Customer Reviews

Road to Return

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love Hedges' instrumental guitar works. And I like to hear him sing. Nobody else sounds like him on the acoustic guitar and the microphone, and that is a good thing. One of a kind. When he incorporates the flute, keyboards, and other instruments into these melodious songs it all comes together to move me deeply. 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 wide open guitar to create such beautiful works. He consistently executes his incredible guitar technique woven amongst his words. RIP MH.

This is a wonderful album - from the heart and soul of a truly gifted artist. Yes, his vocals have an unpolished sound - and it only embellishes the brutal honesty and integrity of his work... I think the lyrics are esoteric only to those who lack sufficient imagination. New age? I hate that description. Honest? Yes, very! That is why we love you so, Michael. And to those who understand, no explanation is necessary.

Hedges liked to try new things, but never really sounded "New Agey" except for this album. There are a couple of good songs, but if you are looking to buy your first Hedges album, you might try Aerial Boundries, Breakfast in the Field, or Oracle. Live on the Double Planet is also fantastic. This is the only Hedges disc I own that really never impressed me.

Well, Hedges was the most incredible guitarist I have ever known, and his death is still a numb spot in many lives, including mine. This work, another vocal experiment for Hedges, is far and away a better piece than his earlier "Watching My Life Go By," which seemed to be halfway betwen his earlier phenomenal guitar work and his later musical explorations. While some reviewers have been distracted by Michael's vocals, I found them refreshing and unpolished, honest, and unwashed. Yes--unwashed, a good word for it. "Sister Soul" and "You Can Have Anything You Want" are wonderful sets, each evoking a different mood and display moving texts with intricate, if subtle, music. "Sister," for example, is an wonderful chordal piece where the right hand moves in a simple down-up-down pattern while the left hand fingers seperate melodic lines on the fretboard. It is interesting that the vocals come in after a two-minute instrumental with "Time to talk,/It's time I speak." Well put together, as if the music has to now give way to the voice, the carrier of the message that the music has been hinting at. Besides "Aerial Boundaries," this is my favorite Hedges album, and ought to be a fine addition to any collection.

There is no need to drag on about just how underwhelming The Road to Return is. This is the only Hedges album I have not loved. After so many gems, I didn't even think twice about ordering this high priced import; much to my dismay. Unless you are a huge hedges fan and simply wish to complete your library of his work, pass this album over. If you are simply searching for a collection of great music; look toward Live on the Double Planet, Taproot, or Oracle.

This album is considerably "un-Michael" but contains some incredible music nonetheless. Abandoning his stripped-down raw approach, Michael adds a decent number of electronic characteristics to this Album which ultimately does little more than convolute some otherwise fantastic songs. Nonetheless, this album contains some of my favorite songs including "Sister Soul," "i carry your heart," and "Follow Through."

Hedges was a person who despised being pigeon-holed into certain categories such as only instrumental guitar or only new age. "The Road to Return" is one album in which Michael felt he needed to break away from these binds that people set upon him musically. The voice may seem dreamy and the lyrics may seem weak at points, yet you cannot deny Michael's musical creativity and the beauty and uniqueness that lies in each of his songs on this album.
As an avid fan of folk singers and pop music during that time, Michael wished to live out his influences through this album. It is a very underestimated album because people are drawn away by the poppy new-age vibes they get from it. Its still the same Michael Hedges but with a bit of New Edge.
The songs Prelude, Sister Soul, Follow Through, You Can Have Anything You Want, and Road Music are all great songs that I personally enjoy listening to the most. It's definitely not Aerial Boundaries or like his other vocal album "Watching My Life Go By," but its still a great album. Buy a used copy and actually give it a chance.