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Leo Kottke - Standing in My Shoes Audio CD

A fair review of the Leo Kottke "Standing in My Shoes" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Leo Kottke reviews here, or go back to the Leo Kottke tabs.

Leo Kottke Band: Leo Kottke
Title: Standing in My Shoes
Rating:
Release Date: 1997-05-20
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Standing in My Shoes 2: World Turning 3: Dead End 4: Vaseline Machine Gun 5: Corrina, Corrina 6: Realm 7: Cripple Creek 8: Twice 9: Across the Street 10: Don't Call Me Ray 11: Itchy

Contemporary slide-guitar with accompaniment, NOT Hip-Hop.
The songs are well crafted folky and country tinged with a comtempory pop feel. Although I would not consider this his best (4 stars instead of 5), it is still very good, very dynamic acoustic slide guitar music with accompaniment from both human guests (Atkins) and sometimes a drum machine. A few old tracks, such as Vaseline Machine Gun get re-worked here, and although they sound nothing the originals they are quite interesting. This is an excellent mix of Vocal and Instrumental tracks from Kottke. However, if you're looking for just another Kottke guitar album, look elsewhere. This should probably not be your first Leo album, but don't make it your last either.

I don't know where people come off calling this album "hip-hop". Yes, there is a drum machine present on some songs, but it is not a hip-hop beat. . . just bouncy at times.

This is not the first time Leo has used accompaniment on an album. Consider his all vocal and fully-band-backed "Great Big Boy" album from 1991. It also is not just a Leo instrumental album. Try "A Shout Towards Noon" from 1986, "Regards from Chuck Pink" from 1988 or "One Guitar, No Vocals" from 1999 if you just want to hear Leo and his guitar. This is also not the last album Leo got experimental on (consider 2002's "Clone").

If you are just getting started with Leo, try "My Father's Face" from 1989. That seems to be the album all newcomers buy first. It was my first Leo purchase, and I now have 25 Leo albums. Once you hear this guy play (or see him live) you'll want to dust off that old guitar sitting in your closet again.


I've Tried, Oh How I've tried
I read the reviews here before buying, and though I didn't much like Peculiaroso, this sounded as if it would be quirky and inventive. I've given this CD many chances.

It wasn't. The playing sounds fairly pedestrian to me. I do not want him to play as he did in 1971 forever, though I do love that sound, but this is not just different, it is a retreat. Change is not good if it is change for the worse. Listen to "Dead End" and tell me how this compares to the spiraling variations from those days. Or the "re-working" of "Standing In My Shoes", a brilliant and beautiful tune, that now is not plaintive but merely whiny.

That does not even address the synthetic drum/bass pop sound that overpowers much of the music. Yeech. . . . Save us from Techno, Leo! We come to you to hear an instrument played lovingly and skillfully. That happens all too infrequently on this CD.

Not a disaster, but not remarkable or distinctive in any way. Feels like a quickie, churned out to meet a contract obligation. I'll keep "6 & 12 String" and "My Feet Are Smiling" (two of the most astonishing records ever) in ready rotation and put this one on the very back burner.


what a shame
Absolutely criminal. Nine of eleven cuts are destroyed by the inane and incessant electric hip-hop drum noise. Kottke has obviously sold out.


all kottke albums worth having
Its just that he's got about 15 other brilliant albums. I cant say this is on my list of must have Kottke albums but, like all of his albums, theres enough to warrant a purchase. . this album is a bit overproduced for me. . check out "itchy", the last song on the album. What an amazing track - uplifting and incredibly hooky.


Leo branches out
This album features more musical accompaniment than on most of his previous albums, and even a guest appearance by another guitar player (Chet Atkins, playing a simple but beautiful lead on the song "Twice"). For an artist primarily known for solo guitar work, Standing In My Shoes represents a departure of sorts. For long time fans of Leo, the drum machines and other musical accompaniment may be unwelcome, and the new versions of two all-time Leo favorites (Vaseline Machine Gun and Cripple Creek) may even be disappointing, but this is an album any fan of Leo Kottke or guitar work in general should appreciate. The song "Corrina, Corrina", an unexpectedly sweet love song, features some of the most expressive and playful guitar work of his career. The song "Across the Street", written about a prisoner who watches his daughter play across the street from his cell, has a dark beauty unlike almost any other Kottke song. The album also contains some of Leo's trademark fingerwork, most notably on songs such as "Itchy" and "Dead End", and while these songs include the controversial rythmn sections, they are interesting and challenging to listen to.

As a long time fan of Leo, I was caught off guard by the sound and feel of this album, and I don't think it would make a good first album for someone looking to give Leo a try. Nonetheless, I recommend it to anyone already familiar with his work. There are several songs with enduring appeal, including at least one classic piece (Corrina, Corrina), and it will add nicely to any Leo collection.


You can see a complete list of all Leo Kottke discography, or go back to the Leo Kottke tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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