Watching My Life Go By


Watching My Life Go By is the third studio album by Michael Hedges released in 1985. After two solo instrumental albums, Hedges sang on all the tracks on this release.

Reception

Music critic Jason Anderson, writing for Allmusic, wrote of the album "Subdued, almost uncharacteristically restrained, Hedges the singer/songwriter doesn't quite live up to Hedges the avant-garde or self-proclaimed "violent acoustic" guitarist... A bit of a learning experience, Watching My Life Go By might not be Hedges' finest offering; however, the record still features plenty of great performances of heartfelt material."

Track listing

All compositions by Michael Hedges except "All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan.
  1. "Face Yourself" – 4:43
  2. "I'm Coming Home" – 4:14
  3. "Woman of the World" – 4:17
  4. "Watching My Life Go By" – 3:16
  5. "I Want You" – 4:00
  6. "The Streamlined Man" – 3:46
  7. "Out on the Parkway" – 2:58
  8. "Holiday" – 5:14
  9. "All Along the Watchtower" – 3:01
  10. "Running Blind" – 4:54
"Holiday" ends with Hedges singing the first verse of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", which is not credited in the liner notes.

Personnel

  • Michael Hedges – guitar, vocals, bass, flute, synthesizer, harmonica, wine glasses
  • Michael Manring – fretless bass
  • John Hanes – drums
  • Bobby McFerrin – chant and solo vocals
  • Hilleary Burgess – wine glasses, production coordination
  • Elliot Mazer - engineer
  • Bryan Lanser, Marty Atkinson, Wes Weaver, Neil Janklow - assistant engineers
  • Anne Robinson - album design
  • Irene Young - cover portrait
  • Carol Erlich - photo tinting
  • Ruth Carroll Hedges - liner photo

    Production notes

  • Produced by Elliot Mazer
  • Engineered by Elliot Mazer, Michael Hedges
  • Mastered by George Horn
  • Design by Anne Robinson
  • Photography by Irene Young