British guitarist reacts to the absolute acoustic WIZARD that was Michael Hedges
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- Опубліковано 21 гру 2018
- Tonight I'm taking a look at Michael Hedges unique sound and ability from 1986!
Original video - • Michael Hedges - Aer...
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I always like to see Michael Hedges get his due. In my view, he was the most amazing guitar player of all time. I miss him.
Yes and I wish he changed his car tires also!
Agreed. Such an inspiration. RIP Michael, and thank you.
It's a terrible crime that the Hedges albums are falling out (or have fallen out) of print. Thank God YT exists to preserve his incredible work and legacy. It's criminal that his incredibly comprehensive and soulful technique has been reduced in modern times to something of a parlour trick, lacking the relentless inquisitiveness and musicianship that informed all of his work. As he himself stated, he was principally a composer who happened to play guitar (and flute, and piano) - not a guitarist who played compositions.
Bubblez Beano Agree 100%.
Nothing lasts forever sadly. I've seen so much disappear from streaming services. It's why I still have my CDs, though I know those will decay eventually. I'm glad I've got a copy of Aerial Boundaries though.
@@dio52 Is that the case? Goddamn that's wrong. He was probably the single biggest influence on 21st century Acoustic solo playing.
Andy Mckee Cites him as a hero.
He was such a warm person if you take his interviews and stage shows as representative of the man.
His playing on that bass harp guitar on because it's there is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. This one is too.
I love his covers as well. Especially when he sings too.
Hippies are always a win. The peace and Love always shine brightly.
Luv and Peace.
I have all of them (original CD récords) 🥂
Find the Hedges conservatory (family) and give to them for his ever lasting legend
This man died way too soon. One of the most gifted musicians the planet has ever seen.
Our jaws dropped in college when we first heard him. He changed the way we played guitar forever. Thanks for this.
This is the guy ( along with the not human Adrian Legg) who shattered my whole worldview of what it meant to be a " guitarist" in the most wonderful way. Metal shredding and pointy guitars took a HUGE backseat for a long time when I first heard him play. I thankfully got to see him live the very last time he was on the east coast and it was exactly what you see here. A PACKED house going whisper quiet just drinking in every note , every sound and then erupting in cheers and applause at the end of every song.
Cool!
For all of Michael's pyrotechnics he still possessed the most profound sense of musical PATIENCE!
Michael never considered himself a guitarist. He considered himself a composer and just happen to find the guitar his instrument of choice for composition. I was fortunate enough to see him play several times when I was in college in Oklahoma. Once with Crosby, Stills and Nash. The man was incredible.
Nobody played like Michael. Boy from my home town. What an incredible talent. RIP Michael.
Excellent job Fil!
I knew you'd get to Michael Hedges eventually.
Back in 1991, I was working for a small record label that Michael was interested in signing with.
I not only got to drive up to his house in the woods of Northern California, but he cooked me a delicious vegetarian dinner and put me up for the night!
We talked all afternoon & late into the evening about the True Soul of music.
What an amazing guy he was.
Extremely kind, very focused on what he wanted, a bit eccentric & amazingly talented.
Thank you for posting this video about one of my all time heroes that passed way too soon.
Peace & Happy Christmas to you. JR
Cool!
To spend the evening with Michael Hedges would have been a dream come true for me. He was a hero of mine as well and pure genius.
JR. I am writing a bio about Hedges. Would love to hear more about your experience. Can you IM me via FaceBook? facebook.com/mr.jakewhite
I look forward to a long awaited bio for Michael.
Conversing with Manring after Hedges death he remembered him as "a truly beautiful person" and missed him so very much
Not just a phenom on guitar, but an incredible vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. I met him in Chicago in 95, just a great person, saw him again with Michael Manring.
I introduced Michael Manring to an old friend and guitar teacher I had in the 70s and he liked him very much and even communicated with him. James Infelt, The Space Between Silence.
I got to see Hedges and Kottke play together. The highlight of my guitar listening life.
Nice!
Thomas Cahill -- Envy!
Saw Leo and him at the paramount in Austin...great memories
That's cool--I did as well! 1988 at a great little club in Pittsburgh called the Graffiti. Unfortunately it closed years ago.
That must have bordered on a religious experience.
I've been to a dozen or so Michael Hedges concerts, I am a huge fan. And very important aspect of Michael is that his style was constantly evolving. If you hear just a few of his pieces, you've still missed his wide range of talent and evolution of composition.
So true. His last album released after his death included vocals and additions from David Crosby and Graham Nash
Great to see this on Michael, grew up here in Enid Oklahoma and took lessons from him in the 70's. Nice to hear the wonderful comments about his playing ..... Very nice guy and very much missed .....
Wow! What was it like taking lessons from him??
One of the greatest performers ever. I could watch him for hours and hours.
One of the most emotionally stirring compositional voices of all time. Up there with the Ravel’s and Bartok’s of this world.
Great comparison!
I was thinking the same myself.
When I was blessed with meeting him, at his home, he had several volumes of Mikrokosmos by Bartok, some, same as my greatest teacher bestowed on me.
I'm impressed, fellow musician. No one talks Bartok anymore...
You really know music!
Peace. JR
Jonny Roxx Cheers man, I never knew he owned Mikrokosmos! What a fantastic story! Thank you for sharing it and Merry Christmas!
I remember the first time I heard Micheal.
I was mesmerized. I never heard such wonderful music come from 1 musician.
He is certainly missed. RIP Micheal
Michael was such an incredible innovator. His technique was so advanced and novel at the time, but it was all in service of the music he was creating. You don't need to be a guitar player to love this song, which can be said of Michael's music generally.
It broke my heart when I heard he had died. It still does, even 21 years later.
Lawrence Westby Me too, I have all his music.
He passed away in a car wreck the day my daughter was born.
@@12voltvids :(
My two favorite guitarists to experience live was Stevie Ray and Michael Hedges. Saw both numerous times. RIP, and thankful for all the music/love you passed our way.
I was fortunate enough to see Michael Hedges a few times back in the 80’s. The venues were small and very intimate. Both he and the audience were so tuned into each other. The very first time was a cathartic moment for me insomuch as I felt like I was experiencing a whole new introduction to the acoustic guitar. In retrospect...I was. Great review!
remember the tour when he would walk in playing, from behind the seats out in the lobby and onto the stage?
Phil, what MH here does with his composition and execution is employing very subtle dynamics and very slight tempo changes. Also, there is a HUGE amount of syncopation going on here in Aerial Boundaries. Especially where he hits that C2 note completely out of time with the rhythm/timing of the piece and he makes it fit, that to me is what is amazing. Andy McKee does his rendition of AB when he's before an audience. He makes is very clear that Aerial Boundaries is a VERY difficult song to play RIGHT. And Michael here makes it look so easy. That's the sign of a true maestro in the classical sense.
Michael Hedges changed my whole perspective on the acoustic guitar. I remember watching his videos on early UA-cam. I also had a friend that introduced me to "Alternative tunings" since then I've found my voice.
Double wow... Acoustic tapping on a martin... Brazilian rosewood.. Sitka spruce... Beautiful... Bass is so cooooool Cฯ style..
That melodic sound is like Angel's whispering in the wind..
Thanks professor....
P.s. my pinky finger even gets. The grey marks from the strings I'm telling pinky to hit...
Grey comes from old strings .. I'm poor in wealth but not in heart...
Brotherrrrrrr
Truly one of the most talented acoustic guitarists of our time. Maybe the most. And I agree completely in regards to the musicianship and letting the song dictate the path. He did that so well and in the end music is about the song not the technical showmanship. Great job Fil
☺
Michael Hedges🤗Legend🎸Melodic🥰Harmonics
In the early eighties, i was honored to see Michael perform in palo alto, ca at the
new varsity. The manager, Randy Lutge, filmed & uploaded to UA-cam-
many of these wonderful early Michael Hedges performances.🥳
Thank you for the💜 for Michael Hedges.
Your analysis was great and joyfully honored Michael's "melodic" music.
A fan from our "Michael Hedges Fan Club" on Facebook
provided a link to your upload! Michael R.I.P. 🕊Blessings to all.
He's probably the acknowledged master of the acoustic guitar in the US at this point, and he's our friend - and we think he's a incredible musician. His name is Michael Hedges - David Crosby introduces Michael Hedges, the opening act, CSN '92 acoustic tour.🤗
Michael Hedges "Breakfast in the Field" is an incredible work of art!
Michael was on another level for sure, just like Hendrix was. Another great live video from Michael is his version of All Along The Watchtower, it's amazing.
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John Lidwell Hi there...I just checked out All along the Watchtower and his cover of Gimme Shelter...good stuff...☺️
Michael Hedges is HANDS DOWN one of my biggest influences! Even though I dont do a ton of that solo style, he is so brilliant! Quirky weird technical beautiful. I absolutely his vision his voice, and oh yeah his guitar playing. Super innovator!! Great pic Fil!! Thank you!
Thanks!
This guy is out of this world! Melodic.......Mesmerising! The first time I have seen him...where the bloody hell have I been! A great big thanks Fil for highlighting Michael! A pure heart felt acoustic genius! WOW!! Cheers Mario!😮😮👌👌👌
No problem Mario!
A small town Oklahoma boy too, like my father
I just found your channel today and figured I’d click on recent videos. Micheal hedges is my favorite artist and you just happened to upload this today! What a coincidence. MH was so talented and revolutionary. Not only did he have the technique but his compositions where Ike nothing else and he created something never heard before. He is dearly missed!!!
Amen!
Yes. Michael Hedges was one of a kind and an inspiration to a whole genre of music. He was taken from us far too early. I thought about him often when I drove past the cliff where he went off the road.
Thanks for another sensitive commentary. Cheers from rainy (it's about time) Vienna, Scott
Had the great honor to see him live three times in concert. This was way back when fingerstyle wasn't as popular. He is the grandfather of this kind of playing. Great storyteller, barefoot on stage... funny guy. Check out some of his work where he also does vocals.... the guy had a helluva set of pipes too! Thrilled to see him covered here...
Cool!
Fill to add to your note that Michael was doing things on the guitar that preceded current trends, it was actually 1982 when we encountered him on the street corner playing. What he was doing then, was amazing and very lyrical, is all over You Tube now with newer players, as you noted. Not to say he invented his style, but he had the courage and the passion to put his style out there in a way that was captivating
Cool!
Man, what incredible ability and creativity. First time hearing of the guy. Thanks again for what you do. Seeing the amazing guitarists along with your insight into what they're doing is helping me with my mission to master the instrument.
Cool!
Great choice, and I enjoy your enthusiasm for Michael's music (and the other players you cover). One thing worth mentioning about Michael is that he would probably consider himself first and foremost to be a composer, rather than a guitarist. His groundbreaking teachniques were invented to serve his compositional needs. Michael studied classical guitar and composition at Philips University, and then went on to become a composition major at Peabody Conservatory, focusing on modern 20th century classical composition.
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Lucky enough to see Michael over a dozen times. He is sorely missed
He started what your hearing today with young fingerstyle guitarist. I remember Michael from the mid eighties. Will never forget the day he passed.
You have done it again Fil !! I had never heard of this genius … my shame, it made me cry ……….Not ashamed !
No problem!
He'd laughingly say to the audience at music festivals in the 1990's that he was told backstage that he was in the 'New Age' music slot of the festival, and then go right into his "'New Age' song by The Rolling Stones". I liked that he enjoyed the term "heavy mental" for his music, by some others. He just wasn't about categories, and I'm not sure anyone was able to peg him into one. Such a talent. Such a fun performer.
you said melody. it started at the beginning, i was hooked at that stage.. i`ve not seen any of his music or vids till now.. the sounds he has coming thru at 5.40 mark are stunning ..thanks for the review on him Fil.. all best mate
YES!! Beautiful Tunes and Music ... LIVE in concert... Best shows ever...met him and saw about 10 shows...First saw him in a steakhouse bar playing "Layover" ... literally blew me back and I fell over my chair...soundtrack of a portion of my Life
Miss that man ! Seen his last small show!
Esp his playing the harp guitar!
Rest his soul! Miss him greatly!
We went to the same school in Peabody!❤️
Thank you!
I bought "Breakfast In The Field, in 1981. I had heard the title cut on the radio and was floored by it! So, I looked him up. I was lucky enough to see Hedges with Leo Kottke, in 1988, @ Carnegie Hall, while working in NYC. A most memorable evening!
Thx, Michael.
RIP...
I was fortunate to see MH on two occasions. Mesmerizing.
I once walked into the gift shop in Yosemite National Park back in the 80's and this cd was playing. Noone would leave the shop. Good vibes from a wonderful artist who was taken from us far too soon.
Cool!
One thing you can’t experience from just the audio was in a mid-size auditorium, Michael had a mix where the sound would wash over you and to the back of the auditorium and back up. Some kind of phasing effect. The sound enveloped you but perfectly timed to the song - this one in particular. It was amazing. (Maybe it was only this song?) I believe this was in Dallas, with Michael Manring as special guest.
I really enjoy a guitarist analyzing other guitarists. Seeing Michael Hedges perform right in front of you is jaw dropping the time I was able to. He becomes part of what he is playing and it just comes across as effortless for him. So many others compositions to recommend from him. Thank you for putting him up!
No problem!
He was the ultimate guitarrist. Michael Hedges deserves to be remembered. Thank you for reacting to this song.
and lets be honest, Michael was the inventor of these tachiniques, probabbly every single tapping guitar player on youtube was inspired by his play, or by someone that was inspired by it.
spot on analysis, guy was influenced by others, yet also so creative, so skilled. He was actually trained classically, sought to use the guitar to compose, rather than to be a "guitarist". What can be missed is his sense of timing, absent any rhythm section. I saw him before he had a recording contract, on the street in Palo Alto. My buddies, all musicians, at first scoffed at his technique, but none of us walked away. He was mesmerizing.
James McKellar hi the Tuttles Molly Sullivan and Michael amazing on guitar banjo and mandolin, they are from Palo Alto, Molly voted guitar player of the year by the IBMA again, Merry Christmas from West Midlands U K
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I have been listening to hedges for well over a decade now and it brings me great joy to see people keeping his legacy alive after his untimely passing in 97.Great job!
That low C you were talking about and how it sounds like a bass is coming into the performance at that moment, is EXACTLY what i thought at first , that there was a second performer coming into the composition! Just Spectacular !
Yep!
I'm happy to say I got to see him live twice. Once opening for Leo Kotke. Remarkable and inspirational was Michael Hedges
Cool!
I was first introduced to his music when I bought the cassette tape of his album "Watching My Life Go By" back in 1985. There is a killer version of "All Along the Watchtower" on the album.
Cool!
Excellent analysis, Fil. Michael Hedges was the Jimi Hendrix of acoustic guitar! This particular piece has a Philip Glass feel. Another great Michael Hedges composition - there are so many! - is "Bensusan".
Excellent choice!! I remember buying his albums as they came out, and got to see him live once. I read in an inter video that he was a huge fan of Stephen Stills, who was doing the slapping and such in the late 60s, ie, Black Queen. But Hedges took it to a whole other level of virtuosity. Thank you for this and many other of your videos.
Cool!
He had played on at least one CSN song, and he had Crosby and Nash provide backing vocals for one of my favorite pieces of his, he set "i carry your heart" by ee cummings to music. It really is a beautiful, beautiful piece, very moving, as he also had an excellent voice.
He was a musical genius.
Glad you got to Hedges. A friend showed me a concert of his way back in 1987 and I've never been blown away like I was watching him play. To this day, nobody has blown me away like he did way back then. Amazing talent.
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A star fell from the sky far too soon. RIP Michael💝
I cannot wait for the film (Oracle) to be completed 🙏
I've never heard of Michael Hedges, thank you for bringing him to my attention, very sorry to hear that he has passed away. I will definately check him out, he kinda reminds me of Tuck Andres. Have you reacted to Tuck? If not, please check him out, I'd love to hear your reaction.
Not yet!
Thank you for this. He was incredible.
That’s probably the best recording of Aerial Boundaries! for a live show! I wish I got into Michael when he was alive!
I played with him a couple times in the 90's...Great great guy....Really sweet guy and soooooo talented !! Thanks for posting this for your people !!
Merry Christmas Fill.
Congratulations on 35k!
What amazes me is the hammer ons and offs with his pinky on an acoustic - that's is impressive.
Cheers!
Yeah it's hard work!
Michael is extremely talented and I know that he worked his tail off to get to that level. Great analysis and video. Thank you Fil for sharing! 😎🤘
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That was Damn good....play list just grew again....thanks for that...great work again fil never a let down...rock on brother✌
Thanks Duane! 🤘
True Genius. Michael. And Fil you're very impressive, too. I was spellbound by the Windham Hill lineup in the 1980s. Fil, might you venture toward Shadowfax, Will Ackerman, Liz Story, George Winston, and Mark Isham.
I've never heard of this gentleman. All I can say is WOW!!!!!! Incredibly gifted. And now I'm sad. Huge loss.
Amen.
This song still gives me chills.. Michael really was pushing the boundaries of what was possible back then with his alternate tunings and tapping. I tried recreating tune this back in the day before the internet and couldn't figure it out but a friend eventually did and showed me what he was doing. This clip was taken from a concert he did at Red Rocks Amphitheater outside of Colorado Springs, an amazing outdoor venue that also has excellent acoustics and is incredibly beautiful, not only for the natural beauty but also for concerts.
The opening/closing is Red Rocks, the rest is SRI Studio, LA {July 1986}
Thank you for your analysis of Michael Hedges. I saw him when he was promoting his Ariel Boundaries album.He was incredible. The audience was in awe and everyone was in silence because his music over reached our listening experience. He died all to soon..May he rest in peace 🙏.
Took myself and my son to see him when he was doing the college tours UNO. Fantastic.
I was privileged enough to see some great guitar players over the years.
Michael Hedges - 7 times between 86 and I think 91 was the last show. He did his Jabberwocky stuff on a Hippity-Hop on last show.
Spot on commentary. None of the post-Hedges clones have his composition prowess or mojo.
Thanks!
You should absolutely check out Andrew Gorny. Incredible musician. He has that same spirit that Michael used to so heavily portray. He’s no Michael, but his legacy lives on within him.
@@wingsofpegasus In my mind, Pino Forastiere seems to have taken inspiration from Michael. Trained at the Santa Cecelia Conservatory in Rome in classical guitar he heard a Hedges CD after Hedges died and it he followed that approach. He is an amazing composer. Of all of his stuff I love his album of music called '1 to 8 "
one of the best ever, thanks again for sharing
Hedges considered himself a composer above everything else, and it shows. He also put a lot of effort into setting up his Martin acoustic to create the sounds he was after, including the string gauge, the amplification, and the chorus and reverb effects. He was a true innovator and is sorely missed.
Michael Hedges, was another great artist who left this earth all too soon. great footage of Michael's playing ability here. Graham Nash called Him a genius! thanks for another great analysis Fil.
Side note, He was born in the month of December and died in the mouth of December, Your analysis on Him is in December,
Amen.
When I first heard Arial Boundaries I was a 21 year old who had been playing guitar for 1 year. I honestly thought whoever this guy is he’s overdubbing parts but it didn’t matter because the composition was amazing. When I found out it was one guitar one take it changed the way I thought about playing guitar…. Literally.
A unique talent. almost all of his stuff is incredible. "Live From The Double Planet" is the CD to get first.
👍☺
Michael was a great vocalist and lyricist, as well as a guitar master!
"Watching My Life Go By" is a great LP.
Found an original sealed vinyl copy at my local record shop. Sounds amazing! What an album!
@@funfun_2001 Original sealed.
Wow! How much did it run you?
@@ursafan40 $20, not bad at all!
That was some top level playing.
Insane talent. So hard to pull off those hammerons and pulloffs on an acoustic. Wicked stuff . Thanks Fil nice vid!!!
No problem!
The best explanation that I heard was from Michael himself. He said in an interview that he chose the guitar to express his music, but he did not change his music for the guitar. He had the change the guitar to fit his music. Actually I found the quote "I'm not trying to play the guitar, I'm trying to play music. There's the difference right there. And the music has no specific form. The guitar does. So in order to fit a form of music that maybe standard tuning or a standard instrument won't, you've gotta change something about the guitar. "
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His album Taproot is one of my favorites.
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I was given that cd as a gift and it stayed in my cd player in my car for 6 months straight and was on every time I got in.
@@blaynemcguire7573 I'll never forgive myself for backing out on seeing Crosby, Stills, and Nash years ago. I had something else going on that night, that I probably could have gotten out of, so I decided to not go. Turns out that Michael Hedges was the opening act, and he blew everyone's mind that was there.
Wow......I swear I've seen/heard this before a long time ago.....suppose I could be going deaf but I didn't hear a note or the inflection of one going off at all....what a beautiful cascading melody.......talk about being one with your guitar........geeze....that was like magic....and that was acoustic!!!!
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Great reaction Fil, thanks! I found Michael in the late 80's and he was such a fresh breath for me. I was pretty burned out on all of the shredding and hair spray that I had been ingesting the previous few years and was looking for something different yet challenging but also had something memorable. I remember reading about his death and how bummed out I was, I had never seen him play(pre-internet days) and just felt such a loss. I also remember telling my friends and coworkers about his death and no one knew who the hell I was talking about. I didn't realize at the time I had found a gem that only musicians were aware of. You mention his left hand strength, here's another guy that you might enjoy checking out. ua-cam.com/video/j3bxMnXLQBk/v-deo.html
Thanks!
Saw/experienced Michael at The Winter Park Jazz Festival, 1989... he hypnotized the crowd with 'Ritual Dance'... being quasi-hypoxic @ 9,000' elevation just enhanced the buzz... sweet memz.
Cool!
I was lucky enough to see him 4 times. Twice at the Somerville theater. Someone recorded his last performance there. If you listen to NPR and many newscasts, you will hear Michael's playing as fill in. I particularly enjoyed his cover of All Along The Watchtower. t
Cool!
That's really great playing! Never heard of this cat. Sad he died so young. Thanks for sharing 👍😎
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Well done Phil and thanks. Innovation at its finest, the man who changed acoustic guitar!! ( one of them anyway)
Now is a good time to review a Finaz song. I suggested him a while back to you. He is similar and plays with Michael's friend Michael Manring nowadays. Another amazing guitarist and a super cool guy also. Thanks and have a happy Christmas !
Thanks! Merry Christmas!
Amazing
IT APPEARS that this had landed in my feed previously. here i am commenting 4 years ago below this. also worth checking out are his covers of Stones, who, neil young, bob dylan and others.
Fantastic choice, Fil! Thank you for exposing the UA-cam world to the incredible brilliance of Michael Hedges.
No problem!
Phenomenal technique, great composition and that sound!!! He was a master of alternate tunings, He was amazing🤘🏻....... died way too young☹️
Agreed. Nice to see him using tapping for a reason, and not to show off like people today.
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Composition? Fucking widdling, that's what it is.
He bushwacked the trail for others to walk through for sure...saw him in 85' and 86'....I was stunned like vegetable .....changed my life for the better....It is a badge of honor for me to tell people I was THERE in an intimate setting. None of us were prepared for what we experienced. ....the Hendrix of acoustic guitar!!!!
Omg! Thank you so much for highlighting MH! Am so grateful for this video. Respect!!!
No problem!
Glad I got to see Michael at eTown Boulder Theater show.
Thank you for giving my friend Michael his props. Such a talent.
This is my favorite acoustic instrumental. So glad you reacted to this!
Hi Fil great clip of Michael Hedges I've managed to see a few clips of his work - I found him by way of Jon Gomm - what an amazing musician and acoustic master well before his time for sure - opened the way for Andy McKee, Mike Dawes etc - great stuff. Such a tragic loss to the music world and acoustic guitar.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you - all the best - Regards Larnie
Amen.
YES!!! been meaning to suggest Hedges! Arial Boundaries blew me away decades ago.
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