking should it come up again. My conclusion was Michael Hedges and specifically this album. "Live on the Double Planet" is a snapshot of the full range Hedges' genius.

You ever had that feeling after deciding to be adventurous and plunking down $17, that you wished you'd played it safer? I had this feeling with this CD--for a day or two at most. It grew on me like few CDs have, until it became THE CD of the summer in which I bought it, and one of my very favorites of all time. It's original without being self-indulgent, technically astounding without losing the music, full of different moods, a great live ambience, and even humor. I adore it. I missed hearing Michael Hedges in person, and now I'll never get the chance (it was one black morning indeed when I heard he'd died). Don't you miss this CD.

Who was Michael Hedges? One of the greatest acoustic guitar players ever, for sure, and a brilliant composer, but much more than that. His total mastery of technique enabled him to transcend the boundaries of his instrument and to speak with a direct connection to his soul. Not a striving to reach such a state, but the outpouring of a true master, of one who has attained it. I hear his music and no longer wonder about the reason for existence. Not to say that all of his music attains this lofty level, but a great deal does. Oracle might not be his best work, (although it is my personal favorite) but it's definitely in the top three.

Always wondered how you would answer the question "if I were stranded on a deserted island, what music would you take?" This one is without a DOUBT at the top of my list. Michael's untimely death STILL wracks me to this day. The man was just beginning to blossom. I can say without hesitation that this CD is the single most important piece of modern acoustic guitar ever made. The emotion laid forth on each and every song is unmatched. Strong enough review for you? Buy it, and if you do not like it, I WILL BUY THE COPY FROM YOU!!! If I had 100 copies of this album, I would be fine with that!
(...)

I live in Santa Cruz, CA, and it's hard for me to listen to this album without thinking of the extremely artsy young hippie types that one used to frequently see wandering around the ocean front or downtown on Pacific Ave. I'm picturing the kind of young white person who wears his hair in dread knots and usually has a long thin face and colorful loose fitting clothes.

I realize that such an introduction is likely to put a lot of people off, but that simply is the persona that Hedges projects on this wonderful acoustic guitar album. I never really know whether those young men and their long skirted women really are as creative as they so desperately want to appear, but there is no question that Hedges had an abundance of inspiration flowing freely when he made this album.

The songs are generally melodic, and can be used if not for background music, then for a quiet accompanyment when puttering around the house. However, the album is so moody and introspective that it is best appreciated in a darkened room where the focus is on the music.

Hedges strikes me as a very good, but not quite superb, guitarist who is especially conscious of the resonance of his instrument. As a result, hearing this album on a very good stereo system straight from disk, or in a very high quality MP3, is probably best. You need to be able to hear the way his wooden acoustic guitar echoes to fully appreciate these songs.

As I've already implied, there is something very quirky about Hedges music on this album. The "Theme from Hitari," for instance, is not exactly a likely choice in music for most musicians. But Hedges makes this Henry Mancini song his own by giving it a lonesome, introspective air that is full of lush melancholy.

Ignition is another type of song. It is an obvious riff on the sound of a car starting up that has a sharp edged percusive energy to it that is at once humorous and somehow emotionally evocative.

Hedges doesn't have George Winston's great melodic gift, or Alex di Grassi's extraordinary technical felicity. Nevertheless, this is a good album straight from the heart of the best of the Windham Hill tradition. This is not likely to be considered the best disc in your collection, but it is one that people who have a little bit of the new age hippie in them are likely to enjoy.

This was the first Hedges cd I heard and I went on to get most of the others afterwards. The first three tracks are simply gorgeous as is "Gospel" and "Sofa No. 1" a nice addition for the Zappa fans...

But by far the stand out track is "Baal T'shuvah", an absolutely warm, well-rounded, fingerstyle song that is beyond description. Essential.

This album marks a return for Hedges in finger-style technique. Known for his earlier efforts, "Ariel Boundaries"/"Breakfast in the Field", that demonstrated finger-style playing....Hedges followed up with some collaborative efforts and non-finger-style albums.

This is a return the the original techniques.....AND ITS BEAUTIFULL!

My family and I love all of the Winter Solstice cds but far and away III is the best of the bunch. Songs like "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Snow is Lightly Falling" are so simple and haunting and stir a soul-recognition of this time of year that few other songs can match. We start playing it in late November and continue right thru to early spring. We will have to replace it soon as we are wearing it out. I cannot imagine December without it.

This mixture of instrumentals and vocal selections is a great addition to any Christmas collection. Novel arrangements of old favorites, and the inclusion of some very unfamiliar works make this a welcome change from the old chestnuts. Some of the less favorable reviews here seem to stem from the inclusion of overtly Christmas songs, not from any failing of the performances themselves.

One quibble: the "Pavane" (track 12) is not composed by Liz Story, but is a Renaissance/early-Baroque piece (Sweelinck? Froberger?).

"Christmas Bells" by John Gorka, Barbara Higbie's "Lullay, Lully" and "In The Bleak Midwinter" by Pierce Pettis are three of the most heartfelt Christmas songs/carols I have ever heard on record. Add to them Tim Story's rendition of "Of The Father's Love Begotten" and Paul McCandless' arrangement of "Coventry Carol" and, in my opinion, this is the best of the original six "A Winter's Solstice" recordings.

I'm a big fan of this Winter Solstice series, have all of them & most i rate 5 stars. i see other reviewers here like this cd for some of the reasons i dont like it, but that's music. we all have different tastes.

amyway, find the 4 vocals jarring, even though they are pleasant. i play Windham Hill CDs when i want a break from vocals.

besides the vocal tracks, the instrumentals here are too divergent, steel drums, a little nutcracker, some solstice stuff & the first volume in the series where a few xmas carols creep in.

so ure left with a Windham Hill CD with no focus. it's not solstice, its not xmas, its not throughly meditative. it does sound like a random Windham Hill sampler which is fine for picking out the few good tunes, but given the high bar set by the other CDs in the series, this one is a letdown.

I must say, of all the winter solstice albumns, this is perhaps the pinnacle of the series. John Gorka's Christmas Bells is positively marvelous. The rest of the disc is very well done with non cheesy vocal tracks and top notch performances from the other contributors.

I love the sound and sense of place in "Rough Wind in Oklahoma" and in the two, very different interpretations of "Free Swinging Soul." This is a lovely album that I have listened to again and again. I highly recommend it.

This is a last great gift from a musician and artist that touched the souls of all he met.

For those who are not familiar with Michael Hedges' work, please purchase as a minimum, Ariel Boundaries, and then perhaps "Live on the Double Planet." After those two albums this one will take on a greater meaning.

This album in it's unfinished state only adds to the experience, because it yeilds a small insight in to the processes from which his art emerged whole. I would have much preferred to wait for the finished album than to loose such a national treasure as Michael Hedges.

This man died far too soon, with far too much music left in his heart. I consider myself blessed indeed to have been present at a number of his concerts over the years, and to have shaken the hand of such a talented soul.

Michael, you are with us always in your music and in your gentle manner and your raging performances and your wit.

Michael Hedges was probably the most gifted writer, musician, arranger and producer in the modern music age. His inventive playing style and creative alternate tunings make his work a joy to listen to. Torched is the last work that Michael completed before his death in 1997. If you really want to hear every nuance on Torched, I suggest you listen to these two albums first: Breakfast in the Fields, Taproot, then Torched. You will hear the evolution of a player and the maturing of an arranger. I give Torched 5 stars not because I am a big fan and emulator of Michael, but because it is the best work I have ever heard.

Hedges last work before he was killed in an auto accident. What you hear here are the pre-production "demos" which were to become a final mastered product.

The quality of the production is no big deal, only audio engineers could really care. The important point is, this album was released intentionally "as is"....they did not want to change any of the production values.....it was a great idea!

The music is solid & beautifull as expected, but add the haunting realization that this was this genius man's last effort.

What was once an unfinished production, these pre-production recordings add to the honor and beauty of Micheal Hedges legacy.

Anyone who has enjoyed any other recordings of Michael Hedges should own this CD. It is his final musical statement, and no one knows which of the unfinished tracks, if any, would have made his final cut. In that light, a different standard needs to be applied to this collection of recordings. Perhaps more than any other album, "Torched" illustrates the broad vision of Michael Hedges, which spanned from pop music fan, to serious composer, to spiritual mystic. The unfinished tracks are often very clearly unfinished; but the Michael Hedges fan will love this collection as a rare glimpse into the creative process in action; the Michael Hedges fan will love this collection because it gives a view of what was to come; and many other people will enjoy this recording because the music is of a very high compositional standard, and has an integrity that is truly rare. Of all the Hedges albums, this is the one that may be for fans only, if there is such a thing; however, this is not meant to dissuade the curious. If you are inclined to take a chance on this, you will most likely be pleased. I must say that I was very disappointed by the Amazon reviewer's lack of musical perspective, as well as by his use of sledgehammer "wit," considering the circumstances of Michael Hedges' death.

An incredible instrumental guitarist. An amazing musician. One of a kind. And don't be swayed by the guitar snobs regarding his singing. (And I am a guitar player.) Michael Hedges writes and sings wonderful lyrical songs. Most solo musicians wish they could capture the magic and beauty of his voice combined with his guitar to create such beautiful works. He consistently demonstrates his incredible guitar technique woven amongst his words. There are only a couple of lyric based songs on this disc, but you wish you could hear all the others. The rest is pure instrumental bliss. Anyway...this is decent best-of, but I recommend listening to his entire catalogue. Enjoy. RIP MH.

Michael Hedges was an astonishing musician, who died too soon in 1997. While his primary instrument was his guitar playing, to give this release a two-star review because of a couple of vocal tracks ("The Streamlined Man" and "I Carry Your Heart") is a classic example of throwing out the baby with the bath water. In addition, Hedges possesses a fine singing voice, but it's his guitar playing that truly amazes. Especially haunting is his use of harp guitar on "Because It's There" and "Chava's Song."

This is a wonderful collection of tracks beginning with his Windham Hill debut BREAKFAST IN THE FIELD ("Layover" and "The Funky Avocado) through the poshumously released TORCHED ("Ursa Major" and "Java Man"). The latter two were works in progress, but as with all of the songs on that album, they were released as Hedges left them. The beauty of those songs only hint at where his muse may have taken him.

In addition this collection includes a cover of George Harrison's "If I Needed Someone," a track which first surfaced on 1992's GUITAR SAMPLER and later on 1999's HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE. In 2000, Windham Hill released THE BEST OF MICHAEL HEDGES. PURE MICHAEL HEDGES repeats six of those tracks (seven if you count the live version of "Because It's There"). So why this new collection? Part of it is marketing--Windham Hill has put out numerous PURE releases to mark its 30th anniversary, but it's also to commemorate a gifted guitarist. PURE makes for a satisfying overview of an innovative guitarist. [Running Time - 53:29] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Michael Hedges body of work remains a spectacular example of brilliant guitar music. With his passing in the late 90s the world was robbed of a musical genius. That said, his later songwriting with lyrics work (Streamlined Man? Please...) is tedious and boring. I'd pick one of his earlier examples produced by Will Ackerman.

Michael Hedges (God rest his soul) had been blessed to play like Angels were guiding his fingers.

I got to see him perform his music from Taproot live at my college back in the 90's and I am SO GLAD I went! It's tough to believe that all the sounds are JUST HIM ALONE playing a 12-string guitar. No accompaniment when I saw him perform live. Just him alone on stage. Magnificent!

His music is featured in the movie "August Rush", and that is what prompted me to pull Taproot out of my music drawer and listen once again. Wonderful to listen to with all of his nuances. My favorite is 'Ritual Dance', and my second favorite is 'Rootwitch'. I can feel his passion and energy in every cell of my body.

I was so sad to find out he passed away in a car accident. It makes the CD's I have of his so precious.

Turn up your volume, and enjoy!

Michael Hedges is LIFE INSPIRING! He makes a person relaxed or feel like
dancing. Everything Michael has gifted to us is TIMELESS. Michael's music and voice bring joy and a sense of peace on this troubled planet.

There are few in this world that is as profound in music as Michael Hedges

I met Michael when he was opening for CSN in my town. This particular album, though not his strongest effort, is obviously his most personal. I can just hear the demons being exorcised and the joys being relived as the tracks progress to the amazing arrangement of e.e. cummings' magical ode, i carry your heart. Hedges, Crosby, and Nash collaborated on several tunes, some of which C&N recorded after Michael's untimely death (what death IS timely??). The final song is a magnet for me: I know this is outside the review guidelines, but I'm going to share anyway. My dad died when I was 5; two weeks before his death, he went to the jewelry store and purchased a heart-shaped locket for my mother for their anniversary; he had the jeweler insert a smaller gold heart inside the locket. Wrapped alongside the locket was a copy of the poem, i carry your heart. Nineteen years later, my mom read this poem at my wedding. When I saw the title of the final song in the record store, I almost fell over! Take a close look at the poem, then listen to Hedges' interpretation -- sounds to me like the perfect love song. Thanks, Michael!

In the passst 8 months I have purchased many of Hedges cd's. Michael hedges has unlocked the key to many people's soul. I have many friends and also have met many people with this opinion. Wether the guitar slapping, picking, or harmonics that you enjoy, all of these elements are key to Hedges preformances. He does not only know how to play the acoutic guitar better than anyone in his time , let alone ever, he knows how to relate to people with his sounds and brighten up their day.

I'm a huge Hedges fan, but I always play Taproot when I want a departure from solo guitar. This CD has a mystical, fantasy vibe to it that is hard to explain. It is filled with great multi-textured tunes ranging from jazzy to depressing. It's one of my all-time favorites. You've got to check out Ritual Dance.