The Leo Kottke Anthology

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Of course, newcomers to the legendary finger-style wizardry of Leo Kottke should pick up the guitarist's 1969 debut, 6 & 12 String Guitar, before they consider anything else. After listening to that masterpiece--on which Kottke plays lightning-fast instrumentals that sound like a cross between John Fahey and Bill Monroe--you can't help wanting to hear his other stuff. And Anthology is a great launching point, covering Kottke's music from 6 & 12 String through to 1983. Whereas Fahey, Kottke's finger-style forefather, ventured into weird tape loops and effects as his career progressed (and distanced his personality from his playing), Kottke did the opposite. His playing has slowed down, but Kottke now fashions himself as a singer/songwriter. And on songs like "Tiny Island" or "Julie's House"--the latter a duet with Emmylou Harris--he sounds heartfelt and human, like a more sincere version of Loudon Wainwright III. A few essential cuts are missing here, mostly from the first half of his career, and there are a few oddball tracks--Kottke warbling through "Eight Miles High" is one--but get used to it: every platter the guitarist has released seems to have a dud or three. Doesn't matter, though. To guitar fans, he'll always be godlike. --Jason Verlinde

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2007-05-23 rating:
Incredible Visionary Muscian
If you like music and especially play guitar Leo Kottke is fantastic.

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review by: date: 2007-05-01 rating:
Circle 'Round the Sun
I've read all of the reviews of this and other music from Leo Kottke and everyone seems to refer to his 1969 lp "6&12String" as being his debut, it's not.
I had hoped that a retrospective would include (at long last) some if not all of his earlier lp on symposium Records "Circle Round the sun". there is an even earlier lp by Leo which includes a song about "Mary" (and my memory fails me as to the exact title) that Leo claimed in the liner notes "people listen to this song for the same reasons that people stop to look at car wrecks". This may be the earliest recording Leo made and only hints at what was to come later.
"Circle 'Round the Sun" is a wonderful lp, full of Leo's rich baritone, and more straightforward "folk" style lyrics (If Mamma Knew and Tell me this ain't the Blues being my favorites)
I hope someone, somewhere can convince the powers that be to reissue this long lost treasure.

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review by: date: 2005-09-23 rating:
Leo Kottke's "Anthology"
This is a great collection of a guitar playing master. Twelve string guitar pieces are especially powerful. The singing is warm and soulful. If you like great guitar playing you will enjoy this collection of songs.
Gary Gloris
Lake Worth, Florida

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review by: date: 2003-06-26 rating:
Retrospective
This is a great selection of Leo Kottke's work, including the vocals. I found some things I hadn't heard before, some things I had almost forgotten, and some of my favorites. I enjoyed them all. No, I don't mind the vocals. There is something about some artists, Dylan and Louie Armstrong among others, that makes the voice a real positive part of the performance even though they aren't opera stars.


review by: date: 2002-12-10 rating:
Not quite the best
For me Leo Kottke revolutionised the guitar.As a young man (and of course a young guitarist)hearing him produce those gorgeous tunes from his range of twelve string guitars changed my thinking on the how and what of music forever.Not only that but he was one of the few artists at the vanguard who actually bothered to tour down here in Australia on a regular basis ( thanks Leo).So we have great technique,great tunes and super guitar tunings so what else do you want?.Well actually, a better complilation than this.This set has some of his best work as a musician but in my opinion also has some of his worst.
Eight miles high and embryonic journey have no place on this disc for starters and we can only wonder what possessed Leo to record Pamela Brown in the first place let alone why it was chosen for this set( well maybe as a representation of Leo's total output)so I can only award 3 stars because I think Leo Kottke is a guiarist, not a singer,and even the wonderful version of endless sleep will not change my mind.

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