Vaseline Machine Gun - Leo Kottke Live - 11/6/8

This was Leo's encore- the last song he played for the show. Vaseline Machine Gun was the first song he composed using slide.

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[hamnose]

Somebody complained? About this? It's too slow!? Oooh he must be one dem der connosewers. I been listening to Leo about 40 years. This is like the best rendition I ever heard. The one he does on that album a hundred years ago (6 & 12 String Guitar) is really nice too. But this is particularly nice. I don't care if it's slower than some previous version. It's better. Jeesh what a dope. Get the wax out of your ears, ya fricking philistine.

[elviscash56]

You sir, are an idiot. As a guitarist myself, I stand firm with the idea that speed isn't everything, and indeed, without soul, it's nothing. Eddie Van Halen can play a million times faster than B.B. King, but B.B. King can say more with 3 notes than Eddie can with an entire solo. It's all about the soul.

[Fabian Philippoussis]

just for the record Eliscash55...I love BB King and I love Eddie too. EVH is a genius not for the speed with which he plays but for his feel, his groove and his tone. That is what made him famous as well for BB King. Music is not a sport, it is an art form...This version ShiimyDigg, btw, is incredible and to quote elviscash, "It's all about the soul."

[Tom Tortomasi]

I believe that speed doesn't always equal greatness. I have been listening to Leo since 1968 and have heard many versions of this piece studio and live. I am also a player. In my opinion this is the best version I have heard. It has a great syncopation or meter and a whole lot of feel from the heart that is totally lost with "speed". I love this version.

[Deebemc]

I saw Leo in the UK circa 1976............he blew everybody away. The man is magic . He's overcome injury to the glorious right hand and now sounds as good as ever . Looks as if I need to fly over the Pond to catch him again. I'll do it gladly. 4 dislikes? A rseholes.

[mumraaaaa]

He never comes to the UK. I'm seriously considering flying to the states in the autumn just to go to one of his gigs as I've never seen him before. I heard Busted Bicycle about a year ago and it changed everything I thought I knew about the guitar. Anyone got a spare sofa in New Jersey for a couple of nights?!

[wc4dblues]

I saw Leo the other night in Napa Ca. He looks the same as this which is 5 years old. He was....... Leo.

[netdoctor1]

Hey - thanks for the memories, old man.

We know the kid is gone..'it is what it is'...

But the old man still has it. Thanks for sharing it with us, Leo.

[Der Glaetze]

Now I know how the great Rory Gallagher got some of his skills. Leo was one of his idols.

[peerman2006]

Jimmy Paige probably ripped off Kottke's style. He ripped off everybody else.

[Scotty Hex]

Wow!!!!!

[Saoirse Smith]

*warm grins* you sound like me at age 18 and even this many years later, Leo still can 'walk on water' -- so to speak-- when it comes to guitar! I can guarantee he'll stay among my 3 top guitar heroes for life. ..oh yeah, to be honest, I don't mind "Vaseline Machine Gun" being played a tad slower than on the records ( yes, the vinyl ones..then i had to replace them on cd.. well worth it.) After all, I don't move as quickly as I did when that song was composed either. ;o)