thanks RP for drawing my attention to Michael Hedges

I saw him back in early 90's (i think) - opening for CSN ( i can assume he was "Stills" choice)

enjoyed the show - ran out and bought some of his "cassette" tapes - remember those!

 On_The_Beach wrote:
I get it, so you must be as old as I am.

 AhhtheMusic wrote:
 
I think they're apples and oranges.  Hedges arrives at fingerstyle, slapping, harmonics, and picked playing through formal classical music/guitar training.  Chaquico from a typical blues/rock playing background.  Hedges typically plays unaccompanied, whereas Chaquico plays solo guitar over a previously recorded track (w/ rhythm guitar, keys, drum machine, etc).

never heard before! thank you RP

If it hasn't been said before, he sounds much like Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Starship).  He's put out 10 albums (apparently).  I have his 1993 Acoustic Highway, which I quite recommend.  Perhaps Chaquico is Hedges' muse?

There are some cool MH videos out there. I found this one (actually several) with Michael teaching theory in a small classroom. Super crappy production values, but if you're a guitarist, it's a fascinating little peek behind the magic of his playing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV4dpV2vL58

 derekd wrote: 
California and rain....interesting thing to bring up when discussing Michael Hedges.  

I love his music.

It just hit me that some of this rift reminds me of the hook from Jimmie Spheeris I am the mercury. A little faster.

 mardisoninnc wrote: 
Ditto. The world is a lesser place without him.

Rating this MH tune as "godlike" was a no-brainer.  So blessed to have been able to see him perform live before his untimely passing.

 On_The_Beach wrote: 
That album was smokin'! 

Got to have some Hedges now and again ...

Inmediate 10.5

Hedges pretty much gets an instant 10 from me, regardless of the song.  He was not of this earth.

Wow.
-which is insufficient.

August Rush :)

Watching Michael Hedges in concert was an odd experience.  He would switch between acoustic and electric between each song, and exchange guitars with his tech who would all but re-string and tune the damn thing in time to switch with Mr. Hedges again. Always a fresh-sounding instrument, but man.

Remember the album he did with George Benson, "Benson & Hedges"?
OK, maybe not.

 demenshea wrote: 
I think you mean Kaki King and Trace Bundy is right up there with him!  Hedges was hammering-on Ariel Boundaries before Kaki was in kindergarten. 

Amazing guitarist.  I am a huge fan of Kaki King and Trace Bundy.  MH is right up there with them!

 GawgaBoy wrote: 
I was gonna buy a CD, but thanks for the reminder, GawgaBoy - money to RP instead.

 lmic wrote: 
It's a poser.  I love all those guys, though I've soured on Mr. DiMeola a bit since thinking he was a hero in college, though my worship of MH started in college too when I saw him my freshman year at Stanford.  I think maybe Michael is more percussive than you like?  That seems like a difference to me. 

As to acoustic guitarists, I love Jerry Douglas, Leo Kottke, Bruce Cockburn, and for that matter Al DiMeola, but I've never been able to get behind MH. Can't quite figure that.

Awesome choice. Here in California right now we're being pummeled with rain. Cool little soundtrack to go with it.

I was lucky enough to see him several times, the first being at the Kuumba Jazz joint in Santa Cruz, during the time he was recording his live album.

I watched and kept saying to myself "6-sting guitar....?"

My guitar doesn't make that sound :-(

He opened with Watchtower, on which he clearly used a non-normal tuning. I thought "He must have another guitar backstage that he'll swap out..." Wrong! Each song, he'd tune up a wild new tuning, turning each string straight off, no comparing with other strings. I have never seen anybody do anything close.

His songbook is pretty interesting, if you ever get a chance to see it.

Miss you bro.

Hiya,

 FlamingLotus wrote: 
I got to see and hear BOTH Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges at the same concert!  It was at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and I forget when this happened, but I still remember the wonderful music.

Neil

Ditto for me on the expanded CD collection. 

 prickelpit96 wrote: 

Wow—I thought for surethis was Leo Kottke!  Another guitar phenomenon to check out now—thanks RP!

NewHorizons wrote: TeleFrank wrote: prickelpit96 wrote: As soon as I saw the album cover I thought the same thing. Another CD I am going to have to buy. When are the record barons going to understand that internet radio, and especially Bill, are the best thing that has happened to them from the point of sales. Oh well... Bill, keep playing this great music, and I promise to forgo the next CD I start to buy (after this one of ourse) and send the money to you.

Michael Hedges had a gorgeous singing voice. He did a beautiful rendition of 'Watchtower' when I saw him at the Count Basie theater in Red Bank , NJ.

TeleFrank wrote: Same to mine.

... ..thank-you MH...

Wow. Awesome transition from Bwambwa to this! I love the clarity and ferocity of the guitar in this. This guy was brilliant.

A genius lived and died and all this time I'd been unaware :(

Brilliant piece, as much of his stuff is. Caught his shows at "Club Bene" in New Jersey (circa 1996) two years in a row. Fantastic performer and a humble gent.

10! More for out of respect for the overall talent of the man than this paricular cut. I saw him once, at Telluride Bluegrass, it was unreal! He perfomed the poem "Jaberwocky". Chills ...

When he'd get down to playing, on stage, Michael would pretty much seem to leave the planet. You could tell the actual performance was a completely personal experience for him. It may have been mostly concentration on what he was doing. Still, he was always a great show, with his big rubber ball on stage, and insane guitar tunings.

can't imagine being able to play like that. so expressive...

Thanks to Michael for all his beautiful music he left us. R.I.P.

NewHorizons wrote: That's the "problem" with RP: since I know RP (2005) my CD-collection exploded :LOL:

Michael is always welcome.

BobVaughan wrote: Michael

Superb! I've been hearing about Michael Hedges for a while but I still haven't bought any of his CDs! RP is going to make me spend some money real soon...

Short and Sweet

I have his album Taproot on my cd/dvd player at home as I write. That's my favorite of all his albums. He was incredible.

Great stuff. Sorry I didn't get the opp'y to catch him live.

Michael Hedges is just phenominal! I have seen him many times over the years, including a show a week before he died, and he really was on top of his game. There will never be another one like him. He was the only solo performer I have evern seen that got a standing ovation after the majority of his songs, including this one, Ritual Dance. RIP Michael.

this man is simply amazing....I feel privileged to have seen him Live...a wonderful memory created....

this used to be the theme song for the morning radio program on npr here (i don't think it is anymore though). i think i heard it on another npr station while i was traveling. silly me, i had assumed that it was something they had made up for npr morning shows.....

GolfRomeo wrote: I really envy you. I only became aware of Hedges in the last year. Great music lives on.

I saw MH in Cincinnati in the late 80's. It was like a religious experience. RIP.

THIS MAN WAS THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR GOD