In the 1970s, it seemed like if you knew about dropped D tuning, open G and open D, and maybe even open C and DADGAD, you had alternate tunings covered. Today, with the great profusion of alternate tunings and the great music that has sprung from them, they have become a mainstay of contemporary … [Read more...] about Titles/Tunings Database — Phase 2
“Some additional thoughts …” on “Aerial Boundaries,” “Hot Type,” “Rickover’s Dream,” and “Ragamuffin” — now available online.
This series of essays — written in 1995 and 1996, following the publication of the first extensively-edited transcriptions of compositions by Michael Hedges — provides further background information and analysis of these groundbreaking compositions. “Imagine This!”Some additional thoughts on … [Read more...] about “Some additional thoughts …” on “Aerial Boundaries,” “Hot Type,” “Rickover’s Dream,” and “Ragamuffin” — now available online.
“Egg Tooth” introduction from Leo Kottke/My Feet Are Smiling
In the study notes for the transcription of “Egg Tooth” that we have published, I presented a chronology of the evolution of the form and, in the case of “Egg Tooth,” it is a long and winding road. The transcription itself represents how Kottke was performing “Egg Tooth” in the late … [Read more...] about “Egg Tooth” introduction from Leo Kottke/My Feet Are Smiling
Qin Tang Cup 2nd Annual Masaaki Kishibe Fingerstyle Competition
I have the good fortune to work with guitar players around the world—interesting, talented, diligent guitar players. Huang Cong, who resides in Fujian province in China aims to bring the music of Michael Hedges to the foreground in China. He recently won the Qin Tang Cup 2nd Annual Masaaki … [Read more...] about Qin Tang Cup 2nd Annual Masaaki Kishibe Fingerstyle Competition
Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon – Ants (Official Art Track)
“Ants” is a remarkable composition that represents a new direction for Leo Kottke. Like “Gewerbegebiet,” it is in open G tuning, but sounds in Dm. This unusual approach opens up new possibilities. A transcription of "Ants" is available at https://www.stropes.com/leo-kottke/. … [Read more...] about Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon – Ants (Official Art Track)
Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon “Flat Top” from Noon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpM1WYB12W4&t=6s Flattop was a villain in the early Dick Tracy comic strips. His son, Flattop, Jr., was the inspiration behind the title of this composition by Leo Kottke. This performance by Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon brings some joy to our pandemic … [Read more...] about Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon “Flat Top” from Noon
11th Cambridge Folk Festival
Many thanks to Graham Pearson for contributing this rare “pocket programme” from the 11th Cambridge Folk Festival to the archives. On Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27, 1975, you could have seen Bert Jansch at 8:30pm and Leo Kottke at 10pm! Were you there? … [Read more...] about 11th Cambridge Folk Festival
