The late great Michael Hedges is probably my favorite guitarist of all time. Favorites on this one: Layover, The Unexpected Visitor

Track Listing

1. Layover
2. Happy Couple
3. Eleven Small Roaches
4. Funky Avocado
5. Baby Toes
6. Breakfast in the Field
7. Two Days Old
8. Peg Leg Speed King
9. Unexpected Visitor
10. Silent Anticipations
11. Lenono

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31180 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
Released in 1981, Breakfast in the Field was part of the thrilling, early '80s rollout of "new acoustic" music unveiled by Windham Hill Records founder Will Ackerman, where each new release and new artist seemed to yield something revelatory. The startling uniqueness of guitarist Michael Hedges's imagination and style, however, was not fully recognized until he introduced a host of tradition-jarring innovations (unexpected tunings, tappings, and rhythmic slaps) on the magnificent Aerial Boundaries three years later. Here, on just the 13th recording to carry the Windham Hill logo, the 28-year-old Hedges involves himself more with straightforward finger-picking technique--which is dazzling--and more of the peaceful, pastoral sound typically associated with early Windham Hill releases. On these terms, the disc (at a brief, vinyl-era 34 minutes) is a quiet, elegant jewel, adorned with endearing melodies ("Eleven Small Roaches," "The Unexpected Visitor"), astonishing displays of nimbleness ("Peg Leg Speed King," "Silent Anticipations"), and hints of quirkiness to come ("The Funky Avocado"). Bassist Michael Manring contributes to several tracks and even pianist George Winston, fresh off the release of Autumn and spurred by the team-spirit togetherness of early Windham Hill, lends a few notes to the reflective concluding track, "Lenono." --Terry Wood

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Customer Reviews

Six Strings, Infinite Intensity
Back in the early 80's, this disc set the guitar world on it's collective butt. Even 20 years later, I'm amazed at the depth of talent and creativity that Michael possessed. Had he only produced this one disc, his place in music history would have been cemented. This makes me all the more sad that his life was cut short by an auto accident in '98.

Breakfast In The Field does not have a weak cut on it. Having been released on the Windham Hill label, many were content to consider it New Age and by keeping the volume low, the melodious tunes seemed to conspire with that theory. But those that witnessed his live shows realized that Michael encompassed so much more, from classical to jazz, rock and beyond. From the opening track ("Layover") we are taken on an incredible acoustic guitar journey, much like an aural rollercoaster. Mellower songs are interspersed with the more intense until track eleven ("Silent Anticipations") arrives to peel back any remaining preconceptions we may have about the limitations of solo acoustic guitar. Fortunately, the disc ends with the meditative "Lenono", allowing our pulses to return from the stratosphere.

This album is truly a Desert Island Selection. It's hard to imagine that anyone that likes instrumental acoustic guitar not falling totally in love with it. Pair it with the second album ("Aerial Boundaries") for a killer one-two punch. Knockout.

A revolutionary debut.
This disc is worth getting just for one track "The Happy Couple" which is one of the most beautiful, haunting tunes every written by Michael. The single plucked string against the backdrop of the low E string is nothing short of stunning. Some of the artists out there who try to impress by bombarding us with 32nd note scales could learn a few things from Mr. Hedges. Often, 'simple' is better for effect. But the term 'simple' does not fit with Michael Hedges. What's great about his music is that it is actually very complicated and difficult to play, but it doesn't sound like it would/should be.

The rest of the album is a treat as well, especially "Layover", "Eleven Small Roaches", "Baby Toes" (oh my, a gorgeous tune), and "Lenono". All of these display the impecable finger-stylings of Hedges with awe-inspiring hammer-ons, pull-offs, and timing. A great debut by the master.

An astonishingly beautiful debut instrumental.
Michael Hedges is undoubtedly one of the greatest acoustic guitar musicians to have lived, if not the absolute greatest. My advice to anyone who is learning to play acoustic guitar is listen to Hedges's compositions. "Aerial Boundaries" is probably his best compilation, but his first album, "Breakfast in the Field," should be listened to closely many times if you have not yet discovered Hedges. Indeed, all of his CD's are truly remarkable, however, "Breakfast in the Field" carries a subtle and energetic visual lyricism that moves into places that are epic, infinite and deeply intimate. I have yet to own all of his recordings, but I know I could listen to "Breakfast in the Field" for the rest of my days if it was the only Hedges that I ever owned.