Acoustic guitar pinnacle

I'll start out by saying I am a devoted Kottke fan, but if given the unfortunate task of selecting only one album from this seminal master, I would prolly select this one. My enduring favorite is 'Aunt Francis'... this tune will grow on you given a few listens....If not, listen again!

Creative guitar-work at its best

Here's Kottke's finest work - and definitely one to start with if you're new to him.



His rich compositions here encompass solo guitar (tracks 3, 5, 6, 7, 9) and songs (2, 4, 8, 10) which he sings with his own guitar accompaniment and backing musicians. Tracks 1 and 11 feature just his guitar and the musicians.



Every track is simply first class.



His playing is cleaner than before (following a period of revising his technique) but retains his distinctive energy and attack (`Times Twelve') and the CD illustrates his quirky innovation - `Twelve' features guitar and timpani drum!



The `Theme From The Rick and Bob Report' is melodic and beautifully optimistic; `William Powell' an absorbing, deft tune; `My Aunt Francis' and `B.J.' are complex pieces - `B.J.' being rounded off with a subtle, perfectly executed ending. `Mona Ray' is a superior rendition of an earlier recording - light, nimble, understated.



`Why Can't You Fix My Car?' and `Jack Gets Up' reflect his lightly cynical, teasing wit. `Back in Buffalo' has a superb melody hidden under his twisting, shuffling, discordant guitar work.



Kottke's famous self-effacement about his vocals is nonsense - his singing on `Every Body Lies' is exceptional - the song also demonstrates how sadly underrated he is as a songwriter/lyricist.



What do you get when you mix American folk and blues, throw in little tinges of jazz, country and pop, add truly original, exceptional steel strung acoustic guitar playing, dazzling technique, great singing, novel compositions, sharp lyrics, plus unconventional, happy wit? -



- why Leo Kottke of course.

Fabulous song

I've been a Leo Kottke fan for thirty years but this album may be the best ever, simply on the strength of "Mona Ray," the most exquisite song I've heard him do...this is "Echoing Gilewitz" with the mystery but not the sadness. What a treat...