What a national treasure this man is. Utterly brilliant and totally unique. Much overlooked by the "mainstream". We're all blessed we found him. Thank you Leo.
I had the fortunate privilege of meeting Leo Kottke in person at a little music store in downtown Knoxville, TN about three years or so ago. They say you don't want to meet your heroes because they will always disappoint you. Not so with this guy. I have met few people in my life who are as approachable and genuinely nice as Leo Kottke. You would think a guy with talent like this would be aloof and maybe egotistical - but no - 100% gentleman and 100% awesome.
@@mikemccoy3430 Same here. I met him once when he was touring Australia with Paco Pena and Joe Pass. I approached him to ask if he could sign an album cover for me and he just looked at me and said, "Are you sure you're not here to see Paco?" He was so humble that he genuinely thought everyone had come backstage to see the famous Flamenco player.
Leo Kottke, if you're not looking when he's playing (even then it's unbelievable), can make you think there are two others baking him up. Phenomenal!!!
PHEW!!This tune really crystallizes everything about Leo that makes hin so unique- the way he keeps that alternating bass line going whilst he picks that melodic figure- the nearly Avant-Garde middle section where he is doing all that wild 1/2-step stuff.. just the incredible intensity of the whole piece.. geez! MINDblowing! Hard to imagine ANYone else out there coming up with something like this.
If I was stranded on a desert island with only 2 CDs, I would want Leo Kottke and Bruce Cockburn. And if I could have a guitar with me, I wouldn't be "stranded".
From 2:10 to 2:25 or so is just insane. The first time I ever saw Leo was on the "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" show when I was in the 8th grade. That would make it 1976. Absolutley hooked me on guitar. I bought every Leo K record for years. I have a stack of them in my garage. This has refreshed my admiration for this American Treasure.
2:16 gets me every time. One of the greatest songs ever recorded by one of the greatest guitar players to ever live. Fahey, Kottke, and basho changed my life. Thank you Leo, you’ll live on forever.
ah leo i saw him in australia in 1981 i think ,i was 18 . .i went home and played 10 hours a day for 3 years , ive been teaching guitar now for over 20 years thanks LEO
Fuckin' astonishin' !! I found some LPs in an abandoned garden . This was in late 70s. They were lying on the over grown lawn and a bit wet from recent rain. One of them was this guy. WoW. Very inspiring. I like some of his songs too. 🐂💨 💨 💨 💨
I can see the strings. And hear them. Check at ~3:53. Love the man. Only seen him live twice. Definitely among my top 5 performers though. Great player, and great storyteller and entertainer. Thanks for posting this one!
I know what you mean - I saw him in the early 80s in Sydney when I was but a teen - it was so gobsmakingly astounding I actually got depressed and almost gave up guitar. I didn't though and now I'm rediscovering him (and saw him again, almost 30 years later) and watching it all on youtube - still inspiring. Still pining for a 12 string.
Stand on your damn head. Leo Kotkke is the greatest living gutarist, He creates absolute tapestries of sound that mere mortals find themselves lost in.
+tom wray He's an exceptional picker, but I hesitate to crown anyone the Finest. A true musician, there's nothing I can define that he doesn't understand forward and backwards. He used to play fairly often here in Colorado Springs. Never missed his concerts. I believe he's from Cheyoming, isn't he?
There's so much going on in his playing at the same time ! Sounds like three guitarists are playing at the same time ! I believe that that's what Leo are wanting to create with his music - it sounds like he wants the guitar to have a life of its own - and that he is just the medium to make it all happen ! And that is why he succeeds so well ! And one more thing : no one has such a good repertoire as this man has. So many fantastic songs and tunes ! All his recordings are unik !
WHAT!! WHAT!! That took me by surprise! The man truly is a machine. The perfection of his technique is almost depressing to me. If I weren't such a tenacious neophyte, perhaps I'd have given up the guitar completely after watching that section, if I even made it that far. Geez.
I saw Leo Kotke in Sydney in about 1976 and I never thought I would see another guitarist as skilled as him, but now I've seen John Butler. Have a look at his instrumental on TH-cam called Ocean.
I've lost track of how many times I've said to someone, "Ya wanna see some real acoustic guitar playing?" and direct them to the first minute of this song.
Hehe. A mate did that to me 35 years ago when I told him I’d bought a guitar the month before. Couldn’t pick it up for the next month in shame - but bought the albums and watched Leo 5 times live. Took half a decade of playing before I was able to decipher William Powell (moving the stylus back and listening for days) yet I don’t attempt this one. It’s my equal favourite Kottke alongside Mona Rae, which I adore playing. The only time I played this clip for a group of people, one asked “why did you show THAT?!” “Coz it’s fucking awesome :D”
@@mathewhale3581 when I first started playing I asked an old pro who drank in my pub for some listening recommendations for acoustic. He told me to listen to Leo Live lol. Mind was blown. Was grateful for being told about Leo, but part of me also thought 'why'd you do that to me?' 😂
If any of you have 'reservations' about Leo's guitars, his tunings OR the strings on his guitars, order the video cassette, 'Home and Away' by Leo Kottke. I think Amazon.com still has some. I have one - and I have no questions at all. And I've been listening to, and seen in concert several times in Texas and Arizona, live, 'Mr.' Kottke. He is the real deal.
I think the beauty of Leo is his RIGHT hand. I think most player concentrate on their left hand, and watching him, I find myself looking at his left... his left hand isn't doing anything that complicated, it's that right hand, and as Leo often says... HIS THUMB.. but the right is really doing amazing things.
To all of you folks wondering if Mr. Kottke is playing without the 1st and 2nd set of strings, go to "Hear the Wind Howl" from the same concert, then play at :54 seconds in. See the reflection off the unwound strings. c'mon people! THINK!
I can't recall ever seeing LK perform standing! Usually sitting down...Anyway, tour-de-force composition and technique! Try playing like that! It is not easy, damn near impossible, IMO!
Me too..although it's a bit discouraging as a player to watch him sometimes. I always remind myself that I just need to play what I feel and let the rest happen, just as he has done..
my father in law, who has played acoustic for 30 years told me, "dont sell the taylor for an electric, it is a whole dif animal" then my friends say, u would rock on electric
leo has been playing a 12 string guitar for around 40 years. he strings his guitar conventionally and just has incredible hand control. And if you cannot hear him playing the b and e strings, maybe you should take up playing bass guitar.
...... thanks for the response - I'm still not convinced - listen to what he's playing. I'm a huge fan and did not mean anything derogatory by my comment. :) I play 12 string and, once, in a recording session, I put tape on the lower strings to allow me to play my part with a more aggressive attack and not worry about unintended strikes. I watched this video again and not only do not see the high strings, I don't hear them or see him strike them. If I'm right, it's just innovative playing.
I don't own any Leo Kottke CDs but I love all of these youtube videos I find. What's a good one to start with? Preferably one with just him and his guitar, I don't know if they come any other way or not.
def does not get the respect he deserves ....... an acoustic god ....i wonder if he has played elec before (im sure he has but has anyone heard it?) awesome post thanks
Who cares where strings are?! I defy any of you to show me that kind of talent. It just won't happen. I paused and looked and all the strings are there but he makes it impossible. Still, who cares, enjoy the awesomeness he has bestowed on us.
'tis not ignorant, because it is interesting and maybe actually useful information for the guitar player who uses them internets for searching and finding Leo Kottke on here, and wondering; is there any way I could make sounds like, somewheres, in the realm, like the ones I just heard?
![สักวันฉันจะหายดี - INK WARUNTORN [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qyKVXta1vVY/mqdefault.jpg)
Leo was on hyper mode during the ‘90s man I love it so much
What a national treasure this man is. Utterly brilliant and totally unique. Much overlooked by the "mainstream". We're all blessed we found him. Thank you Leo.
I hope everyone who gave this vid a thumbs down, collectively step on a rusty nail.
Leo is arguably the greatest polyphonic syncopation player ever.
I stood on a rusty nail while working in the RAI in Amsterdam in 1988 - but I gave a thumbs up
He’s a great guitar player too!
I started playin a 6. After hearing Leo i got a 12 string. Never played a 6 again. Thanks Leo for 40yrs. of pure enchantment.
A polite smattering of applause for a whirlwind that just tore up the room.
well put. it's like golf clapping at a heavyweight title fight
I've seen him twice live and his finger picking makes me want to jump out of my seat!
If the applause was light, I can only imagine it's because half the room were using their hands to pick their jaws up off the floor.
Well said!
John Stevenson nailed it.
I had the fortunate privilege of meeting Leo Kottke in person at a little music store in downtown Knoxville, TN about three years or so ago. They say you don't want to meet your heroes because they will always disappoint you. Not so with this guy. I have met few people in my life who are as approachable and genuinely nice as Leo Kottke. You would think a guy with talent like this would be aloof and maybe egotistical - but no - 100% gentleman and 100% awesome.
+Tilmer Wright I once shook his hand
Tilmer, I live in Knoxville TN! Just curious if you remember which store this was? Thanks!!
@@mikemccoy3430 Same here. I met him once when he was touring Australia with Paco Pena and Joe Pass. I approached him to ask if he could sign an album cover for me and he just looked at me and said, "Are you sure you're not here to see Paco?" He was so humble that he genuinely thought everyone had come backstage to see the famous Flamenco player.
Tilmer Wright Just seen this, my 1st ever encounter, and what you say comes as no surprise somehow!
Leo Kottke, if you're not looking when he's playing (even then it's unbelievable), can make you think there are two others baking him up. Phenomenal!!!
PHEW!!This tune really crystallizes everything about Leo that makes hin so unique-
the way he keeps that alternating bass line going whilst he picks that melodic figure- the nearly Avant-Garde middle section where he is doing all that wild 1/2-step stuff.. just the incredible intensity of the whole piece.. geez! MINDblowing! Hard to imagine ANYone else out there coming up with something like this.
If I was stranded on a desert island with only 2 CDs, I would want Leo Kottke and Bruce Cockburn. And if I could have a guitar with me, I wouldn't be "stranded".
From 2:10 to 2:25 or so is just insane. The first time I ever saw Leo was on the "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" show when I was in the 8th grade. That would make it 1976. Absolutley hooked me on guitar. I bought every Leo K record for years. I have a stack of them in my garage. This has refreshed my admiration for this American Treasure.
Let's not forget that he's got a great singing voice as well!
2:16 gets me every time. One of the greatest songs ever recorded by one of the greatest guitar players to ever live. Fahey, Kottke, and basho changed my life. Thank you Leo, you’ll live on forever.
SAMEEEEE
Amazing. Close your eyes and feel the the whirling power, the dynamic urge, the fire.
Milan Smidt , well put!
He’s amazing! I always enjoyed the part at 3:38! The whole song is great from beginning to end, but that particular part stood out.
ah leo i saw him in australia in 1981 i think ,i was 18 . .i went home and played 10 hours a day for 3 years , ive been teaching guitar now for over 20 years thanks LEO
I just discovered him last year. Been playing my whole life, accomplished a lot as a guutarist but now it's really on! 😃
what a legend
The depth of this mastery ...OMG !!!
Saw him in the early 70's, and he has been my guitar God ever since. I love Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel of course. But I keep coming back to Leo.
Fuckin' astonishin' !!
I found some LPs in an abandoned garden . This was in late 70s. They were lying on the over grown lawn and a bit wet from recent rain.
One of them was this guy. WoW. Very inspiring. I like some of his songs too.
🐂💨 💨 💨 💨
There will never be talent like this again
A nicer performer you won't find. Leo is the real deal, yet he has a sense of irony and humility unmatched.
he does have a sense of humor... Just the song titles.. Vaseline Machine Gun.. WTF???
finally,after years and years of waiting, i will see him live in november. such talent , coupled with a unique creativity......
I can see the strings. And hear them. Check at ~3:53. Love the man. Only seen him live twice. Definitely among my top 5 performers though. Great player, and great storyteller and entertainer. Thanks for posting this one!
woah woah. I've never heard a song like this. mind opening!
I love Leo! Like 3 guitarists in one.
I play a Taylor 12 string, Leo is an inspiration to all of us who took up the guitar, keep it up Leo.
I know what you mean - I saw him in the early 80s in Sydney when I was but a teen - it was so gobsmakingly astounding I actually got depressed and almost gave up guitar. I didn't though and now I'm rediscovering him (and saw him again, almost 30 years later) and watching it all on youtube - still inspiring. Still pining for a 12 string.
The most extraordinary blues I’ve ever heard. Awesome!
I gotta watch this at least once a week...So good. Saw him at a small place in So-Cal in '73. Wow.
Stand on your damn head. Leo Kotkke is the greatest living gutarist, He creates absolute tapestries of sound that mere mortals find themselves lost in.
+tom wray Couldn't have said it better myself, Tom. Damn straight.
+tom wray He's an exceptional picker, but I hesitate to crown anyone the Finest. A true musician, there's nothing I can define that he doesn't understand forward and backwards. He used to play fairly often here in Colorado Springs. Never missed his concerts. I believe he's from Cheyoming, isn't he?
+William Sell he's from Athens, Georgia
There's so much going on in his playing at the same time !
Sounds like three guitarists are playing at the same time !
I believe that that's what Leo are wanting to create with his music -
it sounds like he wants the guitar to have a life of its own - and that he is just the medium
to make it all happen ! And that is why he succeeds so well !
And one more thing : no one has such a good repertoire as this man has.
So many fantastic songs and tunes ! All his recordings are unik !
A great take of that title. Mind boggling everytime
one of my favs live
Kottke playing is Insane!
WHAT!! WHAT!! That took me by surprise! The man truly is a machine.
The perfection of his technique is almost depressing to me. If I weren't such a tenacious neophyte, perhaps I'd have given up the guitar completely after watching that section, if I even made it that far. Geez.
The beginning his face is just saying “you have no idea what’s about to go down”
I saw Leo Kotke in Sydney in about 1976 and I never thought I would see another guitarist as skilled as him, but now I've seen John Butler. Have a look at his instrumental on TH-cam called Ocean.
Interesting, and certainly talented, but he reminds me more of Dominic Frasca than Leo Kottke th-cam.com/video/vMGOqETo63E/w-d-xo.html
Here's a whole album of his th-cam.com/video/McO5uEPxx90/w-d-xo.html
Kottke at his very best. No one like him.
The change at 2:20... LOVELY!
Astonishing - Kottke is truly the 12-string master.
Absolutely colossal
Wow Kottke (our venerable guitar God) was in the moment on this day, hope to catch his concert soon again before his ingrams explode:)
sunaj
Saw him in '73. No slight to Chet and Jerry and Tommy Emmanuel; Leo will always be my guitar hero.
All four are brilliant but Kottke's style is ethereal
agree totally.leo kottke rules.
primordial!
Brilliant ❤
I've lost track of how many times I've said to someone, "Ya wanna see some real acoustic guitar playing?" and direct them to the first minute of this song.
Hehe. A mate did that to me 35 years ago when I told him I’d bought a guitar the month before. Couldn’t pick it up for the next month in shame - but bought the albums and watched Leo 5 times live.
Took half a decade of playing before I was able to decipher William Powell (moving the stylus back and listening for days) yet I don’t attempt this one. It’s my equal favourite Kottke alongside Mona Rae, which I adore playing.
The only time I played this clip for a group of people, one asked “why did you show THAT?!”
“Coz it’s fucking awesome :D”
@@mathewhale3581 when I first started playing I asked an old pro who drank in my pub for some listening recommendations for acoustic. He told me to listen to Leo Live lol. Mind was blown. Was grateful for being told about Leo, but part of me also thought 'why'd you do that to me?' 😂
the tunings and string pairings are exactly what players would discuss, and exactly what Leo would expect to discuss with other players.
Phenomenal !!!
Don't even wanna know what he would do on a 6 string. I just stumbled on to this by accident, never heard of him before but I am amazed.
If any of you have 'reservations' about Leo's guitars, his tunings OR the strings on his guitars, order the video cassette, 'Home and Away' by Leo Kottke. I think Amazon.com still has some. I have one - and I have no questions at all. And I've been listening to, and seen in concert several times in Texas and Arizona, live, 'Mr.' Kottke. He is the real deal.
I think the beauty of Leo is his RIGHT hand. I think most player concentrate on their left hand, and watching him, I find myself looking at his left... his left hand isn't doing anything that complicated, it's that right hand, and as Leo often says... HIS THUMB.. but the right is really doing amazing things.
Don't forget Jerry Reed, RIP. Severely underrated.
Agreed. Probably parallels Kottke talent wise. I love both but prefer Kottke's original style
To all of you folks wondering if Mr. Kottke is playing without the 1st and 2nd set of strings, go to "Hear the Wind Howl" from the same concert, then play at :54 seconds in. See the reflection off the unwound strings. c'mon people! THINK!
Best right hand on earth
The Man!
@Mouldytone He has all strings on it, you have to look at the clip around 2:45 when they do the close up. You can easily see the strings at that spot.
I can't recall ever seeing LK perform standing! Usually sitting down...Anyway, tour-de-force composition and technique! Try playing like that! It is not easy, damn near impossible, IMO!
thats insane
and for the record i did see the unwound strings
and i saw him fretting them so im sure he was playing them
It doesn't get much better than that.
Ohhhh yes it does!
Since you've taken the time to comment twice here, why not tell us all who you prefer?
Damn amazing fingers!
Watching his hand at 3:18 literally gives me chills. The amount of sound he produces from one guitar at any moment here is absolutely incredible.
thanks. I will. I never thought about Joe Pass playing fingerstyle before.
Joe is one of Kottke's heros . brilliant as well
Me too..although it's a bit discouraging as a player to watch him sometimes. I always remind myself that I just need to play what I feel and let the rest happen, just as he has done..
12 string genius! No cowboy chords here folks. I thought I knew how to play 12 strings til I saw Leo. He re-defined the technique.
He wrote that song about us!!
my father in law, who has played acoustic for 30 years told me, "dont sell the taylor for an electric, it is a whole dif animal" then my friends say, u would rock on electric
the riff at 1:36 is godly
always can learn!
Someone just introduced me to this.....seriouslly this guy...too good...and on a phuckin 12 strings?
best comment I've read on youtube in a long time.
@deadhead5003
You can see all the strings at 2:47, when there is a close up of the sound-hole...
such an underrated guitarist
Under rated?
5 time guitarist of the year and highest selling solo acoustic album of all time. Meh.
whoa
leo has been playing a 12 string guitar for around 40 years. he strings his guitar conventionally and just has incredible hand control. And if you cannot hear him playing the b and e strings, maybe you should take up playing bass guitar.
...... thanks for the response - I'm still not convinced - listen to what he's playing. I'm a huge fan and did not mean anything derogatory by my comment. :) I play 12 string and, once, in a recording session, I put tape on the lower strings to allow me to play my part with a more aggressive attack and not worry about unintended strikes. I watched this video again and not only do not see the high strings, I don't hear them or see him strike them. If I'm right, it's just innovative playing.
luvit
Playing the guitar for a long time, of course all the strings are there!
I don't own any Leo Kottke CDs but I love all of these youtube videos I find. What's a good one to start with? Preferably one with just him and his guitar, I don't know if they come any other way or not.
His debut album 6 and 12 string guitars (no vocals) and Greenhouse which does have vocals. Also One Guitar No Vocals album
def does not get the respect he deserves ....... an acoustic god ....i wonder if he has played elec before (im sure he has but has anyone heard it?) awesome post thanks
yes he has Bean Time on Greenhouse is played w an Gibson elec
@deadhead12008 At 2:47-2:50 you can see him holding down the uppermost strings with left hand pinkie.
Who cares where strings are?! I defy any of you to show me that kind of talent. It just won't happen. I paused and looked and all the strings are there but he makes it impossible. Still, who cares, enjoy the awesomeness he has bestowed on us.
'tis not ignorant, because it is interesting and maybe actually useful information for the guitar player who uses them internets for searching and finding Leo Kottke on here, and wondering; is there any way I could make sounds like, somewheres, in the realm, like the ones I just heard?
No one has this talent....
The right hand is what makes a player...
Ive heard the penis makes the guitar player
Good god almighty......
ouch, my hands hurt!
check out "chewing pine"a little electric stuff there..
One person was sitting upside down when clicking the thumb-button.
Magesterial
Not even human. Must be robotic.
@Mouldytone i can hear the higher strings @ 2:26, i think, but i sure cant see them! oh well, who knows?
Teach me a Roll.What are doing without a Slide?Twelve strings takes Muscle.Americans!
:) It's a mystery... is it bad video or innovation? Kottke is genius either way. Anybody else have an opinion about the stringing of his guitar here?
most of the time, people ask for the tuning and get an answer. You guys ask how many strings there are and don't even listen for an answer.
please somebody tell me where I can buy or download this song!?......please.....
Chet Atkins, heard about him by any chance? Tommy Emmanuel?
They are both phenoms as well but Leo slays just about everyone when it comes to polyphonic syncopation
There's only one of the pair of D strings (see 1:25). Is that how he always strings it?
@deadhead5003 why would LEO KOTTKE have a 12 string guitar and only habve it strung with 4 strings? plus you can totally here every other string.
Perhaps Leo is really a genetically modified guitar with a nervous system attached to it?
in some strange, cosmic way this reminds me of say Phillip Glass' music....
Is it just me, or does he look just Bruce Greenwood? (google image search him)