Thursday, October 02, 2008

Remix Song: KP1-4.2 Baal T'Shuva, by Michael Hedges


Click to Listen:





This was another Michael Hedges solo track from the "Beyond Boundaries" album. I didn't know what the title meant, until I looked it up on WikiPedia. The phrase means "He Who Has Repented", but I don't know what the reference is as far as why Michael gave the song that title.

The title seems appropriate to the message of healing, especially spiritual healing. Repentance can be a very emotional and painful experience, but the after-effects are a feeling of relieve and composure. There is so many moments that need reflection and repentance, For me, I want to repent from procrastinating this recording project --- I started this project last winter, as far as the concept, and the methods of recording. I'm not really sure why it has taken so long to get the project going to do the actual recording and editing, but I have no more excuses.

As I was playing through the song, I kept hearing allusions to the Hallelujah hymn that is sung at Easter time, I don't know if this was sub-conscious or not, but I echoed the allusion in the violin part.

I love the way the guitar sounds (hopeful, full), and this was main reason for choosing this track to add violin and percussion.

Upon request, I've added another link to this song provide connectivity via viddler.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Michael Hedges called this song Baal T Shuva as a celebration of his guitar's return. The term Baal T'Shuva is used where a jewish person returns to their religion having gone 'wayward'. Hedges guitar (a Ken duBourg)was stolen at a concert and was handed back to him many years later with a broken neck. Hedges had the guitar repaired and was an inspiration for him.

Unknown said...

Thank you to whomever posted the comment about Michael Hedges'
inspiration for the work. I hope you enjoyed my violin addition to his piece. I wish he was still here to play for us.
- Kevan

JS54inMO said...

I would love to hear this remix of yours, but can't get the link to work. Is there another link I could try?

JS54inMO said...

in case you would like to email me a response instead of publishing my comment and responding to it, here is my address attached.

JS54inMO said...

Sorry if this comment came through more than once... I cannot get the link to work to hear your remix of Baal T'Shuva. Please send me a new link or fix page if it is broken, as I would love to hear your rendition of it!!!

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you are interested in listening to this song. I have this song stored on a Yahoo account site - sometimes I can't reach this site either. I just played it OK, but I will still place the song at a different location and send you another link.
It's a short song - but one of my projects is to write violin parts for all of Michael's songs from a couple of his albums that I listen to all of time.

Thanks for your request,
Kevan Paul

Unknown said...

For JS54inMO: I couldn't find your email address, so I hope you get the message that I posted another link to the Baal T'Shuva remix via Viddler website posting today. Hope you find this OK. - Kevan

JS54inMO said...

That was great! Your violin contribution was very lively and fit nicely! I felt that the percussion was perhaps just a tad too loud... or maybe a tiny finger cymbal would be enough... or a cabaca or sandpaper blocks. I hope you post more remixes with your violin accompaniment! And thank you for letting me know about your new link.

Unknown said...

Your observations were noted. I re-mixed the recording with less volume on the shaker, fixed some note discrepancies on the violin and balanced the violin with the guitar better. I like the new version more - re-posted new version on a new blog entry. -Kevan