Leo Kottke - Little Martha

[thatblondgirl1]

Beautiful; a little slice of Heaven, thank Leo,. big smile

mark anthony Rockliff

[Scottie1152]

Thanks for posting!

Leo is THE man!!

[WEISSERZWERG]

@Scottie1152 you are welcome :) Thanks

[RayZ3822]

Love the Allman Bros. but sorry...they don't come close on this one. Leo's got it.

[crispinchicken]

your idea of lyrics or music doesn't constitute some sort of universal definition. lots of singers use scat, expressive yells, or other gibberish sounding words as a substitute for lyrics - listen to Louie Louie and tell me you can understand what the lyrics are supposed to be. but we don't need to be talking about bad romance on this page. all I'm concerned with is THIS is a great song. Kottke must be the only person who could actually improve on the Allman brothers.

[glennataylor]

Let's see.......Do you remember the scene at the end of Hanibal? "I couldn't eat what they gave me." "nor should you it isn't even food as I understand it."

I won't dignify "Bad Romance is a great song." because....."it isn't even music as I understand it." oooo ga, la ga, ra ma, are not lyrics.

[takewhatswrongand]

It's interesting to ponder that Skydog had this aspect to his musicianship. One thinks of him as the guy with the Marshall amp and the Statesborough Blues soul-scorching solos. Here, Kottke shows himself to be the amazing musician that he is -- in adding all the harmonics and other little technical things to the original. The disk this video is from -- Home and Away Revisited -- has Atkins, Watson, and Kottke playing together (OMG). And Kottke and Hedges (OMG x2).

[844jimthompson]

What Leo does very well at is he talks to the audience.He said more than once to the audience that he is having a better time than you.Oh BTW he,s just the best guitar on the the planet and he sings very well because he knows hie range.Thanks Leo for all the great songs.

[glennataylor]

how does a song like this have 241k hits and trash like bad romance have 349 M, oh the world we live in.

[iamaheron]

@glennataylor Bad Romance is a great song.

[Ksimp9]

I think it would sound better if he played it in open E like the original version.

[spider78612]

I believe this is DADDAD a different tuning for D. Steve Stills used this for "Suit Judy Blue Eyes"

[amtraklady]

"Proof" - which I assume you mean "prove" - what didn't happen?

BTW - I rest my case.

[amtraklady]

thrown - sometimes people vote thumbs down because of comments some moron makes - not the video

[SBMPLYMA]

@amtraklady Proof or it didn't happen.

[ezekielwahwah]

Thumbs up if this is your absolute favorite tune. :-)

[fbrown172]

There is something going on here that I simply cannot wrap my head around. 5 people voted "dislike". I cannot fathom the darkness in one's soul that would cause them to dislike this video. I mean, a spectacularly beautiful melody played by such an artist as Leo Kottke? There are at least 5 people in this world that have no soul.

[kontrapunkti]

Sounds A bit like Embryonic Joyrney from Jorma Kaukonen

[icdb023]

@kontrapunkti

You know, I never really thought of this, but you're right; it DOES sound a bit like Embryonic Journey

Naturally, being the hippie that he was, Duane Allman knew this tune and it probably influenced him in writing Little Martha

[dantean]

Is he amazing, or what?

[Gimmer3]

Just look at those awesome hands! I love Leo and have since 1973!

[crousekenny]

that guitar in those hands, what a beautiful sound

[srsteve12]

He does the impossible like Houdini, how does do vibrato on the harmonics????

[mothulicka]

total eargasm crunchiness

[Lokiboy8]

As to tuning , the original was recorded in 'E'.

Whenever I hear this tune I smile with a tear in my eye.

Because I miss Duane.

Because I know the story of this tune and how it is really a message from beyond the veil.

Duane had the dream -- Jimi played this on the water faucet in the Holiday Inn room.

Right before Duane passed into the Great Mystery himself.

Because the notes to this song are engraved on Duane's' gravestone.

Because as Leo calls it, "the greatest acoustic guitar song ever".

[martinaxman]

Leo had a problem with most guitars. He played a Gibson for awhile that he used to stuff with rags to cut down the highs. I think he had one guitar (can't remember the type) that he loved, but it got stolen or broken. His search went on for awhile until he hit on the Taylors. They worked with him to create a model that fit him perfectly. lol. I can't tell the difference, but I'm not playing it. Leo is just great and has been my hero since around 1976 when I first heard him.

[Dianne724]

Yay! I found the song finally! My mom said it was called Little Mary but I guess she got the names wrong.

This is one of my favorite songs by him. Memories, memories, memories. =)

[BlueBlueFeelin]

@Dianne724 it's actually by duane allman from the allman brothers band, his studio version with dickie helping out on the bridge is pretty pretty pretty

[theachtungtree]

jimmy page ripped this guy off...in a good way though, not a single song of leo has affected me as much as zep's bron-yr-aur or thats the way.....we miss your music brother duanebtw

[DictionRedaction]

@theachtungtree

Stupidity survives another day.

[theachtungtree]

@DictionRedaction yeah...also shitty youtube channels like yours, great job

[DictionRedaction]

@theachtungtree

as I was saying...

[ezekielwahwah]

Anyone knows what kind of guitar he's playing?

[billb0925]

@ezekielwahwah, I'm not sure which one this is, but at one time Leo only played custom guitars that were labeled "Bozo". He was the only one who ever commissioned these guitars from this particular luthier, so if one was ever found in a pawn shop somewhere he would know it was stolen. Later on Leo signed some kind of representation deal with Taylor, so he may have played a Taylor or two during his time, but I think it's a Bozo in this clip.

[ezekielwahwah]

@billb0925

Thanks.

[NylonStrungGirl]

@billb0925

This information is not at all true. Leo did play a Bozo 12 string, among many other 12 strings in the early 70s. Bozo was a Chicago area luthier who built plenty of guitars. Leo is playing a Taylor in this clip.

[MrRonanmurphy]

think you will like.

[xvirg]

deft touch

[NeuMasterful]

Leo Kottke is amazing. He just seems to conjour up feeling with his playing or his voice, and that is indeed a rare quality among musicians to really be able to communicate both worlds to the listener.

[lebarosky]

I saw Leo play in Ann Arbor in 1977, I believe. I shall never forget the feeling that concert gave me. Certain virtuosos tell you things about the instrument they play that make you glad to be a human being. Vladimir Horowitz had the same effect on me when I heard him around the same time.

[FromChelsea]

I had the pleasure of meeting Leo Kottke backstage after a show he did in Bellingham, WA (Feb, 1983 I think). He was friendly, easy to talk with. He told me about his farm in Minnesota. He had opened for Jesse Colin Young who really looked to be drunk. A few years later I saw Leo open for (and jam with) Lyle Lovett in Seattle- a great show.

[northriverbend]

Leo Kottke...greatest picker of all time...

[PsychedelicFerret]

Duane's work! RIP

[fangerpicker]

The only reason you'd need to use a capo is if you're playing it in the key that Duane Allman originally recorded it. Leo's is in open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D). If you tune your guitar to that, you'll be in the same key as this recording. Kinda frustrating that he doesn't do the second section of it, but I do like his own take on it with the harmonics and the strange "B" section of more dissonant chords.

[DeeepSmyle]

This is gorgeous! Leo is amazing! While there's no overt similarity in style between himself and Nick Drake, I seem to get a sense of Nick here, in this particular piece (or vice versa: getting a sense of Leo when listening to one of Nick's songs ~ as I'm somehow feeling Nick's "Black Eyed Dog" now and then). Not sure if anyone is a fan of Nick, and no disrespect to either by my mentioning (just how I feel)! I think they're/were two of the GREATEST musical geniuses of our time.

Peace :)

[edwardcaine]

Leo used DADGAD a lot. That might be what he's using here.

[Naurimon]

In one tab I managed to find, I think it was written out in DADf#ad, if that helps :)

[sal39di]

open d

[sikariou]

if you tune it to open D you have to put a capo on the 2nd fret to put it in the correct key (which is Emaj). Or, alternatively, you can tune it to open E (EBDG#BE).

Leo is amazing.... ftw

[aftnoon2]

I think is open D, but it doesn't matter.

The most important here is the right hand stuff, the little bounds beetwin 2 or 3 bass strings.

You can try to play it, you're "almost there", but when you return to Leo, you hear those little bass notes bounding quickly. Is hard to retrieve that. You must work very quickly with thumb, index and medium fingers, right hand.

[raymo13a]

whys everybody play it so fast? E-open tuning

[frankeesh]

ask him who eric johnson is . Play dusty and tell me who is better on acoustic

[2ndhandclothing]

yeah frank, eric is phucking AWESOME!!!

[stratplayer1992]

leo's a little too technical for me, he just plays so much at once that it seems too "busy." just not something i enjoy listening to

[2ndhandclothing]

how the phuck can you NOT enjoy leo???you are certaintly not a musician, let alone a music lover!!!!!

[prad1234]

what tuning is this? is this in slide D?

[phishisphine]

open e

[Cj1500]

DADF#AD

[extreeeeeemist]

i got his auto graph and backstage pass at apple farm fest in 1999 in na real collectors item only one pass was issued and he was nice enough to give it to me.

[snunn12]

you can do it, right?

[zorbatheok]

I lived in and around the Castro district in San Francisco for about 10 years. I found gay men to be on average more emotionally expressive and way more prone to crying than straight men. BUT what I said was suppose to be a chuckle inducing comment. ...Sorry if I appeared insensitive, dull witted, or anachronistic. I certainly didn't mean to cause you the slightest discomfort.

[zorbatheok]

greatest living american guitarist. I cried when I saw him live. That says alot cause im not gay

[thischarmingman84]

And crying is an indication of homosexuality?

Jesus...

[kingofthedeep]

Love The Allmans and Kottke. Kudos for him playing it close to the vest and not "tearing it up". Cause he could have. Classy.

Cheers.

[bluesbatch55]

Saw him in Houston years ago One of the few ever to play a Duane Allman tune Like it was his own.I think Jerry Douglas did a nice version too.I was really impressed with Leo's ability to tell stories while he played if he chose to I think he could have been a stand up comic, he had great timing....what a talent.

[Tenntoad]

I used to see him in Houston too ('85 through '91). He played Rockefeller's each year. Best show I saw there was Leo playing in the round with Chet Atkins, Albert Lee & Larry Carlton. KIller!

Rgds,

Joe Carpenter

[mallardgreen]

Duane Allman or Leo Kottke, same song, two geat players

[maybefull]

Just goes to show you with a song this good and playing this perfect even the arguments are pleasant to read.

[markdavidson360]

Best place to see him on the west coast is at Humphrey's By The Bay, California sunset at his back , San Diego Sunset, small venue, great time!

[reggiedid]

Many have played this song.NONE as well as leo.He is even given composer credit for the harmonic part he added.I

saw Leo at the Colonial theater in Pittsfield Mass.a few years ago-he

"blew the room away".Best place to see him in the east is Troy Music Hall,upstairs

over Troy Savings Bank,Troy,NY(across Hudson River from Albany) Worst seats

I ever had were 6th row center.All other times were front row center.Always under $30.I would gladly pay $100.Always a sell-out.

[exc123]

Now there's a bargain foe these difficult economic times, I'll have to look out for these tickets

[MOSKII58]

what tone monster!

[thetodd007]

saw him last week here in madison, wi.  he turned this song into a three plus minute epic, dropped the machine on us as well. An absolute god, very funny onstage manner too. Didn't play william powell unfortunately, seriously don't hesitate, 25$ was a bargain, i'd have paid a hundred

[fbrown172]

I saw Leo at the Florida Theater just last month. It was the sixth time I'd seen him live, and you are absolutely right, about the value of a Kottke performance! I've gotten more joy from those six concerts than from nearly 40 years of rock/pop concerts combined!

[EnglishBayley]

Wonder how far back in these posts you'd need to go before finding a discussion of how great a version this is of an old Allman Brothers tune? While in Santa Fe a couple of years ago shopping with the wife I looked upon the marquee of a local theater and saw I had just missed Kottke the night before. (Bummer!) To add to my depression I had missed Pat Metheny the night before that. Continued to escort the Mrs. on her shopping adventure despite the tears in my eyes.

[1stStreetPubOpenMic]

Wow, Kotke rocking this classic, so great!

[manoanoelani]

I think it's open E tuning, with the low E tuned down to a D. Could be wrong. Sounds very Hawaiian!

[dtpeoples]

Open D tuning.

[ThorXMK]

I prefer Duane Allman.

[BollWeevil1]

Agreed, although i still enjoy this version

[jereuter01]

Actually it was Duane Allman AND Dicky Betts who played it as a duet on the Eat a Peach Album which hit the stores AFTER Duane was already buried in Rose Hill Cemetery and of course Little Martha is a life size statute by the same name located in that cemetery.

[delta50wolf]

Duane wrote it though

[jereuter01]

That's correct - see liner credit on EAP and note that Wikipedia says that LM is the only ABB song solely written by Duane. Originally recorded with Oakley's bass, but EAP version mixed bass out, but restored bass version appears on 1989 "Dreams" box set for those interested in hearing it with bass.

[Olen1009]

While the guys lived near Rose Hill Cemetary, there is a ton of doubt as to whether Little Martha, the song, had anything to do with little Martha buried in the cemetary. Do some research. Specific interviews with band members say it referred to a groupie of the band.

[jereuter01]

Good grief Olen1009: Do your own research! I can't belive you would make such a silly comment about something so well-known by millions for decades. Check the Allman Brothers Band official website. A "ton of doubt" indeed. By the way, they didn't just live nearby, they met repeatedly in the cemetery, worked out songs and otherwise communed with nature in the quiet peaceful environment. I suppose you are going to say that Elizabeth Reed was a groupie too. LOL!

[Olen1009]

Sorry, guy...but 'well-known' is not equivalent to the truth. There are plenty of urban legends that are total bullshit. The band members have not confirmed that "Little Martha" was anything more than the inspiration for the title of the song. And, if you saw all of my comments, you would see that I acknowleged that they partied, even wrote songs, in the cemetary. But, it is more or less a moot point anyway. How can anyone tell, by listening to it, who an instrumental song is 'about"?

[jereuter01]

Olen1009:  You just want to argue where there is no argument. All I said was that the statute of Little Martha in Rose Hill Cemetary was the inspiration for the song, which you seem to agree. The bottom line is the name of the song and the fact that there is no "Little Dixie Meadows" statute in Rose Hll, but there is a statue of a 12 yr. old Martha Ellis there for everyone to behold. You dream your dream and I'll dream mine.

[Olen1009]

Hey man, it takes 2 people to argue! In actuality, we have little disagreement. I only wanted to clarify that, at least in this case, that there is a difference between the inspiration for the song and the inspiration for the title of it. But there's all kinds of inaccuracy out there. Example: Martha Ellis' age when she died has been said to be 10, 11 & 12. Actually, she just short of 13. Not a big deal, but it makes the point that even easily confirmed info is still often misquoted.

[jereuter01]

Olen1009: To be specific here's what's on the headstone including correct spelling.

Martha Ellis

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theo. W. Ellis

Departed this Life

1-18-1886 Aged 12 yrs 11 mos

Our Baby

She was love personified and her memory is a sweet solace by day and pleasant dreams by night to mamma, papa, brother and sisters. We will meet again in the sweet bye and bye.

It's impossible to doubt the connection between the statue, its inscription & the song, the soul & spirit of Dwayne.

[Doderhultarn89]

not bad. If he practice a lot he might be like me someday

[nsra1933]

no one can be like you dude, you're a first class moron.

[liketodriverealyfast]

Ha fargin funny!Leo Kottke is man...

[zoroastres2]

google "sarcasm"

[Conail23]

lol

[widdelywah292]

thats seriously just GORGEOUS

[Tman4000]

God. I would kill a newborn baby for a Taylor...

[JTelementaly]

its in open e

[Jaraiya001]

or open d with a capo at the 2nd fret works

[Tenntoad]

No, it's Open D. Leo tunes DOWN for this tune, not up.

[daleroes]

I have always preferred Leo's live performances to his recordings which -- to my ear -- tend to get production touches that amount to sugar coating.

[1jazzman9]

Aloha dose any one know what key or open tuning Leo did this tune in MaHalo

[WEISSERZWERG]

d a d f# a d - Open D

[taylorata3a]

@1jazzman9 I do it in open E, as I am pretty sure Duane did.

[SqueezeMyLemonBabe]

I love the harmonics.

[jonno52]

This is so sweet. Five stars.

[Rokkzilla461]

...geez, I think it was 1976 or '77 when I saw him at the L A Forum with Bad Company and Edgar Winter. Leo was amazing. A great rendition of a great song.

[dinkysmakker33]

hope i get to see him soon before he or I am dead ... he is frigan great!

[unterwant]

full sound

wunderschön

[chrisb1953]

2 great talents Duane Allman & Leo Kottke. Shame that only one is still with us.

[JCfromDC2]

@chrisb1953 Damn right

[JCfromDC2]

@chrisb1953 Damn right. Didn't Duane write this?

[chrisb1953]

@JCfromDC2 He did indeed.

[agnesmoorhead]

exquisite

[Olen1009]

According to surviving band members, the Little Martha grave was not the inspiration for the song...Little Martha, apparently, was one of the band's groupies!

[bluescommander]

"Little Martha" was a twelve year old girl who hung out with the band in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, GA. She was not a groupie. At least, I sure hope she wasn't. That would be whack.

[Olen1009]

Sorry, but you have your facts wrong: The band lived near, and partied in Rose Hill cemetary. But Martha was not at the party as a groupie or otherwise. "Little Martha" Ellis, buried in Rose Hill, died, of peritonitis, in 1896. While she may be the inspiration for the song's title, (quoting Wikipedia) Duane Allman envisioned it as an ode to his girlfriend, a groupie named Dixie Meadows. Duane was killed Allman occurred before the album containing the song (Eat A Peach) was released.

[bluescommander]

That's not what I heard. Whatever. I doesn't really matter.

[Olen1009]

Sorry bluescommander, but your facts are jumbled: The band lived near, and partied in Rose Hill cemetary. But Martha was not at the party as a groupie or otherwise. "Little Martha" Ellis, buried in Rose Hill, died, of peritonitis, in 1896. While she may be the inspiration for the song's title, (quoting Wikipedia) Duane Allman envisioned it as an ode to his girlfriend, a groupie named Dixie Meadows. Duane was killed before the album containing the song (Eat A Peach) was released.

[AnaJilK]

Tuneful and tranquil piece of music. And excelent performance.

[vsionary1]

Nice but the original___ ....

[swennsyever9]

listening to Leo Kottke on 10-29-07...to take such beauty and add to it...too much...beautiful

[guitarhero240]

did he write this or did the allman brothers?

[holderrock]

allman brothers...in fact duane allman to be exact :)

[nsra1933]

and you call yourself guitarhero?

[guitarhero240]

hey its a simple mistake...we cant all know everything..

[SqueezeMyLemonBabe]

The credits are to Gregg and Duane on the albums, but Duane wrote the song.

[microcrubeguy]

saw him live

[wesmantodd1974]

great guitarist, and a great entertainer!

[28zebra]

I love and respect Leo K -----but this is Duane's song and always will be.

[nsra1933]

I agree....but someone doing your song is pure flattery.

[1avantgardener]

Hard to see what you're typing with tears in your eyes...

[stringtheories25]

I first heard this tune by Allman bRos.

[stringtheories25]

aw soooo awsesome!!

[skwirl60646]

a guitar virtuoso's interpretation of the most beautiful acoustic guitar composition ever written. beautiful on top of beautiful. &thank you to whoever uploaded this video.

[bobmon54]

Maestro covering another

[mcphate]

Join the new Fingerstyle Guitar Club of Brooklyn: brooklynfingerstyle dot com

[goatmoe]

Little martha facts.

Duane Allman claimed this came to him in a dream in which Jimi Hendrix was playing it for him in a hotel room. He woke up and started playing it.

Title is taken from a statue at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia, where the band would often jam. It is the grave of Martha Ellis, who died in 1896 at age 12. Duane Allman and Berry Oakley are buried at the same cemetery.

[mpclark12000]

Actually, the song was named after Duane's girlfriend at the time, Martha "Dixie" Meadows. Duane had worked on the song for years. He probably didn't even know there was a Martha Ellis buried at Rose Hill. The band didn't spend the kind of time in the cemetery as most claim. This according to Candace Oakley, Berry's sister, who I met on one of my visits to Rose Hill.

[crip1421]

I have been to Rose Hill and seen the Little Martha grave and smoked a joint at Elizabeth Reeds grave site. It's a cool cemetery

[nsra1933]

I am sure Elizabeth Reed appreciated that...you fucking asshole. Have some respect.

[NIN197666]

That can be accounted as a sign of respect some cultures...

[nsra1933]

because he's pure class, and he's a regular guy like you and I. Plus the fact that he's one of the finest musicians in the world.

[martinaxman]

I wish I knew why this guy affects me like he does. What an outstanding musician!

[kevinwcmi]

That sounds exactly like something I would say about Leo. Have you ever read something and found yourself saying "that is exactly what I have always thought, but could never put into words!" That is how I feel when I listen to Leo play. If I just had 10 times the musical talent that I have, I would play just like him. What a treasure.