Ironcladd's Full Review: Aerial Boundaries by Michael Hedges
I first heard Michael Hedges, and first heard of him, as a result of purchasing the Windham Hill Sampler '84 albumn. Having previously been a huge fan of progressive rock, and jazz/rock fusion, I was expanding my musical horizons to include "new age" music, and wanted to give it a try, so therefore I got the sampler. The song "Aerial Boundaries" was among the tracks on this sampler, and when I heard it, I had to run back out to the record store to buy the albumn!
Upon hearing the title track, "Aerial Boundaries", I was sure that there was an overdubbing involved(that the guitarist had recorded one part, and then another, and then mixed the two together). I was convinced that it was either overdubbing, or two guitarists were at work, as surely, no single person could play all of those parts at once! Well, I read the liner notes on the albumn as I listened, and it stated quite clearly that this particular track was "recorded live direct to digital". I was completely astounded! I was just getting into Stanley Jordan, and marvelled at the way he could play "two handed hammerring" or "two handed tap", on his electric guitar. I had never, ever, heard anyone that could do this on the acoustic guitar! I was totally blown away at how clearly and crisply that Hedges could do this. At the time, I had no idea that he was also melding finger picking elements in with his two handed tap/hammer technique. Michael Hedges plays with such clear tonality, such intonation, a true ringing, and on the acoustic guitar, a seeming rarity these days, or just a beginner instrument or sometimes an instrument that is stepped over completely for the electric guitar.
My favorite tracks on this are the title track "Aerial Boundaries", and the short, but fantastic, "Hot Type", where Michael Hedges really makes it whirl and whip! This recording is definitely one of the best of Hedges' works.
All in all, definitely do yourself a favor and get this recording! Sadly, Michael Hedges is no longer with us, having died in a tragic car accident in 1997.
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