Customer Reviews

Greenhouse

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my favorite Leo Kottke album--and I own all of them. Why this gets the nod over 6- and 12-String Guitar (which is spectacular!) is that Greenhouse also features Kottke's warm baritone vocals on four of the album's eleven tracks.

To listen to Kottke's vocal choices, you'd think this man is the gloomiest guy on the planet. "Louise" is about the death of a prostitute. Even the song titles ("From the Cradle to the Grave" and "You Don't Need Me") ooze pessimism. But these are lovely songs and you need to pick up one of Kottke's several live albums to discover what a wonderful sense of humor he displays in his between-songs storytelling.

And the seven instrumentals are simply amazing! the album kicks off with "Bean Time" and Kottke's fingers fly across the fretboard. "The Song of the Swamp" features Kottke's impeccable slide work. Kottke pays homage to John Fahey on his cover of "In Christ There Is No East or West" and "Last Steam Engine Train." Kottke says in the liner notes that "'The Spanish Entomologist' is a medley made up of a children's song ('Playmate') and my two favorite songs when I was a kid ('Jambalaya' and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds')." Like the rest of the album, it is a joy to listen to. If you don't already own any Leo Kottke, this is the place to start. ESSENTIAL

Enough said. Leo Kottke is a wonderful guitar player. I have seen him live. One person and he can sweep the whole place away! But I think that is missing his great gift. He has a great sense of humor. And he knows how to project that. There are many great guitar players and most I know evoke a seriousness and great intensity in their playing. Terrific. But what I can add here is that Leo Kottke is one guitar player that plays as he laughs. A great lift when you know his playing as this. Sure there are a lot of notes. But he is mostly all tongue in cheek. I think many may miss that in less you have seen him live. Bean Time is a good example. His first album is priceless. More than great playing, he sets a mood entirely his own. A unique person: Honest, sincere and funny as hell. If you can see him do. If not enjoy his great take on life! Green House is one of his best. Try his first also. 6 and 12 String Guitars. This guy was the first picker of this sort that broke into the main stream around 1970 (that I know of) that inspired many finger picking guitar players. I am one of them.

That's how Leo describes the sound of his own voice. I guess it's an acquired taste, but I love listening to Leo's vocal stuff as much as his ridiculously amazing fingerwork. Maybe it's because he sings so rarely, but I think it has to do with the material he writes/selects. Sensitive, simple and true. So, the reviewer might see them as a detriment, but Tiny Island and Cradle to the Grave are two of my favorite songs on this album, and the main reason I've been hunting down a CD version of it (my ancient vinyl copy is so abused it's almost unlistenable). Really a great album, 5 stars.

With all due respect, Jason Verlinde's statement above is absolutely OBSURD! This comment about Leo Kottke's recordings amounting to duds? Mr. Verlinde will lose much credibility in the guitar community if he decides to stand on that statement.

I dont think Mr. Verlinde understands who he's talking about.

For the record, Leo Kottke is considered by most acoustic guitar players as one of the top 5, if not the #1 influence on the art of fingerstyle playing and open tunings!

Kottke is a legend in every sense and has pioneered this style of music and carried it on for over 20 years!

As for the music, anything you purchase from Kottke is not going to be a "dud".

Take it from someone who owns Kottke albums, has seen him in concert and is a fingerstyle player myself.

I would reccomend, "6-12-string" & "one man, one guitar"...If you can get your hands on the very rare, "Armadillo" buy it. "Armadillo" is out of print I believe, but is the album that introduced Kottke to the world.

If this helps you to appreciate Kottke.... World Class fingerstylist, Alex de Grassi states in his autobiography that after he heard "Armadillo", he decided to become a professional, solo guitarist...

Mr. Jason Verlinde, if Kottke's good enough to inspire Alex de Grassi to pick up the guitar and become a legendary player himself, I suppose its good enough for my player.

Chief Joseph

Jee, what an artist Leo is. I owned only "6&12 strings guitar" prior to this weekend when I had the opportunity to buy this one and Ice water at a record festival in my town. I was out of money because I bought some other records from other artist but when I saw these two albums and I understood they were very near in terms of time to "6&12" I decided to search for the exit of the festival, to find a bank and to come back inside the festival to buy these two cds more because I thought "these albums are calling me they should be great". Obviously I was thinking to the UNBELIEVABLE "6&12" which is an album that I really really love. One of my desert island records for sure. What I found in this Green House are a lot of instrumentals on the same levels of the ones comprehended in "6&12" and few more songs sunged by Leo. I don't find his voice unattractive. Sure his guitar playing is so astounding that words don't seem to add something relevant, but in the end the songs are always wonderful portraits even with Leo's voice. I enjoy Leo's playing immensly so I don't want to point out a song. They're all fantastic believe me, even if Leo decides to sing. I don't care. He sings pretty well by the way, he has a deep voice that appeals to me. Simply this man has an outrageous dose of talent whatever he does. To me these three albums should be in every music enthusiast's collection because they are stellar albums (but I think Greenhouse is better than Ice Water, here we are on the "6&12 strings" level). I'm a Jazz musician and bebop lover, but as you see, I don't care for labels. When music is this good, I don't care how you want to call it. Folk, bluegrass, country or whatever. It's a delight, and this is the only thing that matters to me. I can't get tired of Leo's playing. Thank God I came back to the festival to buy these two gems. Leo is IMMENSE.

I picked up Leo Kottke in Tucson in 1972 at the airport and took him to his concert at the UofA opening for Loggins & Messina. Never head him before. I was amazed at his artistry on guitar! I've heard him live 3 more times and purchased 6 more albums. But this one is special to me. It combines his incredible 6 and 12 string fingerwork and has some great vocals, which he was reluctant to provide he told me (the label made him do it!). There's no better guitarist recording than this, trust me.

I was first introduced to Leo Kottke in the late 1960's. I was stunned by his guitar playing. And then he sang "Louise." By far it is the most honest, compassionate and empathetic rendition of a song I have ever heard. Kottke sings with both guitar and voice. Albums and CD's, Kottke is incredible to hear. Live in a small venue, ushers must use spatulas to scrape the audience from their seats at the end of the performance.

I have been listening to Leo since the early 70's and I'll have to say I am saddened and amazed by the "professional" reviewer complaining about Kottke's vocal tracks. While not a classically trained singer(who cares?), his baritone voice is warm and soothing. The instrumental tracks are great on this album, but my all-time favorite Kottke tune is Tiny Island, and the other vocal tracks are among his best(Louise, You don't have to need me, and From the Cradle to the Grave). My favorite Kottke album!

Some of LK's albums are more instantly accessible than others but overall none are duds. As with any album by any artist inevitably there are tracks that are stronger than others. Of the 20 or so albums LK's released 'Greenhouse' is definitely one of the best 3 or 4. It's also one of the most accessible and upbeat while the playing is LK at his best. The man has an awesome technique, often sounding like 3 players..and with no overdubbing. If you're unfamilar with LK (shame on you) this is probably the best place to start.

Despite the official Amazon review, I must say that that "warbling" voice of Kottke on the tracks "Tiny Island" and "Cradle to the Grave" are some of the catchiest pieces of songwriting I've ever heard. I'm a musical slut. From Folk to funk, and from hip hop to heavy metal, as long as it has heart, I'm attracted to it. And this album shows much heart. Go out and get your heart broke, Mister Amazon-Reviewer. Or have a rum and lime and a sunny summer day. Or think of your father. Do whatever you must to get on the same plane with this album. It's human and touching. I, luckily, found the vinyl when I was twenty years old in some beat up antique shop. Every now and then, when somberly cleaning house I like to play it followed by some Jim Croce and Cat Stevens. I've since seen Leo in concert a few times, and I will admit that he spends more time telling stories and tuning that 12 string of his than actually playing music, but he has still got it. Man can he play! And I happen to love his warbling, sincere voice.