AMG Review of Live on the Double Planet

Vincent Jeffries
All Music Guide

Sporting some very classy covers along with Michael Hedges' own elegant and diverse guitar compositions culled from eight years worth of Windham Hill recordings, Live on the Double Planet boasts 12 tracks picked by the guitarist from live recordings that covered dozens of performances. In addition to his trademark instrumental stylings ("The Funky Avocado," "Breakfast in the Field"), Hedges displays a fine voice on Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" and the Prince-penned "A Love Bizarre." Throughout this wide-ranging effort, Hedges' incredible right hand keeps perfect time in its role as sole accompaniment for the musician's vocal work and simultaneous soloing. Of course, Hedges' amazing technique frequently comes close to overtaking Live on the Double Planet, as tracks like "Because It's There" and "The Double Planet" sizzle technically. But these fret burnings are scattered around soft ballads that, with their kind earthiness, are unmistakably Hedges' own. Too passionate to simply file under new age, Hedges displays all his originality and fiery musicianship on this first-rate live offering.