Leo Kottke

Acoustic guitarist and fingerpicking master Leo Kottke has been around for awhile, advancing his instrument well below the contemporary radar. In the early 2000s, he broadened his recognition in teaming up with Phish bassist Mike Gordon for Clone, a dynamite album that showcased the best of both musicians. Cuts like “Collins Missile” and the title track brought Kottke’s interesting style to the hordes of fans willing to pick up anything even tangentially related to Phish. But Kottke’s history traces a 40-year arc across s syncopated acoustic odyssey (a sonic predecessor to the likes of Keller Williams, let’s say). When he’s in his element and soaring across the melodies of “Airproofing II” or “Peckerwood,” for instance, he’s mesmerizing. (Sandy)