Rickover's Dream - Michael Hedges cover

[SouthOzHedgesFan]

Hi Saffronboots, excellent cover. Got around to posting my version (at last) :)

I did mine by ear after listening to it from the Evening with Windham Hill Sampler '83 version. Think I am pretty close. I need to get some tips from someone on recording video!!!! And, yes Guitar playing is not a competitive sport, I agree.

Keep up the good work!

[Artthas3]

100º comment :D

that was awesome!

[HandiAce]

That was beautiful.

[saffronboots]

@HandiAce Thanks.

[moellermusic1]

Thanks for the tip. I ordered the book last night. You sound great by the way. Do you live anywhere near Chicago?

[saffronboots]

@moellermusic1 No - I'm in Ottawa, Canada.

[moellermusic1]

Do you have the Sheet Music?

Where Can I get it? Not tabs please.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Paul

[saffronboots]

@moellermusic1 Stropes' Editions has the official sheet music in the book Rhythm, Sonority, Silence.

[Cavin8r]

I gotta admit, I'm learning it off the sheet music and couldn't figure out the technique, so I looked this up, and you did a great job. How long did it take you to learn? It took me about 2 months to learn Aerial Boundaries... Difficult shit, man.

[Muhlenburger]

I bought the CD Beyond Boundaries in 2002 and heard Michael Hedges for the first time. This piece enthralled me. You did a great job with it, brother!

[surfercook1]

Amazing you figured that out by ear. I totally need a TAB and/or tutorial...hint, hint. Feel like putting a tutorial togeth for Rickover's?....Please?

[saffronboots]

@surfercook1 I was thinking about doing a series of "study notes" for the more challenging parts of the tunes I play. What would you consider to be the difficult part of this song?

[surfercook1]

@saffronboots Wow...thanx for the reply. Gotta say...love the name, "saffronboots". I would def consider the intro and ending the difficult passages here sir. I kinda gave up playing it because it was just a little to hard to figure out on my own. I did get about 50% of the intro though. On the edge of my seat here waiting for your tutorial.

[Cavin8r]

@saffronboots The harmonic tapping at the beginning.

[weeeendog]

Wow . . . that was it!

[saffronboots]

My wife bought me Rhythm Sonority Silence last X-Mas. It's certainly close.. maybe I'll re-record this with my better setup.

[EthanSh1n]

This is great. Michael Hedges songs are always nice to listen to =)

[saffronboots]

I agree. There's so much of his repertoire not Youtubed yet, except for Fusionarts101 who seems to have covered the most.

[bendistraw]

You did a fabulous job of sussing this out by ear! Really stunning to be able to do that! UdaMan!

[saffronboots]

Thanks. There's a segment of the guitar community that would balk at my failure to incorporate ALL of MH's techniques and fingerings from the recording, but I don't subscribe to the Dogma.

[zzwerzy]

You're welcome! Dogma, scmogma - to stay relevant, the song must evolve, and you've done a fine job keeping it alive.

I, too, have a version of this song up now. Search the title or my user ID to find it (can't put links here, apparently). You'll see that I've reinterpreted a bit...

Be well,

zzwerzy

[zzwerzy]

zzwerzy (formerly bendistraw)

[acousticland]

Perfect. compliments.

[saffronboots]

Thanks.

[ruckerd2324]

Just happened to be in the neighborhood. I'd forgotten how almost perfectly you play this Hedges "Great" Awesome job once again!!! Take Care  Dale

[saffronboots]

Thanks Dale. I wonder if it's time to re-record this with better audio/video...

[jazzpsalti]

sounds really great man. I couldn't have done it better :)

[bendistraw]

A high compliment from a considerable talent!

[jazzpsalti]

well his song is very hard,,, probably hedges' hardest

[bendistraw]

I'm surprised to hear *you* say this, jazzpsalti - what with your near perfect rendition of Aerial Boundaries floating about. :::You, kicked back on a park bench so casual and relaxed, playing, flawlessly, what I consider to be Hedges' hardest tune.:::

Either way I examine it, Rickover or Aerial are tops in difficulty. But I think AB is harder because of the intensive string-stopping.

Thanks again to saffronboots and everyone who keeps the spirit of Michael alive, current and relevant!

[earthmusicians]

This stuff brings tears of joy to me. Thanks so much!

[MrBuldozer235]

не понимаю

[klomb01]

Very nice my friend, I quite enjoyed this. Thank for putting it up. I found it on accident looking for an acoustic version of System of a Down "Aieriels"

[Tman4000]

Man, you have got to get a better camera...I NEED TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!!!

:D

[Justinsherm]

what frets is the first 2time slap on?

[avio007]

Tuning is C G D G B C. On google type Rickover's Dream power tab. Bye.

[Justinsherm]

sounds great man. i'm trying to follow... is the G tuning w/ a dropped C the correct tuning?  thats wut i deciphered on my own...if i'm wrong could you please hit me back with the correct tuning. thanks

[Acacia01234]

So far, you are the best I've seen at playing Michael Hedges' songs. Some people either play it wrong or don't put enough effort into it. Great job!

[121jigawatts]

Wow! I'm admittedly just getting into Hedges. I like his stuff like this, the instrumental things that take you on a journey somewhere. Favs so far are Aerial Boundaries, 2nd Law, Bensusan and this tune. You did a great job! I've added this to my favs and subscribed. I hope to have some posting up of my playing someday. Do you like Dufour and Mckee?

[saffronboots]

Antoine and Andy are acquaintances of mine. I really like Andy's melodies. Antoine's earlier tunes sounded too similar to Don Ross' to me, but his newer stuff is really cool and funky.

[8096446]

A great cover and totally acoustic,as good as a tutorial.I have the `Stropes`TAB for this but being a bear of little brain there are parts that didn`t make sense until I saw your video.Have you written any of your own material?Great stuff,keep it coming.Tony

[saffronboots]

Hi Tony. There's a couple of originals kicking around in my channel. Also, if you go to the channel page there's a hyperlink to a megaupload zip file that has 3-4 original mp3s from a recording session I did with CBC Radio in '93.

[FusionArtist101]

I played this song 10 years or so ago and can't remember how I learned it.

I was going to rekindle it, but I found a master piece of this already online by you.

You caught it perfectly!

Nice Catch!

I'll move on!

[saffronboots]

You're too kind FA101.

It's been interesting to watch MH play this piece on YT as well as others who have access to "official" sheet music.

I'm pretty happy with the way I play it, as it brings back the memory of reacquainting myself with the guitar again. In a whole new way...

[isssix]

Wow. There's dedication. Beautiful song beautifully played. Good job.

[saffronboots]

Thanks. It certainly took a while to figure out since, at the time, there was no sheet music available, I hadn't seen him play it, and was working off of the vinyl...

It was worth it.

[wildbilljam]

Such a beautiful tune, and tough to learn!! great performance!! takes passion to spend the time to learn and play this tune properly ;0)

[saffronboots]

Ooohh wildbill, don't be telling people I play this properly. The Hedges' police will be quick to dispel that notion. Ha ha!

Thanks for commenting!

[ruckerd2324]

Wow! I thought I played this tune good. You got me! I can handle the middle just fine but the ending is really difficult but you;ve got it. Congrats and keep up the good work. I will be on here soon and you can check out my version. RuckerD

[saffronboots]

I look forward to seeing/hearing it.

[TCupSipper13]

wow great job, ive listened to a lot of your songs and theyre awesome. keep up the good work dude. and do you have any original songs? im sure they would be brilliant

[saffronboots]

There are 2 originals on YT: 300 Subscriber Shoutout (Apt. 4D) and Disco Dan Meets the Beat. There's also a downloadable ZIP file (hosted on megaupload) on my channel page which has 4 originals I think. Thanks for listening.

[souellette22]

This is my all time favorite song by Michael. Whenever I hear it, I'm emotionally drained!! It's such a great piece, and you play it well. Scott

[saffronboots]

Thanks Scott.

[sionsiva]

great! so cool!

This is one of the most favorite music of Hedges.

I sometimes play it, but there is the part which does not yet understand how to get rhythm well.

I have uploaded it too. please listen, if you like.

[saffronboots]

Will do!

[Gitfiddlemann]

Whoah!

Tough piece. Superbly played Warren. Kudos!!!

[saffronboots]

Thanks mann!

[TheSanityInspector]

Would you check your room for my socks? I think you knocked them off over there someplace.

[saffronboots]

Ha ha! What?

[saffronboots]

OK I just got it... Thanks!

[lendmeyoursoul]

One cannot be grateful enough that there can be such genius like Hedges in this world, and gifted artists like Gash who can honor Hedges memory and keep his music alive.

[saffronboots]

Where should I send the money? Ha ha! Thanks a lot.

[metalfist84]

damn!

thats fucking brutal!

[saffronboots]

You mean to play? The hammer-ons and the beginning and end can be tough due to repetitive strain. Michael was left-handed which explains why he had a much easier time...

[zenfreestyler]

Left-handed what now? Am I missing something here? Amazing cover btw :D I can learn from this, thanks alot for tuning too.

[saffronboots]

MIchael was naturally left-handed. He possessed more tensile strength and coordination in his fretting hand than most right-handed people which made barre chords, hammer-ons, etc... easier.

[zenfreestyler]

Oh right, gotcha ;) Must work on that myself, thanks.

[cuneas]

OK, I'm impressed.

[saffronboots]

Thanks.

[bravenworld]

wow...thats so impressive. Hedges would be proud. Did you work from tabs, or just ear??

[saffronboots]

Just from ear. The Stropes' tab didn't exist when I learned the piece. There were some rudimentary versions in ASCII available (OLGA?) that helped me nail down the tuning and how the intro was played.

[tercoplo]

Tremendous playing, sounds like michael if you let your mind fly away.

[saffronboots]

Thank you sir.

[airfur]

Wow! Great video, and even more so, beautiful playing.  Thanks for sharing. You inspire me to try and play the guitar. Any suggestions for a newbee? :)

[saffronboots]

First suggestion: find a guitar that's playable. Too often, people start on instruments that are difficult in depressing the strings, or the body size is too large. They quickly lose interest.

[saffronboots]

You're quite welcome. It's a lot of fun to play.

[melyrn]

like all your hedges covers, very well done, best on youtube i've seen; you are so relaxedand clean in your technique - excellent job! my hand cramps something awful on this piece (although trying to play it on a classical guitar is somewhat masochistic!)

[saffronboots]

Thanks melyrn. I get really bad cramps right after the two-handed tapping bridge part. Watching some of type3secretion's recent videos, I've realised that Michael was left-handed which explained a lot...

[dirtystrings]

rah0wa...if you dont have anything nice to say stfu! ive been practicing this piece for awhile now,and its not easy,can you play it?didnt think so...its an excellent version! what an a-hole!

[bollire]

the crazy beauty of one of the Hedges most misterius and intriguing song, needed a perfomance of such an high level. as you fully rapresent in this performance, here is not only about the (great) technique...

"big chords ringing and swirling under water"

[saffronboots]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[rah0wa]

shitty tapping slappying tuneing ughhh boreing plus no milelage son

[adamt16]

Thank you for demonstrating a level of ignorance not often found even on the internet. You clearly don't understand what you are talking about. I tried to find some video of you playing, and not surprisingly (and probably thankfully), I couldn't find any. I'll just say this about your comment: shitty spelling, sloppy grammar -- no education, son.

[eguy777]

fuc*ing excellent....his best album... changed guitar FOREVER.....THANKS saffronboots for keeping the TORCHED flame burning....excellent cover !!!!! He lives in us all, and we know as fans when we still get chills from his chord progressions, insane dynamics, and cosmic clarity......thanks for posting, truly great job !

[saffronboots]

I really appreciate it. It's still my favourite Hedges' tune.

[RustyCyler]

Kickass !!! 5 stars bro

[LocoPCtheoneandonly]

Most beautiful tune!

Amateur player's dream = alternate tuning voyage thru

music never ending heights

Check my posted videos if you so desire

Peace!

[aurfouf]

This is fabulous... I agree with comments below -- almost eerily like listening to an original recording. Thanks very much for the video -- you've inspired me to try to learn this one! Plus, your D-09 just sings! I recently upgraded to a D-03E after many years of playing an entry level instrument, and love the Larrivee sound. Cheers, -r

[JPcares]

When I saw someone covering Rickover's Dream I thought oh no! but I wanted to hear how the Larrivee sounded. Your playing is fantastic! Wow! I'm at a loss for words. I heard Michael regularly during the years he was developing this style. He was here in Baltimore, Md going to Peabody Institute. Your playing is a little more understated than Michael's was which really brings out the beauty of the composition which really was what he was all about. This meant allot to me. Thanks!

[saffronboots]

I am flattered. You sir, are very welcome.

[darvoid66]

I'm sorry that you never got to see Michael live. He was incredible! He came to Maine many times and I saw him play every time. He started out with long hair and the last time he came here he had less hair than you! I love your playing style and your guitar has a very nice tone. Thanks for making me smile today.

[phuckthefcc]

very good, bro You made me pick up the guitar again, which has been probally 10 years, and I remember some of this

[therealkingfuse]

very well played pal, i learnt this song recently, but cant quite play it as well as you on some parts. once again very well done :D

[RLSguitar]

WOW Warren, I'm breathless! Your performance is impeccable! If I close my eyes, I see Michael Hedges playing. You honor his memeory with this performance. Thanks for sharing.

God bless.

- Robert

[Guitfiddler09]

Dude sweet song and im glad to see a fellow Larrivee owner. i have a LV-05 cutaway with the imix from Lr.Baggs. Kepp up the sweet music and hold to that guitar, they get better with agae

[tjazmin]

Amazing to hear this tune play so beautifully by you. Michael would be proud!

[retrosband]

Wow--kudos. I remember hearing MH for the 1st time..in fact the tune you do here. And I tried and tried to emulate it. (Before YT) You have really put some work in that one. I hate covering anything unless I'm totally blown by it. This is one I'd like to cover for personal satisfaction. Anyway..I'll look for more of you after this great cover!

[Tichou1313]

If you love tapping: Justin King !

A great guitar player !!!

[saffronboots]

I don't actually, but Justin is a very good musician. I prefer his stuff like Ashes and Northwest of Ju Ju.

[wappadudu]

Hey there, you've inspired me to play look into and play michael Hedges with your performance of this lovely song! quick question: What do you think about Erik Mongrain? And I don't mean his lap-tapping stuff! "Fusions" "I am not" "The silent fool" "A ripple effect" "Fates"?

[Tichou1313]

Wonderfull...

[dirtystrings]

wow! I think even the late great himself would be impressed!(just my opinion)excellent job!

[saffronboots]

Many thanks.

[Guitarman504]

Excellent job on this one! I love Michael's playing and you are an inspiration to try and learn some of his songs that seemed unplayaable before.

[saffronboots]

Thank you very much. From a technical POV, I find the best thing about YT and LV is the ability to SEE what's going on, especially for us visual learners.

Although, I still try to remember being engrossed in the wonders of the melody before longing to unlock the mysteries of the "how" when I first heard the vinyl...

[theonlyrealMugsy]

Hi. I came here off of one of my own videos oddly enough.

This tune, and Arial Boundaries are like hearing a movie for your ears...if there wasn't video that is. I use that tuning for a couple of my own tunes. : o

good rendering, and nice and clear.

[jimmyp37]

I saw Michael in a little club in Atlanta Ga many years ago... to sum it up in a probably overly used phrase at this point... He became the music... his spirit was manifested through the sound... I will never see anything like that again. Thanks for the memories.

[saffronboots]

Can I say that I am envious? Thanks to YTers like type3secretion, I get to watch the evolution of his playing over the years.

[jakerandall123]

For me it is scarey when I see a crowd in front of me too. I just close my eyes, breathe deep and go back to the bedroom when I was a kid and play. You are too good to be kept back from the world. Your musical ability just blows me away.

[scrubmacdub]

the beginning bit was spot on. and the slap harmonics thing u do is actually done better than hedges did it (dare i say it!) but the sound of it is much clearer on ur version. well impressed mate

[saffronboots]

Woah, thanks. I was surprised at how Michael did the 12th-fret slap by watching some of the videos here. It's certainly dramatic. I tried it but couldn't get the same tone.

[stevensirovai]

I concur with these guys you are absolutely amazing man, keeit up!

[saffronboots]

Thank you so much. I'll try to keep on playing.

[Yisbye]

Nice job as usual my friend!

[chanson86]

Beautiful and flowing. Absolutely amazing! People must be getting lazy with the ratings. This should have as many "5" ratings as it has views.

[Jakerandall1]

This is the absolute best tribute to Michael Hedges Rickover's Dream. This guy needs to be on stage somewhere.

[saffronboots]

Been there, done that - scared the crap out of me. Still fun though. I am blown away by your comment.

[STICKSnSTRINGS]

DUDE! That was fantastic!!! All you need to do now is grow your hair out really long, braid it and put beads in it, and get a tie-died T-shirt! LOL. Seriously, I thought I knew how to play this song (got the Stropes book years ago), but you own it! Way to go. Can you play Aerial Boundaries?

[saffronboots]

I was going for Michael's look circa '97...

Honestly, I never bothered to learn AB, probably because I heard RD first and I find it more lyrical. Is that Stropes book any good?

[STICKSnSTRINGS]

The stropes book is fantastic. Very well laid out and good info on all his tunings and gear. It even has color-shaded TABs that show where he used right-hand finger dampening. The TABS all have technique notes at the end as well to help you with the tough spots.

[Rubberhead]

This is the best cover I've ever seen or heard of Hedge's Rickover's Dream. Thanks for sharing.