I rated this a 7?I blame some substance or anger issue.>9

 linz_bobinz wrote:  Pat Metheny was her guitarist for a long time, and his sound is a bit similar to this, I agree. I like both, a lot. Nice.

Pure Magic

Splendid, splendid!  A peerless and visionary musician, lost far, far too early...

I keep expecting Joni Mitchell to start singing.

I heard just the first couple of chords and before I knew the song I thought, "That's Michael Hedges." Hedges' guitar strokes were always very powerful and resonate and for whatever reason I have never heard anyone play the guitar like he did. He was very special and is sorely missed.

My wife and I saw him perform at the Bottom Line (now defunct) in New York City about a month before he was killed in that freak car accident in California, and we were blown away. We've both seen a lot of concerts through the years but that one sticks with us like few others. We sat in the front row and watched him do his thing and it was mesmerizing. It wasn't just his playing but the way he moved his body in sync with the music and his determination to connect his sound with the audience. Hedges was operating on a different plane that ordinary people, and that experience will stick with me for the rest of my life!

Yes, this definitely sounds like a Windham Hill performance ...

Michael can best five guys playing guitar. Seeing him live (or a live recording) is the best way to appreciate his artistry and mastery of traditional and unique (I'm thinking Harp Guitar) instruments. I don't think you "get it" until you realize many (most?) songs are one take on a single instrument.
 

Would be cool to follow this w Bill Frisell - an electric magician. His version of Hard Rain from EastWest would make a great segue.

 snowcat wrote: 
The song is Spare Change. It wasn't played backwards. It was played forward and then each note (after the intro) was physically cut from the tape and spliced backwards (I believe by turning it upside down) to get that effect. The notes still played in the original sequence, but started with the decay and ended with the striking or hammering of the string. There are some overdubs of both normal and edited guitar mixed in. True genius.

He did this with his engineer and it took an inordinate amount of time and dedication to accomplish, but it was clearly worth it. I wish I could remember the whole story of how they did this. It's one of my favorite tracks ever. Bill should really add the Aerial Boundaries version of Spare Change to the rotation so people can hear how truly astounding it is.

 Sjaaks wrote: 
Michael had a degree in music composition. I think that's a significant part of why he sounds so advanced compared to others. More than just technique. It really shows on the first two albums, especially Aerial Boundaries. He was definitely cut from a different cloth. Grew up in the prairie town of Enid, Oklahoma, not far from me. Things are different out here. I think it's the dust from the red dirt, stirred by the occasional tornado. Woody, Charlie Christian, Jimmy Webb, Leon Russel, Flaming Lips... so many carry it with them, wherever the wind blows them.

I'm so grateful that I got to see Michael Hedges live at Rivina in Chicago.  Amazing artist.

 CaptTofu wrote: 
I read the following about Rickover somewhere. If he was considering an officer for his command, he would have the candidate over for lunch. Salad was always served first. Of course it was the first test. He observed whether or not the candidate salted and peppered his salad before tasting it.

I have a guitar with six strings.
It doesn't do that.
Ho man, we miss you Michael. 

Playing so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes. Michael, you were gone too soon.

Thanks, RP.

Now this i love! Beautiful complex arrangements yet taking it slowly, instead of rushing it at 200bpm like so many guitarists do.

9

 SmileOnADog wrote: 
I saw him with Leo Kottke while I was living in Phoenix. One of my wife and I's favorite shows. Still brings a warm glow.

 Kokoloco53 wrote: 

Whoever invented the Guitar was a genius.

Gorgeous. Thank you.

 scraig wrote: 
Wait'll his stuff hits The Weather Channel.  My kids busted my chops a few years ago when they were playing Pat Metheny's music during the "Local On The 8's"  Quasi-Muzak, I guess, to those unfamiliar with the music.

Not sure of the actual album this was originally from but I have it (at least the studio version).  He definitely was another excellent musician who died too young.  This trend goes back a long way to giants like Mozart, Schubert, et al.

This song right here *is* what Radio Paradise sounds like.

Om nom nom (eats this tasty song)

Being a rock musician seems to be a very dangerous occupation - seems they have a much higher death rate than most others.

A great talent lost too soon...

 Gutter wrote: 

Not exactly.  One of his songs was used for August Rush, but Michael died in 1997.  Kaki King (Katherine Elizabeth King) was the one that performed the song, and did most of the playing (listed as all the hand shots) for Augusts' character in the movie.

 scraig wrote: 
I hear you (it)...but still, try to listen with clean, fresh spirit and ear...sublime.