Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke and Doc Watson - Last Steam Engine Train

[@nathanielvargas3863]

I’m amazed by Chet Atkins ability to tune his guitar by smell alone

[@randyrutherford1186]

Right! ? I’ll just tune mine while 2 other acoustics are jamming away right beside me

[@fredbloggs8072]

It was one of his many super-powers

[@mathewhale3581]

Bwaahaha by a scenting scales

[@zankyalbo2208]

Smells like a 'G' string to me. LOL

[@batchelerjr]

😂😂😂

[@KenIn_NH]

Aside from the magnitude of the talent present, my favorite part is watching a young pup Leo grinning like a kid in a candy store the whole time. Moments like these are life long memories and treasures for certain!

[@MrSimmies]

He's having a blast watching Doc the whole time! Wouldn't it have been great to see these three play a concert together?!!

[@fijit0420]

How the entire universe did not implode due to the immeasurable amount of greatness presented here, I do not know..

[@zumajim]

That was my initial reaction. I would have been too weak in the knees to walk out of that room after seeing these three together.

[@ronaldreagan256]

That’s a fact

[@soofitnsexy]

and yet they MASSIVELY HELD BACK

[@gutbucket260]

The walls were lined with lead.

[@sjlBoise54]

Still spine tingling.

[@blah148]

Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, and Doc Watson jamming to a song written by John Fahey?!?! Everything about it is friggin' PERFECT!!!

[@gman4860]

Even more ironic considering John Fahey hated Chet and Chet didnt care for him too much either!

[@DanielSchorr]

@@gman4860 Why? what happened between them?

[@gman4860]

Daniel Schorr Fahey started it by saying Chet was basically a machine with no feeling and overdubbed all the hard stuff he did. Now Chet would overdub a solo over a rhythm part he did but that was it. He dissed Chet in guitar player magazine. Chet responded by telling Fahey that yeah he had overdubbed a few things but what he did could be done with a lot of practice. Basically telling Fahey, you know nothing.

[@RickyBlackwell_X]

@@gman4860 where can i read about his (Fahey) opinion about Chet?

[@g.bontempi691]

@@gman4860 can you link the article? I tried but I couldn't find it

[@scottrowe533]

Three of the finest guitar pickers ever to grace this planet. Individually, they are astounding in their musical virtuosity. Together and just havin' fun like this, with no expectations on anyone's part, they were otherworldly. Thank you, gentlemen, for all of the joy you have given us.

[@bfgair1]

The only one missing would be Mearl Watson RIP.

[@fredbloggs8072]

Whoever managed to get these three legends together in a room at the same time, armed with guitars, deserves a medal.

[@richardbarrick1492]

​@@bfgair1Or, Earl Scruggs😅

[@patrickdaley6786]

Leo and Doc had performed this song together before. I doubt Chet had ever heard it. But he listened to them a bit, then he went to town! Great performance!

[@Joe_J-MT_Boy]

A bass player friend of mine, who played for a variety of bands, when asked if he knew the song one of the guys was suggesting, would just say "Gimme the key"... and take it from there. He'd feel where the other players were going and play accordingly. I'm pretty sure Chet did something like that pretty often. The man loved good pickers.

[@tonylanasa8835]

He's only 74 i sure hope he as a long bright future. Only one left of that great triad. Thanks to whoever caught this pearl. It definitely brightens my day.

[@UkuleleJarmo]

it's been a great moment there. it really puts you in a good mood when you listen and watch this.

[@JoelOuelletteGuitar]

Chet almost never improvised like this live. We all know he had the ability, but his live and recorded solos were all very well-rehearsed, and polished. This is one of the few recordings of him really going out on a limb with a true bluegrass solo - and he drove it home.

[@rockinredneck57]

This is almost mind blowing it's so good! Two finger pickers and a flat picker. This is what happens when there is no audience around and just a three guys with guitars start to jam. All of a sudden, magic happens.

[@margaretedie536]

When I was in 9th grade (1958 or so) our family moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma. My dad was very musical, so my brother and I were immediately pointed to Mr. Yaden who taught orchestra/band etc in the schools. He handed me a baritone horn and that, or alto horn were my faves! But I was encouraged to keep up with my violin/viola as well. My brother took clarinet from Mr. Y. Mom and Dad played bridge with Leo's parents. Up on the risers and playing some old dented silver-colored baritone horn, Leo on some kind of horn (baritone? alto?) sat next to me (I think we were reading off the same music stand). I believe our parents were in the same community bridge group. Those were magic times until we moved to Cincinnati in about 1960/1. Years later, we heard Leo's name - sort of whispered in reverence - and we all said "there can't be two Leo Kottke's in this world!" Maybe 20 or 30 years later, we heard that Leo was playing at the Varsity in Atlanta, so Dan and I got tickets and lodging for the night. When we were checking in at the hotel, there was Leo at the desk: his luggage was lost! We all mingled around and came up with a solution: Dan lent Leo his sports coat for the evening. So all went well and had a great time at the concert. Luckily, the jacket was an OK fit and he returned it to our hotel manager when we all get back after the event. Funny old memories....

[@dennisjohndreher7258]

Love the way Leo laid back and let them solo. He showed respect to the two masters.

[@navedoesthings]

Leo's unmistakable style can be heard even under two other great players trading lead. He's such a great player, even still today.

[@twray1835]

Time stood still for this. Stand on your head. Unbelievable coincidental arrival of three of the best guitarists of all time. We only have one left among us. God bless them all for what they have given us!

[@matthewhorizon6050]

Yeah, I see Leo Every time I get a chance.

[@1964Yovra]

That grin from Leo when Chet takes off....

[@josephanselm8601]

If I walked in and saw these 3 with their guitars out, you couldn't have pried me out of there with a stick of dynamite, I'da been sittin' right there watching and listening until they shut off the lights and locked the doors..... there's no words for the greatness, individually, or combined, that could do this justice....

[@MrSimmies]

You wouldn't have seen much as I would be sitting in front of you, even if it meant sitting in Kottke's lap!!! :) Wonder if they were doing a concert together or just ran into each other due to some cosmic event.

[@smeghead1851]

Just ... damn ... the smile on Leo's face never stops ... that is some fine picking there ... three distinct styles ... all mesh together ... the power of music ... and damn fine musicians ...

[@jmiotke22]

If this doesn't put a smile on your face, then nothing can. It's amazing how even though the guitars are in perfect harmony, you can easily hear the difference in the very distinct styles of Doc and Chet. Even to this day, i'm blown away by how effortless and precise Chet Atkins is with his playing.

[@rgbart01]

this is possibly the best youtube video I have ever seen. These guys are beyond compare. The smile on Kottke's face is priceless. I've never seen Chet play this fast.

[@joshalanfriedman8986]

That's me (Josh Alan) in the striped shirt. Gathered in Nashville, 1988, for an American Airlines Mag. cover story called "Stars and Their Guitars."

[@rjcote45]

@joshalanfriedman8986 THANK YOU SO MUCH Josh Alan for the year and location. I was so curious about the year! Doc looks young. Of course as does Leo and Chet.

[@JD-vv7tq]

Listening to Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke, and Doc Watson sitting playing their guitars, was pure excellence on the spot.

[@ColeMojo]

Didn't tear up, but couldn't help from grinning uncontrollably. Going to get that DVD too, thanks for the tip. I have loved Doc forever without a pause, since I met and heard him play in North Carolina in 1966. Later found and idolized Leo, but he dropped out of my consciousness for some reason, after I morphed out of Hippie culture. Thought Chet was too 'easy listening' for me, but now, of course, I see my error. Grateful for the gift of seeing this 'chance' jam session, thank you, whoever

[@colbruce]

Doc at the end of this: "It's not too complicated, but you can find some gooooood country runnin' in that thing". Love it!

[@MrSimmies]

Yea, that's what I told my AP calculus students while doing triple integrals..."not too comp!icated!"

[@bigmikeydread]

Very very proud that my Dad and Mom were good friends of Doc and Rosalee, and Willard Docs cousin, and with Gaither Carlton too, I grew up in Nashville after my English father settled there, having gone to the states to pursue his music interests in the early 60s, I have a slide somewhere of Dad firing a long gun that the Watsons had him shoot up on top of one of the hills in Deep Gap N.C. and we have pictures of me being held and passed around as a baby, Leo has always been a fave and I have long admired Chets ability if not his Nashville 'Sound', it was lovely to find this, with two of my very favourite musicians on it...

[@marcd3846]

An amazing impromptu performance from three masters of folk guitar.

[@KevinCGleason]

Three legends. Leo must have felt so blessed.

[@pjhirsch]

Love Leo! Looks like a kid on Christmas morning.

[@jysmtl]

Holy moly. What a treasure. This clip alone justifies KZbin.

[@jefflanaghan6327]

3 major guitar legends - thankfully Kottke is still with us

[@weigelji1]

Pretty cool... a flat pick, a thumb pick, and fingerstyle producing genius together. All amazing musicians.

[@chicagozephyr2399]

Another reason to like Kottke: his humility. Great post!

[@Kencomp1]

Chicago Zephyr Indeed!

[@patrickdaley6786]

Leo and Doc had played this together on The Prairie Home Companion. I doubt Chet ever heard the song before, but look at him listen for a bit - then just go to town on his solo!

[@jysmtl]

Wow

[@spoonful1018]

@@jysmtl Chet was a true genius - wish I had known him better when he was till around

[@jonathanmoran8932]

Leo played on phc with Chet too, it’s on here

[@SwampDog1957]

How could a collaboration of three masters be anything but fantastic?

[@1492tomato]

Talking about who's the world's greatest guitar player is like trying to decide how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. But surely, here are three of them.Thanks for all the grins, Doc. The music in heaven just got better.

[@joejohnson2934]

imagine walking into the lobby of the hotel or wherever this was and seeing these three just playing for fun. Son of a gun

[@Cyclist0623]

The incredible thing though is that whoever these people are, they just walk off after about a minute (or less). My God - had they NO idea who and what they were apparently the only human beings on Earth at that time to get to hear and see? Holy cow. I would pay with some body part to have been able to be there for this!

[@annemarietobias]

***** Are you kidding, I'd'a knawed a foot off to get to see this, and took the ticket gladly not to miss a second of it. How often do you get to meet the Father, Son, and the holy Ghost tearing up git-boxes? I won't get to see something like this until I pass through the pearly gates myself. This is damn special, thanks for sharing it.

[@thestoryplease]

I don't know if it's still this way, but I an remember being in Nashville at a guitar repair shop - think it was the Pick-n-Parlor, some of the best pickers would come in for their guitars and soon there would be two , three, four just playing not for the money or show, but for the love and fun of it. If I was a religious man I'd have bowed my head and said, Thank you Jesus."

[@Cyclist0623]

thestoryplease Just like John Sebastian's telling of the story behind writing "Nashville Cats." "And any one that unpacks a guitar can play twice as better than I will."

[@bmadzook]

This happened at the Musicland Sheraton in Nashville during the Nashville Music Festival. I did walk in on it.

[@MeneerHerculePoirot]

Chet Atkins built his career on the Travis Style, but here demonstrates he was no slouch as a jazz player either. Incredible, historical piece of video. Kottke stayed in his lane and deferred to the greats. Classy guy.

[@Dan0948]

Love playing along on this one😁

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

i grab my guitar and try to jam along = real masters right there

[@garethleitner9547]

I had the fortune of seeing Doc Watson, David Bromberg and Arlo Guthrie together once in El Paso. What a time!

[@DaveM1260]

When I need a smile...I come here.

[@BMAWG1968]

same here, same here.

[@beverlyparker8004]

These three legendary guitarists sound so amazing together ! I am looking forward to seeing Leo Kottke's performance in Nashville, Indiana on April 29, 2022 !

[@jimt2430]

The tune's got some Deep River Blues in it too.

[@richardroadman2239]

My thought exactly.

[@rogerrinaldi9577]

I still have "Doc and Merle, Live and Pickin'" on the shelf. Probably the greatest live capture of Doc and Merle before Merle passed away. Now that Doc has gone to heaven, they are together again playing the greatest bluegrass songs ever written. Doc truly was a "Tennessee Stud", even though he was from South Carolina. God bless Doc and Merle Watson. We will forever miss you guys.

[@garymoore8711]

My Dad worshiped the ground that Chet walked on. My greatest regret is that I never got the opportunity to introduce him to Doc Watson. Doc could do it all, flat pick, thumbpicking, and fingerstyle. Leo was the novice at the feet of Gods

[@thestoryplease]

Three guitar pickers grab chairs, sit down and just play together. Wonderful! Glad someone had the where-withal to record it. Makes me happy!

[@KelleyRinehart]

I first heard John Fahey play this in 1971. Bizarrely, I just learned that Fahey wrote this piece in 1964. Fahey's version, of course, is slower, dark and brooding. I'm much more in tune with this cheerful, moderately up tempo version, lit by Kotke's perpetual good humor. I really love the way Kotke the puppy integrates with two of the biggest old dogs in the biz, and it looks to me as if all three of them had a wonderful time. I sure did!

[@jimbob0649]

virtuoso music and musicianship very often bring me to tears. I teared up about 3/4 through this. My God - I would just love to be able to play half that good!

[@long2granger]

Leo can hardly contain himself, watching Chet doing a bit of fancy picking at about 2 1/2 minutes. Wish I'd been a fly on the wall during THAT little session....thanks for uploading this treasure.

[@artswri]

Thank you to these 3 extremely talented people. They have brightened my life (and many others') in ways and times when nothing else could do it.

[@muzicman47]

What a treat! Three legends in one room! Best bluegrass guitar jam I've seen in quite a while! :)

[@johnlandis2552]

smokin! I only saw doc perform live once, at the Winfield (ks.) bluegrass festival in the late '60's he was in fine fettle, and blew away the youngsters who thought they were gonna outpick the "old guy" they learned that NOBODY could outpick Arthel watson!

[@demef758]

I saw Doc at Stanford (CA) some time in the mid-70s. He was the second bill on a show with Gordon LIghtfoot as the headliner. Doc and Merle just tore it up! Doc had the crowd in the palm of his hand, particularly with his down home humor between numbers. And then Lightfoot comes out, and he was like a jukebox: play song, applause, go into next song. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Not a single line of patter between songs to keep the audience entertained as Doc had so brilliantly done only an hour earlier. Pretty soon, the crowd was booing, yelling "say something!!!!" Yes, Whoever dreamed up that tour clearly had the billing upside down! The world is a poorer place without Doc.

[@guitarvocs]

That smile on Leo Kotke's face at 2:25, I'd like to have a smile like that just once in my life. This is a treasure. Thanks so much for sharing it.

[@JoeyMayo]

Simply amazing to watch three masters of the guitar sitting and playing together. Chet Atkins is focused and I could listen to him play all day long.

[@tonyschram1260]

Talk about a all star line up, outstanding 😃👍

[@thomasmartinscott]

I ran Sound for Leo Kottke at the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride in 1998. His guitar prowess is amazing, but the most memorable part of the Show was his banter in between the Music. He is an Incredibly entertaining Humorous Story Teller. I found myself thinking, "Ok, I have this on record at home, I can hear it there, Talk some more!". If you've never seen his whole show, look one up. You will be glad you did.

[@SlimDavenport]

This why I love KZbin

[@artandjennifer1]

Well played, of course. I’ve watched this several times before and this time I finally noticed how well it was filmed: the setting, lighting and the great shots of your fingering of the banjo…

[@mattfinish-kg3bl]

so after watching several times you noticed there was a banjo?

[@lucky56ification]

astoniishing which is exactly what I would expect from 3 of the best brilliant

[@daf827]

It's like the Mount Rushmore of great American fingerpickers! Fabulous video!

[@Pickinbuddy]

This is absolute MAGIC!

[@rickandsallyjohannsen2189]

wish i'd have been ther. 3 generations of greatness, hotel, no audience , good as it gets

[@EmilErnebroGuitar]

Chet's solo... So beautiful.

[@thefringthing]

Kottke tells a funny story about this meeting. Doc asked him where he learned it, and Kottke explained that he learned it from John Fahey, but Fahey claimed it was a Sam McGee tune. Chet replied that he knew Sam McGee, and Sam never played anything like it. So now Kottke introduces it as "my own original number".

[@Banzo_]

He's taking credit for a song he song he didn't make?

[@Banzo_]

Would make more sense if Fahey said it.

[@matthewhorizon6050]

That's hilarious!

[@dannygjk]

@@Banzo_ I rolled my eyes so much at your comment I almost passed out.

[@demef758]

That's a VERY funny story, a great intro for the song every time you play it on stage. "So I'm sitting there pickin' with Chet and Doc, and ...."

[@whaatz2cee]

Fare Thee well dear Doc. And on a lighter note, I have seen Leo Kottke play many times over the years, but never have I seen him grinnin like this. What a great video. thanks so much for posting this.

[@debbienovak5226]

That there's a lot of guitar chops in one room - young Leo Kottke looks like a kid in a candy store, and why wouldn't he? Freakin' Doc Watson and Chet Atkins!

[@agraulich2009]

The guitar talent here...holy crap. The musical taste and talent, the legendary status across three generations. Pure lovely.

[@91Kingscrib84]

Doc & Chet with (by-age-only) neophyte Leo. Music as sweet as it gets. Flat & finger pickin' by the best. Was a Doc fan before even Chet. Leo joined in the early 70s. Good stuff! 🔥👍

[@jimporter5920]

What can you say but go man go! Leo is insane, Chet is great, and Doc is amazing.

[@balesbailey5137]

Pure, pure joy. A collector's item. Thanks.

[@mountainsofmoss]

Miss you, Doc. Love that commentary there at the end.

[@RickarooCarew]

thank you 💕 🤠... totally awesome... Leo... looking good... Chet... waiting to blow our minds... and Doc shizaaaaam

[@kaewonf8]

That Leo kid has a bright future ahead of him Doc...

[@78tag]

Yea - looks like he might be able to play

[@frankstackowitz9234]

That guy on the left ain't bad, either

[@johns.8082]

Doc Watson can play like this all day with his eyes closed.

[@badm.d]

hes blind

[@williamdejeffrio9701]

Thank you for reminding me how incredible these guys have been.

[@georgeadams6403]

Atkins can tune WHILE jamming...the greats are great for reasons we mortals seldom notice.

[@kenhorneland7060]

Saw Leo in Edmonton backing up John Prine. Amazing guitar player 🎸

[@richeaton5752]

I have the barest of memories of Doc busking in my hometown in NE TN in the late 50's. Playing in front of 5 and dime, with a cigar box in front of him. I was 2 or 3.

[@careyrowland]

Thanks! Keep the Doc's medicine going on and on and on. May that flat-pickin' virtuosity never be gone!

[@cazbulldog22]

So soulful, Mark. RIP Adam Schlesinger

[@larryshackley8074]

I saw Doc, Merle, and Leo in concert at McCormick Place in Chicago circa 1972. Great show.

[@craigharrison5406]

Amazing trio of legends....I just love kottke's music.

[@henrygerwien186]

That's joy of guitar playing... ;-))) ... well done, guys!!!!

[@Jercarp55]

Seen all three of these bad ass pickers live. That was a great video, thanks for posting!

[@jpcjourneypastoralcoaching7851]

I grew up listening to and loving the music of Chet and Doc. Leo's of my generation and not just a bridge back to, but an amazing continuation of guitar greatness. Who was it that said an acoustic is the real measure of a guitarist - it's just the player and the strings; no tech to hide the mistakes or the majesty. A final thought, Chopin is quoted as saying, "Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two." If he had heard this, he might have modified his comment. Thanks for posting.

[@zorbanongreco]

JPC : yeah! I've always liked that Chopin quote. I have a John Williams album (with that other guy ?) which has it on the cover. 🐂💨 💨 💨

[@Klaudiart]

Brings tears to my eyes. RIP Chet

[@BrandonStRandy-bh4tg]

What an iconic set of musicians. Awesome awesome video man, thanks for it!

[@flipspiceland64]

Thanks more than I can say for posting this video. A treasure.

[@cocochanelleke]

Three brilliant guitar players in harmony. Thanks for sharing this video Robinhlm.

[@superjay42]

"You can find some gooooood country runs in that thing, I mean them *hillbilly* runs." High praise from Doc!!

[@Crackers2549]

Awesome and Chet one of my all time favorites along with Les Paul... Railroading... Well, Rode that high iron for 42 years running those trains for the "Big UP"! Loved railroading!...

[@musicmaker1961]

WOW thanks for posting this ! what a great version of a really fun song . Played by three of the best fingerpicking guitar players ever on the planet! really enjoyed it thanks again! :D

[@chrislawson7983]

Making music sound as good as they can not to show up someone, awesome. Thanks for the post.

[@long2granger]

Leo Kottke, living the dream....and he's good enough to deserve it

[@MrRocksberg]

Fantastic! Just love Doc Watson's comment: It's not to complicated, but you can find some goooooood country runs in that thing.

[@hayesmz]

Can't get better than this. Thanks.

[@mrdaveyjones5432]

Doc,Atkins &Kottke - A#1 GREAT!

[@russelllantz1576]

what is so cool is that no one is trying to outplay the other AWESOME

[@jacksprat3009]

That's a key to music. You play for the tune, not yourself. Of course you might want to show off a lick or two if you do it in the right spot in order to get others to show you their licks.

[@tedpeterson1156]

⁠@@jacksprat3009 That’s what happened here I betcha. Doc and Leo conspired to set up Chet. Watch Doc lean back and then say “Get one, Chet”.

[@Ogsonofgroo]

Such great fun! As a really shitty newbie git player I am both stunned and inspired, thank you folks, One and Al!

[@oldmanmyers]

No discription available? No description needed ... the best of the best pickin a few strangs ... I love these guys ..

[@robcale8165]

Saw Leo in the seventies at the Milo Bail student center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I didn't know who he was. He had a chair and a guitar and room full of hypnotized guitar lovers. He didn't look like he shaved yet. Been a Leo Kottke fan ever since.

[@TheEasybeat]

I like how they don't put Leo's name in the credits at the beginning, yet he may be the best guitarist that ever lived

[@treecounting]

your statement indicates you know little about ' guitar playing ' .. Leo Kottke is, at best, a one-trick pony. His playing is ' incredible ' only in that it is endlessly repetitive and redundant. He is incapable of playing off true musicians. He has rote memorized material and it solely defines him.

[@tedpeterson1156]

treecounting I bet you're a blast at parties

[@onlyrick]

@@tedpeterson1156 - Back before folks learned not to invite him.

[@jysmtl]

Three greats. Just jamming.

[@gman4860]

Best guitarist that ever lived? Yeah the one in the video with the initials CA was.

[@posteraddict]

I thought I did a credible job on this song. My ego raised the white flag about 5 notes into Doc Watson's solo. Love this!!!!!

[@scaredypicker]

Doc said it's not too complicated... This song has been keeping me trying to play it for a solid year and I'm still way off! D:

[@soofitnsexy]

i feel ya

[@matthewkeeley4479]

Shucks, I learnt it in a few weeks; after forty years of Scruggs banjo pickin and gettin to watch these three masters in one place...

[@karlkellar8614]

It's just E, A, and B7. The only tricky part is sliding the E up the neck to the 7th fret.

[@dinoloma1575]

just spent 2 hours daily Guaranteed smooth playing in months