Search - Leo Kottke :: Ice Water

The essential Leo Kottke...

pearlthegirl | Pittsburgh, PA | 02/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the self-deprecating liner notes to the extraordinary guitar work to the unique gravelly vocals, this album, and the cassette I bought for my car, became a near-obsession as my intro to Leo Kottke back in '74 and remains so today on CD. With all his great work since, this still stands, I think, as his best example of guitar and vocals together. A must-have for anyone with an interest in this national treasure... There's no one like Leo Kottke, and this surely stands as proof, providing insight into not only his talent but his somewhat quirky personality. Fantastic."

Kottke shines in the studio

Tom Dupree | 02/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this is Leo Kottke's best studio album. [His evanescent set/s caught on MY FEET ARE SMILING is/are my favorite overall.] Unlike others who carp at his voice [including the artist himself, who once memorably described it as sounding like "geese farts on a muggy day"], I have to hand it to a guy who can play like this and warble a perfectly credible vibrato too--kind of like Karen Carpenter drumming *while* singing! [I'm joking, of course.] But it all comes down to the music, don't it? "Pamela Brown" is so sweet and true as a song that it breaks your heart, and Leo's voice absolutely puts it over, my friend; the "story" of the Tom T. Hall tune can be interpreted several different ways, Leo's version is a slate over which you can insert any personal history you choose--plus there's this wonderfully lyrical slide work as well. "Why Ask Why," vocals and all, lingers like a ghost after it's over. The instrumental break on "Morning is a Long Way Home" [offered sans vocals on his 70s-era collection CAN YOU HEAR ME?--and why isn't that on CD?] is some of the most powerful stuff he's ever laid down. Then there is "Tilt Billings and the Student Prince": The Leo Kottke Experience! Hey, I'm tired of writing about this set, I want to go back and listen again. Second side's not quite as hot as the first, but you can use some cooling off by then. Buy it."

12 STRING EPIPHANY

Gary D. Ray | 03/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hard to believe one person can make so much noise, but he does. And harmonious noise it is. Twelve string artiste at his best when covering Tom T. Hall's PAMELA BROWN: "...she dug him 'cause he drove a pick-up truck..."."