MICHAEL HEDGES -- Oracle (Windham Hill)

This is a great CD for showing off your stereo system. The instrumentation is clear and warm. Hedges' acoustic guitar work is superb, as always. Highlights include "The 2nd Law," "Ignition," and "Jitterboogie." There are also a couple interesting covers on Oracle. The first is the only vocal track on the disc, The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows." The second is an almost unrecognizable version of Frank Zappa's "Sofa No. 1." Hedges probably won't win over many new fans with Oracle, but existing fans will enjoy it.