Is A Shout Toward Noon a good place to start with Leo Kottke?

Yes, A Shout Toward Noon is recommended as a starting point for new Leo Kottke listeners. Intricate fingerpicking dances through vivid landscapes of acoustic sound, blending folk and blues with Kottke's signature style. By the time 'A Shout Toward Noon' was released in 1986, Leo Kottke had already established himself as a respected figure in the acoustic guitar scene, following his breakthrough album '6- and 12-String Guitar' in 1969. This album marked a continuation of his exploration into complex arrangements and virtuosic playing, solidifying his reputation as both a musician and composer.

Who is A Shout Toward Noon for?

A Shout Toward Noon works well if you're into intricate fingerpicking detail hunting, dynamic progression with peaks and serene melodies for relaxation.

How many songs are on A Shout Toward Noon?

A Shout Toward Noon has 12 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

A Shout Toward Noon

Leo Kottke · 1986

42 min · 12 tracks · blues

Intricate fingerpicking dances through vivid landscapes of acoustic sound, blending folk and blues with Kottke's signature style.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Little Beaver Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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A Trout Toward Noon — This track exemplifies Kottke's masterful fingerstyle technique and intricate melodies, creating an immersive listening experience that reflects nature's serenity.
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The Ice Field — Spanning nearly seven minutes, this piece showcases Kottke's ability to blend harmonic complexity with emotive storytelling through music, making it a standout representation of his artistry.
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Little Martha — This composition reveals Kottke's capacity for lyricism on the guitar, offering a poignant melody that resonates with emotional depth while maintaining technical precision.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

Kottke's intricate guitar work and unique compositions create a distinctive acoustic sound that stands out in the genre.

What we noticed

The use of space and silence is prominent, with many pieces allowing for pauses that enhance the emotional weight of the melodies.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

intricate fingerpicking detail hunting
dynamic progression with peaks
serene melodies for relaxation
short bursts of acoustic joy

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy tracks
prefer longer, cohesive pieces

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Innovative compositions and skilled guitar work mark this as a significant artistic high point.
Themes: nature's serenity· acoustic landscapes· emotive storytelling
Career context: By the time 'A Shout Toward Noon' was released in 1986, Leo Kottke had already established himself as a respected figure in the acoustic guitar scene, following his breakthrough album '6- and 12-String Guitar' in 1969. This album marked a continuation of his exploration into complex arrangements and virtuosic playing, solidifying his reputation as both a musician and composer.
Stylistic neighbors: John Fahey· Bert Jansch· Michael Hedges