Absolutely amazing video taping--especially for that time period! Great sound quality. Thanks for posting this treasure. I see Leo 2 or 3 times a year and have never seen him with an electric guitar! Love this.
Thank you for your comments. I was lucky to find this tape from years ago. There were not many people with video cameras back in 84 so I knew then that it was worth preserving. I am still unpacking tapes. I know I shot a full set of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (and more) and hope to find that soon. It is a pleasure to share with all who appreciate. Thank you.
Eric......Many thanks for posting this vid. Truly unique stuff here! "Echoing Gilewitz"...."Piece 17"...."Embryonic Journey", all played live. And some electric? Very cool! All the Kottke fans will love this one. Rgds, Joe
Hello again Erick, came back for another listen to this earlier work. I first saw Leo in 1976, Lane Community College Eugene Ore. Met my wife there a year before we first dated. Been lucky enough to see him three other times, most recently at UCSD 2010.
This is amazing footage here! Not just an electric, but one of those brutal mini-strats. I didn't know they even made those way back then. Amazing that Leo's able to keep it in tune as well as he did. I actually like these things, I have two, but they can be a challenge to set up and keep in tune even when set up as well as possible. And oh yeah, Leo's top of the list of favorite players for me, along with Ry Cooder, David Lindley, Richard Thompson, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Blake, Jimmie Rivers... it's a long list of tragically under-compensated artists.
Thank you for your comment. I had no idea back then what an impact this video would have 30 years later, obviously!!! But I am also very glad to be able to share it with the world. There have been many comments from all over the globe and that is very fun to see.
Thank you. I found a box of old videotapes and this was part of it. I was one of a few people actually doing video in 1984! But, glad it is available. I am sorting through all and I may have more artists soon.
12:33 Love the sigh(?) followed by putting his acoustic down using his leg! And where else are you going to see him play on an electric? I swear you can watch him at any point in his career and at any place, and it's always 100% Leo. I think he was fully formed at birth...
Fantastic. Good find! Really interesting to hear 'Echoing Gilewitz', 'Embryonic Journey', Last Steam Engine Train', and 'Stealing' on the little "joke guitar". And some good deadpan as usual: "I feel vaguely silly playing this guitar".
Thanks for sharing your personal video! Another "lost" Leo concert to be seen by the masses. I never knew Leo had an electric guitar much less calling it the Linoleum of instruments.
Happy to see so many people still enjoying this "archive" personal video recording. The truth is, if I had waited any longer to convert the footage from VHS to digital, the quality would have deteriorated to the point of being unviewable. I believe the life of the VHS and SVHS tapes is no more than 30 years and that is when I made the conversion. I am just happy I found the tapes because so many people are fans of Leo! Back then, the cost of the camera and recorder was about two thousand dollars! Now, everyone has it built into cell phones. Let's hope these type of memories are continuing to be recorded for future eyes and ears!
He was referring to the Telecaster, but playing a mini Stratocaster. A bit odd, but his description is apt. For the Telecaster, the first mass produced solid body electric guitar, the Model T. . That mini-strat would be what? Stick-on wood-like floor tiles maybe. Or a Gremlin!
Thanks for the feedback. I was just lucky to see him back in 84. I thought it would be worthwhile to record the whole set. I am glad I did. Video cameras were rare back then! Glad folks are seeing it. Thanks.
Ok gotcha, that's great you were there and filmed it back then! I also like how you sometimes took a look around with the camera, to give a sense of the environment. What kind of event/venue was it? It looks pretty laid back!
Thanks for the nice comments. I videotaped this at City Stage in Greensboro. That was an event downtown featuring music, crafts, and food. That same year I also videotaped Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. I uploaded that also. I practiced all the time since I began a video production company around that time. I did that for 14 years. Back then, very few people had cameras and the cameras were not so great! I am just now digging up countless videos from that era and converting to DVD. That process got the best of my computer. I have ordered a new one, thus the reason for a reply from my phone! I also taped Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Albert King. Hope to find those soon. But, Leo Kottke! I knew that was a special treat that day. And I really like seeing the reaction to the upload now. Very rewarding. Thanks, Eric Please excuse any mistypes. This is sent from my cell phone. -------- Original message --------
Eric Miller ... wow! Eric, very good quality vidio and sound. Leo playing electric guitar is vary rare. I like the way he's checkin you out and even gives you a smile...
This must've been right before he took some down time to repair his right hand - tendinitis an' all - he was still playing with fingerpicks, which he eventually scrapped. There was a three-year recording hiatus, from '83 to '86 - I thought he has stopped playing completely during that time. btw, the guitar SOUNDS electric because of the pickup and the amp settings, but still the same ol' acoustic.
Francis Fasco You busted me - he indeed was playing an electric at the times you mentioned - but that's a stratocaster(copy?) - look at 12:45. BAM!! But seriously, I clicked on without noticing the still photo, and watched only the first 10 minutes or so. I was commenting to a previous poster who had seen his electric. My mistake. But his early acoustic set-ups did sound electric-y at times.
thats an Ampeg Porta-Flex series bass amp in stage next to Leo, is he actually playing through it or is it there for use by another band or group that was playing there that day? It would seem an unusual choice to play an acoustic or even an electric guitar through...
Thanks for the comments. I do not know if it is a downsized electric. One poster here said it is not electric but it looks like that to me. I am just happy I was there that day to record this for the ages as I see there are many devoted followers of Leo Kottke. I really like knowing that others are enjoying this!
This was taken in 1984 in downtown Greensboro, NC at City Stage. I do not know which weekend it was in October. I was just happy to have found the tape. I videotaped several musical acts during those years for practice in a beginning video business. I know I also taped the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band but I have not found that tape yet!
He never ceases to amaze me with his playing. a fan since the early 70's
So happy to see this! Thanks to whomever who shot this footage.
This rendition of "Embryonic Journey" is incredible.
One of my favourite guitarist of all time, filmed the year i was born. If you didnt film this i would never had heard it!
Thank you for your acknowledgement. I am happy to share this wonderful memory.
Sr. Kottke, eres un gran maestro y para mí mi mayor influencia,
Rody Herrera
Absolutely amazing video taping--especially for that time period! Great sound quality. Thanks for posting this treasure. I see Leo 2 or 3 times a year and have never seen him with an electric guitar! Love this.
Thank you for your comments. I was lucky to find this tape from years ago. There were not many people with video cameras back in 84 so I knew then that it was worth preserving. I am still unpacking tapes. I know I shot a full set of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (and more) and hope to find that soon. It is a pleasure to share with all who appreciate. Thank you.
I have a correction for the song listing below. The title at 18:56 should be, I think, "Attention Deficit Medley." This is a treat - thanks, Eric.
Thank you methodinsane. I am happy to have found this footage from long ago. Leo has a lot of followers!
Eric......Many thanks for posting this vid. Truly unique stuff here! "Echoing Gilewitz"...."Piece 17"...."Embryonic Journey", all played live. And some electric? Very cool! All the Kottke fans will love this one.
Rgds,
Joe
what the priceless.
thank you soooooooooo much sharing.
Cool. I have been collecting LK video for 20 years and have never seen this footage.
Hello again Erick, came back for another listen to this earlier work. I first saw Leo in 1976, Lane Community College Eugene Ore. Met my wife there a year before we first dated. Been lucky enough to see him three other times, most recently at UCSD 2010.
This is amazing footage here! Not just an electric, but one of those brutal mini-strats. I didn't know they even made those way back then. Amazing that Leo's able to keep it in tune as well as he did. I actually like these things, I have two, but they can be a challenge to set up and keep in tune even when set up as well as possible. And oh yeah, Leo's top of the list of favorite players for me, along with Ry Cooder, David Lindley, Richard Thompson, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Blake, Jimmie Rivers... it's a long list of tragically under-compensated artists.
Saw him play in a little bar in Paramus New Jersey mid seventies
Thank you very much for making this video in 1984, keeping it save all this time and uploading it!
Thank you for your comment. I had no idea back then what an impact this video would have 30 years later, obviously!!! But I am also very glad to be able to share it with the world. There have been many comments from all over the globe and that is very fun to see.
Wow, thank you for this! Greetings from Malta :)
Thanks for sharing this, I saw him a few years ago in Annapolis and his playing is just inspirational.
Great footage; thanks a lot for sharing!
Thank you. I found a box of old videotapes and this was part of it. I was one of a few people actually doing video in 1984! But, glad it is available. I am sorting through all and I may have more artists soon.
Eric Miller thx
12:33 Love the sigh(?) followed by putting his acoustic down using his leg! And where else are you going to see him play on an electric? I swear you can watch him at any point in his career and at any place, and it's always 100% Leo. I think he was fully formed at birth...
Great Video Eric! Thanks, and many more thanks!
Fantastic. Good find!
Really interesting to hear 'Echoing Gilewitz', 'Embryonic Journey', Last Steam Engine Train', and 'Stealing' on the little "joke guitar". And some good deadpan as usual: "I feel vaguely silly playing this guitar".
yeah, i liked that comment, followed (well, & preceded) by playing that sounds like 2 guitarists! good call hitting record on this one!
Thanks for sharing your personal video! Another "lost" Leo concert to be seen by the masses. I never knew Leo had an electric guitar much less calling it the Linoleum of instruments.
Happy to see so many people still enjoying this "archive" personal video recording. The truth is, if I had waited any longer to convert the footage from VHS to digital, the quality would have deteriorated to the point of being unviewable. I believe the life of the VHS and SVHS tapes is no more than 30 years and that is when I made the conversion. I am just happy I found the tapes because so many people are fans of Leo! Back then, the cost of the camera and recorder was about two thousand dollars! Now, everyone has it built into cell phones. Let's hope these type of memories are continuing to be recorded for future eyes and ears!
He was referring to the Telecaster, but playing a mini Stratocaster. A bit odd, but his description is apt. For the Telecaster, the first mass produced solid body electric guitar, the Model T. . That mini-strat would be what? Stick-on wood-like floor tiles maybe. Or a Gremlin!
thank you for posting, classic Kottke.
Thank you Dan. I appreciate it.
wow, i haven't seen him playing an electric guitar live before! this is some pretty offbeat footage... thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the feedback. I was just lucky to see him back in 84. I thought it would be worthwhile to record the whole set. I am glad I did. Video cameras were rare back then! Glad folks are seeing it. Thanks.
Ok gotcha, that's great you were there and filmed it back then! I also like how you sometimes took a look around with the camera, to give a sense of the environment.
What kind of event/venue was it? It looks pretty laid back!
Thanks for the nice comments. I videotaped this at City Stage in Greensboro. That was an event downtown featuring music, crafts, and food. That same year I also videotaped Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. I uploaded that also. I practiced all the time since I began a video production company around that time. I did that for 14 years. Back then, very few people had cameras and the cameras were not so great! I am just now digging up countless videos from that era and converting to DVD. That process got the best of my computer. I have ordered a new one, thus the reason for a reply from my phone! I also taped Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Albert King. Hope to find those soon. But, Leo Kottke! I knew that was a special treat that day. And I really like seeing the reaction to the upload now. Very rewarding.
Thanks,
Eric
Please excuse any mistypes. This is sent from my cell phone.
-------- Original message --------
Eric Miller ... wow! Eric, very good quality vidio and sound. Leo playing electric guitar is vary rare. I like the way he's checkin you out and even gives you a smile...
truly valuable and enjoyable stuff. Thanks a lot for uploading!
Greetings from Holland
Golden thanks so much for this!
Thanks for finding your tape! I have a few like it somewhere. He's like Tom Bombadil toying with the ring. Pretty sure he does this while he sleeps.
thanks Eric. :-)
The most valuable footage would be him playing the trombone...😁 but this is great.
Hundredth like! -how-do-ya-like that? lol, great show, Leo.
Ich auch. dank!
Was the early days of affordable video gear.
Great stuff! When it comes to double-six who else is better?
This must've been right before he took some down time to repair his right hand - tendinitis an' all - he was still playing with fingerpicks, which he eventually scrapped. There was a three-year recording hiatus, from '83 to '86 - I thought he has stopped playing completely during that time. btw, the guitar SOUNDS electric because of the pickup and the amp settings, but still the same ol' acoustic.
It's a Telecaster, a pure electric, nothing acoustic about it. If you watch the whole video you'd see he plays it from about 12:40 to 25:45.
Francis Fasco You busted me - he indeed was playing an electric at the times you mentioned - but that's a stratocaster(copy?) - look at 12:45. BAM!!
But seriously, I clicked on without noticing the still photo, and watched only the first 10 minutes or so. I was commenting to a previous poster who had seen his electric. My mistake. But his early acoustic set-ups did sound electric-y at times.
thats an Ampeg Porta-Flex series bass amp in stage next to Leo, is he actually playing through it or is it there for use by another band or group that was playing there that day? It would seem an unusual choice to play an acoustic or even an electric guitar through...
why you cut little Martha out
This is incredible!
When he switches to electric, is it a downsized electric?
Thanks for the comments. I do not know if it is a downsized electric. One poster here said it is not electric but it looks like that to me. I am just happy I was there that day to record this for the ages as I see there are many devoted followers of Leo Kottke. I really like knowing that others are enjoying this!
It's a Fender Mini Strat here, very new at the time
Can someone tell me what the song is before last steam engine train?
What are the names of all the songs played?
I have no idea but I feel sure there are many viewers who do know!
When in October did this take place?
This was taken in 1984 in downtown Greensboro, NC at City Stage. I do not know which weekend it was in October. I was just happy to have found the tape. I videotaped several musical acts during those years for practice in a beginning video business. I know I also taped the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band but I have not found that tape yet!
tHERE IS NO WAY
No one got the joke about the little guitar. Leo's dry sense of humor doesn't appeal to everyone I guess. Lol