Saw Mr. Kottte in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1974, drove 48 miles in a blizzard, took us 2 1/2 hours. He walked out on stage and looked at the 350 of us that showed up out of a sold out 8,000 seat auditorium and said "Hell, I guess you guys are fans." He set down on the edge of the stage and said I will play any request you have since it's just us. Played for 2 hours plus, shook every single persons hand that was there. What a guy. What a guitar player. What a Human.
I had a similar experience with BBKing in London in the '70s. A matinee performance and there were more people in the band than in the audience. King sat on the edge of the stage, got everyone to come up front, all 7 of us, and proceeded to deliver the best concert I have ever been too. He was remarkable, as were the entire band.
SAW HIM IN STILLWATER OK IN 73 OR 74 -- MAYBE 300 PEOPLE THERE -- SIMILAR WEATHER -- MY IMPRESSION OF HIM TOO -- EXCELLENT SHOW -- SEEMED LIKE A HELLUVA NICE GUY
I'm 76 and I've been to four concerts in my life not counting Classical and Bluegrass. One was the Ventures and three were Leo Kottke. He's an American treasure.
Kottke still has IT. Brilliant. And LIVE. So few can do live with this kind of technical clarity. No autotune, no nothing. Just him and the guitar. He's one of 'em.
I've been listening to this amazing guy my entire life, thanks to my old hippy Dad introducing me to amazing music. I have seen Leo in concert at least ten times, and he is always mind blowing. I have to say he is the best that has ever been, and I make sure to share him with everyone I can. Leo is a treasure, and his music enriches my life. Such a talented dude, but so regular and likeable.
Same here! My Dad (who had very long hair, a workaholic wannabe hippy) turn me on to Leo when I was about 7. He was a house painter, and I have so many memories of us driving around to jobs in his 65' Chevy pick-up truck, listening to the Mudlark or 6 And 12 String Guitar or Ice Water albums on 8-track (this was 1970 or 71', after all.) My Dad was such a wonderful man - the passed away in 2015 due to Parkinsons, but I have so many memories of my Dad that's tied to Kottke's music....my greatest thrill was to arrange having my Dad meet Leo in person when I was working stage production back in the 90's. My Dad's other hero was Gordon Lightfoot, and I arranged that one as well....both men were total gentlemen to my father, and I will never forget that.
the only time I saw Leo was at the Auditorium Theater in Denver in the mid 70s. I scored pretty good seats and was sitting in the middle about 10 rows back. Leo came on with his guitar, a chair, a microphone and a smallish combo amp. What happened next I was not expecting. He started playing on that little amp and flat pinned my ears back. It was quite the night for me.
Thanks for sharing @PhunTimeVideos ❤ I just think people should not talk through his talking. I love Leo when he plays and sings and I love him when he is tuning his guitar. Without a tuner. It's not just beautiful, it's so alive it's funny ❤
Was introduced to Leo back in the 80's. A quote from the back of one of his albums; "I don't sing because my voice sounds like geese farts on a muggy day."LMAO!🤣
This is by far my favorite version. The two recorded versions (Dreams and All That Stuff, 1974; My Father's Face, 1989) are dissatisfying in their own ways. 1974, the guitars (duet with Michael Johnson) sound bad with the fingerpicks. 1988, then and for many years afterward, Leo preferred to capo his guitar on the fifth fret when playing it, and it just doesn't work in that key. This version is how Mona Ray is supposed to sound.
Saw leo in Perth Australia late 80s , mesmerising , i don't mind saying this , but one song in particular put me in an actual trance, so much so , i can't remember which track , incredible performance.
I played metal guitar growing up. Heard Leo's debut album and totally pivoted to fingerstyle 6 & 12-string guitar. You can hear my album on all streaming platforms now. Michael Yolch - Closure. THANK YOU for the decades of inspiration, Leo!
I would easily put Ralph Towner up there with Leo. They are the two best 12 string players I’ve ever seen! Their style of music may differ but their masterful knowledge of the fretboard is mind-blowing!
I have also seen him too, here in Seattle - The local zoo has a benefit the zoo concert series in the summer - back a few years ago do to Covid he was there twice - Also saw him at a local club (tavern) - That was special because he was the last act - before they closed for good - he even said that he was honored to be the last act of the bar's history.
he was opening for the Yonder Mountain String Band, and their sets are also available ..if youre into bluegrass/newgrass string band music- ua-cam.com/video/j1aEJrN5LzE/v-deo.html
Such a spot-on comment. There seems to be so few videos out there and hardly any of high quality. So few capture the essence of his performance as well as this.
My hands would have quit after a minute or of playing that stuff, yet he just keeps it up. His sense of timing is superhuman, Never heard anybody else play like him. Probably never will
24 days before this was filmed, I saw him at the State Theater in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was noodling for a minute and commented that he has to try real hard not to get lost in the music and spin out farther and farther. There was a pause and from my 6th row seat i let out a huge sigh and asked "Will you marry me?". He said " It's complicated." and with that went full blast into his next song. 😂
Great, great video, thanks. Maybe my favorite Leo era. He was going to do 3 concerts I could get to on his schedule last year...but Covid came along-this is great, though, thanks again.
Start lessons young, practice for endless hours daily, dedicate yourself to guitar playing completely and perhaps one day you may be 1/10 as good as Leo Kottke.
I've seen Leo a handful of times since the early 80's -all in Iowa & Minnesota. A couple stories... At a Greg Brown show at the Maintenance Shop, Ames, IA Leo's son (Iowa State University student) comes up to Greg after the show and say's his dad wanted him to come and say Hi... A couple months later before a Leo show at the M shop, here come's his son again, carrying two guitar cases - This was like spring break or something when the students were away so I was kind of surprised to see him. Turns out Leo had drivin from Minnesota to do the show and FORGOT HIS GUITARS! So his son saved the show and brought them (I can see forgetting a cord or tuner but guitar(S)). A couple shows at the Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines, Iowa: I've seen a ton of shows (maybe 40?) at this venue but have only seen a bat menacing the performer at two shows - BOTH LEO KOTTKE! Maybe it was the sound of Leo's playing or a weird coincidence! Bats and Iowa (Ozzy bit the head off of a live bat at the Des Moines Civic Center a mile away and was forever banned after having to receive the agonizing rabies treatment).
I used to listen to his album Clone (w/ Mike Gordon) while playing GTA: Vice City back in the day. Weird overlap in memories, but the music is odd, so it works so perfectly.
it's a darn shame leo's tempo has slowed down so much over the years , as so many people have been saying for the past decades .. oh well , we still have his old albums we can listen to .. yes , albums ....
Every so often a soul comes to earth with gifts never seen and fills us with awe he’s one of these.
Saw Mr. Kottte in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1974, drove 48 miles in a blizzard, took us 2 1/2 hours. He walked out on stage and looked at the 350 of us that showed up out of a sold out 8,000 seat auditorium and said "Hell, I guess you guys are fans." He set down on the edge of the stage and said I will play any request you have since it's just us. Played for 2 hours plus, shook every single persons hand that was there. What a guy. What a guitar player. What a Human.
I had a similar experience with BBKing in London in the '70s. A matinee performance and there were more people in the band than in the audience. King sat on the edge of the stage, got everyone to come up front, all 7 of us, and proceeded to deliver the best concert I have ever been too. He was remarkable, as were the entire band.
SAW HIM IN STILLWATER OK IN 73 OR 74 -- MAYBE 300 PEOPLE THERE -- SIMILAR WEATHER -- MY IMPRESSION OF HIM TOO -- EXCELLENT SHOW -- SEEMED LIKE A HELLUVA NICE GUY
I'm 76 and I've been to four concerts in my life not counting Classical and Bluegrass. One was the Ventures and three were Leo Kottke. He's an American treasure.
Looking forward to seeing Leo Kottke in Greenville, SC on August 21, 2024.
There are many great finger style guitarists in the world, but Leo is inimitable and unforgettable. 🎶
Listening to Leo Kottke will just make you feel better. Magic
Best ever acoustic guitarist
I think so too. Full voice 12 string , doesn't get much better!
You got THAT RIGHT
Up there. Michael Hedges too.
My goodness. Some things almost make life bearable. Leo is one of a kind.
Same, Leo's music has a healing power for me.🙏🎸
Kottke still has IT. Brilliant. And LIVE. So few can do live with this kind of technical clarity. No autotune, no nothing. Just him and the guitar. He's one of 'em.
Großartig! Ich habe Leo in den 70ern in Heidelberg sehen dürfen, unvergesslich!
I've been listening to this amazing guy my entire life, thanks to my old hippy Dad introducing me to amazing music. I have seen Leo in concert at least ten times, and he is always mind blowing. I have to say he is the best that has ever been, and I make sure to share him with everyone I can. Leo is a treasure, and his music enriches my life. Such a talented dude, but so regular and likeable.
A true gift to us all!.
I’ve seen Leo in concert 56 times, so far, ‘n he is most definitely my all time favorite guitarist! ❤️
I've only seen Leo once, but been a fan since I was 13, and will get to see him again October 17!
Kottke is directly responsible for my first speeding ticket. There is no way one can listen to Vaseline Machine Gun without putting the pedal down!
Same here! My Dad (who had very long hair, a workaholic wannabe hippy) turn me on to Leo when I was about 7. He was a house painter, and I have so many memories of us driving around to jobs in his 65' Chevy pick-up truck, listening to the Mudlark or 6 And 12 String Guitar or Ice Water albums on 8-track (this was 1970 or 71', after all.) My Dad was such a wonderful man - the passed away in 2015 due to Parkinsons, but I have so many memories of my Dad that's tied to Kottke's music....my greatest thrill was to arrange having my Dad meet Leo in person when I was working stage production back in the 90's. My Dad's other hero was Gordon Lightfoot, and I arranged that one as well....both men were total gentlemen to my father, and I will never forget that.
He's so human, humane and lovable.
..... and brilliant of course.
Wonderful. Was lucky enough to see Leo Kottke in Brisbane, Australia in 1998. Fantastic guitar player with an infectious dry humour.
Excellent recording.
the only time I saw Leo was at the Auditorium Theater in Denver in the mid 70s. I scored pretty good seats and was sitting in the middle about 10 rows back. Leo came on with his guitar, a chair, a microphone and a smallish combo amp. What happened next I was not expecting. He started playing on that little amp and flat pinned my ears back. It was quite the night for me.
Thanks for sharing @PhunTimeVideos ❤ I just think people should not talk through his talking. I love Leo when he plays and sings and I love him when he is tuning his guitar. Without a tuner. It's not just beautiful, it's so alive it's funny ❤
Was introduced to Leo back in the 80's. A quote from the back of one of his albums; "I don't sing because my voice sounds like geese farts on a muggy day."LMAO!🤣
This is a great quality video… sound and vision… and of course, the great inimitable Leo Kottke👍☮️❤️🎸🎶
Rings puts a tear of joy in my eye every time I hear it.
I have never seen him play when he wasn't a little, odd. But he's odd in a cool way. A monster on the guitar.
OMG first time i've heard Mona Ray!!! my new favorite
An early tune... so lyrical. I've never tired of hearing it.
This is by far my favorite version. The two recorded versions (Dreams and All That Stuff, 1974; My Father's Face, 1989) are dissatisfying in their own ways. 1974, the guitars (duet with Michael Johnson) sound bad with the fingerpicks. 1988, then and for many years afterward, Leo preferred to capo his guitar on the fifth fret when playing it, and it just doesn't work in that key.
This version is how Mona Ray is supposed to sound.
So thrilled to view this show, I am getting to old to drive that far Again, Thank you so for helping me thru the years, you truly are a beautiful man
PS : thanks for stopping by.
My Favorite 12 String Gun Slinger, Mahalo Leo Kottke for Playing at the Hawaii Theater
Saw leo in Perth Australia late 80s , mesmerising , i don't mind saying this , but one song in particular put me in an actual trance, so much so , i can't remember which track , incredible performance.
Great quality time. Thanks for sharing.
I played metal guitar growing up. Heard Leo's debut album and totally pivoted to fingerstyle 6 & 12-string guitar. You can hear my album on all streaming platforms now. Michael Yolch - Closure. THANK YOU for the decades of inspiration, Leo!
Excellent set list.
Sound quality is superb.
The house's sound guy is Goat.
What a gift!!! Thank you sir!
Unique and beautiful playing. Can’t think of another 12 string soloist of his calabre.
I would easily put Ralph Towner up there with Leo. They are the two best 12 string players I’ve ever seen! Their style of music may differ but their masterful knowledge of the fretboard is mind-blowing!
How many strings?
Twelve. Doce.
I have also seen him too, here in Seattle - The local zoo has a benefit the zoo concert series in the summer - back a few years ago do to Covid he was there twice - Also saw him at a local club (tavern) - That was special because he was the last act - before they closed for good - he even said that he was honored to be the last act of the bar's history.
A concert with him and knoplfler ...similar right hand technique.....
Fantastic Audio and Video of the fantastic Leo Kottke! It's like your in the room!
From Bean time till now a truly GREAT player
Best audio/video of Leo I've seen. Obviously, he agreed to being recorded. I wish there were more like this one out there.
Mike Gordon and Leo did an oustanding album together
he was opening for the Yonder Mountain String Band, and their sets are also available ..if youre into bluegrass/newgrass string band music- ua-cam.com/video/j1aEJrN5LzE/v-deo.html
Such a spot-on comment. There seems to be so few videos out there and hardly any of high quality. So few capture the essence of his performance as well as this.
My hands would have quit after a minute or
of playing that stuff, yet he just keeps it up.
His sense of timing is superhuman,
Never heard anybody else play like him.
Probably never will
He had carpal tunnel surgery at one point in his life, and still is so good, I've been fortunate to see him a bunch of times, one of my all time faves
Have to agree with John....great quality vid!
Great Concert-Video, thanks for sharing, - regards from Austria!
24 days before this was filmed, I saw him at the State Theater in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was noodling for a minute and commented that he has to try real hard not to get lost in the music and spin out farther and farther. There was a pause and from my 6th row seat i let out a huge sigh and asked "Will you marry me?". He said " It's complicated." and with that went full blast into his next song. 😂
Great video
One of the best I've seen yet
Thanks
Saw him in Clearwater 22,he imparted some knowledge and great music
Great, great video, thanks. Maybe my favorite Leo era. He was going to do 3 concerts I could get to on his schedule last year...but Covid came along-this is great, though, thanks again.
He's not a guitar player he's a god of the guitar.
There is No One better!!
Start lessons young, practice for endless hours daily, dedicate yourself to guitar playing completely and perhaps one day you may be 1/10 as good as Leo Kottke.
:D
I’ve perfected the filing.😊
Brilliant performance sir 🔥
This is just so cool
Been watching for some early 2000s sets like a hawk.. thanks.
It was a tremendous pleasure sir!
I've seen Leo a handful of times since the early 80's -all in Iowa & Minnesota. A couple stories...
At a Greg Brown show at the Maintenance Shop, Ames, IA Leo's son (Iowa State University student) comes up to Greg after the show and say's his dad wanted him to come and say Hi... A couple months later before a Leo show at the M shop, here come's his son again, carrying two guitar cases - This was like spring break or something when the students were away so I was kind of surprised to see him. Turns out Leo had drivin from Minnesota to do the show and FORGOT HIS GUITARS! So his son saved the show and brought them (I can see forgetting a cord or tuner but guitar(S)).
A couple shows at the Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines, Iowa: I've seen a ton of shows (maybe 40?) at this venue but have only seen a bat menacing the performer at two shows - BOTH LEO KOTTKE! Maybe it was the sound of Leo's playing or a weird coincidence!
Bats and Iowa (Ozzy bit the head off of a live bat at the Des Moines Civic Center a mile away and was forever banned after having to receive the agonizing rabies treatment).
The best! Thank you!
And though his voice is a little rusty, the depth of his voice you rarely hear from anyone singing these days. It's quite unique.
Thank you
Kottke's so good he has to tune his fingers.
LoL! Kottke's fingers have perfect pitch :)
Best part of my act.
I used to listen to his album Clone (w/ Mike Gordon) while playing GTA: Vice City back in the day. Weird overlap in memories, but the music is odd, so it works so perfectly.
Awesome
Thanks, Brad. (Sometimes Leo saves the nail-filing for the encore.)
As someone who messes around on guitar I feel like I’m three inches tall watching this
Did ya know Leo is deaf in one ear?...freaking amazing genius?.like Micheal Hedges..
...what?
@@frankiezap lol turn your head so u can hear! :D
They were pals. Both Revolutionized the instrument.
About a decade apart.
the best right here for me
That airproofing...lol holy shit
♥️
First time seeing him play. Fantastic guitarist! Didn't his brother Lenny play bass for the band The Good Rats?
Anybody see Robert Barto open for Leo?
He’s played 1000s of songs, some tightly arranged, others always positioned to head elsewhere…….
☘ Irish Honey Badger - 👍
Micheal Hedges wad not partially deaf..pardon me..but a guitar genius..fer sure
Respond to the comment.
The poster must be confusing him with Pete Townsend.
@@gtrrobster afraid not.
it's a darn shame leo's tempo has slowed down so much over the years ,
as so many people have been saying for the past decades ..
oh well , we still have his old albums we can listen to .. yes , albums ....
Mr. Graves, it's no shame he's slowed down. He has beat his wrists and his hands up. He has more than earned the right to slow down some.
Music is not a race.😅
What does he do for a living. Play guitar.
Leo is the master but sometimes, as in the first tune, he can bore me to death with his esoteric repetitive ramblings.
I long for a melody.
Any man that loves a woman should encourage her to listen to RING RING !!