Talented Michael Hedges Turns Myth Into His Own Sort Of Music

Concert preview

Michael Hedges, Thursday at 8 p.m., Everett Community Theater, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Tickets: $14.95-17.95. 259-8888. -----------------------------------------------------------------

Look at this man.

Does his image strike you as that of a soft-hearted, cerebral, cosmic acoustic virtuoso or is this the pose of a Ted Nugent near-Neanderthal knockoff?

Don't be fooled by the picture. Michael Hedges is more than both of those.

Hedges himself sums up his musical machinations as "savage myth guitar."

Hedges is very much taken by author Joseph Campbell's captivating explorations of mythology, and so tends to use his own larger-than-life, bigger-than-creation mindset when he composes.

"People don't understand why they are here," Hedges says, "so they make up a creation myth. I didn't understand certain things that were happening in my life." Hedges answer was to create music with endings - happy ones - that he liked.

But this approach says much about the way Hedges plays as well. He was originally signed by Windham Hill records, mostly known for ethereal, time-and-spacey music. But while Hedges can easily create that kind of music, he can also generate a sound that it is much more severe. Especially with his acoustic guitar.

Hedges takes the unamplified instrument and hammers, plucks, stalks, skins, forages, fights, frightens and entreats music of dexterous, rhythmic and melodic complexity. In his recordings he accomplishes much of this with deft, solo-performed overdubs employing synthesizers, percussion, woodwinds and bass. In the live setting, he does it all on one instrument, and there is scarcely any difference in the musical outcome.

Originally from Oklahoma, Hedges began playing piano at 4, added cello and clarinet in high school, then moved to flute and guitar. He went to college in Oklahoma and later at The Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, where he earned a degree in composition. In 1980 he moved to California to study computer music at Stanford University. His first Windham Hill release "Breakfast In The Field" was released in 1981.

Over the years, Hedges has gone from playing the streets to the concert stage, and it's helped him develop an engaging live style. As intense as he can be with his instruments - Hedges also plays the 11-stringed harp guitar - he's bright, relaxed and very funny. His shows can be as loose as his playing is succinct.

Hedges has been a regular opener for Crosby, Stills and Nash, and has recorded with Nash and Crosby. His influences are many, but at the top of his list are the Beatles and Leo Kottke. No wonder his music is as savage as it is skyward bound.

Hedges is also scheduled to appear at The Backstage in Ballard next Friday.