Michael Hedges and Will Ackerman - Hawk Circle

From the July 1986 at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia. Haven't been able to find this still available for purchase, so decided to post these finally.

Great duet from these two of Ackerman's haunting piece. Wonderful to see them play together.

See See http://www.nomadland.com/ for information on Hedges and a fund for his children.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Michael
• Hedges
• Will
• Ackerman
• Hawk
• Circle
• duet
• wolf
• trap
• acoustic
• guitar

[type3secretion]

I think mediocre is a denigrative adjective. Ackerman wrote a lot of compositions that musically touched a lot of people. He'd be the first to admit he isn't a technical gold medalist, but he wasn't about that. Hedges married musical sense and technical wizardry, although he has admitted in interviews that there are people "faster" than him. So many of those with millions of hits on YouTube emulating him lack the musicality. I'll take Ackerman's musical sense over technique any day.

[txikilin]

they don't deserve 5 stars, but 5 galaxies.

[klclewis]

I saw this performance when it originally aired on PBS back in 1986, and thought it was one of the most beautiful songs I had ever heard. To this day, it takes my breath away.

[phlyeguy]

Pyro-techniquals (pardon the attempted pun) are not prerequisites to beautiful music, as the pairing of Hedges, may he RIP, and Ackerman so melliflously demonstrate. Ackerman wrote some beautiful melodies, no matter how 'dumbed-down' some people claim them to be.

[fionajoy]

I'm looking forward to performing this song (piano) with Will Ackerman at the Basement in Sydney on 21st NOvember - if I can play something half as good as Michael Hedges I'll be happy. Will and Michael both have more musical ability in their little finger than most musicians could dream ot - its about heart...................and soul, and putting the notes out there to the universe. Its about FEELING the music.

[RockyFretz]

I am really stoked. I am playing this song with Will Ackerman himself, as a piano/guitar duo at my CD Release Concert on Sept 12!

We are doing the Will Ackerman/George Winston version. I can't wait! I will post a video response of us playing it on the 14th after I get back from the gig.

This is an amazing version. Bless Michael's heart....miss him. I know Will does very much.

So...we'll play on and remember the giants, the visionaries and the music. I know I will.

[greenthumbguy1]

Absolutely. Fretboard gymnastics are fun to watch, but ultimately it's the emotion invoked that matters. Scales of sixteenth notes don't impress me as much as the goosebumps I get from a piece like this.

[stan2211stan]

I'm in total agreement with everything You say - I'd put Will's work against anyone's I can think of and it'll stand up. What can be more important than standing up?

[horton44]

loved this. so awe inspiring to see hedges play lead. like so many have said it's such a shame he died so young

[ycicle]

RIP Michael Hedges. Pure genius.

As for William Ackerman being mediocre, LOL. Ackerman is far from mediocre.