My Feet Are Smiling
Leo Kottke · 1973
44 min · 14 tracks · blues
Fingerstyle guitar mastery intertwines with whimsical storytelling and understated vocals, creating a uniquely immersive acoustic landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Hear the Wind Howl Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
-
→
Busted Bicycle — This track features a captivating narrative about love and loss delivered through Kottke's intricate guitar work, making it a standout example of his storytelling prowess.
-
→
Easter — With its lush melodies and reflective lyrics, Easter exemplifies Kottke's ability to merge technical skill with emotional depth, showcasing a more introspective side.
-
→
Medley: Crow River Waltz / Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring / Jack Fig — This medley highlights Kottke's classical influences while seamlessly integrating different musical traditions into an engaging performance that emphasizes his versatility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Kottke's blend of intricate guitar work and storytelling creates a distinctive acoustic experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a steady tempo, while the second half introduces more varied rhythms and dynamics.
- Kottke's fingerstyle guitar technique is prominent throughout, with intricate melodies often accompanied by sparse vocal lines.
- 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
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- whimsical storytelling moments
- intricate guitar detail hunting
- gradual build towards climax
- for relaxed afternoons
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer standalone hit tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Kottke's reputation after his initial success.
- Themes
- whimsical storytelling· love and loss narratives· acoustic landscapes
- Career context
- Released in 1973, My Feet Are Smiling was Leo Kottke's third album and followed his breakout success with 1969's Six- and Twelve-String Guitar. At this point in his career, Kottke had already established himself as a pioneering figure in the folk and blues genres, known for his intricate fingerpicking style and innovative approach to acoustic music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Fahey· Bert Jansch· Michael Hedges
Tracklist
- 1 Introduction 0:30
- 2 Hear the Wind Howl Start here 2:39
- 3 Busted Bicycle 2:40
- 4 Easter 3:19
- 5 Louise 4:25
- 6 Blue Dot 3:24
- 7 Stealing 2:38
- 8 Living in the Country 1:38
- 9 June Bug 2:21
- 10 Standing in My Shoes 2:36
- 11 The Fisherman 2:44
- 12 Bean time 2:15
- 13 Eggtooth 5:15
- 14 Medley: Crow River Waltz / Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring / Jack Fig 7:33
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death
John Fahey
Shares intricate fingerstyle guitar work with a diverse mix of folk and blues themes.
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Both feature intimate acoustic arrangements and explore themes of love and introspection.
Blue
Joni Mitchell
Combines poignant storytelling with a rich acoustic sound, creating emotional depth in the lyrics.
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.