Where have all the Flowers Gone? RIP - Michael Hedges posted 11/23/2007 12:05:00 PM | 6 kudos what's this?     report abuse tagged: music, guitar

iam7545

Time flies and Thanksgiving always reminds me of his death. If you are not familiar with Michael Hedges music I have posted a youtube link below. He was considered to be a Guitarists Guitarist. When you listen to him play try to remember that it is not an illusion - you are listening to one guitar.

Michael spent several years in Baltimore studying composition at the Peabody Institute. He dated and then married one of my cousins - so our first meeting was at a Thanksgiving Dinner. I am a jazz snob. I never liked rock - that includes the Beatles! Michael played at local clubs while studying and would always invite me to see him play. Solo guitar in a small bar/pub?? Sounded like folk music to this Jazz snob, so I would make excuses. This went on for a few years. After I had moved overseas I would of course come home on Thanksgiving to again receive the invite! Again the excuses! Of course we would talk about music and Jazz - he of course politely tolerated my snobbery! My cousin would roll her eyes at my ignorance. I was tough!

Then he was "discovered" and I would get letters from my family about his meteoric rise to fame. Suddenly he was playing SOLO concerts at LARGE concert halls. Well - another rock star I thought! While visiting home one year I was GIVEN front row seats to see Michael at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. No excuses this time! It was sold out! About 10 seconds into his performance I felt like the biggest ass hole in the world.

Michael was a genius - I had never seen anyone master an instrument like this in my life. He was Buddy Rich with humility. John Coltrane with lyrics. You could hear a pin drop after the applause - it seemed that no one could believe that this was not a Doug Henning magic show! When I went back stage after the performance I was speechless - I looked him in the eyes and began to apologize. He said - "So how did you like my folk music?" And then gave me his typical warm hug!

Michael died in a tragic car accident 10 years ago - the day after Thanksgiving. He recorded many albums and earned the respect of most of the great musicians of our time.

Mine too!

Please enjoy listening to him.


>>>>> Michael Hedges Ariel Boundaries <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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