“6 & 12 String Guitar” - Leo Kottke

I’m not exactly sure when I was introduced to Leo Kottke’s music, but I know I was mesmerized from the start. His guitar playing was a style I just couldn’t understand. How could one person make that music with a single instrument and only two hands. It wasn’t until I saw him at Berkeley Community Theater in ‘73 that I came to fully realize what an amazing talent he was. His aggressive fingerpicking style and the speed with which he played were amazing. One guy, sitting in chair in the middle of the stage, captivating his audience for 90 minutes. No accompaniment, and filling the theater to the roof.

His playing style ultimately lead to tendinitis causing nerve damage and he had to adjust his style. It didn’t affect the music. He continued to record and perform upwards of 20 solo albums, mixing in everything from delta blues, folk, jazz, classical and more. The video I’ve posted here is an example of that range including a cover of Ry Cooder’s “Available Space” with a little Kottke flare added.

As a struggling guitar player I was often intimidated by Kottke and his peers like John Fahey and Tommy Emanuel. Spend too much time listening or watching their YouTube videos and you’ll want to sell all your guitars and take up fishing. Oh wait… I already do that.