Michael Hedges - Comfortably Numb

[lisaness30]

Gorgeous. This brings tears to my eyes.

[murilonightmare]

I just don't understand why they keep laughing at his performance, maybe they can't comprehend the interpretation of this songs

[takewhatswrongand]

@murilonightmare He would do occasional tongue-in-cheek cover songs ("ends in a fit of disco fury"). In this case, I am just as puzzled as you are. The original -- as written, sung, and as it appears in the movie -- is as dark as it gets. Nothing in what Michael is doing suggests he is trying to be funny -- in fact, the opposite. I guess this song has suffered from too much play along beer rock on so-called "classic rock" stations.

[murilonightmare]

@takewhatswrongand Yes, I do laugh when he's playing funky avocado, hot type, or any other song that he introduces in a peculiar way, actually my favorite one is silent anticipations, just love that tornado story, but here, there's no point. It's annoying, a pity that they can't get all the feelings involved in his interpretation. Btw, Hedges is unique, I had never saw such a soulful artist. wish he was still here with us, maybe he's living in a double planet

[YakkaFoobMog]

@murilonightmare If you ever have the chance to see a master musician live, you may find yourself laughing inexplicably at how unbelievably good the performance is. I saw Tommy Emmanuel live, and found myself laughing for this reason. We take pleasure in the unbelievable, and laughter is an expression of this pleasure.

[KingTabor]

@murilonightmare maybe its hard for them stop laughing while they keep looking for MH's 'hat'

[Bartbrn]

Type3 --

Is the Somerville Theater performance the ONLY video of Michael doing "Comfortably Numb"?

Thanks for all you do!

Bart

[pob1989]

What a beautiful rendition of this song! I am glad that I was lucky enough to discover Michael's music!

[soonernomo]

I saw Michael several years ago at a small venue in St. Augustine, Fla...maybe 300 people in attendance. He was one of the best musicians I have ever seen...not to mention a great performer! RIP

[phlyeguy]

Had the immense privilege of seeing him on a double-bill with Andy Narell in the late 80's. Two phenomenal musicians; one great concert...never to be repeated...

[strangher11]

Thanks for posting this, i was lucky enough to see Michael numerous times, such a fine artist, i miss him soooooo much

[breachborn]

Thank You for posting the music of such an incredible

and inspirational artist!!

Bless Your Heart.



[AdminWiZaRd]

love this guy for his talent, his musicianship and above all his sense of fun. a great entertainer not afraid to go outside the box at the risk of his own credibility

[30millioncrabs]

Did the Camera Man have Cerebral Palsy? Shaky Video. But, Thanks,.....this is pretty cool! 

[MrLumpfish]

@30millioncrabs cerebral palsy don't make you shake you ignorant prick.

[SilverbackGorilla69]

@30millioncrabs I think you mean Parkinson's bro.

[applejacksonguitar]

Wish they would stop laughing

[antoinefleuriot2509]

Sounds great

Please see/hear my version

[Hedges001]

trust me, michael put on the coat looking for a laugh or a smile.

[lrambach]

Very inspiring!

[lilithiumzen]

this is so wonderfully heart wrenching...

[austinrocks999]

Saw michael and Leo Kottke in 85, true greatness now lost, never to be found again,

cries

[beatdeat]

Why did the audience laugh when he began the song? 

[OuelletteGTR]

I'm sure they laughed because it was unexpected for Michael to play something from Pink Floyd...he's known for mostly his original music. And, Comfortably Numb was, I think...over played during it's time...so, it's a little unexpected for someone of Micheal's caliber to start a Floyd tune...almost out of character.

[insaneguitarfreak]

@beatdeat  because he has some personality, and because it was unexpected!

[cooliscool]

it seems like michael hears the man laughing at the beginning in the crowd and it made him try harder to convince him that he is no joke but a pure artist. we miss you michael..

[TheShawnbean]

I dunno; the audience reaction keeps throwing me on this one. I know Michael likes to keep things light-hearted in his monologues during his shows, but, this is *Pink Floyd*, and a song about a guy going around the bend! Laughter just doesn't seem appropriate.

Michael's playing, though, as always, is simply jaw-dropping! Even without the trademark David Gilmour slow solos, he makes this song ring and touch the heart.

[Bigpineapple]

He had so much more to give... Such a horrible loss

[MoCatt]

@Bigpineapple Had a conversation about Michael Hedges with James, a co-worker, while at work one afternoon just before quitting time. He had seen the picture I had of Michael's Martin HD-28 hanging in my office and we talked for a while. James was leaving just before I was. 10 minutes later he walks back into work and looks at me with this sad look on his face "you're not going to believe what I just heard on the radio...."

[mbclewis13]

I got to see him play at a theater in Palo Alto several years before he died. It was magical.

[LordRavenX8]

he does an amazing job covering songs, although unfortunately this one is a tad lack luster for me because of gilmour's great solo. if only i could see hedges pick up an electric and make this song complete!

[LKennedy777]

Ditto *BRILLIANT*!

[edthehead83]

First of all, nobody likes a troll. And second, I'm really kind of shocked that you would take his death so lightly and jokingly. It's really not something to joke about...

[googlejoint]

Pink Floyd hated your snide spamwankery and thought, "gotta put a stop to this", so as Rick Wright and Syd Barret sat sipping earl grey with Michael Hedges in rock & roll valhalla, they sent a giant pig to take out both you and God in one fell swoop. Oink oink.

[whouston33wh]

abithiw2tib.....too bad musicians respect one another for their work and don't band bash like the rest of society. Michael Hedges revolutionized the acoustic guitar and I'm sure the members Pink Floyd respected the fact that such an amazing musician and composer like hedges would take the time out of his own set to play one of their songs. So abithiw, I hope when you start rising to heaven, you'll see Michael playing this song with Rick wright, and then, you drop straight down to the fire.

[beautifulmusical]

BRILLIANT!!!!!

[rastaxman]

total zen with the guitar

[animalhybrid]

So much feeling, so much emotion, so much talent, I simply cannot express the amount of respect I have for this man. It truly is a tragedy Michael was taken from us, especially for his family. I'm sure he's in a much better place now though, rocking out.

[russellvt]

Wow... harp guitar? The man was simply an amazing talent... such a tragedy, his loss.

[TheUncleMango]

I miss you Michael, and your Music.

[skjoyner]

i don't think he heard ya

[reggaemylitiss]

My mother just told me about Michael Hedges and thought id check it out. Guys got a lot of soul...too bad i cant see him live.

[smashingparadox]

"During my childhood I was assimilated by the borg" lol

[MewMew69]

what's the borg?

[D0ug16]

It a reference to a fictional population of robot-people that were in Star Trek. Go on and Google it.

[forestghost7]

god I miss MIchael (cries)

[bytortheraindog]

Every day.

[Gungosh]

breathtaking.

too bad i never had the chance to see michael live.

[MoCatt]

@Gungosh He was just as amazing live as you imagine. No I'm not exaggerating. He was *that* good and he always always made people laugh.

[Stearner]

Haha he was sitting on a bouncy ball at the start :-)

[kenf1ott]

thank you for posting this. I was there. I will never forget it.

[Mammut1965]

What a wonderful Artist. A brillant Musican and a Clown in

the best sense. He opens up our Hard, takes himself not so sirus.

He makes our Hard an soul laughing. These Sounds lift me up.

Does not matter if he is „the best Guitarplayer, but „he is unique.

He gives me curage to look for the very best in me. Pictures of Sounds.

[Confusememory]

best cover that i have ever seen

[1pick2sticks]

Did he ever do Austin City Limits?

[jayhunttttttttttttt]

damn this guy is great.... i mean he's really, really weird, but what a great musician and guitarist.

[camotero1]

it's just so pretty that I ache.

[Redawuk]

Etabone has it right in reply to RadicalDreamer420's remark. I saw Hedges live 3 times in very small venues and he emanted a puckish quality that encouraged a kind of bubbly, mad joy in the crowd. I think the laughing we hear on these videos is an expression of pure happiness. The cameras just don't pick up all of Hedges' amazing facial expressions, but he absoultely encouraged people to have a good time.

[jazzpsalti]

his covers are a celebration of the tunes and are constantly full of cultural references and little tricks... it's all part of the show lol, should I feel bad because I laughed with this performance?

[searcher1956]

Steve Vai thought Michael was a great guitarist tho I can't recall the exact quote now. People laugh when there is a nervous silence or someone says something and they don't know how to respond. Although it is distracting, it doesn't take away from Michael's performance and talent and nobody knew that the world would lose such beauty and talent too soon. Isn't it always the way, the light that burns most brightly often burns out too quickly. Rest in peace Michael, we miss you

[crashdude99]

@searcher1956 Guitar School sept 1990 issue. Steve said, when asked which guitar players do you listen too?, "I really like Micheal Hedges. I just bought a video tape of one of his concerts, and it's amazing. In fact, Micheal's music was one of the inspirations behind having Ibanez design the seven-string with that extra low B string. I love it when he plays his harp guitar and uses all those low drone strings." Anyone who plays guitar knows Micheal was brilliant!!

[Ton1ey]

beautifulmusical, you are so right! :D

[beautifulmusical]

When he covered a tune, it was like SRV..... he made it HIS.

[Skinzlivez]

I personally think he's the greatest cover artist of all time, as well as one of the greatest artists period.

[NEOTRINITY1579]

Type three...you have done a wonderful thing by compiling and loading these films...you are an archivist of musical alchemy!

[Steulin68ino]

only amazing...

[Artcarnie]

I had a friend who worked at a Menard's in Somerville.

[yoryis2801]

y los solos de guitarra

bien pudo unprovisar algo

pero es bueno

[RadicalDreamer420]

I swear, the people who went to his shows we're moronic. Why are they laughing at everything? Hes not even telling any jokes! Great video anyway, though I like his originals better

[etabone1]

I think that it was the kind of energy that he put out at his shows. He was a joker in the true sense of the word.

[esroberto1]

holy crap. Even when you think you know the extent of his genius, a clip like this pops up and redefines the word.

[therealkingfuse]

never realized he did this piece with harp guitar.

[capo420420]

man i can't believe i didn't know about michael soon enough to go see him .. 1997 wow .. that seems like yesterday .. just 10 short years .. great vid thanks for posting .

your friend

jeff

[ProAmPiano]

An amazing performance of one of my favorite Pink Floyd songs. Thanks again, Type3.

[saffronboots]

Mesmerizing.