Leo Kottke, John Fahey & Peter Lang
Leo Kottke · 1974
35 min · 12 tracks · blues
An intricate tapestry of fingerstyle guitar weaving blues, folk, and a touch of experimental soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Cripple Creek Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
-
→
Sunflower River Blues — This track exemplifies Kottke's masterful fingerpicking style combined with a deep sense of rhythm, encapsulating the album’s essence and showcasing emotional depth.
-
→
When Kings Come Home — With its haunting melody and intricate arrangements, this song highlights the collaborative spirit of the record while demonstrating Kottke’s lyrical storytelling.
-
→
Revolt of the Dyke Brigade — This track stands out due to its bold thematic content and innovative structure, representing a departure from conventional folk narratives within the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends various acoustic techniques and showcases strong guitar interplay, marking its significance in the fingerstyle genre.
What we noticed
- The interplay between the three guitarists creates a dynamic texture, with melodies often overlapping and intertwining rather than following a traditional verse-chorus structure.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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 fingerstyle guitar focus
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- playful improvisational moments
- afternoon relaxation with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, cohesive albums
- seek high-energy dance tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Blends various acoustic techniques, showcasing a departure from Kottke's earlier solo work.
- Themes
- fingerstyle innovation· Southern blues roots· collaborative storytelling
- Career context
- By 1974, Leo Kottke was already established as a prominent figure in the acoustic guitar scene, following his acclaimed album '6- and 12-String Guitar' from 1969. This collaboration with John Fahey and Peter Lang marked a significant moment in his career, showcasing his innovative approach alongside fellow guitarists known for their unique styles. The album came during a period when Kottke was expanding his musical horizons beyond traditional folk.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Fahey· Bert Jansch· Michael Hedges
Tracklist
- 1 Cripple Creek Start here 1:54
- 2 Ice Miner 1:54
- 3 Red and White 1:47
- 4 Anyway 2:04
- 5 St. Charles Shuffle 2:21
- 6 When Kings Come Home 4:48
- 7 As I Lay Sleeping 2:02
- 8 Thoth Song 3:14
- 9 On the Sunny Side of the Ocean 3:53
- 10 Sunflower River Blues 6:01
- 11 Revolt of the Dyke Brigade 3:03
- 12 In Christ There Is No East or West 2:28
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Dance of Death & Other Plantation Favorites
John Fahey
Continues the fingerstyle tradition with experimental blues and folk storytelling.
Aerial Boundaries
Michael Hedges
Explores intricate guitar work, blending folk roots with innovative techniques and soundscapes.
Jack Orion
Bert Jansch
Merges traditional folk with blues-inflected fingerstyle guitar and collaborative narratives.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.