Since September 2010, this blog has recorded the journey of this music junkie as I attempt to listen to all the music in my CD collection. CDs revisited in their entirety from start to finish - no skipping tracks, no shuffle. Compact Discs only - no vinyl, no tapes, no files.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Leo Kottke - Guitar Music (1981)


Note: this release was originally purchased as an LP, later replaced by a CD.

I originally found this album by happy accident when the vinyl was calling out to me from the $1 vinyl bin. I was completely unfamiliar with Kottke and his work so this was one of those chances that ultimately pays off. Got this CD in hopes the sound would be better that a scratchy record and I was right. This is the most fascinating album I've heard since I came across John Surman's work (note: I'm not comparing Surman to Kottke other than the fact that both musicians produce works like I've never heard before). The twelve brief instrumental pieces here, performed by Kottke on Gibson J-45 and Lundberg-Martin 12 string guitars, can be described as a melodic fusion of folk, blues, jazz, and New Age music or, as I would have called it 30 years ago, "NPR music." The playing is crisp and technically spectacular. Great for porch sittin' on a hot afternoon. My only complaint is the 35 minute playing time.

Press of the time:
  • Record World: "Once again, Kottke puts his amazing technique and gentle melodic gifts to work"
  • CashBox: "His fluid phrasing, shifts in tempo and ability to wring life into every harmonic make this album yet another joy."
  • High Fidelity: "a great guitarist who doesn't need to show off"
  • Stereo Review: "confident, assured, and at the top of his form as both artist and producer."

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: I don't skip any, but I'm partial to Part Two, Perforated Sleep, Little Shoes, Agile N., and the two covers that end the album, All I Have To Do Is Dream and Sleep Walk, the latter with some fantastic chord substitutions..

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

4 comments:

  1. He played Bryan/College Station pretty regularly when I was in school there, late 80s & early 90s.

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  2. I hearby nominate the original "scratchy record" you bought for a buck as a Helluvadeal.

    This also may be the first time anyone ever wrote "fantastic chord substitutions"... Nope, it is the third time according to Google.

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  3. Learning to play the guitar is a lot of peoples wish, you can basically learn it any way you want, you can even ask professional help if you wish, i tried it myself you must too, check this one out http://www.worshipguitarclass.com/

    ReplyDelete