Torched

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
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

From Jazziz
Michael Hedges once told writer John Stropes, "If anyone wants to lock me into the guitar pigeonhole, I'll make like a pigeon and crap on their windowsill." While Hedges brought a new sonic architecture to the acoustic guitar that stunned even his fellow guitarists, he also loved to sing. The posthumously released Torched presents the late, much-loved musician in both roles, with moving results. In progress at the time of his 1997 death from a car accident, these tracks are largely unfinished home recordings of Hedges'. In many cases though, Torched presents realized compositions, not just promising sketches; a clarity of purpose is communicated that feels whole. Many of the 14 tunes reveal what must have been a tremendous amount of work on Hedges' part. There are beautiful, overdubbed vocal harmonies on "Rough Wind in Oklahoma" and "The Holy Flame," wonderful keyboard coloration on "Sapphire," and, on "Ursa Major," a mix of gentle chords, harmonics, and sampled wind that sounds like Redwood trees strung with guitar wires, resonating in the breeze. With the sinewy power of his guitar and the direct appeal of his singing, Hedges also put grit into a singer/songwriter genre (for lack of a better term, let's call it sensitive, mystical folk) that's often characterized by a fey superficiality. He had the ability to frame emotions so they glowed with both sophisticated intelligence and primal passion, and his lyrics offered a penetrating vision that struck at the heart of meaning. this guy was truly tuned into something else.

Torched,Michael Hedges,Windham Hill Records,Contemporary Instrumental,Jazz Music,New Acoustic,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Solo Instrumental

Torched

Tracks:

Brak's Hawaiian Vacation
Something That Rhymes With Bones
Italian Lesson No.3
Mashed Potatoes
It's Not Easy Being Evil
Corned Beef
Scat Sandwich
Metalhead
A Nugget Of Joy From Zorak: From A Baby...
Baloney Sandwich
Zorak's Horrorscopes: Libra
Cranberry Blues
Space Ghost's 'Something To Think About': Change
Fight The Power Bands
Italian Lesson No.4
Nasty
Brak's School Daze: Yearbook
Zorak's Blues
Coffee
Bad Bug
Pokin' Around
A Nugget Of Joy From Zorak: Devoured
Highway 40 Revisited
Bay Gulls
Darling (Zorak)
Brak's Comedy Gold #3
Rock My Baby
Cartoon Planet Storybook: Little Helping Hands
Darling (Space Ghost)
Stain
Zorak's Horrorscopes: Scorpio
Front Door/Backside
Brak Can't Stop Laughing
Sitnam
Brak's School Daze: Toothbrush
Moo Kaluka

Amazon.com

The third offering from Space Ghost and company, this disc closely follows the format of Cartoon Planet, the cult-favorite variety show that runs on the Cartoon Network. There are songs galore, though few of them are outright parodies; rather, most take their cues from popular styles and filter them through the goofily surreal sensibilities of Cartoon Planet. The loopy Brak sings about his Hawaiian vacation and raps about Zorak in "Fight the Power Bands" (in which Space Ghost cheerfully chimes in with "Tell it, mack daddy!"), while the lovably gruff Zorak offers a Nirvana homage on "Nasty" ("I call Space Ghost a big baboon / I oughta be spanked, and it oughta be soon"), and apes the Cops theme song on "Bad Bug" ("I'm an evil mantis who won't be kind / I'll shoot my laser at your big behind"). It's not as strong as Space Ghost's Musical Bar-B-Que--there's a little too much filler among this album's 36 tracks. --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews:

I got my copy autographed........2006-11-04

This was the second album of songs and nonsense from the Space Ghost Coast to Coast TV show. If you've ever seen the show, you'll know what to expect. Silly, short songs and skits. If you've never seen the show, you're reaction to this CD will probably be, "What the heck IS this?". But if you are a fan of the show, you'll get a big kick out of it.

Good times.......2005-10-10

Every time I listen to this I flash back to the late 90's when I first bought it and listened to it many mornings driving to my job in Petoskey Mich. It cracked me up many mornings and made the drive to my menial retail job much more bearable. I find Surf and Turf much better than the first album. I never watched Space Ghost but I sure have good memories of this tape. Good stuff. Especially "Metalhead" which is just pure genius!

Listening to this was an ordeal.......2004-09-30

I was subjected to this release on multiple occasions by a co-worker. I found it to be not amusing, clever or entertaining, I found it instead to be a painful annoyance, much like a shreiking baby, fingernails on a chalkboard or dental drills, any of which I would prefer to this.
This is the Muzak in my Hell.

Gotta Love It.......2003-08-28

If you like ridiculous songs about some of the strangest topics around then you NEED this CD. I can't get enough of the Space Ghost CDs. This CD is filled with pure nonsense and humorous ear candy.

Wish there was a DVD to match.......2003-06-25

I really enjoy Space Ghost Coast to Coast, and this CD is a bonus! My kids didn't know what to think about it at first, but now they love it as much as I do. If you are a Space Ghost fan, you MUST buy this CD. Let's just hope Space Ghost comes out officially on DVD! I'll be in line to buy one!

Average customer rating:

A few songs really stand out for me on this one
A last and great gift from Michael Hedges
Torched
Hedges final work. Half-baked, but hauntingly beautifull.
The Broad Vision of Michael Hedges

Torched
Michael Hedges
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Oracle
Taproot
Breakfast in the Field
Live on the Double Planet
Aerial Boundaries

ASIN: B00000HZOK
Release Date: 1999-02-09

Tracks:

Torched
Spring Buds
Fusion Of The Five Elements
Promised Land
Phoenix Fire
Dream Beach
Arrowhead
Shell Shock Venus
Ursa Major
Free Swinging Soul
Rough Wind In Oklahoma
Sapphire
Gospel Of Mary/The Holy Flame
Lava Man
Free Swinging Soul (1994 Concert)

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

A few songs really stand out for me on this one.......2004-12-29

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.

A last and great gift from Michael Hedges.......2004-07-07

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.

Torched.......2001-12-04

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.

Hedges final work. Half-baked, but hauntingly beautifull........2000-05-30

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.

The Broad Vision of Michael Hedges.......2000-05-18

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.

Average customer rating:

Country Supreme!

Heart Like Mine

Manufacturer: Amy England
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006JSMU
Release Date: 2002-08-31

Tracks:

Heart Like Mine
Drifter
Waiting On Tables
Your Screen Door
Void If Detached
Gas Station Blues
Midnight Song
All Over You
Twenty-Twenty Vision
You Say I'm Sassy

Album Description

Amy England's Heart Like Mine is a stunning debut of sassy lyrics and smooth vocals, spread out over torched blues and twang country. Songs are evocative, all-American stories about heartbreak, gas stations, waiting on life and waiting on tables. Tunes that make you cry, then laugh, then come back for more.

Customer Reviews:

Country Supreme!.......2002-10-23

Stand back Shania, this girl kicks it old-style. She's what's been missing from your diet.