"I met Michael when he was opening for CSN in my town. This particular album, though not his strongest effort, is obviously his most personal. I can just hear the demons being exorcised and the joys being relived as the tracks progress to the amazing arrangement of e.e. cummings' magical ode, i carry your heart. Hedges, Crosby, and Nash collaborated on several tunes, some of which C&N recorded after Michael's untimely death (what death IS timely??). The final song is a magnet for me: I know this is outside the review guidelines, but I'm going to share anyway. My dad died when I was 5; two weeks before his death, he went to the jewelry store and purchased a heart-shaped locket for my mother for their anniversary; he had the jeweler insert a smaller gold heart inside the locket. Wrapped alongside the locket was a copy of the poem, i carry your heart. Nineteen years later, my mom read this poem at my wedding. When I saw the title of the final song in the record store, I almost fell over! Take a close look at the poem, then listen to Hedges' interpretation -- sounds to me like the perfect love song. Thanks, Michael!"
Something Different
Daniel J. Caravetta, II | Levittown, PA USA | 12/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a huge Hedges fan, but I always play Taproot when I want a departure from solo guitar. This CD has a mystical, fantasy vibe to it that is hard to explain. It is filled with great multi-textured tunes ranging from jazzy to depressing. It's one of my all-time favorites. You've got to check out Ritual Dance."
The Channel to the soul
aaron | Alexandria, LA | 08/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the passst 8 months I have purchased many of Hedges cd's. Michael hedges has unlocked the key to many people's soul. I have many friends and also have met many people with this opinion. Wether the guitar slapping, picking, or harmonics that you enjoy, all of these elements are key to Hedges preformances. He does not only know how to play the acoutic guitar better than anyone in his time , let alone ever, he knows how to relate to people with his sounds and brighten up their day."
His music is truly a blessing
kre8iv1 | Flemington, NJ | 11/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Michael Hedges (God rest his soul) had been blessed to play like Angels were guiding his fingers.
I got to see him perform his music from Taproot live at my college back in the 90's and I am SO GLAD I went! It's tough to believe that all the sounds are JUST HIM ALONE playing a 12-string guitar. No accompaniment when I saw him perform live. Just him alone on stage. Magnificent!
His music is featured in the movie "August Rush", and that is what prompted me to pull Taproot out of my music drawer and listen once again. Wonderful to listen to with all of his nuances. My favorite is 'Ritual Dance', and my second favorite is 'Rootwitch'. I can feel his passion and energy in every cell of my body.
I was so sad to find out he passed away in a car accident. It makes the CD's I have of his so precious.