6 And 12 String Guitar

Leo Kottke - 6- and 12-String Guitar (1969) {Takoma TSA-6503-6 rel 2004}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks) +CUE+LOG -> 228 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 90 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 14 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1969, 2004 Takoma / Fantasy | TSA-6503-6
Finger-Picked Guitar / Progressive Folk / Jazz Blues / Contemporary Folk / New Acoustic

Leo Kottke's wide-release debut came about after he sent a cassette to John Fahey's Takoma label. Not surprisingly, it recalls Fahey's work in a number of respects: the synthesis of numerous influences from blues, pop, classical, and folk styles, the weirdly titled instrumentals, even the tongue-in-cheek liner notes. Kottke's brand of virtuosity, however, is more soothing and easy on the ear than Fahey's. It's far from sappy, though, the rich and resonant picking intimating some underlying restlessness, like peaceful open fields after a storm. Establishing much of the territory Kottke was to explore throughout his career, this release was also one of his most popular, eventually selling over 500,000 copies.

Great Britain’s BGO Records found a couple of nearly forgotten gems to compile in this grand two-fer from guitarist Joe Pass’ solo catalog. This set contains his amazing 12 String Guitar album (the first 12 tracks) issued in 1963, with bonus tracks from a 1964 session included. Pass played an acoustic 12-string, of course, and was accompanied by John Pisano on rhythm guitar, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Larry Bunker. Each cut is a beautiful modern jazz reading of popular movie themes of the day, from “Lawrence of Arabia” and “How the West Was Won” to the more delicate “Love Theme of Tom Jones” (not the singer) and the taut rhythmic intensity and ultimate beauty of “Carnaval” from the film Black Orpheus, offering listeners solid evidence of his bossa and samba chops. Every track here is a winner…