Leo Kottke Live Clip 1

[occams99]

At 5:47 the youngins' get back from their doobie break and discover that Metallica sucks.

[003937]

i found this guy when lookin up pete seger's song living in the counrty leo does it better

[n1ckjitsu]

i love disco, im gonna learn to play that song. right now all i can play by him is corina corina, which is a great song to learn some stuff in open D.

[n1ckjitsu]

i love how much the hardcore kottke fans hate that screaming girl, some these comments just lay into her! LOL

[cheesedog68]

someone needs to shut those stupid kids up!

[DictionRedaction]

Hard to say which Leo tune is best, cause there's so many but Living in the Country has to be in the top 10. Great tune.

[jotoole129]

Fantastic stuff. I love it when he goes all ad lib in concerts. but that's got to be the worse outfit I have ever seen Leo wear. He looks like a homeless man, LOL

[Guitback2]

LEO at his finest. Great post. 

[SpartnPride]

freaking kids screaming in the background... :(

[acousticland]

what's the name ot this very original kottke tune ?

[Mdiukke]

"Disco" followed by "Living in the Country"

[omly85]

love leo!!!....i would love to see leo play in a fusion trio as a small side project from his usual awesome solo self!!

[sal39di]

some child is screaming in the background, this clip reminds me of his famous paul smith concert , with the same problem about the sun shining on him on stage....

[n1ckjitsu]

I love these songs, if only his tablature were more available!

[noblescott]

SING damn you

[n1ckjitsu]

he sings in some of the next few clips,

damn you!

[mcgigglish]

My favourite part is at 0:24

[lmcguire]

I love 'that guy' in the hat taking the picture!

[SungaiaCopesetic]

I saw him in the early 80's at Humphrey's in San Diego before they put real seats in, we were about 10 feet from him. Awesome, fun performance.

[methodinsane]

Who? You saw the guy in the in the early 80s?

[SungaiaCopesetic]

Yes, I got to see Leo Kotke in the early '80's.

[1crow]

You missed it dude. He blew the roof off of halls in the early '70's. Check out My Feet Are Smiling.

[guillone]

I saw him in 1974. awesome

[1crow]

I do not understand much of his playing anymore: atonal and dissonant. He had a string of Columbia releases that just sounded like out of tune spaghetti.

[guillone]

too much hittin the pipe

[1crow]

I think he was a real stoner back then. Seemed like it at one show I saw.

[sal39di]

actually leo has been drug and drink free since late 80's

[carpethead1]

Music is just an organized collection of sounds. It can be different, and still be music!!

[Project1542]

@carpethead1 In my opinion, organized collection of sounds is something that has been lost in modern music. You never see big bands nowadays have fun and jam out. Seems too artificial. Leo is always going, with what ever sounds good to him. I love it!

[CFLanger]

Leo Kottke is a national treasure. His live performance and story telling provide a wonderfull live experience Go see him if you get the chance. He still tours. He inspires me to be a better player.

[niskolkaraz]

I have to disagree -- I'm from the UK and managed to see him once in Des Moines (don't ask!). He's an INTERNATIONAL treasure!

[frets4life17]

sorry

I have to ask

what were you doing in Des Moines?

[niskolkaraz]

:-) I was working for a couple of weeks in Chicago so I hired a car, drove 360 miles, stayed in the Holiday Inn, watched Leo, and drove back the next day. Tiring, but worth it.

[frets4life17]

That sounds worth it.

Heck, what id drive 500 miles to see him.

[Guitback2]

@niskolkaraz

I did something simalar back in 1987. I drove 6 hrs. from

Harrisburg, PA to Albany, NY to see Leo play for 90 mins.

Well worth it .

[odinata]

@niskolkaraz

Probably one of the best things a human could do.

[methodinsane]

Pity he doesn't do Europe at all. I'm in Ireland. Tons of guitar festivals; we've had Tommy Emmanuel and others but no Leo Kottke.

[ghotioutofh2o]

Facial expression at 2:26 is priceless!

[Eastiez]

ahahahaha

[sitkatop]

Boooooooorrrriiiinnngggggg..

[frets4life17]

not at all.

[youinstube]

kottke

[jeffersonmfox]

I wanna just quit now.

[stevietheflea]

I know what you mean...

[StewieFavre]

Guy with hat taking pictures blocking everything in the beginning is great. So is the bratty kid screaming every few seconds. People walking in front--hilarious. Leo, you do not deserve this. You are a master!

[stevietheflea]

I know! And he's wearing slippers!

[masterassasn]

Sick one, funny guy. God bless America! SICK!

[killerswami]

Unfortunately a high quality mike is not pointed at his sound board. Hearing the true acoustic sound of Leo is a blessing. Acoustic pickups sound chintzy and thin.

[godsmackguy]

I've seen this guy perform at least a half dozen times already he definately is one of the best guitar players ever!

[wrappindude]

How does he tune his guitar on Girl of the North Country?

[NotOrdinaryInGames]

A short verse written by me:

You guys must understaaaaaaaand

He is an awesome maaaaaaaaaaaan!

[Pomepwns]

Idiot.

[NotOrdinaryInGames]

You are one yourself.

[PS26441]

A Pathmaker! Great! Thanks for that!

[NixonMcvicar]

The kids were nice with hot sauce though.

[frundeatt66]

he says so much more in music than anyone could ever say in words

[Tman4000]

I second that.

[Stalexvids]

definetly

[Tman4000]

I second that too, lol.

[gguszak]

The second song is a Pete Seegers song named "Living in the Country". Leo is the best live show. You have to go see him.

[extrastring]

Excellent - thank you for sharing. If only that annoying kid would shut up, and let us enjoy the music in peace. What is it with parents who can't control their kids at concerts?... Once again - thanks for sharing a great piece of music. Peace!

[zachschwing]

thats it .. thats all i can say. im speachless

[zachschwing]

wow

[hockeystar004]

This is the best guitar player ever by far!

[MelleB90]

You might want to check out Antoine Dufour. :)

[paladindeveloper]

Billy Mclaughlin's "Helms Place."

[thedissownanceyouth]

what is the first song called?

[Cr1msonSkull]

I saw him live three days after this at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. It was on my 16th birthday =] Couldn't have asked for a better present.

[doctorums]

what is the second song called? it's the most beautiful 12 string song ever.

[2tallblues]

"Living in the Country"

[mitchikaboola]

Great skills, thanks for posting

[lowlandr]

He has the world record velocity vs meter vs complexity. I can play several parts of his, just not together in a row...

Bow to the powa. Leo is teh rukes

[loomis4747]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..­..wake me when Van Halen comes on.

[fonephat]

o.k.

[Karidunk]

Hallo! what is wrong with you folks. Don`t you have any sence of humor ? This is the best ( funniest ) comment and reply I have read for ages. It makes my day. I have to smile every times it cross my mind :) you can`t be so sensitive on Leos behalf.

[Karidunk]

Btw. he is one of my favourites.

[4woffd4]

Wake me when you or Van Halen can do that. Can't compare apples and oranges.

[keskinhancer]

harika ay you tube verry sexi

[witchman1]

When I got turned on to Leo, I used to play in stuff, flat pickin. When I finally seen he is a finger picker, I fell off my chair and rolled over......twice. Hes the shit, for sure.

[skip3d]

I think he is a smart ass! That is one reason I LOVE this guy. Leo is the greatest and he knows it.

[musictheropist]

thanks maestro for showing us what a 12 string can do

[Raunchola]

What a genius!

[Psychopag]

damn paparazzi!

[hartabe]

living in the country on petes "pete" album great great album check it out

[hartabe]

i don't know who's is better his or petes. both top notch

[DancingBullCafe]

This Man's Always takes my breath!

[clubsandwedge]

I watched it all...At times it sounds magical like an amusement park ride :D

[mantera84]

sapo leo..nate.. brekmok..

[jingleshady]

His playing is so comedic and surreal. Obsurdist I suppose would describe it. He twists the rules to take you to the Kottke universe.

[clubsandwedge]

Yes!! Makes me want to buy a 12 string also!!

[llfrance]

Saw him in 69 or 70,at Iowa City and was blown away both by his playing and his no star style. He said he played ok but didn't sing much because his wife said his voice sounded like a duck farting!

[mightymushy]

lmao mr straw hat man made me wet myself

[magicpuffgirl]

Too bad the camera didn't have its own built-in miniature scythe for neck of the chap in the straw hat who got in the way at the beginning. Otherwise, lovely!

[bsondahl]

That was a great concert in spite of the intense heat, resulting in only a couple hundred of the faithful in attendance.

I've posted a tribute on the Tube to Leo called Almost a Kottke--he's been an inspiration for me from the start (around 1972) you can find it with searching Kottke Sondahl

[drkam6]

Fantastic. Leo RULES

[Jaminator12]

that was sick. mad skillz

[blakee223]

shows experience and time just keeps making u better and better

[Jimmyhen92]

Leo seems to just get better. Pretty amazing.

Luke ---jimmyhen92

[oily666]

Saw him last night for the first time in 36 years. He's five times the musician he was in 1971 and I was awe struck then.

[StratPMan]

Thanx for posting this

[michaelinsanantone]

every one has heard of tommy, every one has heard of Leo, cause they are both great! who the hell are you? no one, and no one will ever hear of you, so sit back in your armchair and hating on real talent

[Zooniethethird]

don't own an armchair. by the way. my postman has heard of me! or i wouldn't receive mail.

[Zooniethethird]

This guy is a modest player and his style is nice and straight forward. Tommy Emmanuel is shite. Anyone who rates that big head (ANYONE!)doesn't know shit.

[MacchiaDiSangue]

so awesome. i hope i can play this one day...

anyone know what the song is called? i want to look up a tab.

[DontFlag]

lol my guitarist is better than your guitarist...

seriously guys...

great post though, awesome to see recent leo stuff.

[hartabe]

i watch this video once a month

[nEMOheartTaco]

so... its like your period?

[NugVender]

lol

[robpendragon]

I'm trying to enjoy Leo...someone haul that screaming kid to the parking lot!

[churchboose]

Seconded

[fooltoast]

i saw kottke live a few years back, this guys amazing. not only is he a god of acoustic guitars, hes a good showman, like opening with "my dad once told me something inspirational, (farts into mic)."

[karl858]

i like that he's wearing old man slippers onstage.

[stringtheories25]

, :D

[mungoesmad]

I like the cameraman and the kids shouting, it's real life and he's really playing, not some clinically processed studio noise. Kottke and Tommy E, rivers and mountains, they're all great.

[mcphate]

Fingerstyle Guitar Club of Brooklyn: brooklynfingerstyle dot com

[tammgiar]

it's not a zep tune, it's living in the country by pete seeger

[hartabe]

does nobody recognize the second song as a led zep tune?

[jasonology]

For goodness sake get the man a comfier chair! The second song seems more inspired that the first one. And all this on a 12-string. How good is that!

[sawmonkey]

Blown away by Leo the same way I was when first hearing Greenhouse 20 years ago. I stand in awe.,..

[tgunner74]

not me

[tims18]

I think Tommy Emmanuel's better. Who agrees?

[pickerpop]

You can't really compare them. Apples and oranges. They're both great...different...but great.

[bigdood]

Tommy is more versatile, that's a fact, but probably Leo has the edge in technical proficiency, Tommy has a tendency to overplay at times, Leo seems always in the pocket as a musician. However, that is like picking fly crap out of a silo full of grain! :-)

[bigdood]

(above comment for tims18)

[Gungosh]

music is no competition. every musician is a great musisian when others like what he/she does. what's the benefit of comparing legends?

btw: i love tommy, he's my favorite guitar player.

[historyvideos101]

There is an interview of Leo on the Minnesota Public Radio site - search: "MPR Leo Kottke Guitar Hero" In it, Leo said that the magic is the someone who has only been playing a year or two can come up with something that a lifetime player had not thought of - So take heart all who pluck strings!

When asked who his guitar heroes are, he said :Joe Pass leaps to mind, then a whole bunch of really great players"

He also talks about how getting a guitar saved his life - a great story and interview.

[FingerBoneBill]

Tommy is in a whole different league to Kottke (who always sounds pretty wooden to me). Couldn't sit through a Kottke song without dozing off.

Tommy - on the other hand is inspirational.

[halo1383]

Too bad Tommy looks and acts as someone form a bad version of a Miami Vice show..don't compare boys to real men

[woolst]

This is incredible.

[RedForeman789]

Leo lives in relative obscurity while some talentless tramp like Brittney spears become a superstar.Somehow this just doesn't seem fair.

[Laurayahoocom]

Damn,what a rude crowd. This amazing man should definetly be playing in a better venue. Sounds as if he`s in a high school gym.

LJH

[NuG919]

disco is better when he plays it with mike gordon!

[tedthepie]

These are played in dropped D tuning.

[SolInvictus]

How does he do it with all the screaming children?

[bhobsolid]

The screaming kid really enhances the whole deal. Sigh. Is the concept "BABY SITTER" so freaking hard to understand...?

[aceutheuthis]

I totally agree with you man,people these days have absolutely no respect for each other.

[Kilbian]

The guy's great! And btw, are there any tablatures of the first piece?

[broo66]

I saw Leo for the first time at the Berkelee College of Music in Boston in early 1979 and most recently a couple of months ago in Irvington, NY. He is a true genius. Thank you for these clips.

[midkff]

Please come to Florida asap, we need you and bring Doc.

[dustypuppy]

that was super :)

he's amazing !

thanks for posting this

[iconoclast616]

Glad to see he got over the carpel tunnel; the new technique looks good.

[Stewg87]

What are the names of these 2 songs?

[carpethead1]

The first is "Disco" off of his album Clone, but the second one, I have no clue. Sorta sounds in the beginning like his song "Ring, Ring" but its not.

[fleetfingers]

The second is "Living in the Country."

[slideguitarblues]

Leo thanks to be here... with your great music!

[3ffigy]

Very cool. Can somebody post the set list?

[carpethead1]

What do you mean by set list?

[3ffigy]

as in the songs he plays in this clip.

[NJeanH]

Thank you for this, Carpethead1. I have seen Leo on 5 of his concerts in Reno, NV and this vid. makes my day. NJeanH

[TheBuell]

Leo is one of the greats.... Amazing style and skill!

[giorgiopicker]

u shouldakickd that guy...only time i saw leo kottke live was in florence (italy )..about 1984 ...when he started playin "bean time" on a L5 i was so excited fell on my back, chair and all...

[giorgiopicker]

TNXTNX.GREAT AS ALWAYS...

[j0lthax]

I saw him live when he came to the Columbia Theater in Longview, Wa. I was blown away. I hadn't even heard of him prior to that! He tells hilarious stories too :P

[SunburstStrat298]

I love how that "photographer" stood right in front of you! haha

[carpethead1]

Ya, I think just about everybody in the park walked in front of my camcorder. There was this one guy who just blatantly didn't care, and walked past my camera several times. I was really annoyed!

[jed1000]

U said it. Wow!

[SlightReturn]

Awesome!