Aerial Boundaries

Larry Coryell was doing a very similar style and technique, especially on his album European Impressions, and his albums of improvisations on classical pieces, Scheherazade, Le Sacre du Printemps and Rite of Spring he put out in the late '70s. Also, Standing Ovation. To borrow a quote from the iTunes review above, "you can't believe one man is making so much music with just a guitar". Michael Hedges sounds like he listened to Coryell a lot before he created the "greatest revolution in solo guitar playing since Leo Kotke." This is not to knock Michael Hedges, just to give a tip on where some more great music can be found.

This was the first Hedges CD I heard, and I was instantly hooked. I wondered how he was playing "Aerial Boundaries" when I first heard that it was recorded live, and with no overdubs. Well, the late wizard of the acoustic guitar played with a combination of many techniques: finger picking, two handed tap and hammer ons, pull offs, and throwing in a pick from time to time to strum. This CD is a great introduction to the music of Michael Hedges.

My son turned me on to this album after a Hopkins student mentioned that Michael Hedges was a former Peabody student and to check this album out. I went on to buy every single Michael Hedges album and to lament that I found this great artist but sadly, posthumously.

This has to be the best collection of instrumental cuts from Michael Hedges. From the opening track '' Aerial Boundaries'', to the final cut ''The Magic Farmer'', Hedges never fails to take us on a fabulous journey into ourselves with fantastic solo guitarwork. ''Spare Change'' is a phenomenal piece, while some of his lesser- known tracks really transport listeners to another place, another time. Perfect for driving thru the mountains at night with a full moon above, or for a stormy afternoon with a good bottle of wine and your favorite person, or for a long intense bike ride downvalley. " Menage a trois" is stunning in its quiet, yet intense melody, and it's hard to believe that all these sounds are from just one instrument. This album is a classic, a MUST for all acoustic guitar lovers. This will NOT disappoint.