Leo Kottke, "6- and 12-String Guitar" (Takoma, 1969)

In this album's case, the name says it all: just Leo playing his guitars, with draw-dropping proficiency.

The 14 ditties on "6- and 12-String Guitar" vary in tempo and tone, but aconstant is the mastery of his chosen instruments. Kottke uses every one of those six or 12 strings to maximum effect, his raid fingerpicking providing a soundtrack that the untrained ear could easily mistake for two or more player going at it.

The compositions, many of which have intriguing titles - "The Last of the Arkansas Greyhounds," "Vaseline Machine Gun" and "The Brain of the Purple Mountain," to name a few - are concise, most clocking in at under three minutes. As such, they often seem more fully realized than some of the lengthier workouts favored by guitarists of the late '60s. (Not that I have any aversion whatsoever to lengthy guitar workouts.)

It's difficult to single out any of the tracks as highlights, as each stands on its own merits. Some of my favorites: the fast-paced opener, "The Driving of the Year Nail," which provides an immediate showcase for Leo's dexterity; "Jack Fig," which bears a strong stylistic resemblance to "Embryonic Journey," Leo Kottke Jorma Kaukonen's classic acoustic workout; and "Coolidge Rising," a stunningly executed variation on one chord. And for listeners seeking something more familiar, Kottke plays an exceptional version of Johann Sebastian Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." And "Vaseline Machine Gun" kind of takes off from the basic "Taps" theme.

The release of "6- and 12-String Guitar" came as a revelation when it was released, considering Kottke was practically unknown at the time. Takoma Records founder John
Fahey (1939-2001), whose own guitar style was a strong influence on Leo, gave the talented young instrumentalist a chance, and it quickly earned Kottke a well-deserved following.

Lately, he's been working quite a bit with former Phish bassist Mike Gordon, and their collaboration can be seen (among other places) on "270 Miles from Graceland," the DVD compilation from the 2003 Bonnaroo festival. They've done two albums together, "Clone" (2002) and "Sixty Six Steps" (2005).