On my way out to my car, I'll often grab a CD off the shelf randomly on the theory that whatever I need to hear that day, I'll be guided to pick. Just after Thanksgiving I randomly selected Michael Hedges' "Torched", which I hadn't listened to in several years. I was reminded of how profound it is, and then I realized that it was nearly the anniversary of Hedges' untimely death on December 2, 1997. "Torched" was released posthumously. To Hedges, the word "Torched" represented a a state of heightened spritual awareness, or being "on fire" with creative life energy.
I've been feeling drawn to share the title song with you. Here 'tis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q28Zx3wfYZY
PS, the entire album is brilliant, and the man played all the instruments himself.
I wanted to pass this along too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZimv-KYr8M
This is one guy, with one guitar (featuring a smoking incense stick in the headstock...)
@ana, Thank you for sharing "Torched" with us. I really needed to hear it tonight. It is a fabulous song, lyrics and music. The harmonies sound a bit like Crosby Stills & Nash.
Also really enjoyed "Aerial Boundaries," and I listened as well to "All Along the Watchtower." What a phenomenal talent.
My husband recently asked me about stocking stuffers for the holidays. I can now tell him, a Michael Hedges’ CD!
Recently I had a message from a lovely woman who has passed. She told me that the sun will rise again. Then she sent me the song from Annie, The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow. This song is meaningful to me personally in several different ways.
I have been singing this song lately and it is uplifting to me. It helps remind me that things can change and one day I will wake up to more hopeful happenings in my own life, in my country, and in our world.
I am grateful for the psychic ability I possess that allowed me to receive this message. Even now as I write this, I feel this woman's love shining down on me and comforting me.
@ana I really needed something good tonight to help me feel in a flow. I had never heard Michael Hedges before you linked to him playing. So beautiful. Just so beautiful. Thank you. I will also ask for a Michael Hedges CD.
Jimmie Spheeris' "Isle of View" has gotten me through many rocky times. And lovely times, as well.
@billy-mike, I was in college in the early 70's. How could I have not heard Spheeris' music? It's fabulous! Thank you for sharing. Another stocking stuffer gift!
Just wanted to add: I grew up on vinyl records, and the one thing I really miss was the outstanding album cover art.
@deetoo Harder to find, but on YouTube, is another overlooked artist I love from the same time, Rita Jean Bodine. Andrew Gold was well-known, but now sort of obscure, as is Kate Taylor; two fine singers.
I have just discovered the Scottish band The Chvrches for the first time. I often forget how talented and diverse the musicians are from all around the UK.
It's great when bands are in their growing phase before they become really big because you have opportunities to see them up close performing in pubs and clubs - which I believe is also what Bono's son is doing with his band now called Inhaler - which is how U2 used to perform when they were less known in the early 80s.
Here's a song from Inhaler for those who are curious:
Sorry but this made me laugh.
(Contains naughty words)
https://twitter.com/obbsie/status/1465987568609239042?s=20