Michael Hedges - Torched

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 Amazon.com

A few songs really stand out for me on this one

I love the sound and sense of place in "Rough Wind in Oklahoma" and in the two, very different interpretations of "Free Swinging Soul." This is a lovely album that I have listened to again and again. I highly recommend it. December 29, 2004

A last and great gift from Michael Hedges

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. July 7, 2004

Torched

Michael Hedges was probably the most gifted writer, musician, arranger and producer in the modern music age. His inventive playing style and creative alternate tunings make his work a joy to listen to. Torched is the last work that Michael completed before his death in 1997. If you really want to hear every nuance on Torched, I suggest you listen to these two albums first: Breakfast in the Fields, Taproot, then Torched. You will hear the evolution of a player and the maturing of an arranger. I give Torched 5 stars not because I am a big fan and emulator of Michael, but because it is the best work I have ever heard. December 4, 2001

Hedges final work. Half-baked, but hauntingly beautifull.

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. May 29, 2000

The Broad Vision of Michael Hedges

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. May 18, 2000

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