I first met Mike when we were both in the 4th grade and both were playing - you may have guessed it - the cello in different elementary scools in Enid, Oklahoma. By that age, Mike was already accomplished on the piano and, of course on the guitar. We attended our first rock concert together. It was Country Joe opening for the Youngbloods and th Byrds, I believe. I miss him both as a talent and as a good friend.
God, I miss this dude. A Michael Hedges performance was always a very special event. One always had the sense that Something Bigger was happening, that it wasn't a mere concert of songs being played by a singer-songwriter. A Michael Hedges concert had a distinct taste of transcendence.
having seen michael at least 5 times, i can attest to that fact that when he spoke to the crowd it was definitely not boring. as he does in this video, he talked a bit about the song, threw in a humorous anecdote or two while tuning and generally just put the audience at ease. rather than acting aloof or egotistical, he was genuine and personable and made the experience very gratifying.
I saw him perform several times in Ann Arbor in the late 80's / early 90's. One concert he did at the Michigan Theater with Leo Kottke. Leo played the first half, Michael the second. Leo was very verbose between his songs. When Michael came on he tried chatting with the audience between his first songs but got distracted with his tuning or some such thing. After reaching for some words he just gave up and said with a grin, "I can't beat Leo's rap." He got a great round of applause because the audience knew it wasn't really true. Over 30 years later and I still remember. Miss him.
He has always been an inspiration to me. When I heard of his passing I played my guitar non stop for 2 days, wanting to do my small part to pay tribute to his beautiful spirit.
No one will ever come close to his creativity, talent and humor. I had the pleasure of seeing him 5 times, and interviewing him once. After the interview, he played "Rickover's Dream" on my guitar, 3 feet in front of me. It was mindblowing. God bless you Michael...we miss you!!
I'm a cellist and a guitarist, and I think this is a wonderful rendition with a very spot-on demonstration of the original intent Bach had with the piece. Beautiful :3
I've listened to every cellist playing this that I can.. and his interpretation of this is head and shoulders above everyone else's. This dude was amazing.
I knew Michael personally for close to 20 years. I've been in his company many, many times and never once did I see him partake of any alcohol or drugs. He respected his body far too much. It was his instrument.
8 years since you posted this comment, and I’m gonna bring you back with this one inquiry. Before I ask, I think it’s incredible that you knew him personally, a real gift and honour. Here’s my question, did he ever take any form of psychedelic drug?
11 small roaches was written about the roaches Michael saw cavorting in his apartment on N. Charles Street in Baltimore near the Washington monument. It was not about drugs.
Back in the '80's I lived in Palo Alto and we used to walk downtown for dinner at the New Varsity - MH was often your dinner music entertainment. Even then, it was so, so, so clear he was a god, and that we were just lucky as hell to be hearing him exploring his abilities and playing simply great music.
When you combine the shear emotional beauty of this Bach piece with Michael's genuine soul and tragic future, it crushes my heart. I've watched this video twice, both times my eyes have welled up in tears. It does no good to ask yourself or wonder "why"...why must things like this happen.
12 years ago today, Michael died. We all miss you and thank you for the music you have given the world. it would be a much different and less beautiful place without it.
I'm just finding him today. I've heard of him but never heard him i'm floored. I use modal tunings & write in his style on a number of songs those songs seem to leap from those open tunings….Waiting to be found. He found a whole world of expression thats unique.
My son never got to see him but I did get back stage passes to Joe Satch so he got to met Joe super cool guy I lost my son 7 years ago. Good that you have a dad that knows good music.
Bach did this himself when he made a lute version of the cello suite no.5.and also he made arrangements for keyboard of some of his violin works.The process of transferring music from one instrument to another has been done for a long time and i think its a beautiful thing.
Who cares if he knew the date of the Bach piece, he knew the music and he knew it was great. He played it great as well. Let's remember his talent and not worry about his knowledge of when it was written. The guy was brilliant and did things with guitars that had never been done before. seeing him with Leo Kotke would absolutely be a little slice of heaven.
Johann Sebastian Bach, (born March 21 [March 31, New Style], 1685, Eisenach, Thuringia, Ernestine Saxon Duchies [Germany]-died July 28, 1750, Leipzig), composer of the Baroque era.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way he played this, the tempo flowed smoothly all the way through, sometimes slowly, sometimes faster but smooth as silk for all that. It was beautifully done, and he was a great artist who died much too young. It's ironic, him telling the audience to drive home safely, since the car crash that took him (in '97, if I remember correctly) happened as he was driving his BMW home. They didn't find the poor man until several days after it happened; his car went down an embankment and was hidden by thick brush and undergrowth.
Christ Almighty!, He basically outlined his own death in his introduction of the piece! Watch out for the other guy who had too much to drink! Drive home safely! Too friggin eerie for words, what a tragic loss for his family and all who appreciated his visionary playing, RIP Michael!!!
***** Michael was a Huge inspiration for me for evoking and awakening a part of me missing at that period of time and I was lucky enough to meet him in my travels bing a guitarist myself, I miss him for more than his guitar expression. He was a Genuine good Human being so rare today. RIP Michael!
I discovered his music a decade after he passed. Still the biggest inspiration to me to this day and the reason I pick up the guitar, when at times I've felt like putting it away.
This version follows the score by Bach and conveys the musical expression and subtlety of this piece more than any other version on You Tube. Hedges plays the piece G major, the original key allowing the melody to reach the low ranges where it resonates so beautifully and following the original score most faithfully. Most classical guitarists play this piece in D major in a stiff arrangement which adds irksome base notes and alien harmonic inversions. Hedges preserves the lyricism of the cello
I like it, because it is rubato, and many classical people pretend that there was no rubato in Bach's era.. but the piece sounds marvellous with these tiny rushes every now and then.. 10 points for individuality and for following your heart, Mr. Hedges!
ok,@nasacrooks,exactly thats my point: I believe in the freedom of representation. I think that an exact representation of the music of Bach is not possible anyway, so anyone should play it as he/she wants it. If you want to play it like the "modern authentic oldmusic style" or play it like "too romantic", or play it freestyle.. When you take a Bacj recording, you can hear in which styleperiod it was recorded, so there is no absolute Bach int that sense.. Bach used elements of all music he knew in his music, so it's nice if bach should enter other peoples music too, be it in qoutes, be it in free interpreted versionds of his music. Living music is prone to changes in interpretation. (Just think about the controversies with Glenn Gould!)
***** I concur with your assessment but will add that, while Mr. Hedges' playing generally featured too much rubato for my liking, in matters of taste, there can be no disputes.
There was no rubato, in fact. Go read about early music performance practices and you will see that there were many ways to play with the rhythm without using rubato.
Jim Abraham Call it rubato or call it ad libitum, actually I think that is a more appropriate term and better describes the freedom of expression that I would expect from an artist like MH. Why anyone would listen to Michael Hedges and expect a traditional classical performance is beyond me, there are enough out there already. I'd rather hear it his way, and I'd never stare at the chart and say "oh dear Michael, there is a rubato here and you did not play it properly..". Nor would I care if he was off by 200 years - banter is banter. What he did is perfect to me, because that's how he played it.
the recording value may be weak, but you cannot deny that michael translates every single not as if it were a newborn child being presented to its mother for the very first time. this is why we love him. this was his gift to us.
What a great and absolutely unique musician the world lost with this man's death. I remember many years ago going to Crosby, Stillls & Nash in Salt Lake City. David Crosby introduced Michael Hedges to the attendees and I believe it was Hedges' introduction to the world. Hs was a amazing even then at s young. Makes me quite sad to have lost so much talent❤️ RIP Michael and thank you for sharing such talent with those of us seemingly not talented enough or too afraid and introverted to share ourselves with others.
YEEES, this man knew a lot about tempi. Alas, I have read here he is gone.... if there was something like heaven existing I think he and The Master would have a lot of fun there making music together. Very, VERY nicely adapted and sensitively performed, thank you for sharing!
Michael was such a gifted musician and composer. I can only imagine how successful he could have been in the internet age. As it is, we are left with grainy clips of his genius and the few albums that he recorded. Left us way too young.
Such an innovative & inspired guitarist & musician! Michael was so ahead of his time, there still aren't many guitarist that can play today the way he did back in 1987. You are missed Michael Hedges.
This is awesome. I love it when guitarists like Michael draw from classical music. Jeff Beck's parents were classical musicians who definitely influenced his music.
type3secretion...I came here as a teen in 2006. Michael Hedges music is God given. Can we keep this channel saved for future posterity somehow? This is Congressional Library status in my honest opinion. Let this music and video live on for eternity, simply amazing.
Fab piece by a true genius born to play guitar. Michael and the 'harp guitar' truly captivating. lucky to have it on a CD in my van and that sound system will blow the doors off.. gives the low bass strings proper voicing... listen over and over.. its the best of the best. We lost Michael waaay too soon. Best to all... Richard S., milan MI
The brightest star burns shortest. "Always remember that somehow this planet was lucky enough to have beauty like this, if only for a moment. And if that's not a good enough reason to enjoy life I don't know what is." -Robert Keeton-
I saw him in Hampton Roads in 1985/6. It was spectacular, and I was enthralled. I'm sad that I never got to see him again, after learning to fully appreciate his art and talent.
Michael Hedges the world is so fortunate for you to have graced it with your presence. I am currently doing a composer essay on Michael Hedges for my music appreciation class while attending the same college that Mr. Hedges attended.
Hedges interpretation is beautiful. And what a great sound. His harp-guitar adds a unique warmth. Sad...he should have been around a lot longer. All of these videos of Hedges are great. A fine tribute. If anyone would like to hear another, somewhat jazzy rendition of this famous prelude, the violin video I posted on my channel may be of interest .
I am truly dumbfounded by all the narcissistic ass-clowns posting here... "I am a musician of the highest caliber". Legends in your own minds. Michael gave so much more than any of you will. R.I.P.
+@D_Buc if you are humble such as many musicians such as jimi hendrix and or guys like john mayer. they don't actually know how good they are, they assume they are "ok". look at them, they are some great musicians and there is no way that anyone could be better. No one is the same as the other. no one is better than another everyone has a better skill level or a type of musician than you. you do something that might be completely different than someone else.
+Nolan_Valz8 No one is better than another?! I'll just say it, Michael is/was better than I am. Am I allowed to say that? /sarc Yes, I do play, nearly every day.
right on the money mate, hedges was a master of positional playing. he knew which parts of the guitar wood responds to different pitches an tone. Also note where his right hand is. Hedges is one of my favorite MUSICIANS of all time, but hes is m yidol when it comes to guitar
A great talent lost at the age of 43 in a car accident which was not alcohol or drug related. The car appeared to have skidded off a slick, curvy road, slid down the embankment and flipped over, ejecting Hedges in the process. His talent lives on on youtube.
I had the chance to see him in Tampa and Atlanta back in 90' and 91' respectively and I too have always regretted not meeting the man himself. I took that as a lesson and now whenever I have the opportunity I make the effort to meet that someone if possible.
its so amazing to see how he controlls the loudness of the strings so well... very rare to see such skill. its sad to know that such geniuses appear only once every few generations...
Just a note, Phil Keaggy was already using this style back in the sixties, and it was reported on in Guitar mag at the end of the sixties and then re-reported many times in the seventies and since. I do miss Michael Hedges and his artistry of Beauty i this world of time and space. His playing still effects me towards gratefulness. Always worth it to behold beauty.
without a doubt, the driving comment was really bizarre. Wow. I'm so happy to find these videos. It really shows off his talent in more ways than just an audio recording can.....
you have no ability to care because you have no knowledge of how this piece CAN sound on guitar. this "version" is lower than a beginner student's level.
@smoothie66 LOL this is an incredible performance of Bach! Every stroke creates full, detailed tone, he utilizes open strings to create subtle accents... hell, at least he played it in G! How many of your classical guitar heroes do even that? And how are you an authority on Bach anyway? Classical guitarists are spinning out of control with their concept of "traditional" Baroque music, and it started with the erroneous success of Andres Segovia.
I got to see some great shows at The Coconut Grove at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The venue could open up the ceiling and seagulls would fly over and you could smell the sea breeze……. A particular show for his mother’s b-day was a special night…..
well i dont get what all the hub bub is. ive never heard of him just clicked on it because i was looking for the allemande movement of this suite as i am a cello player myself and i think he did an absolutely fantastic job. you can always tell a true musician if they look like they love what they are playing. keep killing it michael hedges
Michael was so amazing. So sorry he is gone. Died in a car wreck in late 1997. This is a harp guitar, as the fellow said a week ago. It is not a new instrument, but has been around since the 20s, google and learn... The Wiki article about Michael has lots of good stuff...
I first met Mike when we were both in the 4th grade and both were playing - you may have guessed it - the cello in different elementary scools in Enid, Oklahoma. By that age, Mike was already accomplished on the piano and, of course on the guitar. We attended our first rock concert together. It was Country Joe opening for the Youngbloods and th Byrds, I believe. I miss him both as a talent and as a good friend.
Cool story. Thnx for sharing the memories.
God, I miss this dude. A Michael Hedges performance was always a very special event. One always had the sense that Something Bigger was happening, that it wasn't a mere concert of songs being played by a singer-songwriter. A Michael Hedges concert had a distinct taste of transcendence.
having seen michael at least 5 times, i can attest to that fact that when he spoke to the crowd it was definitely not boring. as he does in this video, he talked a bit about the song, threw in a humorous anecdote or two while tuning and generally just put the audience at ease. rather than acting aloof or egotistical, he was genuine and personable and made the experience very gratifying.
I saw him perform several times in Ann Arbor in the late 80's / early 90's. One concert he did at the Michigan Theater with Leo Kottke. Leo played the first half, Michael the second. Leo was very verbose between his songs. When Michael came on he tried chatting with the audience between his first songs but got distracted with his tuning or some such thing. After reaching for some words he just gave up and said with a grin, "I can't beat Leo's rap." He got a great round of applause because the audience knew it wasn't really true. Over 30 years later and I still remember. Miss him.
He has always been an inspiration to me. When I heard of his passing I played my guitar non stop for 2 days, wanting to do my small part to pay tribute to his beautiful spirit.
It's hard to believe Michael Hedges has been gone for over 26 years. He's still my favorite guitarist, and probably always will be. R.I.P.
THAT'S how you play Bach on a steel string.
SO much emotion.
Genius.
I'm smiling.
Thank you for eternity, Michael.
No one will ever come close to his creativity, talent and humor. I had the pleasure of seeing him 5 times, and interviewing him once. After the interview, he played "Rickover's Dream" on my guitar, 3 feet in front of me. It was mindblowing. God bless you Michael...we miss you!!
I'm a cellist and a guitarist, and I think this is a wonderful rendition with a very spot-on demonstration of the original intent Bach had with the piece.
Beautiful :3
I've listened to every cellist playing this that I can.. and his interpretation of this is head and shoulders above everyone else's. This dude was amazing.
Michael Hedges will continue to live on through the countless musicians and fans that have gained inspiration from such a beautiful soul...
It's ironic that he cautions the crowd to drive safely .. such a huge loss
yeah, it hit me instantly... RIP our guitar hero of gentleness
in the alanis morrisette sense...
having said that its not everyday you find a youtube video from 2006
I think same. He was just great.
maybe foreshadowing.....
I knew Michael personally for close to 20 years. I've been in his company many, many times and never once did I see him partake of any alcohol or drugs. He respected his body far too much. It was his instrument.
Exactly
8 years since you posted this comment, and I’m gonna bring you back with this one inquiry. Before I ask, I think it’s incredible that you knew him personally, a real gift and honour. Here’s my question, did he ever take any form of psychedelic drug?
@@joshuamarshall7360 He didn't need to, even if he did, he didn't need to. He was given this gift and he shared it with all he could. Pure Love.
He smoked weed. 11 Small Roaches wasn't about bugs.
11 small roaches was written about the roaches Michael saw cavorting in his apartment on N. Charles Street in Baltimore near the Washington monument. It was not about drugs.
Back in the '80's I lived in Palo Alto and we used to walk downtown for dinner at the New Varsity - MH was often your dinner music entertainment. Even then, it was so, so, so clear he was a god, and that we were just lucky as hell to be hearing him exploring his abilities and playing simply great music.
Me too! grew up in PA and Stanley Jordan would play there too
When you combine the shear emotional beauty of this Bach piece with Michael's genuine soul and tragic future, it crushes my heart. I've watched this video twice, both times my eyes have welled up in tears. It does no good to ask yourself or wonder "why"...why must things like this happen.
12 years later and I feel just like you do
12 years ago today, Michael died. We all miss you and thank you for the music you have given the world. it would be a much different and less beautiful place without it.
I am so glad that these shows were recorded and have been shared here. Michael you are missed!!!
I'm just finding him today. I've heard of him but never heard him i'm floored. I use modal tunings & write in his style on a number of songs those songs seem to leap from those open tunings….Waiting to be found. He found a whole world of expression thats unique.
As best as I could ever tell it was just his way. He was an utterly unique soul. We were blessed to have his company for the brief time that we did.
it's a shame he passed away so early , before I was alive. Thanks dad for showing me this wonderful musician.
My son never got to see him but I did get back stage passes to Joe Satch so he got to met Joe super cool guy I lost my son 7 years ago. Good that you have a dad that knows good music.
Reese Plunkett yeah my dad's a dick. Doesn't even like music
Bach did this himself when he made a lute version of the cello suite no.5.and also he made arrangements for keyboard of some of his violin works.The process of transferring music from one instrument to another has been done for a long time and i think its a beautiful thing.
so true!
Grateful to have found Michael in my life,the Windham Hill collection saved my musical life.
Who cares if he knew the date of the Bach piece, he knew the music and he knew it was great. He played it great as well. Let's remember his talent and not worry about his knowledge of when it was written. The guy was brilliant and did things with guitars that had never been done before. seeing him with Leo Kotke would absolutely be a little slice of heaven.
Johann Sebastian Bach, (born March 21 [March 31, New Style], 1685, Eisenach, Thuringia, Ernestine Saxon Duchies [Germany]-died July 28, 1750, Leipzig), composer of the Baroque era.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way he played this, the tempo flowed smoothly all the way through, sometimes slowly, sometimes faster but smooth as silk for all that. It was beautifully done, and he was a great artist who died much too young. It's ironic, him telling the audience to drive home safely, since the car crash that took him (in '97, if I remember correctly) happened as he was driving his BMW home. They didn't find the poor man until several days after it happened; his car went down an embankment and was hidden by thick brush and undergrowth.
Christ Almighty!, He basically outlined his own death in his introduction of the piece! Watch out for the other guy who had too much to drink! Drive home safely!
Too friggin eerie for words, what a tragic loss for his family and all who appreciated his visionary playing, RIP Michael!!!
alexander Kato So poignant. So sad.
***** Michael was a Huge inspiration for me for evoking and awakening a part of me missing at that period of time and I was lucky enough to meet him in my travels bing a guitarist myself, I miss him for more than his guitar expression. He was a Genuine good Human being so rare today. RIP Michael!
This is exactly what comes to my mind when I hear his intro here :-( Really sad :-(
I know man you can see it in his eyes every time.
@@holloaron7168 ruclips.net/video/vEN5V-ASc9M/видео.html
Hedges + Bach! Sweet, fresh air! They are truly brothers across time! This is so precious, thank you!
Love this Bach-piece and love to see and hear Michael Hedges playing it with great timing and tone. So bad, he died too young
I discovered his music a decade after he passed. Still the biggest inspiration to me to this day and the reason I pick up the guitar, when at times I've felt like putting it away.
RIP Michael. We need your passion and your guidance in music today. It's truly missed.
This version follows the score by Bach and conveys the musical expression and subtlety of this piece more than any other version on You Tube. Hedges plays the piece G major, the original key allowing the melody to reach the low ranges where it resonates so beautifully and following the original score most faithfully. Most classical guitarists play this piece in D major in a stiff arrangement which adds irksome base notes and alien harmonic inversions. Hedges preserves the lyricism of the cello
I like it, because it is rubato, and many classical people pretend that there was no rubato in Bach's era.. but the piece sounds marvellous with these tiny rushes every now and then.. 10 points for individuality and for following your heart, Mr. Hedges!
ok,@nasacrooks,exactly thats my point: I believe in the freedom of representation. I think that an exact representation of the music of Bach is not possible anyway, so anyone should play it as he/she wants it. If you want to play it like the "modern authentic oldmusic style" or play it like "too romantic", or play it freestyle.. When you take a Bacj recording, you can hear in which styleperiod it was recorded, so there is no absolute Bach int that sense..
Bach used elements of all music he knew in his music, so it's nice if bach should enter other peoples music too, be it in qoutes, be it in free interpreted versionds of his music.
Living music is prone to changes in interpretation. (Just think about the controversies with Glenn Gould!)
***** I concur with your assessment but will add that, while Mr. Hedges' playing generally featured too much rubato for my liking, in matters of taste, there can be no disputes.
pertjacanape You are very well spoken.
There was no rubato, in fact. Go read about early music performance practices and you will see that there were many ways to play with the rhythm without using rubato.
Jim Abraham Call it rubato or call it ad libitum, actually I think that is a more appropriate term and better describes the freedom of expression that I would expect from an artist like MH. Why anyone would listen to Michael Hedges and expect a traditional classical performance is beyond me, there are enough out there already. I'd rather hear it his way, and I'd never stare at the chart and say "oh dear Michael, there is a rubato here and you did not play it properly..". Nor would I care if he was off by 200 years - banter is banter. What he did is perfect to me, because that's how he played it.
the recording value may be weak, but you cannot deny that michael translates every single not as if it were a newborn child being presented to its mother for the very first time. this is why we love him. this was his gift to us.
What a great and absolutely unique musician the world lost with this man's death. I remember many years ago going to Crosby, Stillls & Nash in Salt Lake City. David Crosby introduced Michael Hedges to the attendees and I believe it was Hedges' introduction to the world. Hs was a amazing even then at s young. Makes me quite sad to have lost so much talent❤️ RIP Michael and thank you for sharing such talent with those of us seemingly not talented enough or too afraid and introverted to share ourselves with others.
YEEES, this man knew a lot about tempi. Alas, I have read here he is gone.... if there was something like heaven existing I think he and The Master would have a lot of fun there making music together.
Very, VERY nicely adapted and sensitively performed, thank you for sharing!
Michael was such a gifted musician and composer. I can only imagine how successful he could have been in the internet age. As it is, we are left with grainy clips of his genius and the few albums that he recorded. Left us way too young.
IT could actually be his success was dependent on not being Distracted by The Internet...
Such an innovative & inspired guitarist & musician! Michael was so ahead of his time, there still aren't many guitarist that can play today the way he did back in 1987. You are missed Michael Hedges.
Greatest performer I have ever had the privilege to see perform live!!
RIP Michael!!!
The song brings huge smiles , but his opening remarks brings huge sadness.......
will forever miss ya bro........and thanks for being here for us all.
Love Micheal's playing the Harp Guitar. ❤
This is awesome. I love it when guitarists like Michael draw from classical music. Jeff Beck's parents were classical musicians who definitely influenced his music.
Aww I miss Michael so much. It's so great to see a video of him playing this piece on here!
a wonderful interpretation. God bless Michael and the Berkshires!
type3secretion...I came here as a teen in 2006. Michael Hedges music is God given. Can we keep this channel saved for future posterity somehow? This is Congressional Library status in my honest opinion. Let this music and video live on for eternity, simply amazing.
i miss him soooooo much !!
He used to come around once a year and i planned my schedule around him, rip friend
the very first CD i ever bought in '86 was Aerial Boundaries.
Fab piece by a true genius born to play guitar. Michael and the 'harp guitar' truly captivating. lucky to have it on a CD in my van and that sound system will blow the doors off.. gives the low bass strings proper voicing... listen over and over.. its the best of the best. We lost Michael waaay too soon. Best to all... Richard S., milan MI
Classical Music is great... and played by Michael Hedges is even better...
The brightest star burns shortest. "Always remember that somehow this planet was lucky enough to have beauty like this, if only for a moment. And if that's not a good enough reason to enjoy life I don't know what is." -Robert Keeton-
Saw him live twice in Ann Arbor. Ive seen a lot of guitar greats, but Mike was the best I've ever seen.
Imagine this guy with a Fender or Paul.
Michael you are an inspiration to my entire life, bless your soul and creative force!!!
I saw him in Hampton Roads in 1985/6. It was spectacular, and I was enthralled. I'm sad that I never got to see him again, after learning to fully appreciate his art and talent.
He was a beautiful, spiritual human being, and he moves me deeply. He is simply inspirational!
Thanks for this great video!
Michael Hedges the world is so fortunate for you to have graced it with your presence. I am currently doing a composer essay on Michael Hedges for my music appreciation class while attending the same college that Mr. Hedges attended.
Hedges interpretation is beautiful. And what a great sound. His harp-guitar adds a unique warmth. Sad...he should have been around a lot longer. All of these videos of Hedges are great. A fine tribute.
If anyone would like to hear another, somewhat jazzy rendition of this famous prelude, the violin video I posted on my channel may be of interest .
Gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes. Sublime.
I am truly dumbfounded by all the narcissistic ass-clowns posting here... "I am a musician of the highest caliber". Legends in your own minds. Michael gave so much more than any of you will. R.I.P.
@D_Buc I'm with you on that, this man was iconic to say the least!
+@D_Buc My feelings EXACTLY!! I always say to those people, "If You can do it better, post a video of it, and show everybody"
+@D_Buc if you are humble such as many musicians such as jimi hendrix and or guys like john mayer. they don't actually know how good they are, they assume they are "ok". look at them, they are some great musicians and there is no way that anyone could be better. No one is the same as the other. no one is better than another everyone has a better skill level or a type of musician than you. you do something that might be completely different than someone else.
+@D_Buc Speculations sir, speculations.
+Nolan_Valz8 No one is better than another?! I'll just say it, Michael is/was better than I am. Am I allowed to say that? /sarc
Yes, I do play, nearly every day.
Very prophetic and eery his comments about driving safe.
Amazingly innovative player.
anything he plays is better than being played. his way of saying thanks, and goodnight. never another . not one in a million, simply no more than he.
wow, that was the best one. he delivered the emotion of that piece.
Thanks Mike! Tragedy it is but more tragic without the work you left behind. Beauty.
Simply beautiful
right on the money mate, hedges was a master of positional playing. he knew which parts of the guitar wood responds to different pitches an tone. Also note where his right hand is. Hedges is one of my favorite MUSICIANS of all time, but hes is m yidol when it comes to guitar
Saw him twice in Atlanta in the 90s. Once was Halloween, and he came out onstage in a wig and miniskirt. Thanks for posting.
Absolute inspiration.
Beautiful!!
This guy was definitely one of the most innovative acoustic guitarists of all time, it is such a shame he died.
Mr. Hedges remains a hero of mine. Such a shame that a shining talent died so young. /salute
wow, amazing... wish he were still here.
its always fun to mix things up when done sensibly. This song is beautiful on guitar.
that is mystical!
I started to learn this Prelude piece - it sounds awesome with emotions. I love it...very very much. - Michael played it extremly good!
A great talent lost at the age of 43 in a car accident which was not alcohol or drug related. The car appeared to have skidded off a slick, curvy road, slid down the embankment and flipped over, ejecting Hedges in the process. His talent lives on on youtube.
I had the chance to see him in Tampa and Atlanta back in 90' and 91' respectively and I too have always regretted not meeting the man himself. I took that as a lesson and now whenever I have the opportunity I make the effort to meet that someone if possible.
Whenever this piece of begins I immediately close my eyes and feel like floating away
its so amazing to see how he controlls the loudness of the strings so well... very rare to see such skill. its sad to know that such geniuses appear only once every few generations...
Just a note, Phil Keaggy was already using this style back in the sixties, and it was reported on in Guitar mag at the end of the sixties and then re-reported many times in the seventies and since. I do miss Michael Hedges and his artistry of Beauty i this world of time and space. His playing still effects me towards gratefulness. Always worth it to behold beauty.
without a doubt, the driving comment was really bizarre. Wow. I'm so happy to find these videos. It really shows off his talent in more ways than just an audio recording can.....
Why are we comparing stuff. Michale did a beautiful rendition of this piece. God just enjoy the music and the beauty of it.
Wonderful rendition and nicely played....I don't care what you critics out there say, or think...
you have no ability to care because you have no knowledge of how this piece CAN sound on guitar. this "version" is lower than a beginner student's level.
For your info., I HAVE heard this piece on classical guitar. This man is playing it on a harp guitar...man, some you-tubers can be SO critical...
ViolentFury1 It is true, you are the only one who has heard this on the guitar before.
ViolentFury1 douche this sounds great
marshall C sure sure... peasants can believe in any nonsense they want to.
Thank you both: Johann Sebastian Bach and Michael Hedges
I miss Michael so very much.
I love how he just flips it out of the case.
rest in peace michael, even young people still miss you
@smoothie66 LOL this is an incredible performance of Bach! Every stroke creates full, detailed tone, he utilizes open strings to create subtle accents... hell, at least he played it in G! How many of your classical guitar heroes do even that? And how are you an authority on Bach anyway? Classical guitarists are spinning out of control with their concept of "traditional" Baroque music, and it started with the erroneous success of Andres Segovia.
I got to see some great shows at The Coconut Grove at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The venue could open up the ceiling and seagulls would fly over and you could smell the sea breeze…….
A particular show for his mother’s b-day was a special night…..
WOW!!! wonderful video, and thank you for the string gauge detail
Leo Kottke takes you to a surreal place, Alex De Grassi to another! But M. Hedges takes me to where I wanna be........ RIP
Doctor Garbonzo saw leo kottke in concert about 10 years ago. It was awesome. Wish I could have seen Hedges.
Great and so beautiful.
Thank you very much!!!
Excellent. Très bon son correspondant à l'oeuvre. GREAT !
well i dont get what all the hub bub is. ive never heard of him just clicked on it because i was looking for the allemande movement of this suite as i am a cello player myself and i think he did an absolutely fantastic job. you can always tell a true musician if they look like they love what they are playing. keep killing it michael hedges
wow. stunning talent. rip Michael
Incredible rendition !
Michael plays Bach’s piece!
RIP, Michael..
gave me chills when he said that
brilliant player and person
Hasta acá videos excelentes un poco de todo! !!!
Saw him do this piece at Humboldt State University in the late `80s. He was a fantastic guitarist!
Michael was so amazing. So sorry he is gone. Died in a car wreck in late 1997.
This is a harp guitar, as the fellow said a week ago. It is not a new instrument, but has been around since the 20s, google and learn...
The Wiki article about Michael has lots of good stuff...
It's insperational it's what drives the element hes in hes intune with everything at peace
the master will be missed
+Cj Summer SO SO missed. I wish i had heard of him before he died. I wish he had never died. I wish, i whish.
@dunholy completely agreed. I play classical guitar and michaels' intonation is fantastic...
Such a talented guy & so underrated, gone way too soon.