Kottke & Hedges

[oasiswoman48]

So Love this...Leo played my 12 string and signed it....then Michael did the same (both at The Ark in Ann Arbor) just before he died. That guitar was stolen from me about 11 years ago and I still dream of the day it will come back to me.

[Mockingbird5150]

this is epic. truly special moment in time.

[Rikk303]

how progressive can guitar get?

[JanAkkerman111]

Does anyone know where I could get the tab for this?

[jsipflatpickd28]

@JanAkkerman111

Doesn't exist, I've tried to figure the chords in this one, what kottke is actually doing is near impossible to figure.

[Rikk303]

@jsipflatpickd28 D-Tuning as always, no big deal

[jsipflatpickd28]

@Rikk303 Still, Kottke boggles my mind.

[Rikk303]

@smaaatkid You might want to try the "Sort by Thread" option before you mouth off with a knee-jerk reaction that is almost as insulting as it is ignorant

[smaaatkid]

@Rikk303 and there I was thinking you're an asshole, when I was the asshole! Sorry dude.

[Rikk303]

@smaaatkid No big deal. Mistakes are easy enough to make when reading black and white. If you like acoustic guitar the way I do, give Adrian Legg a try if you haven't already. He's got quite a few things on YouTube...some are average, some are mind-blowing

[hasselbladonanikon]

Amazing!

[joeybagadonutz23]

This is the reason that video was invented

[joeybagadonutz23]

The ten people that disliked this should probably go play in traffic or go back to whatever hateful planet they hail from. This is indeed a classic, thanks to whoever posted it.

[Rikk303]

@joeybagadonutz23 Steve Winwood played in traffic and did ok

[ZOMBIELANDakaUSA]

@joeybagadonutz23

they know not what they do(the naysayers)...disliking this just shows pure ignorance,i pity those who have no clue

[ErasmusBDraghin]

Who bothers to "dislike" something like this?

[joeybagadonutz23]

@ErasmusBDraghin

Retards

[HentVanTuut]

waw!

[musicalcoffeedreams]

Guitar has been through many phases in a short time.

And throughout it there have been players that have been credited with the turning tides, and taking to the next level for the world to feed off and expand as it will.

I fear time will almost forget Hedges & Kottke amidst the McKees and Mayers in the realm of acoustic guitar. Whoever controls his estate should really consider re-releasing some material . . "Artist Profile" and such . . I'll be first in line to buy a copy and share the joy.

[korinstower202]

@musicalcoffeedreams

It is up to us, the lucky ones who know of Hedges and Kottke, to pass it on. I'm introducing as many of my sons' 19 and 16 year old friends as I can to these extraordinary musicians. I'm thrilled to have tickets to see Leo when he comes to Annapolis in October 2011! How fortunate we are that this moment was captured on video and that YouTube exists.

[saullouis]

Its in a soup like this that life was born.

[mcgigglish]

I LOOOVE MICHAEL HEDGES. Just watch him jigging about to the music, lol

[tassieblues]

Its called Nashville tuning. All the wound strings are the same tuning but an octave or so higher and use unwound strings like the first and second normal strings.

[themachinist1000]

I love this, but what on earth is "Doodles"?

[superjay42]

@themachinist1000 "Doodles" was the title of a TV show pilot. Leo was asked to write the theme for the show. (Technically the song is "Theme from Doodles.") The show itself never ended up being made, but this tune is recorded on Leo's "Regads from Chuck Pink" album.

[methodinsane]

How the hell did Hedges get a Sunrise in the soundhole of that tiny little guitar??? Did he cut the top or what?

[superjay42]

It just occurred to me - why didn't Leo and Mike Gordon include this on one of their collorations?? I would LOVE to hear Mike's bass playing counterpoint to Leo's melody on this tune. C'mon guys, next album? :)

[GumatzPotrzebie]

Two of my favorite, transcendent guitar geniuses a-pickin' and a-grinnin' and delighting in each others company and gifts. Priceless moment and thank you so very much for posting this!!!

[fdsman]

You know, it's funny. My dad is a Kottke fan and I'm a Hedges fan...so for some reason it's almost like watching a video of my dad and I playing guitar...

[Poopaloo55]

Lovely...the way they are taking such obvious pleasure in each other's playing!

[SuperBeanson]

love the wqay Hedges looks round at the end as though he's just realised there are people in the room

[IIIISolidSnakeIIII]

@SuperBeanson Haha I never noticed that before. He was in his own little zone when he was playing. Genius!

[MrTaylorN]

Is it my computer screen or did Hedges use all the same gauge on every string for his parlor?

[sroart]

If it was indeed Nashville, then the date was 2/7/88 at Langford Aud at Vanderbilt University

[Plebo]

@sroart that sounds correct. A second trip to Nashville was made to meet Eddie Reeves, co-writer of "Ring" AND the photo shoot with Chet Atkins and Doc Watson where they play together. Both on the DVD Home & Away! Hidden in the menus of that DVD is footage of Leo getting ready for an appearence on "Nashville Now" which he taped that same day. The footage of Leo talking in the car was driving to that photo shoot. the DVD has MUCH more then these badly transferred clips

[Plebo]

This is from the DVD "Leo Kottke Home & Away" Revisited" (Available now!) This was NOT part of the orig. broadcast - Although the DVD is from a show in Toronto- this clip is backstage in Nashville after a show when Leo and MH toured together. The DVD is full of extras like this and extended performances

[TICETOCAR]

I understand it's from some dvd now... but what is doodles? is it a tv serie? a game? where can I hear the original theme? Does a studio recording exist of either MH or LK playing this? Difficult questions probably.. but hey, orville 9999999 would be nice if you could bring me/everybody up to speed on it :-) anyway, great upload.. great playing.. cheers!

[superjay42]

@TICETOCAR "Doodles" is a Leo Kottke original that he wrote for a pilot TV show. The show didn't end up being made, but the song is available on Leo's 1988 album "Regards from Chuck Pink." (This video is from the "Home and Away: Revisited" DVD that you can order off Amazon, too. It's one of the extras that was added in the DVD release.)

[cosmiclight]

This is from the commercially made video era Leo Kottke - Home and Away but this piece is not featured on the video. It must be a rare out-take. Tbhe video is none the less excellent. I've ownede it for years and influenced others to attain it. I have seen Leo play live in Portland many times. The videos here are nice but there is nothing like seeing him up close and live. A living genius of the guitar and a brilliant performer on the live stage. I recommend that you never miss him when live.

[guitaraaron72]

This would have been a very special event to attend. Could you imagine being lucky enough to be one of the people standing around.

[GibsonHummingbird]

duo Gods

[camden888]

Wow, 2 heavyweight guitarist. They both rule, but Hedges is my favorite. Amazing. This video doesn't show him even close to his best. What a tragic lose.

[billandersonful]

To have been a fly on the wall. I miss Mr. Hedges. He was such a fine player.

[joker4153]

Any idea when this was? MH looks like he's 17 or 18 years old!

[MrTaylorN]

He was definitely older than that, I'm not sure the year though.  Probably late 80s.

[Bluestard]

It's from the Leo Kottke DVD Home & Away Revisited.

It's a 1988 performance at Torontos Bathurst Street Theater.

Great great music.

You all must buy it!

B

[blewsyboy]

pure joy

[IIIISolidSnakeIIII]

this is amazing man.

[bagOprions]

when two superheroes meet....

[tie32101]

I like both. Michael headges because he's very creative and leo kottke because he's just a great guitar player. Leo is amazing beacuse he's partially deaf.

[jcconspiracy13]

Leo is amazing but even he should have been intimidated or at least felt lucky

[Tman4000]

As amazing as Hedges was, Kottke was his main influence. Hedges had all of his albums, and even tried to sneak backstage with his guitar to get Leo Kottke to show him a few things back in the mid 70's.

[jcconspiracy13]

really. cool because I wasn't for sure of the history on Kottke. thx for the info!

[Tman4000]

Sure! Look Kottke up, because not only is he an amazing guitar player, but he's a musical genius, just like Hedges was.

[1crow]

????

[Zuzana52]

Can anyone tell me what kind of guitar Michael Hedges is playing?

[Tman4000]

It's a parlor guitar.

[loondoo]

Possibly a Martin size 5 Terz guitar

[StarryNightDiva]

To quote Michael Hedges, "Heaven is all around, translated into sound" .....

[Tman4000]

"I play the guitar so I can dream out loud."

:)

[pjh1554]

these two, are playing in their front room together, (sober ) and they don't care if we are listening, or not ! long live the front room, reminds me of  stochello rossenborg. sp forgive me ?

[squeedum]

that is the yin and yang of progressive acoustic guitar wizardry, right there!

such polar opposites but totally complimentary in every way!

freaking awesome!!!

[gythiyanki]

my two favorite guitarists right there!

[squeedum]

pretty cool. the way they're standing they kind of form a yin and yang....

[squeedum]

hedges in black. leo in white.

[methodinsane]

What is Doodles? I plead ignorance if it was a show theme from the US.

[noraaron4321]

hee hee!!

[Tman4000]

This is printed on the sleeve in the Leo Kottke Home and Away Revisited DVD:

"Michael Hedges was still wearing his stage makeup and a haircut he hated. The vegetable collander some years later, with his hair sprouting through the holes is sorely missed."

[johnroymusic]

I'm floored. Hedges and Leo in the same room? Wow wow wow

[blackfrancis55]

and kottke always has that crazy grin. like he's just done something naughty.

[sleepydood]

I'd say more of a grin because he knows just how awesome the moment is, while it's happening. Existing completely in the moment and recognizing the great things that happen around us every day - now there's something to aspire to. Kottke and Hedges. I'm surprised the world didn't just end because of the sheer volume and density of awesome in the room.

[sleepydood]

This comment was supposed to be a reply to blackfrancis55's comment - "and kottke always has that crazy grin. like he's just done something naughty." Pressed the wrong button.

[blackfrancis55]

...! like they have been playing together for years!so cool.

[jazzpsalti]

those people in the background are some of the luckiest people alive. Right up there with people who got to see Chet and Lenny play together

[FLIGHT48]

Simply uplifting! Listening to Leo and Michael brightens my days!

[ChicagoBeth1945]

Wow!  I've heard Michael called "the guitarist from another planet". Last night I saw Leo live and he definitely is one too.

[hterra1955]

What year is this? Absolutely brilliant! The best video on youtube.

[Tman4000]

I think this is somewhere between 1986-1988.

[Lytspeed]

No, it has to be earlier than that. I'm guessing mid to late 70s, actually. I saw Hedges play in the mid 80s, and he looked nothing like that.

[Tman4000]

Nope. It's on 3/4/88 to be exact. There is a video of them playing together in a concert on youtube, and they're wearing the exact same apparel. Michael Hedges frequently changed his hair styles.

[54spiritedwill54]

look how young they both are. Time gets us all

[dasche]

dam good stuff

[fastrnb]

Is Michael playing a toy or have I just never noticed he's a giant?

[GaryHurd]

The 3/4 guitar is sometimes called a racinta. They are still popular in Mexico and South America. They were very popular in the USA in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The George Washburn Company made several models.

[Tman4000]

Anyone have any kind of tab for this song?

[egits]

michael looks a little like flea here

[boomboxboombox]

dude good call!thats funny

[enalnitram]

did Michael buy that shirt from Jimmy Page?

[Otispuss2]

HAHAHA! At least they have the same tailor.

[GibsonHummingbird]

Guitar Gods ... unless you are Monte Montgomery.

[timeshavechanged]

can  anyone find tabs to the solo theme

[jopinofcabra]

Saw these two together in Tulsa, of all places, in 92 or 93. Leo opened for Michael at that show. Michael still had his crazy long but straight hair at that time.

[WillHirsch1]

Ah, communication at the soulular level. I love how when Michael and Leo finished, Michael seemed surprised that there were other people in the room. Talk about being in the groove. Absolutely the best. Just the best. Thank you so very much. And Kirkola, I'm jealous beyond words that you got to hear them as a duet.

[phlogdo]

I saw them in Nashville in 88, and it was a totally awesome evening. Best line of the night though came from Leo, who said, "I told Michael coming in on the plane today that tonight there would be thirteen hundred and fifty-FOUR guitar pickers in Nashville". The other 1352 of us laughed out loud. I miss Michael. Kirkola is right... they had SUCH fun together that night. They were both incredible, but rarely have I seen anyone enjoy making music as much as Michael did that night.

[Kirkola]

Saw them both at SMU in Dallas in 88...they were having so much fun, it was unfair. Cracking each other up and playing the most incredible duets I've ever heard.

[saffold81]

Yep I was there that night too. Great fun and they were also fast friends.

[spaceman1981]

And me, too. 8 Miles High never EVER sounded so good. Plus, do recall Michael's busted D string - had it changed in like under 6 seconds. So glad I went that night.

[PADMsupporter]

i bet this is what god jams out to!

[aftnoon2]

What a duet!

A cool Leo and a "hot" Mike.

2 minutes and a half of glorious acustic fun...

[GaryHurd]

Still sweet. Thanks to Mike. Thanks to Leo. Thats all.

[OmegasWill]

actually 1crow i think kottke is thinking "omg i just got to play with michael hedges!"

[johnhuckin]

I saw Leo and Hedges in Northampton, MA awhile back and the next day while trying to play a Martin in a local shop noticed someone was watching me. I turned to see who it was and there was Hedges standing there. I immediately choked, stopped playing and said "Here, you want to play?" He was very polite, said no, told me I was doing just fine and then walked away.

He was a great player and entertainer (played a weird harp/guitar). Leo was GREAT as usual! Thanx.

[jlhickman]

How far is a while back?

[drinkstwohanded]

Kottke is still amazing after all these years. I saw him a couple of years ago from row 7, and I will never forget it as long as I live.

[camsterSD68]

hedges and kottke toured together in '88 or so (after hedges' live album came out & Kottke's Regards from Chuck Pink)

[kdunne916]

anyone know what kind of guitar that is? im guessing its a size 5, but i know that hedges died before the martin size 5's came out in 99? anyone know if thats a vintage martin, or what it is in any case?

[1crow]

Great piece but, really, Hedges is such a showboat. Barely acknowledges Leo and then turns to the gathering with a "how cool am I," look.

[drinkstwohanded]

I think that was an "I just got to play with Kottke and you didn't" look, lol.

[cintiascola]

you are so alive, michael...

[methodinsane]

Those people are so bloody lucky to have seen these 2 guys here like this, jamming, having fun. Damn, I can't even see Kottke unless I travel 3000 miles oversea (well I know Hedges is gone) because he never tours europe anymore.

[drewbag]

hedges has his strings on the wrong way round!

[yaisum]

Good spot. I think, though, he might be in Nashville tuning? What do you reckon?

[HeroicOaf]

Nashville tuning, I believe, is when the third and fourth strings are unwound and tuned an octave higher than the original strings. I see octave-higher strings at 5 & 6, and an octave-lower string at 1 (see at :50 to :52)

[HeroicOaf]

Hedges had been known to experiment with string sequencing, et al.

[yz89zy]

back to this video again, it never gets old.

[MusicaFuturo]

I know what you mean - I've been playing it almost every day since I discovered it. This world is emptier without Michael in it.

[robbiem123]

Doesn't this remind us of Leo's "Peg Leg".

Sounds great!

[rockingdad]

This song sounds like the tune "Then" published on "Try And Stop Me". But this is what Kottke often does ... replaying previously released tunes - and he does it very well. I like this play very much. It sounds and looks very spontaneously. That's live !!

[wilbo26]

This is quite possibly the most important youtube clip ever. Two amazing musicians goofing off backstage. Awesome.

[guitaoist]

amazing, those earth signs know how to chill

[prasiddha]

Earth signs?

[guitaoist]

leo a virgo and michael a capricorn

theyre more 'down to earth'

[Rob6648]

Why can't I get any volume. I have everything turned up to max and I can barely hear it. Anybody else have this problem?

[Daycron66]

It's cute how Micheal is hamming it up a little bit, but stops when Leo looks up.

What a priceless video this is. I've watched it a zillion times. Two of the great masters, and brothers, away from the glare of the spotlight, just playing for fun.

[lowlandr]

bow to the powa

this is guitar music at it's finest.

look at leo's face.

nobody goes toe to toe with him at a moment's notice...

[RonZucker]

It is too easy for me to forget that in addition to his amazing tapping and tuning, Hedges could simply play some straight guitar. Kottke is one of the four living guitar gods for me. Hedges was the fifth in the pantheon. I still miss him. Thanks for posting this.

[FLIGHT48]

Just wonderful & enlightening!

[RoofFiddler]

Man, look how young they both are. Time gets us all...

[aemk612]

Kottke and Hedges were good friends... this is well versed and documented. Michael Hedges' heaviest influence was Leo Kottke even from his younger days at the Interlochen School of the Arts in Traverse City, Michigan. He just ended up taking it to another level with the slapping and "altered-alternate tunings"...

[kevinwcmi]

That is my understanding also, and it still amazes me. Michael loved Leo and his playing. He often referred to Leo as his "adopted big brother". Leo was Michael's biggest musical hero and influence. Yet, Michael never sounded at all like a Leo clone. He most admired Leo's unique musical voice, and that inspired him to develop his own. My two favorite guitarists of all time.

[aemk612]

It's a great testament to Leo's staying power and influence over many different players through many different styles and genres... a true master. And a nice guy too.

[JohnMcPhersonStrutt]

I bought the DVD after seeing this clip. I LOVE Kottke's music. Thanks for posting ! !

Michael Hedges playing is PRETTY DAMMED IMPRESSIVE. His death is a terrible loss.

[prasiddha]

Don't you just like Hedges' vibrato?

[bigcardinal76]

That's a neat little "Parlor" sized guitar he's got. Looks it would be fun to play. Sounds good!

[Plebo]

This is from the DVD "Leo Kottke, Home & Away Revisited" you can get it from almost any music/DVD store online- Amazon for sure. If you take a clip from a show- please respect the source and give a credit!

[erinbeth05]

wow wish i was there

[Lehmann108]

What year was this shot? They are both so young in it!

[somewhere59]

must have been in the second half of the 70ies, as I see Kottke

[HeroicOaf]

I'm pretty sure this is late '80s (a newer post says this is from a follow-up Kottke DVD - the first one came out in '88) - Hedges' first recording was in '81...

[kdlaiusa]

Look at Hedges' left hand, nutz!

[skinnerg]

Excellent!

[ScottFree37]

Two of my old favorites together...having fun

Thanks for posting

[capnbiggots]

Hedges' guitar just sounds like a big mean ukulele

[JohnMcKenna]

As we say in Ireland...Jaysus

[prasiddha]

The two best acoustic guitarists ever. I don't know who's more technically proficient though. I personally think Leo's the superior one in raw finger picking. Michael's got his own type of virtuosity. But Michael's obviously the way more influential and innovative artist.

[dmartin72266]

It's like comparing apples and oranges. Friend of mine saw them tour together. Hedges was the opener. Wish they would have done an album together.

[prasiddha]

It's not that I'm comparing them, it's just that I've always wondered how good Hedges really is in terms of RAW finger picking. In his own right, he is obviously a virtuoso. But this is the first time I've seen Hedges play standard fin-picking, without the slapping, and fretboard acrobatics he usually does. Kottke is obviously incredible in traditional-fin-picking

In any case, they BOTH RULE! And I agree; wish they did an album together!

[dmartin72266]

Yeah. I hear ya. 90% of kottke's stuff is based on that Merle Travis style of picking... alternating base note kind of thing (not to imply that there is anything simple about it... I'm a huge fan, and have seen him live twice... actually met him once.). Hedges stuff is really unclassifiable, but they seem to be equally proficient. It's like they were both born with a guitar in their hands.

[prasiddha]

Exactly. I was thinking the exact same thing

:)

And what's the other 10% of Kottke's stuff?

[dmartin72266]

Man... good question... In my opinion alot of it can be pretty weird. And to tell you the truth... much of it I really don't care for. The album, "That's What" Is probably my least favorite because it is so dark and slow although it has one of my favorite songs: "Oddball"... which, strangley enough, is pretty typical Kottke.

[prasiddha]

Umm, what is it? Avant-garde? Kinda like Derek Bailey? Or experimental noise like Keiji Haino? Sorry for dragging this conversation... I'm just curious about the world of acoustic guitar, with all it's young, new players.

[dmartin72266]

I don't know Derek Baily... so I couldn't say, but avant garde is one way to put it. I think alot of people would consider it "New Age." I guess it's sorta similar to Hedges' slower stuff.

[Rexicano]

Michael wrote a piece called Bensusan; so it's pretty clear that he admired Pierre probably more than any other guitarist and for good reason. Benn playing guitar for 40 years and I have no idea what you mean by "raw finger picking". Kottke had such tense technique that he damaged his hand at one point years ago and had to start over with relaxed technique more like Classical players (and Bensusan and Hedges) use. You can read about it in past interviews with Kottke.

[prasiddha]

What I meant by raw finger picking is Michael's ability to finger pick without tapping, slapping, etc, and instead focusing on being like a classical guitarist; no "pyrotechnics"...How fast is his picados, rasguadoes, tremolos, etc.

Kottke is OBVIOUSLY intense as you said; so much that he got carpal tunnel syndrome.

[RickMeister]

thanks for posting! this is amazing!

[jimmyp37]

wow does Michael Hedges look young in this video... his classical training is apparent also

[mrkevinj]

Incredibly sad that Hedges passed away. I saw Hedges in a solo concert in Charlotte, NC. That guy is just unbelievably talented. He can play multiple instruments simultaneously all to perfection. He sounds like an entire band by himself.

[hamwinkie]

That would be easy to do if you had any accessible. Where do we find it? Then try to be a musician, not an arrogant person. It is very unattractive. Not to mention very unbecoming of a "musician". Peace

[daliworld]

do you know the name of this song? i need it please

[Orville9999]

That makes two of us. All I know is that it was in the television show Doodles.

[Orville9999]

Can someone tab this in guitar pro or something?

[hamwinkie]

I can get it in regular music notation. That is far better than tabulature in the modern context. Need it still? Peace

[pedro3000]

Yeah - I've got all kinds of Hedges and Kottke on guitar pro. Pretty simple stuff ;)

[wildeyed]

Too cool! :)

[STICKSnSTRINGS]

I was lucky to see them together at SMU in Dallas. To this day I think it's the best performance I've ever witnessed. Michael, if we meet in the next life, I'm gonna bug the hell outta you to teach me aerial boundaries!

[MamaCakes]

This is from the DVD 'Home & Away Revisited'

go buy it!

[naturalfinish]

nice...I saw hedges and kottke play together back in 1994 at the small theatre in Mesa, Arizona...awesome show...brings back memories

[erikmongrain]

This video simply rules!

2 legends playing together , amazing !

[mrjacobus]

This is great. Where did you get this stuff? Got some more?