OWLS - Leo Kottke (cover)

Re-uploaded because of an audio problem.

I wouldn't know what genre of guitar music to put this in unless there is something like a banjo/waltz category. The guitar is tuned to A E B E G# C#, which is lowered a step or two from the original recording. Part of the reason this is a favorite is because of the rich sounds produced by the intentional accent of the high octave strings of the 12-string guitar, particularly in the 3/4 time mid section. In the right hands this song would sound very nice played without picks, but lack of fingernails prevents me from being able to hit the individual strings of the 12-string pairs when playing bare-fingered.

I first transcribed this over 30 years ago, including a couple early attempts in the wrong tuning. Finally in 2009 a few parts were revamped for (hopefully) the last time.

As usual, the playing sounds a lot less accurate and less rhythmic to me on playback than it does while I'm recording, which is something I need to work through. But given the long, quiet section with lots of opportunities to flub it, and my microphone-shy fingers, this is the best I can capture at the moment.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• owls
• greenhouse
• leo
• kottke
• fingerstyle
• taylor
• lksm
• 12-string
• fingerpick
• guitar

[1crow]

Just ditto all the other compliments; you just nailed it and with a killer sound. Is that a Sunrise P/U and do you use bridge P/U as well? How did you figure out the correct tuning?

[pitts8rh]

Thank you. This is a Sunrise magnetic down the middle with a Rode NT1A mic on right and a Shure BG condenser mic over the fingerboard. I think that lowest bass note was the clue that pointed me to the tuning I use here. Things fell into place when I got away from believing it had to be in the more common open tunings.

[jsipflatpickd28]

your fingers are not microphone shy, you sounded great, and is that a martin d-28, sitting back there?

[pitts8rh]

Thank you for the comment. And yes, that is a D28 that I bought while in college in the mid 70s. Although I tend to prefer other body shapes over dreadnoughts these days, I'm pretty attached to this one.

[Solidrosewood]

Exquisite playing!!! Does anybody know where I can get those 'Sunrise' pickups?

[pitts8rh]

You could try going to their website and looking up the dealer page. Production is limited to 1000 per year and you won't find them at your typical Guitar Center type of store. I bought mine at The Podium in Minneapolis many years ago.

[20wtfman10]

Best cover of 'owls' i have seen on You Tube. Have had your version bookmarked for several years. I just can't help but keep coming back to it. Again, just great!

[XLIVwhodat]

Flawless.

[200000028]

Wow! this is absolutely outstanding in every way. I'm blown away.

[greenecycle]

I've watched this many times and posted comments on your other Leo tunes, which just blew me away of course. But I have to admit, this effort is by far the closest I've heard to the original. I wonder if Leo realizes how much he is loved by guitarists of all ages...

All the best my friend,

Joel

[b55k57]

Best work to date on a Kottke cover!!!! Where can one obtain the tab for this version????

[Blindleoblake66]

Well done laddie !

[lbranger2]

I've been a Kottke fan since the 70s when I met him at Tanglewood, Mass. That was a beautiful rendition of my most favorite Kottke piece. If there is a prettier acoustic song, please let me know.

[sal39di]

uh,,,,,superb,stunned,does leo know about you ? you should acost him next time you see him in concert.i think,although i may be wrong,that you are the person who can reteach him Blue Dot. I don't think Leo can play "owls" anymore either.big time yays for this performance. warms the heart to see all the musik.

[eddieschweihs]

I really want more videos from this guy !! He's Great !!

Note for note with Leo himself...Who is he ????

[Rasurusan]

Awesome! No other way to describe it. Well done.