Customer Reviews

Taproot

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album grabbed me with the following quote from Steve Vai, paraphrased here : "No one alive plays an acoustic guitar better than Michael Hedges." It may very well be true. Although his recorded musical legacy is sometimes uneven, his brilliance and virtuosity on the guitar cannot be denied. On this mostly insatrumental album, Hedges slaps, taps, pokes, and cajoles his instrument - even employing a special guitar synthesizer for dynamic tonal adjustment - until it begins to take on a life of its own as a completely new musical entity. His polyphonic technique on the acoustic guitar is literally without peer, and his sense of melody and adventure is well-served on _Taproot_. The music is generally on the softer side of things, with traditional nature-worship-type mystical new-age themes. This is not his most energetic performance, yet it is mesmerizing and frequently jaw-dropping. And as it posesses only one complete vocal track - the excellent "I Carry Your Heart" (with backing vocals by David Crosby and Graham Nash) it will be his most accessible album to those who have little tolerance for some of his more ordinary endeavours into pop songwriting (like on _The Road To Return_). Sadly Michael has left us, far before his time, but his instrumental offerings are challenging examples of "new age" music, and some of the most amazing virtuoso acoustic guitar work ever committed to tape.

This is probably MH's most musically diverse album, with an emphasis on ensemble music. Although this genre doesn't shine on every single track, the bulk of the music contained here is excellent and worth buying. If anything, this album could justifiably be bought simply to hear "Rootwitch," perhaps the most astounding guitar piece Hedges ever composed. "Ritual Dance" is also very exciting, with its very intense and fast rhythms. The "Point A/Point B" series is an interesting presence, performed on an experimental guitar called a Trans-Trem. As far as the ensemble music goes, "The First Cutting" is the most appealing. Finally, Hedges sole vocal performance on "i carry your heart" demonstrates that the artist is also a gifted tenor. Definitely worth your time.

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.

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 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!

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!

From the first note to the last, I couldn't stop listening to this recording. I was stunned at the beauty and character of Hedge's voice (since we hadn't heard him sing before this). The final track (I Carry Your Heart) is still the most perfect song of love and devotion I have ever experienced, and I mean just that, experienced; this song left me more satisfied as a listener than I have ever been. Michael Hedges will be missed.

Of all the Michael Hedges recordings I've heard, this is by far the best. A tight recording and very diverse in styles. This is one I never get tired of listening to.

This CD is worth buying just for the song which ends it -- a setting of a poem by e.e. cummings. The break still sends chills down my spine.

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