Michael Hedges - Because It's There 

My heart breaks a little every time i hear his music. Even 30 some odd years later, here i am, an old banged up grizzled blacksmith, with tears running down my cheeks. Listening to you play. You set my soul a fire brother. Thank you so much for making my life all the more deeper and richer. You are loved and missed brother.

I was at this exact show -- 16-years old, also my first time hearing Michael at all -- we were there primarily to see Shadowfax as we hadn't listened to William Ackerman or Micheal Hedges yet. This was an incredible show in a beautiful environment -- mid-summer and cool; no humidity -- unusual in DC). I've interviewed Michael in-person and saw him live many times. I'm a pianist/singer/composer and this changed my life. Thanks for posting this.

As a schoolmate of Michael at the Peabody Conservatory in the late 70's, beyond his innovations in music, I can honestly tell you, he was a most gentle soul to grace the Earth.

Beyond human capabilities! just the single most under-appreciated talent of all-time

What an exquisite piece and such beautiful artistry in the hands of this man. He appears so witty and humble…the great ones always are. Thank you for your music. I’m sorry you left this world much too early.

Michael Hedges remains one of my all-time favorite artists. I became a fan of his about 1983, and was so impressed with his acoustic guitar work and was so curious about his "Aerial Boundaries" song because I thought it was an overdub track, but was so surprised that on the liner notes of the vinyl sleeve it stated that all tracks were "recorded live with no overdubs". I was so curious about how he achieved this complexity and it was not until I saw a video of him playing that I realized he used a variety of techniques, from finger picking to two handed tap to using a pick and hammer on techniques. You can see a lot of that here.

Still blows my mind how good Michael was. Still remember the day he passed as one of the saddest days of my life!

Imagining the makers of that harp-guitar thinking, ”Dang-so that’s how it’s played! Didn’t know we created such a cool instrument til now.”

A light that Burns twice as Bright burns half as Long & Michael oh you Burn so very very Brightly! RIP

This piece has stuck with me for decades. Hedges was one of those rare, true innovators as evidenced by this remarkable piece of music.

To whomever posted this original vid - thank you! We need to keep everything MH ever did alive.

I fall asleep listening to this sometimes. It takes me to Jupiter and a bunch of other exotic places within my mind. He's missed, he was the best.

I’m never tired of being amazed. It’s good because I like it like water and food

I saw Micheal perform this live! Live through a PA with an appreciative crowd and him delighting in his music was superb! I'd love to be able to see him again!! You just can't capture an atmosphere like that on TV or RU-vid!

I'm sorry I discovered Michael Hedges so many years after his death. I had no idea he was such a monster talent

As a novice I don't have a tiny shred of the Talent Michael Hedges possessed. Hearing him play for the first time was an eye opening, jaw dropping, life changing moment. I wish i had seen him in concert. Video recordings are not the same as actually being there. I am left heartbroken over what I and the rest of the world are missing because of his passing. There absolutely was nobody even remotely like him. Truly gone way too soon.

Michael's genius was not only in the creation of such amazing melodies, but also in his clarity of thought that led to him basing the harmonic structure of his songs on specific tunings that actually made the fingerwork the easiest part of his songs.

I got to see Michael Hedges during his release of his Ariel Boundaries album.He did his first and second album at the time. A dear friend of mine knew him and said i should see him in concert if I ever get the chance you will not be disappointed. The stars were aligned that night that I saw him.You could hear a pin drop at times when he would do his most incredible material..it was truly unbelievable ..if you close your eyes you would swear that there was more than one person on stage playing the guitar.May he rest In peace Michael Hedges. Gone but not forgotten.

just discovered him today. Absolutely amazing.

There is a glut of double handed 'slap n tappers' out there now, but for me they never surpass MH. I'm not sure why. Because he was amongst the first? I don't think so. I think it's because there is a beautiful musicality behind Michael's wonderful technique that is which the others lose under a deluge of drudging 4/4 rhythms or technical pyrotechnics.

I had the privilege of seeing Michael Hedges in concert at the OKC Zoo Ampitheatre, with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Michael Hedges' career had just left the launching pad at the time. David Crosby introduced him as the most amazing guitar player he had ever seen, a sentiment that Stephen Stills and Graham Nash agreed with without question.

The way he keeps that rythmn going on the guitar, while hitting those harmonics and playing that bass line all at the same time is truly mind boggling.

I can't tell you how many times I finish listening to a MH tune and just put my head in my hands and despair that he's gone. And, marvel at what he just showed me. Hint: It's pretty much every time.

I was lucky enough to see him live about a dozen times, and got to introduce this amazing talent to a few of my fellow guitarists, with every one left jaw dropped. 3 shows stand out in my memory, first with Leo Kottke at Carnegie Hall, 2nd at the Bottom Line, both in Manhattan back in the 1980's. 3rd was a Halloween concert in Atlanta back in the 1990's. I actually found the Bottom Line show here on utub, only originally broadcast in Japan. Just a freaking amazing talent...... he is missed......

Your wee lassie is most definitely proud of the privilege of having such a father! Bless your heart Mike.❤

We won't see his like again.

Left us too soon. His guitar skills and compositions were from another dimension. Thanks for posting. Really enjoyed this.

What a mild channel he allowed himself to be so this beautiful music could pass through him to our dimension. Thank you micheal....🙏

god playing the guitar through hedges right there! transparent to the transcendant, touch down!

This man changed music. And no one knew about him. My buddy shows me him almost 20 yrs ago. He had this concert on vhs.. it's too bad him and Jaco couldn't have gotten together for an album

I saw this guy two times in concert after being captured by the beautiful score “Eleven Small Roaches” which is still one of my favorites still in 2024. RIP GUITAR hero.

Amazing!!! The guitar player from another planet!

I saw him live, twice, at the Palmyra Arts Festival in Pennsylvania. He played at the high school two years running - we figured he made a mistake the first time around, so we were really surprised he came back the following year and wowed us again. Dude was totally about sharing the music, and played every bit as intensely for us as for a crowd of thousands. I guess that tells us why the music was so good - the musician was a rare character indeed :)

Simply beautiful, repeat; simply beautiful. He fit the theme so spot on that it's surreal. This song completely correlates to an explorer doing what he loves simply because he can, while basking in the humbleness of doing so. Hedges is another perfect example of someone who can speak and extrapolate feelings and stories through music, in such a professional and, like I said before and to be implied here on out, beautiful way.

I was the junior member at an alternative radio station that brought Michael to town. As the Jr member, it was my place to stay at the venue after set up and sound check. Michael was opening for shadowfax and was late. I was the only one in the theater when he showed. It was an honor to hang out with him for a couple of hours before the show. He had a white river guitar that he played while we waited. Magical.

not knowing they were in the presence of greatness, more than likely nervous laughter ... this version is just immaculate ...

He was taken from this world much too soon

"Because it's there" is the often quoted reason Mallory gave for attempting to climb Everest.

Guitar wizardry, and music magic. Michael Hedges made us feel free to explore the landscapes in our hearts. Because their there. Mountains of the soul.

Crazy good. Always a favorite. I hope it lives on with younger folks transitioning to understanding what is brilliant...

deadly pocket....bad ass cat right there

4:54 he uses his hair to pick the low strings lol

Rest In Peace Michael. You are missed.

Andy Mckee's inspiration. I can hear "The Friend I never Met." Beautiful.

A gift to us all. A shooting star that was vanquished from our hearts all too soon. Listening to you is like an amazing adventure.

Because It’s There'🌄🐕❄️🐕❄️🐕❄️ 🐕The Shape Of The Land (LP), WH-1055,US,1986, Side 1, Track 1 🐕Windham Hill Artists-The Story Of Naomi Uemura (LP), WHP-28041,JAPAN,1986, Side 1, Track 1 🐕Live on the Double Planet, WD-1066,1987, Side 1,Track 2

As a Navy nuclear submariner, Rickover’s Dream is my favorite.

What an incredable journey he takes you on in this song.You can feel the energy of motion throughout the entire piece.

An American success story. Making a living playing his own music in a concert hall wearing his pajamas.

I had this on a guitar player magazine flexi disc. Amazing

This is as far as you can take ANYTHING acoustic...no special effects, just pure brilliant playing...God bless Michael Hedges forever. Gone too soon...❤️

he is like the korn guitar player but whit musical knlowedge

What genius.......OMG...... Amazing!

He's a weird ass dude, but a brilliant explorer extraordinaire type dude

Can see why he is so revered by the current greats of guitar. It would seem that many of the all time greats at music were pretty weird people to look at. The clothes, the hair, the demeanor. But if you take that away from people, you lose a lot of creative talent because their brains are wired a little differently than everyone else. I think perhaps when Hedges died, Andy McKee modeled his career after him because so much of what he has done, has similarities to what Hedges did.

I have this on VHS...Shadowfax & Leo Kotke were also on it, but it was called "An Evening with Windham Hill". This is my fav performance on here of this song. Love it!

I love how Hedges looks into the soundhole and reads the info out to his audience...he was one helluva nice guy, an incredible, amazing guitarist and is so sorely missed by his many fans around the world. To say virtuoso would be an understatement...

An inspiration to me for decades. Glad to see the live footage surface.

Im a nylon string player but there's something very nice about the sound of the steel string played fingerstyle. It's refreshing to see a musician like Hedges develop his own "thing" and take it to the limit.

Amazing musician and human. Such an inspiration...

A genius, much lamented. RIP Michael.

one of the greats he is one of my favs

God, do I miss Michael! I saw him in Scottsdale, AZ. within a week or two of this concert (same jokes and outfit -- bless his beautiful soul). Now, 35 years later, he remains one of my favorite humans. In that respect, I suppose he is still alive,

When i was much younger i knew about him,and overlooked his talent on the harp guitar. Now hes gone and im sad i was so narrow minded. His music is so wonderful and mind peaceful.

Damn it’s rare for a song to be so beautiful it triggers memories wow Rest in Peace my friend just showed me Michael Hedges’ music and my god what a legend. I’ve never heard this song before how did this evoke this kind of emotion from me??

@lookoutitscaleb the harp strings have tuning pegs just like a regular guitar. you can tune them about half a step up or however low you want. However i believe there are different sets of harp strings you can buy for various tunings.

My God,30 years!

First time I saw him was in 1984 right after Aerial Boundaries came out. He was the first of three acts. He played four songs and tore everybody's face off!!

I began listening to him when I was 18. Many years ago. He will always be at the top of my list. I don’t think anyone can compare to his creativity and talent. I was devastated when he left this planet. I can only imagine the music he would be producing today.

God I miss him

2:31 actusl performance. Amazing harp guitar work! Hoping some talents of current generation will carry the torch.

I just happened to record this when it was originally broadcast. I still have it on VHS.

Nothing funny there brother . this cat has got a wicked gift that was taken from him at 27 in a car crash on an S bend. now he's wandering across a way better and different tundra.

Looks like 12 people need to have they're ears removed.

GOD he was so good! Gone too soon...

Oh yes, this is for me! He got the audience standing. Great man. Awesome performer...

I was so sad whenI heard he had passed away. I was blessed to see him preform 3 times. I felt a spirituality, like a connection that is hard to describe. Hearing him play and his humor and performance art I felt an energy he brought to the space, for lack of a better word it was divine. I felt he could bring spirit elements down. I'm glad he was here. He is loving, humorous and an amazing musician. He was loved by so many and so missed.

man I BUILT a harp guitar just so I could play this tune

You are missed, Sir…

a great new video! thank you man!

Hay que tener valor para darle dislike a este video, a este tema y a esta interpretación del inmortal Hedges! Me gustaría saber en qué se han basado para ello!

The most real musician on Earth

✨🎶🎻🎶✨And this is music for him to go across the arctic tundra ❄️🐕 with his huskies🐕❄️🐕❄️🐕❄️🐕❄️🐕❄️🐕❄️ It’s called ‘Because It’s There’ 🌄 🎶 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻”harp guitar”

How many people on this earth would even begin to know what to do with that? I am very impressed with this man's music. The really weird part, I'm 74, and only just now, this instant, am discovering this man. I just happen upon a link to a concert he did at Red Rocks. I've feel as tho I have been cheated somehow. This is a pure example of proof, that I have been operating for all these years at such a low consciousness level. I guess now, maybe, things in that department must be improving. - - - - _ _ _ _ _ F I N A L L Y ! y'all have a beautiful day.

Repent and trust in Jesus. He's the only way to Heaven. We've all sinned and deserve Hell. Sins like lying, lusting, etc. Repent and trust only in Jesus, and you will be saved! You can be saved because he took the punishment for our sins on himself when he died on the cross, just like someone can pay your speeding fine in court, and you get off free. Romans 3:23 John 3:16😊❤❤

I was able to see him perform years ago in Austin, TX.

pure joy. He's why I fell in love with music 20 years ago. RIP

"Because It's There". Though I never knew him, that sounds like something Michael would say if someone asked him, "How do you coax these otherworldly sounds from anything you touch?" RIP Michael Hedges and thank you for making the world a bit brighter.🙏🏾

The first time I saw Michael was in a tiny Orlando club. I saw him four more times, the last being in the same club 10 years later. The first time he was wearing this same outfit. Some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard.

Attended a performance of his in Manchester NH, late 80s at the Palace Theatre. Incredible experience.

my favo reason to make my monster stereo with 802-8D Altec Lansing horn tweeters... they make him pop!

Jeez, Michael. I miss talking with you. Sail on, baby. Rest in Peace.

PS: to original poster, I have the CD -- purchases in the lobby the night of the performance in Scottsdale (86). It would be an honor to share---and I don't think that Mindy would mind...too much.

Here is the Japanese film about the explorer Naomi Uemura - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-s4vkY9lsAgY.html Michael’s song “Because It’s There” is at 1:34:55

Don Ross plays a tribute to Michael with his piece ' Michael Michael Michael ' also like Antoine Dufour , Preston Reed , Ralf Illenberger and master Tommy Emanuel

I didnt remember how he died just new it was a car wreck only to find out he visited my homeland on long island NY to see his girlfriend only to go home & die tragically driving in the rain. He was such a beautiful being & a wholesome soul. Genuine & sincere is how i will remember him. Can only thank him for sharing himself with us

AMAZING

Fellow axe-slingers - IF I EVER complain again about having to either tune or restring a 6 or 12-string guitar, please slap me! Constantly tuning and re-stringing that harp guitar must have been an absolute ordeal. Michael had a beautifully organic approach to the guitar. He truly understood that its potential is virtually unlimited in the soundscapes one can explore. In his heart, I believe he thought of himself as a musician first, and as a guitar player second. Pure genius!

How in the hell is this man not known by most people..... thats the saddest thing of Michael's great talent..... my favorite song of his is Ritual Dance..... im an acoustic guitar player and if i ever had someone to emulate over all my other favorite artists..... michael hedges would be the pinancle i would hope to reach but never would..... and thats alright with me.

Type3 owns. His collection is unmatched. Thanks, Type3. Great clip. You can't beat the outfit either. Classic 80's.