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Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon — Living In The Country
Album: Sixty Six Steps
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2285









Released: 2006
Length: 3:45
Plays (last 30 days): 4
(Instrumental)
Comments (184)add comment
I want to see him live! Bet he still crushes it.
 kweavr99 wrote:

Leo K might be the most underrated guitarist... 


Umm, no one I know underrates Leo Lottke. Nor any guitar-oriented publication that I'm aware of.
According to Wikipedia Mike Gordon is bass guitarist and vocalist most recognized as a founding member of the band Phish
Saw Leo perform this song last Friday night in Appleton, WI. What a treat he is. The rambling stories are still as good as the guitar playing. He'll be on tour this summer, go see him!
Splash Mountain is a great ride.
The opening of this song always makes me think I'm tuned into NPR Radio for some reason.  Was this a theme song on there at one time?
Leo K might be the most underrated guitarist... can't go wrong with any of his music. His vocals might be an acquired taste - but his voice works for me
 casagozo wrote:

I'm so glad to have Leo Kottke & Radio Paradise with me as I enjoy some magic truffles in Goes (Zeeland), Netherlands. Thank you!!

I have been there!
My great-aunt had a country cottage, we stayed there a few days circa 1986 (?)
Went to the market in the town square, toured the church.
I seem to recall it was surrounded by, well, dang near nothing. Just miles of flat farmland, with an occasional boat stranded while the tide was out.
Didn't get to sample the truffles though, dang it.
c.

I'm so glad to have Leo Kottke & Radio Paradise with me as I enjoy some magic truffles in Goes (Zeeland), Netherlands. Thank you!!
 jimtyrrell wrote:

I surrender, I need this album!



Hands Up!  
Had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Kottke perform and he was just as brilliant then as here in this song and quite a storyteller as well.
"Like a goose fart in a snow storm."
I surrender, I need this album!
And the chair dancing commences!
 SpencerAR wrote:

Have you considered cached Radio Paradise from your smartphone?  
 
Use Caching regularly.  But I also enjoy the unexpected finds in used stores.  Sometimes the finds are keepers like this one is.
Thanks Bill.  You just put me squarely in the middle of my happy place.
Loves me some Kottke
 the_jake wrote:
Picked this CD up at a used store in Estes Park before heading into Rock Mtn National Park.    
Was a pretty good road trip listen.   Can't expect any kind of signal to be sustained for long, 
Even satellite drops in canyons.  Forget about HD signal.
 
Have you considered cached Radio Paradise from your smartphone?  
Leo Kottke (German man?) Great, great, great music{#Bananajam}
Picked this CD up at a used store in Estes Park before heading into Rock Mtn National Park.    
Was a pretty good road trip listen.   Can't expect any kind of signal to be sustained for long, 
Even satellite drops in canyons.  Forget about HD signal.
 rich95969 wrote:
I live in the country (i.e. rural). This song does not feel like what I live. It's good technical picking, but doesn't flow easy into the ears.

 
You live in Paradise!  I would stay put and assume the "country" referred to in the song is not your type of rural/country!
 rich95969 wrote:
I live in the country (i.e. rural). This song does not feel like what I live. It's good technical picking, but doesn't flow easy into the ears.

 
Have you moved yet? Because that's the obvious solution.
Lovin me some Leo this arvo.
Hard to believe it's not a dozen guitarists going hard at it. Love Leo Kottke, and I'm sure Mike Gordon is no mug either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTh7DHIeJCM
 agree

leonswiatek wrote:
That boy can play

 


 Cynaera wrote:

{#Clap} Well-said!  This is me, trying with all my might to extricate my foot from my mouth. (How that foot managed to get there in the first place is a total mystery to me, since I can't even touch my toes anymore.)


 
And this is Cynaera doing what most listeners (me included) can never bring themselves to do - apologise with humor.
That boy can play
 mcYammer wrote:
When I saw Mike was recording w Kottke, it allowed me to give Phish another try. I'll always love Leo, tho

 
Bill just mentioned Mike Gordon plays (played?) in Phish. Wow, this is miles better than anything Phish did. 
I live in the country (i.e. rural). This song does not feel like what I live. It's good technical picking, but doesn't flow easy into the ears.
MassivRuss wrote:
Happy Time in my cubicle{#Music}

 

I, too, am boppin' to the beat!  {#Dance}
Kottke on his own is far better.
As is Pete Seeger .
Like this tune more and more. Excellent pickin', messrs Kottke and Gordon!
Nice and up beat, but  I feel like I'm on hold.
 StoneyG wrote:
Thanks for playing this!

 
nice song
I think this is beautiful... just beautiful.
Too frantic.  Ouch...............
I would enjoy the rest of my life immensely without ever having to hear this song again.
OMG, end already!!
Happy Time in my cubicle{#Music}
A perfect collaboration - Kottke was approached by Mike, essentially auditioning for him, wanting to make music together.  Kottke usually goes on his own, but was so impressed by Gordon, they ended up making two lp's together - both really good, this one being GREAT!
 Cynaera wrote:
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:  Those who can, DO.  Those who can't, TEACH.  Those who can't do or teach become critics.  Addendum:  Those who can't be good critics become trolls.
 
The British critic A.A. Gill called himself and his colleagues the " chatterati " and this seems spot-on. BTW, I knew him when he worked in a Soho sex shop before he found fame. It all sort of fits.
 jhorton wrote:
" Never have so few labored so much for so little."
 
{#Think}
" Never have so few labored so much for so little."
This one goes to 11...
Pete Seger song.  I prefer this version because Pete whistles on his...don't whistle on records please.
 Jörg_Asmussen wrote:

Oh hell yeah, big deal. Just push the "Play" button, lean back and enjoy : )
 
LOL!      
Thanks for playing this!
 trissi wrote:
this song gives me dexterity envy.
 

Ha!
Great fun, this. Thank you! Reminds me I haven't played this CD in toooooo long.

{#Dancingbanana_2}
 Cynaera wrote:
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:  Those who can, DO.  Those who can't, TEACH.  Those who can't do or teach become critics.  Addendum:  Those who can't be good critics become trolls.
 
I think you mean well, but that is really an awful comment.   I think you should think a little harder on that one.  Seriously.  Some of the things you say are really frightening.  I know many of us say critical and "troll" like things here.  We are just having fun and participating in the art process in what I would submit to you is a most important way.   Why do you read these posts?  Why post here yourself?  Do you realize that because you claim to like practically everything, your opinion on anything is almost ridiculous?  No one takes your praise to heart.  Artist know this, they are not stupid.  Most good and great novelists are also the most severe critics BTW.  Who would take anything you say seriously?  How are you even participating? Criticism is the very lifeblood of art and democracy.  That is truly a shameful comment.  Sorry Cy.  I still like you though.  
very fine! I first thought I was hearing Arlo Guthrie ... from his Running Down the Road album ... now I need to compare the two. :)
this song gives me dexterity envy.
When I saw Mike was recording w Kottke, it allowed me to give Phish another try. I'll always love Leo, tho
 Cynaera wrote:
I love pretty much everything Leo Kottke does - this is such a jaunty, happy tune, and deceptively difficult to play!  (Think octopus-fingers.) He's an astonishing guitarist.... {#Clap}
 
I'm pretty convinced he must have an extra hemisphere in his brain. (Richard Thompson, too).
 
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Oh hell, I can play that. Big deal.
 
Oh hell yeah, big deal. Just push the "Play" button, lean back and enjoy : )
blech!

There are a million, " Genius," guitarists out there who make music that only appeals to awestruck guitarists. There's a reason why most people have never heard of them.

Êta baiãozinho arretado, sô!


I bought this CD.  Damned thing had copy protection on it.  Pisses me off.
Kottke could play a washtub string and broomstick bass and still get a 10

I can't hear this too often.  Thanks, Bill!
 Jelani wrote:

Hmmm....
I DO, which qualifies me to TEACH, and I am CRITICAL - necessary to being successful at both. 
 
{#Clap} Well-said!  This is me, trying with all my might to extricate my foot from my mouth. (How that foot managed to get there in the first place is a total mystery to me, since I can't even touch my toes anymore.)

 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Oh hell, I can play that. Big deal.

  
I direct this to those who took michael's tongue-in-cheek comment seriously and challenged his claim of great talent.  First, did you happen to hear (as Doug Adams might say) the whooshing sound of michael's humor going right over your head?  Second, unless you are, say, Leo Kottke's proud mom, why are you so jealous of a claim of such competence, even if you misperceived it?  Have you been to Youtube lately, where you can probably find a video of an 8-year-old Asian kid playing this, or a dude in Balboa Park playing it with his toes?  Do you hate them, too?

Try to love one another.  Right now.


 Cynaera wrote:
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:  Those who can, DO.  Those who can't, TEACH.  Those who can't do or teach become critics.  Addendum:  Those who can't be good critics become trolls.
 
Hmmm....
I DO, which qualifies me to TEACH, and I am CRITICAL - necessary to being successful at both. 
Some songs just make you happy.    {#Whistle}
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Oh hell, I can play that. Big deal.

I once respected you - thought you had intelligent comments. I hope you were just kidding here.  {#Pray} If not, I have lost all admiration for you. And if you CAN play it (and not on a turntable or a CD-player, but actually strumming a guitar and hitting all those notes with your actual fingers), then I shall retract this statement, pending proof of said ability to play this song. (Record your rendition of it and put it out there for everyone.)

And furthermore, if you can play it, what can you NOT play, ability-wise?  Yep, this is me, kicking the anthill. (I have no videos of me kicking anthills, but I know where there are some anthills, so if you need proof, I'll go kick one just for you.)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:  Those who can, DO.  Those who can't, TEACH.  Those who can't do or teach become critics.  Addendum:  Those who can't be good critics become trolls.
Good Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTh7DHIeJCM


 Cynaera wrote:
I love pretty much everything Leo Kottke does - this is such a jaunty, happy tune, and deceptively difficult to play!  (Think octopus-fingers.) He's an astonishing guitarist.... {#Clap}
 
Exactamente.

 jkhandy wrote:

Thanks for sharing.  When did you say your CD will be out??

 
would like to hear the Leo channel on the other stations.....not happening

 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Oh hell, I can play that. Big deal.

 
Thanks for sharing.  When did you say your CD will be out??

Oh hell, I can play that. Big deal.

This is the theme song for "Folk Scene," a show that I listen to every Sunday night on KPFK FM in Los Angeles. It's a GREAT show...you can listen to it, too, wherever you are, at https://www.kpfk.org . Click on the "Archives" button/link and scroll down to find the most recent Sunday evening show. You won't be sorry. Lots of live performances from major talents, as well as way cool interviews!

I saw Leo Kottke once in a small club on the campus of California State University at Long Beach back in the 1970's. He had the flu, but still was amazing, both on that guitar and them vox!

LEO - open a music-school,
and leave us alone with your
perfect BULL!!!
I really must buy this album...
{#Sunny}
That's a little stronger than "Puke".  Maybe this is more to your liking....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2tdMwQobZ0


 
t00lur wrote:
хуОта, МапрОЎуЌывалО гПвМП ебаММПе  {#Puke}
 


хуОта, МапрОЎуЌывалО гПвМП ебаММПе  {#Puke}
Very Nice :)
I love pretty much everything Leo Kottke does - this is such a jaunty, happy tune, and deceptively difficult to play!  (Think octopus-fingers.) He's an astonishing guitarist.... {#Clap}
 Panama_Floyd wrote:
Great song, but I wonder how much of a bribe I need to get Bill to finally add the version of "Twice" on this record..{#Think}
 
Damn skippy!  Yeah, Twice is gorgeous.

If you're gonna poke through my cd collection, you could at least ask. 
Great song to lift the mood on a dull and overcast - grey day in May in the UK
has me bouncing in my chair...  always a good sign.

solid 8 
Great song, but I wonder how much of a bribe I need to get Bill to finally add the version of "Twice" on this record..{#Think}
I am a (hyper) critical SOB but this album has a few very good songs on it!....
Very underrated artist over here in Europe.

Hey: almost 300 Dutch listeners!
 pinklife wrote:
Groovy, man.  Makes me want to sit on the porch with a glass of iced tea and my best dog.  {#Sunny}
 
And how about a banjo?

stratzippy wrote:
i saw Leo several times ... all unplanned always a nice surprise. very characteristic flowing style{#Cowboy} cool stuff

The best thing about Leo is his stories between songs. His stream of consciousness is definitely from another planet! {#Lol}
 throwback wrote:
nobody can pick the strings quite like Leo!

{#Bananajam} {#Clap}
 
I saw Don Ross last night, he can pick, too.
Heavy wood, he calls it and that's correct.
Having said that, I've liked Leo for ever ( and I'm old). 
The added deep bottom of Mr. Mike Gordon is very complimentary to Leos finger picking style
wiki
(born June 3, 1965 in Sudbury, Massachusetts) is a bass player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. Gordon is also an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano, guitar, harmonica and percussion. He is also an award-winning filmmaker.


 helgigermany wrote:
I can hear this once a while ,but not every day!
 
Exactly!
I can hear this once a while ,but not every day!

nobody can pick the strings quite like Leo!

{#Bananajam} {#Clap}

I guess from a lot of these comments people don't get the definition of eclectic...
solid 9...kottke's amazing!
Not really my style and therefore seems rather overplayed IMO.  I am sure if I loved it I would be happy to hear it so often.  You win some you loose some eh?
i saw Leo several times ... all unplanned always a nice surprise. very characteristic flowing style{#Cowboy} cool stuff
 pinklife wrote:
Groovy, man.  Makes me want to sit on the porch with a glass of iced tea and my best dog.  {#Sunny}
 

Why must you show favortism to one dog? Isn't your porch big enough for all your dogs?
pinklife wrote:
Groovy, man. Makes me want to sit on the porch with a glass of iced tea and my best dog. {#Sunny}

definitely a groove that a good dog could appreciate. i can see his tail waggin along to the music{#Devil_pimp}.

Groovy, man.  Makes me want to sit on the porch with a glass of iced tea and my best dog.  {#Sunny}
nagsheadlocal wrote:
Leo has been my hero since "Six and 12-String Guitar" enchanted me way back in the early 70s. An amazing musician.

lol when that came out we were trying to figure out who and what and how many people were on that record just to find it was "just" Leo, saw him at Armadillo World Headquarters and he had a badly cut finger and still blew us away


 Naaldekoker wrote:
Almost sounds like sumthin from Soweto township...I once liked Leo Kottke.


  Wow. Too many brandy and cokes?


I'm pretty sure this is the intro of some public radio show — but which one? {#Think}

{#Dance}


Still a great tune to brighten a rain-sodden day.
 geotrash wrote:
Oh MAN!!! Leo Kottke's music is magic and I can recognize his melodies and finger style anywhere. This one's a gem, but for the eye popping version, check out the one on Leo's "My Feet are Smiling" album. Thanks RP!!

Dave
 
Outstanding = 9:  "My Feet are Smiling", too!  {#Dance}

Leo has been my hero since "Six and 12-String Guitar" enchanted me way back in the early 70s. An amazing musician.
I appreciate or more.....   -   7.
Kottke has 15 fingers...on each hand.   (Not really heh).  If you've ever tried to finger pick...listening to this makes you wanna smash your guitar.  Richard Thompson does that to me too. 
Oh MAN!!! Leo Kottke's music is magic and I can recognize his melodies and finger style anywhere. This one's a gem, but for the eye popping version, check out the one on Leo's "My Feet are Smiling" album. Thanks RP!!

Dave
nice cover!!
October 2004 Kottke/Gordon Burlington Higher Ground... Had to go. Jumped in the car and went. Solo trip (companion bailed) just went. Really glad I did. Weird thing was, on the way back drove all the way thru Vermont and thru a major blizzard. SNOWED HARD all the way back. Harrowing. Made it back in one piece. Bought this disk at the show and listened to it the whole way back (esp Over the Dam). October, and it snowed all night.
I'm doin' my chair dance, watchin' the clock, lookin' at the birdies in the sunshine outside my window....perfect song for an almost-time-to-go-home moment on a Friday. Ha! the boss thinks I'm all hopped up on this position paper I'm writing..... ">
Nice set! Kottke, Hank Dogs, Arcade Fire, Joan Armatrading, Chris Issak. And on top of that it's Friday!
Slick wrote:
Nice follow to take the taste of Blues Traveler outta my head ;-)
Any sound that removes Blues Traveler from my memory is most welcome indeed. I think we should start a global charity just to give John Popper some harmonica lessons.
Nice follow to take the taste of Blues Traveler outta my head ;-)
Kottke Rocks.
Got this album at a particularly weird time in my family's life (tiny apartment, unemployed, etc.). Whenever this track came on, my 4-year-old daughter and I would dance around the room to our "happy music"!
Almost sounds like sumthin from Soweto township...I once liked Leo Kottke.
Stewed_Mulligan wrote:
I had an album by Leo in the '70s where he compared his vocals to "goose farts on a foggy day".....
My Feet Are Smiling. (click here)
I had an album by Leo in the '70s where he compared his vocals to "goose farts on a foggy day".....which is a line I still use to this day to describe our stand-up bass players voice (when I'm not comparing him to Perry Como that is)....I like the direction in which Leo has gone.
WOO! Play GAMEHENGE! Oh, whoops. Sorry. Never mind.