Leo has always been one of my musical heroes. Can I play like him? No way. Do I still listen to "6 and 12 String Guitar" and shake my head in amazement? Absolutely.
Still one of the best! Saw Leo play this in a coffee house in the 70's on his 12 string. Yeah added a new dimension to this song. He inspired many a new guitarist.
I discovered Leo Kottke as a college student in the mid-70s. I was into the guitar myself, working my tail off to become a mediocre flatpicker. It was an inspiration to hear Leo absolutely flailing his big 12-string. It helped me understand that the world of guitar was a much bigger place than I could imagine, and to appreciate my place in it. Leo and I are still making music 45+ years later. Thanks, Mr. K!
Around '74 I was in Wayzata, in the back of a music store whose name I sadly can't remember. The wonderful owner was a man who would let this penniless guitarist wannabe play some of his fine acoustics now and then. One day he handed me a small Martin 12-string that sounded so beautiful. I started to feel my ego running away. He said, 'here, try this one'. Another 12string. Huge, like a boat on Minnetonka. I think it was a Bozo Padunavac. I couldn't even fret a D chord. Tried a G. No luck. Heavy gauge strings. High action. Couldn't play it. The owner said 'that's Leo's guitar'........
He's still Leo. I've seen him about a dozen times, mostly in the 80s and 90s. Got a chance to talk to him a few times before and after shows. Always a fun guy!
I remember Leo playing one of his great masterpieces on a 6 string. When he finished, he said that would have sounded better on my 12 string. --- But I just played it,
We saw him in the mid 70's at the Roxy Theatre in Pacific Beach. This video makes me wonder if he can still play that monster 12 string he played back themn.
age is a relentless foe....love the guy, but he's a shadow of his former skill. Haven't seen him in a while and it looks like he's traded in his big 12 for a parlor 6. I still admire him greatly.
This wasn't, for me, his best performance of the song. The song itself, though, is based very much on 'India' by John Coltrane. Leo Lottke's interpretation does seem to bring through the ethereal, other wordly aspect of the original in a way that The Byrds version rather masked with the 'jingle jangle' of the Rickenbackers.
Leo has always been one of my musical heroes. Can I play like him? No way. Do I still listen to "6 and 12 String Guitar" and shake my head in amazement? Absolutely.
Still one of the best! Saw Leo play this in a coffee house in the 70's on his 12 string. Yeah added a new dimension to this song. He inspired many a new guitarist.
What a pleasure to see Leo still performing. Such a gifted guitarist and entertainer. Thank you for posting!
I discovered Leo Kottke as a college student in the mid-70s. I was into the guitar myself, working my tail off to become a mediocre flatpicker. It was an inspiration to hear Leo absolutely flailing his big 12-string. It helped me understand that the world of guitar was a much bigger place than I could imagine, and to appreciate my place in it. Leo and I are still making music 45+ years later. Thanks, Mr. K!
His finger style is off the hook ... beautiful sounding..
Leo, I’ve seen you six times, all in San Francisco. You’re an American icon!
Not only is he a great artist - he's a wonderful entertainer! His stories could be standup - his wit is spot on!
His story telling is as gifted as his music, truly
Around '74 I was in Wayzata, in the back of a music store whose name I sadly can't remember. The wonderful owner was a man who would let this penniless guitarist wannabe play some of his fine acoustics now and then. One day he handed me a small Martin 12-string that sounded so beautiful. I started to feel my ego running away. He said, 'here, try this one'. Another 12string. Huge, like a boat on Minnetonka. I think it was a Bozo Padunavac. I couldn't even fret a D chord. Tried a G. No luck. Heavy gauge strings. High action. Couldn't play it. The owner said 'that's Leo's guitar'........
One of the greats!!!
I saw Leo open for Procol Harum at Madison Square Garden at the smaller theater. Just great, of course.
He's still Leo. I've seen him about a dozen times, mostly in the 80s and 90s. Got a chance to talk to him a few times before and after shows. Always a fun guy!
A wonderful song that I had not heard in years. He is also a great story teller. A complete entertainer. An absolute magician on a guitar.
Saw you in Madison in March, Leo. Great show, thanks!!!
His shows are all stream of consciousness
Simply wonderful
His name is Kottke.
All on a parlor 6 string. And evidence of his tendinitis, almost immobile wrist and digits, but still wonderful!!
Yes .
The voice may forget but the fingers don't.
I remember Leo playing one of his great masterpieces on a 6 string. When he finished, he said that would have sounded better on my 12 string. --- But I just played it,
Carrying on the tradition of John Fahey.
A lifer. Takes music seriously. In it till the end
prescient remark...Leo, it feels like home...
We saw him in the mid 70's at the Roxy Theatre in Pacific Beach. This video makes me wonder if he can still play that monster 12 string he played back themn.
Yep, he can.
KOTTKE.
Whistling crowds are similar to booing in the US
His voice sounds like goose farts on a rainy day😂Love you Leo!
"muggy"
Mudlark was part of the begining.
Leo is great but he slaughtered this one.
age is a relentless foe....love the guy, but he's a shadow of his former skill. Haven't seen him in a while and it looks like he's traded in his big 12 for a parlor 6. I still admire him greatly.
Prefer the Byrds on this one.....
Me too, this was obviously well picked on the strings, as he is a fabulous fingerstyle player, but it just didn't work, and his singing is awful.
This wasn't, for me, his best performance of the song. The song itself, though, is based very much on 'India' by John Coltrane. Leo Lottke's interpretation does seem to bring through the ethereal, other wordly aspect of the original in a way that The Byrds version rather masked with the 'jingle jangle' of the Rickenbackers.