Standing in My Shoes

Standing in My Shoes

Track Listings

1. Standing in My Shoes

2. World Turning

3. Dead End

4. Vaseline Machine Gun

5. Corrina, Corrina

6. Realm

7. Cripple Creek

8. Twice

9. Across the Street

10. Don't Call Me Ray

11. Itchy

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In the wake of Beck, even old-schoolers like Leo Kottke are getting hip-hop hip. On Standing in My Shoes, he teams with producer and former Prince cohort David Z for an intriguing, occasionally convincing synthesis of the guitarist's left-field visions and drum loops that suggest exposure to Mellow Gold and Odelay. Some of this music, especially instrumentals like "Realm" and the snoozily "atmospheric" "Across the Street," is barely a step up from tasteful background sound. Other cuts, though, such as a beat-smart rerecording of "Vaseline Machine Gun"--from his legendary first album, 6- and 12-String Guitar--and the Delta-flamenco fusion of "Dead End," demonstrate the wisdom of the Kottke-Z pairing. The title track, another revival of an early Kottke track, also effectively mates groove and stoic soulfulness. His collaboration with Z doesn't mark a great leap forward, but Standing is a modestly brave move. --Rickey Wright

Standing in My Shoes,Leo Kottke,Private Music,Contemporary Folk,Folk & Traditional,Pop,Popular Music

Average customer rating:

Contemporary slide-guitar with accompaniment, NOT Hip-Hop.

I've Tried, Oh How I've tried

what a shame

all kottke albums worth having

Leo branches out

Standing in My Shoes
Leo Kottke
Manufacturer: Private Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
General | Folk | Styles | Music
Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Peculiaroso

My Father's Face

Try and Stop Me

Essential

Time Step

ASIN: B0000000MA
Release Date: 1997-05-20

Tracks:

Standing In My Shoes
World Turning
Dead End
Vaseline Machine Gun
Corrina, Corrina
Realm
Cripple Creek
Twice
Across The Street
Don't Call Me Ray
Itchy

Amazon.com

In the wake of Beck, even old-schoolers like Leo Kottke are getting hip-hop hip. On Standing in My Shoes, he teams with producer and former Prince cohort David Z for an intriguing, occasionally convincing synthesis of the guitarist's left-field visions and drum loops that suggest exposure to Mellow Gold and Odelay. Some of this music, especially instrumentals like "Realm" and the snoozily "atmospheric" "Across the Street," is barely a step up from tasteful background sound. Other cuts, though, such as a beat-smart rerecording of "Vaseline Machine Gun"--from his legendary first album, 6- and 12-String Guitar--and the Delta-flamenco fusion of "Dead End," demonstrate the wisdom of the Kottke-Z pairing. The title track, another revival of an early Kottke track, also effectively mates groove and stoic soulfulness. His collaboration with Z doesn't mark a great leap forward, but Standing is a modestly brave move. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Contemporary slide-guitar with accompaniment, NOT Hip-Hop........2003-12-24

Although I would not consider this his best (4 stars instead of 5), it is still very good, very dynamic acoustic slide guitar music with accompaniment from both human guests (Atkins) and sometimes a drum machine. The songs are well crafted folky and country tinged with a comtempory pop feel. A few old tracks, such as Vaseline Machine Gun get re-worked here, and although they sound nothing the originals they are quite interesting. This is an excellent mix of Vocal and Instrumental tracks from Kottke. However, if you're looking for just another Kottke guitar album, look elsewhere. This should probably not be your first Leo album, but don't make it your last either.

I don't know where people come off calling this album "hip-hop". Yes, there is a drum machine present on some songs, but it is not a hip-hop beat... just bouncy at times.

This is not the first time Leo has used accompaniment on an album. Consider his all vocal and fully-band-backed "Great Big Boy" album from 1991. It also is not just a Leo instrumental album. Try "A Shout Towards Noon" from 1986, "Regards from Chuck Pink" from 1988 or "One Guitar, No Vocals" from 1999 if you just want to hear Leo and his guitar. This is also not the last album Leo got experimental on (consider 2002's "Clone").

If you are just getting started with Leo, try "My Father's Face" from 1989. That seems to be the album all newcomers buy first. It was my first Leo purchase, and I now have 25 Leo albums. Once you hear this guy play (or see him live) you'll want to dust off that old guitar sitting in your closet again.

I've Tried, Oh How I've tried.......2003-05-13

I've given this CD many chances. I read the reviews here before buying, and though I didn't much like Peculiaroso, this sounded as if it would be quirky and inventive.

It wasn't. The playing sounds fairly pedestrian to me. I do not want him to play as he did in 1971 forever, though I do love that sound, but this is not just different, it is a retreat. Change is not good if it is change for the worse. Listen to "Dead End" and tell me how this compares to the spiraling variations from those days. Or the "re-working" of "Standing In My Shoes", a brilliant and beautiful tune, that now is not plaintive but merely whiny.

That does not even address the synthetic drum/bass pop sound that overpowers much of the music. Yeech....Save us from Techno, Leo! We come to you to hear an instrument played lovingly and skillfully. That happens all too infrequently on this CD.

Not a disaster, but not remarkable or distinctive in any way. Feels like a quickie, churned out to meet a contract obligation. I'll keep "6 & 12 String" and "My Feet Are Smiling" (two of the most astonishing records ever) in ready rotation and put this one on the very back burner.

what a shame.......2002-07-14

Nine of eleven cuts are destroyed by the inane and incessant electric hip-hop drum noise. Absolutely criminal. Kottke has obviously sold out.

all kottke albums worth having.......2002-02-11

I cant say this is on my list of must have Kottke albums but, like all of his albums, theres enough to warrant a purchase. Its just that he's got about 15 other brilliant albums.. this album is a bit overproduced for me.. check out "itchy", the last song on the album. What an amazing track - uplifting and incredibly hooky.

Leo branches out.......2001-02-07

For an artist primarily known for solo guitar work, Standing In My Shoes represents a departure of sorts. This album features more musical accompaniment than on most of his previous albums, and even a guest appearance by another guitar player (Chet Atkins, playing a simple but beautiful lead on the song "Twice"). For long time fans of Leo, the drum machines and other musical accompaniment may be unwelcome, and the new versions of two all-time Leo favorites (Vaseline Machine Gun and Cripple Creek) may even be disappointing, but this is an album any fan of Leo Kottke or guitar work in general should appreciate. The song "Corrina, Corrina", an unexpectedly sweet love song, features some of the most expressive and playful guitar work of his career. The song "Across the Street", written about a prisoner who watches his daughter play across the street from his cell, has a dark beauty unlike almost any other Kottke song. The album also contains some of Leo's trademark fingerwork, most notably on songs such as "Itchy" and "Dead End", and while these songs include the controversial rythmn sections, they are interesting and challenging to listen to.

As a long time fan of Leo, I was caught off guard by the sound and feel of this album, and I don't think it would make a good first album for someone looking to give Leo a try. Nonetheless, I recommend it to anyone already familiar with his work. There are several songs with enduring appeal, including at least one classic piece (Corrina, Corrina), and it will add nicely to any Leo collection.

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