Customer Reviews

Torched

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

Do yourself a favor and buy this cd today! If you have ever heard Michael and appreciated his profoundly unique playing as a guitarist and his vibrance as a human being, you will cherish much of this album. If you have never heard of Michael, ignore any categories such as solo-guitarist or new age music - there is so much shear beauty here that should be experienced to be appreciated. Even though technically an "unfinished" work, most of the music is complete and multitracked as well as any release you'll ever hear. The cds haunting melodies and jaw-dropping illustrations of guitar genius merge to bring you a portrait of a very spiritual human being reaching a new plateau of creativity and someone possibly about to break away from his new age guitar virtuoso image shackles into a more complete and accessible singer/songwriter stage. With his tragic, untimely death there is much we can only speculate about, but this is a beautiful cd for anyone and everyone that loves music in general. Give yourself and someone you love this cd. And please remember not just Michael but also his children (there is a fund for their benefit you may contribute to) when you listen to this wonderful legacy he has left behind, and the many other recorded gifts of his beautiful and unique artistic vision that he has given us thoughout the years.

Clearly, Michael's last released album sounds like a demo tape, not so much because of the compositions, but because of the playfulness of the production. Those of us who have seen Michael perform often may remember the many different renditions of these tunes; sometimes as solo guitars, other times as keyboard or multi-musician renderings.

One just gets the feeling in listening to these tunes that Michael was still experimenting. By the same token, what gems exist here!! "Dream Beach," and "Ursa Major," (similar pieces in my ear) are hypnotizing. "Shell Shock Venus"....how intense. I remember Michael commenting on how difficult it was to sing that song.

Without going through all the songs, my main point is this: Michael embodied the most pure and natural processes of human existence. His branching out into singing-songwriting was a bold attempt to spread his wings. The two vocal albums (Torched and Road to Return) did not contain the thrashing "deep tissue gladiator guitar" up front in the recordings...but, play them both loudly!! Listen to the subtle nuances. Michael had a lot going on. I deeply enjoy TORCHED, even though it does not contain many of his best works. It represents the man. Certainly, nothing can ever replace his live performances, but don't trash this record because it's not AERIAL BOUNDARIES. It wasn't supposed to be.

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.

I wish someone would dig up some of the music Michael got known for, the guitar virtuoso. My first CD was Michael Hedges' Aerial Boundaries, and it was a treat and opened a whole new world for me and many others on how to "mistreat" our beloved guitars. I have always maintained that there is not many who can sing well and play well at the same time. Michael has a mediocre voice and proves my point, nothing would ever have come of him as far as fame and stardom had he started out with this music. It was his first 2-3 albums with his unique guitar playing that made him famous. I see what I call the same mistake made again and again. Aussie's Tommy Emmanuel, probably one of the best acoustic (and electric) guitar players around, also decided that he might be able to sing. Again he has a mediocre voice, it sounds strained and not comfortable and when he sings, the guitar virtusity is downgraded. It is the same with Michael. Most good guitar players can play what Michael (and Tommy) plays when they are singing, because it is more basic playing. When he doesn't sing, but focuses on playing only, the guitar again comes alive. Sorry, not buying this CD even as a curiosity. Crosby & Nash should dig through Michaels archives and find his instrumental unreleased "golden nuggets". Now that I would buy.

I take strong exception to John Diliberto's review. His views are not at all representative of those of us loyal fans who know and understand Michael's music far better than him. For us, Torched is a brilliant gift from a person who can only continue to give through his contributions to our souls, our emotions, and our hearts. Would that Diliberto had half a clue about the Michael Hedges we knew, know, and will always know - to Diliberto, that artist is a stranger. Pity - his loss.

Michael Hedges was probably one of the most innovative and gifted musicians in the last hundred years. In this recording, which he was actively working on at the time of his death, one can hear a level of maturity and serenity seldom heard by musicians, particularly in modern genres.

The performances are strong, demonstrating Hedges' technical ability on the guitar and numerous other instruments, and the songs themselves are a mixture of complex melodies and beautifully simple ones. Lyrically, the album to me speaks of someone who had reached a place of groundedness and balance in his life... almost as though, at some level, he understood that he wouldn't be around on the Earth much longer and wanted to leave this work to heal and comfort all of us who enjoyed his presence and his music.

*All* of the proceeds of this recording are being donated by Windham Hill to Michael's estate for the benefit of his children, and many of the other production services and costs were donated by others. But don't buy the recording for that reason. Buy it because it's a wonderful assembly of songs and instrumentals that will excite those already familiar with Hedges work, and provide a wonderful introduction both to the man and his music for those just discovering him.

Torched will serve as a constant reminder of the staggering loss of the most brilliant musician ever to walk this planet. It is a beautiful, thoughtful recording. It's not without flaws, though only the most fastidious among us will hear them. And the flaws only serve to remind us that Michael was mortal, human, and searching, too. Just because it is a 'work in progress' doesn't mean that it can't approach perfection. We'll never know if it was 'done' by Michael's standards. But as with everything that he's ever created, simply by nature of the fact that it came from his hands, it moves me to the core. From the ethereal version of Free Swinging Soul, to the many-voiced Rough Wind, these are the best vocal recordings I've yet heard from Michael in the studio, coming closest to capturing the amazing power his voice carried live. The instrumental tracks are haunting, complex. Michael reinvented the guitar, but he didn't stop there. Always trying to be more, this work is merely a step in his continuous evolution. To have had to stop there is tragic.

For anybody, who has listened to the music of Michael Hedge's, this disc is a must!

As a longtime listener to MH's music, listening to this disc for the first time (and every time after) brought tears to my eyes. Michael's life was a consumate search for inner peace and spiritual fulfillment. As you listen to the songs you know that he had found his way. I recommend really sitting down with this disc and studying the lyrics. This disc will make you take a second look at the direction of your life and help you determine what is really important.

As a fan, the tragic passing of Michael was a devastating event. This disc give us one more way to hold onto and remember this great composer, guitarist, and musical illustrator. A must buy for all music lovers!!