Customer Reviews

Best

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my favorite of all of Leo Kottke's albums. I've owned it on vinyl for years and it's the only reason there is still a turntable in my living room. It has an unbelievable live version of "Stealing", followed by a Live version of "Living in the Country" that leaves me speechless. Play them back to back for your guitar playing buddies and watch them turn green.

I am just thankful that I had a friend who brought Leo Kottke to my attention. That friend received a case of scotch for doing so. Hands down my favorite artist of all time, in any category. He's the best there is, and this is him at his finest.

I've been a huge Leo Kottke fan for many years. I had this on vinyl and played it endlessly. You would swear there are two guitars being played, but it's just Leo, playing the hell out of his 12 string. The live version of "stealing" is simply the most beautiful acoustic guitar music I have ever heard. "Busted Bicycle" is also a gem. The speed he plays at, not missing a note is incredible.Leo's music makes you see scenes and pictures in your mind while your listening, and for me, they're always good pictures. There's a warmth and resonance in his style that is completely original.There is not a bad cut on this. And now it's on CD! I've been fortunate to be able to meet Leo a few times and he's so humble. It was a pleasure to hang with him. He's got this great, dry sense of humor and some of it comes out on this album. If you're not familiar with Leo, and if/or you like acoustic guitar, this one is for you. When I told Leo, "If I was stuck on a deserted island, "The best of" would be my album of choice." He just laughed and said, "Thanks for listening." No Leo, thank you!!

Of course only people who have been amazed by Leo attend his concerts, listen to him, buy his music, and write about him. So, I'm no different. I want to say that I had not seen him live for 22 years until 2 nights ago when he played here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Damn....I had forgotten how incredible he is live......so I bought this album for my guitar playing son so he can see that not all guitar gods are electric....or 6 string either....and that there is someone on this planet who can play slide while keeping a complex song rolling full blast and singing.....how the hell does he manage all that?

Now the other night he did 2 encores and I honestly believe he was as surprised by the intensity of the small crowd as he was by the antics of the bird that kept trying to fly into the bandshell and the bee that was working on the flowers right in front of him all evening.....of course he commented on all this while continuing to play.

This is an album that you play and then replay the track several times because you can't believe what you just heard.....even if 3 guys were playing you would do that much less when it's just Leo by himself. So if you want a great CD that will showcase most of the stuff Leo is famous for...this is probably your best bet.

I purchased this album many years ago on vinyl. It has always been one of my favorites. Leo Kottke is a guitarist, par excellance. Except for a brief outing in the "New Age" genre Kottke is best known for his work in Folk music. What I like about this album is how he does some rock tunes, most notably The Byrds, Eight Miles High, and Procol Harum's Power Failure in that special Kottke style. And what is great about it is that the songs don't come off as hokey folksy, C&W, renditions of rock songs. The songs hold their original flavor while being enhanced by Leo Kottke's great guitar playing ability. But, there is great folk tunes on this CD, like Cripple Creek, and Kottke's classic Pamela Brown. There is acoustic music, electric music, and live music. Add to this Kottke's unique singing style and this CD is a treasure. There is just not a bad tune on this CD. If you can only own one Leo Kottke album, this should be it.

My Uncle from the Minneapolis area turned me on to Leo when I visited him in the late 80's. People there told me to get this album, as well as "6 & 12 string". Not having much cash at the time, I had to choose, and I got this one. I grew up with disc one as a permanent resident on my turntable in my bedroom.

I went to college, and the turntable back home ended up getting thrown out. I saw Kottke play live two or three times, where I somehow still couldn't believe, even with visual confirmation, that it was one guy making all that sound with one instrument.

A year or two ago, I finally ended up getting "6 & 12 string" on CD, but couldn't find this album, my old friend, anywhere. And just now, here it is!

Although 6 and 12 string is, and rightly should be, the centerpiece of the Kottke recording universe, I'm still not unhappy with the choice I made as a teenager. The main reason is disc one, where his styles are all over the map, delving into his bluegrass roots with songs like Cripple Creek and Bill Cheatham, jamming with a band on Machine #2, Short Stories, and Monkey Lust, and getting just plain wacky with the loopy hula dancing Spanish Entomologist and the brooding Whistling Shrimps.
The combination is never boring, and through it all his capricious and upbeat style, as well as his undisputed mastery of the instrument, will always leave you with a smile on your face.

Absolutely fantastic Kottke compilation! This two-disc collection is divided into roughly equal fourths: acoustic, electric, live, and singing. I like the format--it's like having four different cd's with distinctly different moods.

The album covers all ranges of Leo Kottke and is extremely good, particularly the live recordings.

This one is short & to the point: I think this is the best Kottke CD out there, PERIOD. Only shortcoming- a personal favorite of mine, "Cradle to the Grave," is not a part of this one, but it's on Greenhouse, which is now available on CD. I'd recommend getting both CD's.

I will keep this short and sweet. I was turned on to Leo Kottke many years ago by a good friend. This is a guy who make an acoustic 12 string sound like nothing else. Listening to him reminds you of what the really great guitar players can do, like Stevie Ray, and Clapton, and Jeff Beck, and although his music is more grounded in Folk and Americana than Blues or Jazz (or Rock) as the other players I mentioned, he is an equal in every way to these greats and others.
The only negative thing I can say is that as singer, he is one hell of a guitar player!... but even he knows that, and it will make you like him even more.
If you have the chance to see him live, just do it.....Its magic to watch his hands and fingers work the guitar...you will leave in awe, that I guarantee.

He is very skilful guitarist! One of the best.
Over and above he is fine singer.
Very good comprehensive compilation.
Good booklet.