Search - Leo Kottke :: Anthology

A Well Chosen Anthology

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 02/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leo Kottke has never sold a lot of records. Over the course of three decades and four record labels he has released twenty-plus albums, and his debut (6- and 12-String Guitar) is the only album to have sold more than 500,000 copies. That's a damn shame, too. In a perfect world Kottke would be outselling disposable pop icons like Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys (but I digress).Kottke is on my short list of artists who I will go out and buy their new album without waiting to read reviews first. With Kottke I am never disappointed. I was first introduced to Kottke by a co-worker nearly 25 years ago. I have since acquired his entire catalog (including a cherished vinyl copy of his long out-of-print Circle Round the Sun). What I like about this anthology is that it allows me to have a on CD a representative overview of his career without replacing all of my vinyl. [Unfortunately a teacher's salary demands certain limitations!] The two-disc set begins with Kottke's debut on Takoma in 1969 and then through his years with Capitol and Chrysalis, ending with 1983's Time Step. [Rhino was evidently unable to negotiate with Kottke's current label Private Music to bring this set into the nineties.]Unlike Capitol's Best Of (which used a thematic approach: singing, acoustic, electric, etc.), Anthology is presented chronologically. While Kottke is a master guitar player, many of my favorites are his vocal numbers: "Tiny Island," "From the Cradle to the Grave," "Louise" (a song about the death of a prostitute that I would sing to my daughter as a lullaby!), "Pamela Brown" and "Learning the Game." Kottke is self-deprecating about his vocal talents, but he has a warm baritone voice which can be powerful when he selects the right song.Of course, Kottke's reputation is based on his guitar playing and he doesn't disappoint. He is the master of technique on originals like "Vaseline Machine Gun," "Bean Time," "Mona Ray" as well as on his covers, like John Fahey's "In Christ There Is No East or West," Jorma Kaukonen's "Embryonic Journey" or Santo and Johnny's "Sleep Walk."The only thing missing from this set is Kottke's marvelous storytelling and deadpan humor that you only get on his live albums. What you do get is 37 tracks from a master guitar player, an informative 32-page booklet with Kottke's song-by-song comments, and enough music to make you a convert to the music of Leo Kottke. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Sweet and easy

Anna Keaney | Madison, WI | 10/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just had the good fortune to see Leo Kottke live in Santa Barbara last weekend and the only fault I found was that the night was over all too soon. Intelligent, easy, dryly funny...the concert was uplifting and down to earth at the same time.It was also the first time I'd heard Kottke sing...after reading the "geese farts" comment about his voice I was hesitant to buy vocal albums. But I was not disappointed. In person, and older now than when this album was published, his voice has more of a softness and sweetness than on this recording. But the recording is still wonderful. "Pamela Brown" is wryly moving, and "Tiny Island" ... ah well... I could single out just about every song for one reason or another. So true, so rich. There's nothing like him.The only fault of the album would be that you can't just put it in and not sit and listen. You can't work to it..you need to sit outside and watch the day, or put it in the car and go for a long drive. And of course, smile."

From The "Armadillo" LP Thru the Chrysalis Years

Anna Keaney | 01/18/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another top-notch anthology from Rhino Records! 37 tracks (on 2 CDs) which cover his career from the legendary 1969 "Armadillo" LP, through his years with Chrysalis Records. Kottke talks at length in the booklet about each song included, and he does it in true Kottke humorous style! Many very funny stories are included about the sessions, the song titles, and his life (Why an armadillo on the cover of his 1st LP?? Why name a song "Bean Time"?? You'll have to read the booklet to find out ;) Great sound quality throughout, and a wonderful anthology/overview of Kottke's career, and a extremely gifted acoustic guitarist. Well worth having... especially if you don't have all his LPs. If you don't know who Kottle is, this is an excellent introduction. END"