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Leo Kottke - Leo Kottke Audio CD

A fair review of the Leo Kottke "Leo Kottke" 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: Leo Kottke
Rating:
Release Date: 1995-01-10
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Buckaroo 2: White Ape 3: Hayseed Suede 4: Rio Leo 5: Range 6: Airproofing 7: Maroon 8: Waltz 9: Death by Reputation 10: Up Tempo 11: Shadowland

An overlooked album
When I first started playing the guitar I think I wore out my copies of "Mudlark", "Greenhouse" and "Dreams and all that stuff". I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I have this on vinyl and only after buying it on CD did I like it! What's that about? A bad pressing??
This is straight up a fantastic album. This album continues in that same fine tradition.
This is record is so good that if you bother to go find it, "Hayseed Suede" is sampled on a Madvillain song! If the hip hoppers are digging this deep, it's gotta be good. get it and learn how it's done by the Fernand Leger of fingerstyle guitar. .


Instrumental mastery
It's an enigmatic collection--no two songs quite repeat, and thankfully, nothing spoiling this by rehashing previously released material. I'd call this Leo's "Romantic Period," because he really shows the creative potential of the 12-string: much like he's painting colors and tones with the notes he's plucking in order to create a landscape-of-sound theme for each song.
The energy is very high in his agility; minor chord combinations that enhance effortlessly rather than challenge the ear, and a lush assistance by others on keyboards, woodwinds, and even strings. Cheers to the drummer for giving such melodic textures and interpretations from the kit; my first thought is Kenny Buttrey.

Song-wise, there's something for everyone, and maybe the highlight is the cinematic "Range," or even the appropriate, European-like "Maroon," with a harp and accordion alongside Leo's classical touch. It's followed just as easily by the elasticity of "Waltz," showcasing Leo's unique touch with a slide. I can't quite tag the vibraphone-like sounds on "Death By Reputation," but it works just fine. Ditto for the poetic-like interpretation (with flute) of "The White Ape" (following as usual the Kottke pattern of strange titles. ) Naturally, there is plenty of the good ol' kick-up-your-heels action ("Buckaroo," "Hayseed Suede," "Airproofing," and the chugging engine of "Up Tempo"). It all comes back home for another quiet farewell with "Shadowland" and a sunset-in-the-desert orchestra supporting his undulating slide and quivering vibes.

Bravo, Leo. This should be framed and hung on a wall for its conceptual artistry and the tunes played on speakers as a backdrop.
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Classic Leo Kottke
I have the album on Vinyl and have searched periodically over the years to see if it were on CD. I was so happy to find this on Amazon today. Finally! If you like Leo Kottke, this has to be considered must-listen. I'm one-clicking it as soon as I finish this review.


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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