Search - Leo Kottke :: Great Big Boy

Not your father's Leo Kottke.

Zordano | 02/26/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Well, I didn't really mind this album, although it's completely different from any of the other albums of his I have gotten. It's quite strange, all of the songs have Kottke either singing or chanting... No solo guitar pieces on this one.If you're looking for a good solo guitar Kottke album to start with, try "6- and 12- String Guitar," his first, but one of the best. Most of the solo guitar stuff ended up on lots of different albums; I wouldn't part with any of my Kottke discs, but several times I have gotten albums which only have 2-3 songs on them which I liked. BTW, I'm not too fond of his vocal pieces, so I may be slightly biased, but I didn't think these even sounded like any of his other ones. "Big Mob on the Hill" and "Pepe, Hush" are the only ones I really liked enough to listen to over and over again... (I usually just HAVE to listen to a new Kottke disc over and over again... This one only lasted me a day or so, "6- and 12-" held me for at least a couple of weeks, solid, and I can still listen to it.)Anyway, to sum up, if you are new to Kottke, or just looking for something along the lines of some other album you have, I would advise choosing a different one, although if you have all the other ones, and need a fix, this is better than nothing!"

Great Big Buy

Zordano | 10/05/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Striking songs + exceptional acoustic guitar work = really worth buying



An unusual release by Kottke: no instrumentals, only his own outstanding folk-pop songs - with blues and jazz overtones and voicings.



He sings accompanied by his own guitar, supported by modest backing (keyboards, bass, drums). Steve Berlin's production provides a clear, strong, up-front sound.



The melodies and arrangements fix deep in one's mind. There are many exceptionally strong tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 & 10. Other songs are more complex, discordant and inaccessible. Kottke nimbly moves from unusual hybrid chords to finger-picking and strumming to produce matchless, sometimes bewildering guitar work.



Songs here are unusual and memorable - you'll find yourself compulsively seeking another listen. It's not always easy to fathom what some songs are about, as his lyrics reflect his unique, quirky, surreal outlook.



`Running Up The Stairs', `Pepe Hush', `Big Mob On The Hill' - all draw you in and involve you with intricate guitar and atypical lyrics.



`Great Big Boy' describes youthful reflections on being in the rat trap and is full of Kottke's sardonic wit and irony. `Driver' relates a strange tale of the terrible fate of bus passengers - and employs an utterly stunning guitar arrangement.



Last track is his cover of `I Still Miss Someone' by Johnny and Roy Cash - effortlessly superior in every respect to Cash's version. It employs punchy, attacking guitar and a slower tempo, to underpin the wistful emotions perfectly - a must hear.



This CD proves that Leo Kottke is amusing, can sing, write songs and skillfully play the steel strung acoustic guitar like no other on earth - this man, yes, can do all these things."

One Guitar, All Vocals

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 10/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Everyone knows what a talented guitarist Kottke is. This album features his gifts with his second instrument--his voice. Sure, his trademark guitar sound is there on every track, but these are all vocal tracks and his voice is used to wonderful effect. Some fans may feel this was a wrong-headed turn for Kottke, but it shouldn't have come as a surprise. Go back to Kottke's 1974 Ice Water and listen to "Tilt Billings and the Student Prince" and you hear the genesis for this album. I've always loved Kottke's voice as well as his guitar playing. As such, this is one of my favorite albums. RECOMMENDED"