I bought this CD for the track "Last Steam Engine Train" to remember my brother Steve who died recently and used to play this song and several of the others. He was the one who introduced me to the amazing guitar virtuosity and offbeat singing style of Leo Kottke (self-described as goose farts on a foggy morning.) "Greenhouse" was originally released on vinyl in 1972 and this CD was made in England in 1990. The sound is great and the memories are bittrersweet. Some of the lyrics are hauntingly sad, but the music is upbeat and masterful. "The Spanish Entomologist" is a wacky combination of several kid's songs that those of a certain age will remember well. "In Christ There is No East or West " is beautiful.
July 19, 2008Despite the official Amazon review, I must say that that "warbling" voice of Kottke on the tracks "Tiny Island" and "Cradle to the Grave" are some of the catchiest pieces of songwriting I've ever heard. I'm a musical slut. From Folk to funk, and from hip hop to heavy metal, as long as it has heart, I'm attracted to it. And this album shows much heart. Go out and get your heart broke, Mister Amazon-Reviewer. Or have a rum and lime and a sunny summer day. Or think of your father. Do whatever you must to get on the same plane with this album. It's human and touching. I, luckily, found the vinyl when I was twenty years old in some beat up antique shop. Every now and then, when somberly cleaning house I like to play it followed by some Jim Croce and Cat Stevens. I've since seen Leo in concert a few times, and I will admit that he spends more time telling stories and tuning that 12 string of his than actually playing music, but he has still got it. Man can he play! And I happen to love his warbling, sincere voice.
July 12, 2008 |  | Outrageously talented Leo |  |
Jee, what an artist Leo is. I owned only "6&12 strings guitar" prior to this weekend when I had the opportunity to buy this one and Ice water at a record festival in my town. I was out of money because I bought some other records from other artist but when I saw these two albums and I understood they were very near in terms of time to "6&12" I decided to search for the exit of the festival, to find a bank and to come back inside the festival to buy these two cds more because I thought "these albums are calling me they should be great". Obviously I was thinking to the UNBELIEVABLE "6&12" which is an album that I really really love. One of my desert island records for sure. What I found in this Green House are a lot of instrumentals on the same levels of the ones comprehended in "6&12" and few more songs sunged by Leo. I don't find his voice unattractive. Sure his guitar playing is so astounding that words don't seem to add something relevant, but in the end the songs are always wonderful portraits even with Leo's voice. I enjoy Leo's playing immensly so I don't want to point out a song. They're all fantastic believe me, even if Leo decides to sing. I don't care. He sings pretty well by the way, he has a deep voice that appeals to me. Simply this man has an outrageous dose of talent whatever he does. To me these three albums should be in every music enthusiast's collection because they are stellar albums (but I think Greenhouse is better than Ice Water, here we are on the "6&12 strings" level). I'm a Jazz musician and bebop lover, but as you see, I don't care for labels. When music is this good, I don't care how you want to call it. Folk, bluegrass, country or whatever. It's a delight, and this is the only thing that matters to me. I can't get tired of Leo's playing. Thank God I came back to the festival to buy these two gems. Leo is IMMENSE.
March 5, 2007Have loved this album since it first came out years ago (bought on vinyl - lost to the mists of time). The CD was out of print but I kept looking and found it on Amazon (it was re-released), Yeah!!!!
Last Steam Engine, From the Cradle to the Grave, Louise, Owls, You Don't have to Need Me - some of my favorites.
This, to me, is Kottke in his prime.
February 3, 2007| | | About the best that there is | |
I picked up Leo Kottke in Tucson in 1972 at the airport and took him to his concert at the UofA opening for Loggins & Messina. Never head him before. I was amazed at his artistry on guitar! I've heard him live 3 more times and purchased 6 more albums. But this one is special to me. It combines his incredible 6 and 12 string fingerwork and has some great vocals, which he was reluctant to provide he told me (the label made him do it!). There's no better guitarist recording than this, trust me.
June 3, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
