Bonanza!..

The minute I discovered U-Tube,I rushed right over and scoured the site for videos of my favorite guitarist.
Sadly,there were scant few to be found.
I wasn't surprised really,because he's not what you'd call a 'pop' artist,and much of his work was performed in the 70's,before video tape recorders were readily accessible to all and sundry.
Still,I'd check every now and then,hoping to find some footage from the occasional PBS concert,or whatever.

Well dont'cha know I was rummaging through some Jimmie Rodgers tunes on U-Tube,when I hit upon a link that took me to a treasure trove of Leo Kottke vids!..Apparently some fan whose name I can't remember right now has uploaded buttloads!

Now don't worry,I'm not gonna play them one after another,because I like to post other bits of melodic esoterica,just to keep things interesting..at least for me.
I'm playing this particular song because it highlights Leo's mastery of the 12 string acoustic,and pays some small homage to another favorite of mine,Doc Watson.

Enjoy!



'The last steam engine train'

Little Martha..

This tune was written by Duane Allman.

With all due respect to his skill,I've always liked Leo's version better.

He uses the most wonderful harmonics.A cute little trick of laying the finger across the fret,that produces a sound I can only describe as ear candy.

If memory serves,this was filmed during Leo's "Home and Away" concert at Wolftrap theatre in Canada.

Phone Phreak..

I really hate talking on the phone.
Mostly because you can't see the person's face that you're talking to,so you can't tell if they are lying or not...which they probably are.
That's why they call,instead of talking to you face to face.
Plus,..I totally suck at small talk.
"Hi Sling!"
"Hi"
"How are you?"...
"Fine".
"Watcha doin'?"...
"nuthin'"...after this initially electric exchange,the conversation pretty much becomes strained.

So,I usually just tell people not to bother calling me,because I won't answer the phone anyway.I really won't...I'm not kidding.

"Oh my God!..How can you NOT answer the phone?...What if it's an emergency?"..
"Like what?"
"Well,..like,what if somebody died?"
"Then they're gonna be just as dead whether you call me or not,so why should I let that ruin MY day?"..

Throw in assorted telemarketers,and sundry other forms of peddlers,and the telephone becomes nothing more than a huge source of irritation.

The only time I really feel the need to use the phone,is when I call in sick to work..Like this morning.

"Good morning,K's Kustom Kabs"
"Hi,this is Sling,..I'm not feeling well this morning,kinda feverish,I think it's best if I stay home today"..
"Okay Sling,take care of yourself,and hope you're feeling better soon!"
"Thanks..Bye-bye".

I don't mind talking on the phone in this case at all 'cause,..you know,...I was lying.

EDIT:...Sorry,..I couldn't resist.