Torched

Michael Hedges

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 9, 1999)
• Original Release Date: February 9, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• ASIN: B00000HZOK
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #119,188 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Torched

2. Spring Buds [Live] - David Crosby, Michael Hedges, Graham Nash

3. Fusion of the Five Elements

4. Promised Land

5. Phoenix Fire

6. Dream Beach

7. Arrowhead

8. Shell Shock Venus

9. Ursa Major

10. Free Swinging Soul

11. Rough Wind in Oklahoma

12. Sapphire

13. Gospel of Mary/The Holy Flame

14. Java Man

15. Free Swinging Soul [Live 1994 Concert][*]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Torched is the album Michael Hedges was reputedly working on when he was tragically taken from us in a car wreck in November 1997. It reveals Hedges exploring his fervent desire to be a singer/songwriter, rather than the virtuoso guitarist who influenced a generation of string-pickers. Hedges played the whole guitar, not just the strings, turning it into a tribal orchestra that rendered his gorgeous and often quirky melodies. That Hedges is rarely heard on Torched. Instead Hedges's vocal side prevails. Torched is a scattered collection of nearly completed songs and rough tracks, all highlighting his spiritual search and romantic yearnings. As a singer/songwriter, Hedges was influenced by the 1960s and '70s Jackson Browne-James Taylor axis of earnest proclamations. He's even joined by '60s veterans David Crosby and Graham Nash, who added their harmonies to "Spring Buds" after Hedges passed. On the title track, he sings of spiritual transformation by fire, adding some distorted fuzz guitar to scorched effect. On "Promised Land" he waxes biblical. There are a few instrumentals as well, including "Fusion of the Five Elements," an early, triple-speed demo for the song that wound up as the title track to Oracle, Hedges's last official album. Other pieces like "Dream Beach," "Arrowhead," and "Ursa Major" would have fit comfortably on Oracle with their wistful melodies and arrangements that have Hedges playing flutes, percussion, and keyboards in addition to guitar. Posthumous albums are always problematic. We'll never know if Hedges actually wanted these tracks to be released, and over all the vocal songs don't match his more carefully articulated Road to Return vocal album from a few years back. With Torched we're left with embers from a musician who usually gave us bonfires of brilliance. --John Diliberto

From Jazziz

Michael Hedges once told writer John Stropes, "If anyone wants to lock me into the guitar pigeonhole, I'll make like a pigeon and crap on their windowsill." While Hedges brought a new sonic architecture to the acoustic guitar that stunned even his fellow guitarists, he also loved to sing. The posthumously released Torched presents the late, much-loved musician in both roles, with moving results. In progress at the time of his 1997 death from a car accident, these tracks are largely unfinished home recordings of Hedges'. In many cases though, Torched presents realized compositions, not just promising sketches; a clarity of purpose is communicated that feels whole. Many of the 14 tunes reveal what must have been a tremendous amount of work on Hedges' part. There are beautiful, overdubbed vocal harmonies on "Rough Wind in Oklahoma" and "The Holy Flame," wonderful keyboard coloration on "Sapphire," and, on "Ursa Major," a mix of gentle chords, harmonics, and sampled wind that sounds like Redwood trees strung with guitar wires, resonating in the breeze. With the sinewy power of his guitar and the direct appeal of his singing, Hedges also put grit into a singer/songwriter genre (for lack of a better term, let's call it sensitive, mystical folk) that's often characterized by a fey superficiality. He had the ability to frame emotions so they glowed with both sophisticated intelligence and primal passion, and his lyrics offered a penetrating vision that struck at the heart of meaning. this guy was truly tuned into something else.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Broad Vision of Michael Hedges, May 17, 2000

By	"mhfan" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hedges final work. Half-baked, but hauntingly beautifull., May 29, 2000

By	Robert Lunte "Author of The Four Pillars of S... (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A last and great gift from Michael Hedges, July 6, 2004

By	Leif C. Ringstad Sr (Wausau, WI United States) - See all my reviews

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.