Search - Leo Kottke :: Essential Leo Kottke

The Chrysalis Years: 1976-1983

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 12/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Between his last album for Captitol (Chewing Pine) in 1974 and his first album for Private Music (A Shout Toward Noon) in 1986, Leo Kottke recorded six albums for Chrysalis. This generous 60-minute-plus CD samples all of those albums (except for 1980's Live In Europe). The first of Kottke's Chrysalis albums was the self-titled Leo Kottke. One of the highlights is "Airproofing," which showcases Kottke's talent as a 12-string player. Guitar Music--his first all-instrumental album since 6- and 12-String Guitar--is represented by seven tracks. Highlights include the Side One Suite medley, and at more than 10 minutes it is a guitar player's delight. [Guitar Music is also the only album Chrysalis has kept in print, but Beat Goes On has rereleased the others, including the Live In Europe album.]There are also a few vocals included. Personal favorites include a heartfelt treatment of Buddy Holly's "Learning the Game" and the story song "Sonora's Death Row." [I only wish they would have also included "Saginaw, Michigan" from 1983's Time Step.]While I already owned all of Kottke's Chrysalis albums on vinyl, this anthology was an inexpensive was for me to also have some of Kottke's best work on CD. And although several of these songs appear on Rhino's well chosen The Leo Kottke Anthology, this collection simply adds to Kottke's legacy. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Less intense, mainly instrumental Leo

R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 08/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I just picked up this collection, after years of curiosity. What we have here is 66 minutes, 22 tracks, 15 of them instrumental, from Leo's Chrysalis recordings (1976-1983). It's solid stuff, but not as awesomely brilliant as "6 & 12 STRING GUITAR" or the first 4 on Capitol (MUDLARK, GREENHOUSE, the live MY FEET ARE SMILING and ICE WATER). Those records, especially 6 & 12 and MUDLARK, are some of my favorites of all time. After I stopped buying Leo's records I often wondered what he was up to, and this is part of the answer.



The freshness, innocence and energy have faded by this time. (Of course his fingers were suffering -- you would not believe how he used to play! When I saw him live in Chicago and Albuquerque in '74 and '75 he would break strings, he played so hard, and just rip them out and keep going!) The vocal tracks are mainly in a mournful mode, without the earlier streak of humor. "Julie's House" (by Kottke) and "Here Comes That Rainbow Again" by Kris Kristofferson are great, both from the '83 record TIME STEP, on which T-Bone Burnett brought out Leo's country side. If you edit out the 7 vocal tracks, though, you've got 15 great instrumental tracks, and even if it's not as inspired as 6 & 12 or My FEET.. it's still fine.



If you're just getting into Leo, start with the earlier records. But this is an extensive selection from his "middle period" if you want to dig deeper."

Leo Kottke IS "essential" for anyone who loves guitar music!

R. Hutchinson | 08/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leo Kottke has his own style, and this CD is full of his astounding music. Its energy will make you vibrate by the time you finish listening to it, and its richness will sooth your soul. It's length gives endless variety from Kottke's guitar rhythm and skill to his unique songwriting style and voice. This is one CD that will make you feel you've found a treasure."