Vaseline Machine Gun - Leo Kottke Live - 11/6/8

This was Leo's encore- the last song he played for the show. Vaseline Machine Gun was the first song he composed using slide.

[@josephbarbarotta7810]

The man's a national treasure and deserves more recognition!

[@adamlewis5619]

What country I bet Australia

[@morganzoeclanthem2847]

@@adamlewis5619 Lol, no USA

[@colleenmorris1596]

Saw Leo play this song in the early 70's in Milwaukee when he opened for Cat Stevens. Great show!

[@jdfolbre]

This never gets old. Thanks Leo

[@jamiepastman5594]

loved Leo since i bought My Feet Are Smiling when i was 13 in 197/2. i used to take the album to our little eighth grade parties and helped grow Leo’s fan base just a little

[@ilovehifi]

I´m the lucky one who saw him live performing here in Germany. There were only about 300 people and i will never forget this day. There where no reserved seats; free to select. The door opens, and I ran "for my life" to sit in the middle of the first row. Leo was on stage for about three meters distance. Again: I will never forget this unbelievable porfermance.

[@thomcarr7021]

I saw him in ' 72. It was an incredible time I too won't forget. He was just a pleasure to watch and listen to. It was like he didn't have a care in the world and took the audience there with him.

[@PatrickHughes-r4i]

His playing entranced. Saw him at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, USA 1998.

[@majorhoop]

i like this version a lot. the razzledazzle speed is gone & hes found a beautiful rhythm inside this song. this one swings.

[@larslutefisk3426]

Man! Well said.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

I used to listen to 6 & 12 string guitar endlessly, convinced it was all double-tracked and studio magic, then I saw him play everything from the album live. I'm still recovering.

[@skilldren]

This is a beautiful thing. This is the first Kottke song I ever heard, thanks to my father. If you ask me it is one of his best. The man is a genius, and I will raise my beer right now in Kottke's name. Bow down!!

[@HodgsonHawaii]

The best acoustic guitar played song ever. Incredible talent. I saw him in Hawaii and he is still brilliant..

[@p8rtfan]

I've seen Leo play many many times and he's still so amazing! Play on man!

[@dacypher22]

I have always loved the look of absolute concentration on his face when he plays live. That is the face of a man juggling 8 objects, loath to let one fall

[@theinvisibleartists4444]

I guess we're getting old so I've been listening Leo Kottke for over 50 years now and this one is my favorite. I'm doing a pretty good job on the guitar with a slide on it. Like he said, it is what it is.

[@patricksweeney6334]

"I guess we're getting old so I've been listening Leo Kottke for over 50 years now..." Holy crap, yeah. She-who-will-not-be-named introduced me to Leo Kottke (essentially) half a century ago. Wow.

[@TheKzfisher]

The original Vaseline Machine Gun was like covering fire laid down hard and fast - This is the bullseye of a skilled marksman hitting right on target - BOTH versions are what they are and both are excellent -

[@xavieronassis8862]

Great guitarist, masterful entertainer, huge inspiration. Thanks for the video! I'm a longtime fan who has just begun trying to tame the 12 string beast, which brought me here.

[@timbowilderbeeste8709]

I revere Leo Kottke, have seen him live a number of times, and even had a brief chat with him once while getting him to autograph an album - he was actually quite funny about it, asking me if I was sure it was him I was after and not Joe Pass or Paco Pena, who he'd been playing with. That said, people need to show a little circumspection when it comes to all the slavish hero worship on styles and getting hard-ons regarding virtuosity. You can't click on ANY guitarist of note on here without people rattling away in blinkered fashion on how they're 'the best' - music isn't a pissing contest. I think Kottke himself has been quoted, half jokingly, that much of his playing revolves around the pyrotechnics of his right hand while he 'fakes it' with the left. Obviously he's selling himself short as he is an elite guitarist, but anyone who knows anything about playing would appreciate that while his work on the fretboard is excellent, it's not virtuosic - this song is a good example. The other things is the narrow focus of so many when comparing styles and types of guitar playing. If you really want to be honest, the average village Flamenco guitarist in some Spanish backwater would be more technically proficient, while fine classical guitarists like John Williams are just in the stratosphere in terms of virtuosity - Kottke's even mentioned him on a few occasions. But of course 99% of the people posting on here wouldn't know who he is (most would probably scratch their heads and say "oh, I thought he composed music for movies') because they don't listen much to classical music and even less of works composed for the classical guitar. Same again for the great Paco Pena on Flamenco guitar. There's also a ton of fine technicians in the folk guitar field, while people like Australia's Tommy Emmanuel have that rare ability amongst fine electric guitar soloists of being just as good, if not better, on an acoustic guitar. What makes Kottke such a memorable performer is the fact he IS a fine guitarist, but he also throws in his self-deprecating humor, skills as a raconteur, and a vast body of work that sets him apart from everyone else in terms of the immeasurable quality of material he's contributed to the canon. That's actually one of his knocks on Williams, that the sheer weight of all those centuries of classical composition and hefty reputations weigh so heavily on people like him that he composes next to nothing. So taken as a whole, there is only one Leo Kottke, but don't sell him short by just focusing on his playing and trying to compare him to others solely on that basis. His greatness lies in the wonderful package he brings to the musical table.

[@michaelbulls5872]

Yes indeed, and I find it irrelevant when people compare all these musicians, because it's apples and oranges. The one thing I cherish so much about his playing is his passion. I don't care for technique myself as a musician, emotion is the most important thing for me and I can feel it in Kottke's music.

[@peternicholson233]

Great reply. Thoughtful, detailed. Some words i didn't know which annoyed me- had to grab a dictionary. Mostly i just listened.

[@patclair9555]

I'm not a sufficient student to comment technically, but I've been a fan since 1970 or so. He's always had a different sound and approach, to me, while he does employ what are basic techniques. He seems to put the sound out unlike any other, and his way just grabs me. The oddball storytelling is just a bonus.

[@arlingtonhynes]

He’s pretty damn good, and that’s good enough for me. People get wound up over the dumbest shit.

[@davidperkins6326]

timbo wilderbeeste yup

[@ttiger9780]

Love Leo. I've seen him a couple of times in small venues. Really good guitarist.

[@ThrashRoC]

one Man Band Leo Kottke ! I start lo learn some songs from him , and i must say he`s The greatest single acoustic player i EVER Heard .. Brilliant !!

[@peterhorr7466]

Jimi Hendrix hey Jimmy, how's Jim Morrison doing with you in Parie?!

[@charlespeterson3798]

I saw Jimi in 68'. I was 6 feet from him, at Lagoon in S.L.C. An interview with him in Guitar Player Magazine quotes him as saying that that venue was his favorite. He played his ass off. I saw Leo for the first time 3 years later. Leo is and will always be the greatest guitarist I ever saw, I saw Townsend, Page Clapton, the list goes on. Kottke is the greatest artist on guitar that I have ever seen.

[@jeffbrockman3970]

First time I saw Leo was on a streetcorner in Minneapolis in the mid-60's. I was about 14 and couldn't understand how that much sound was coming out of one six-string acoustic guitar fighting traffic noise.

[@michaelshifflett76]

First time I saw him was on the Midnight Special in 1973. This is the song he played and it blew me away!

[@robertmaser2126]

I had never heard of him until 1974. A friend of mine in Tulsa Oklahoma , we both work at a Chinese restaurant on a area called Brookside. after work one night we went bar hopping. I went over to his house and it put on this album I have fan ever since. I went to the Georgia Hall of Fame when it was in Macon Georgia. Leo is a Georgia Boy

[@ronnieblanton1466]

leo kottke 6 and 12 string guitar the master of daring to be different with his approach have enjoyed his playing since 1973 keep on tickling those guitar strings

[@pilchard2000]

Still the God of 12 String , never been bettered

[@reXdownhamOG]

I typically say what I think and feel and it’s no different now. I love this man. I really do. Take 5 minutes away from your day and listen to a master.

[@mightydudler]

Really nicely done. I have loved this guy and his music for nearly forty years. He's still great. Talk about national treasures!

[@johncat8347]

This guy was so far ahead of his time back in the early seventies now we have 12 year old Korean boys who are much better love you Leo

[@IndianaSurfGuitar]

For as die hard a rocker as I am, when it comes to favorites, it typically floors others (that know of him) that my all time favorite guitar player is Leo Kottke. If I have to pick an all time favorite tune, and above anything country or rock, "Vaseline Machine Gun" would have to be it! The song is just raw energy and power, right from the start, an blasts ya like a machine gun the whole way. I DARE anybody to sit still, when this one is playing!

[@ted1bates]

fantastic, and like a fine wine, he and HIS piece gets better with age!!!

[@netdoctor1]

Hey - thanks for the memories, old man. We know the kid is gone..'it is what it is'... But the old man still has it. Thanks for sharing it with us, Leo.

[@Deebemc]

I saw Leo in the UK circa 1976............he blew everybody away. The man is magic . He's overcome injury to the glorious right hand and now sounds as good as ever . Looks as if I need to fly over the Pond to catch him again. I'll do it gladly. 4 dislikes? A rseholes.

[@lilundgren1]

Just saw Leo for the 14th time! Always magical !!

[@m.lecollie3565]

Leo Kottke has been a favorite of mine since oh, a long time ago 1973. No one like him. No one.

[@vincentward2335]

+M. Le Collie lol, too bad. They are tone deaf retards like the 10 people that gave this a thumbs down.

[@radiootoo]

Supremely happy is the man who find his talents at an early age, files, sharpens and hones them all his life for the betterment of mankind. Thanks, Leo, and God bless!

[@jerrylawrence9274]

First seen him in Milwauke,Wis in 1974 at the Pabst Theater And it was Out of this World!!!!!!!!!!

[@Tettegouche6]

I saw Leo play this back in 68 or 69 in Minny Soh tah-- his very early years. What a treat to see he is still Leo, over 40 years later! I agree this is a slower, but funkier, slightly warmly-bittersweet version, of a man who has seen life. As he says, he hardly knows that young man who wrote it. Pure genius! Thanks for posting it.

[@ethorii]

I saw him at a small venue in Everett WA in 2008 or so. It gave me chills and he was funny in person. What an artist and performer.

[@Gtrdancer1]

Saw him 2 yrs ago in DC (Baird Auditorium, Smithsonian Museum)...it had been nearly 20 yrs since I saw him play....he 'scarred' me for life as a guitarist...and he still can. God bless that man!

[@Darren-D.C-Cross]

Leo for President.

[@NorthWriter]

My compliments to whomever shot this video. It's the perfect angle to see what both his fretting hand and his picking hand are doing. Thank you, from all of us who have ever tried learning this song.

[@mrmusic248]

NorthWriter: Include me in that group. I first learned of this song as "Machine #2" from the "Mudlark" album. Then I bought home the "6 &12 String Guitar" album, heard the original version as played here, and wanted to turn my own 12-string into a planter, or kindling for the fire.

[@glenndower2513]

Leo Kottke has been a favorite of mine for nearly a half century. I lived in his neighborhood for 16 years but didn't know it until the late 70's when I ran into him at the local gas station/convenience store. Told him I wanted to play Cripple Creek as well as he did or turn my guitar in kindling. Neither one has happened. Went to his Christmas Concerts at the old Guthrie Theater and then Orchestra Hall. Still enjoy him and his humor.

[@bulguy1]

I believe that speed doesn't always equal greatness. I have been listening to Leo since 1968 and have heard many versions of this piece studio and live. I am also a player. In my opinion this is the best version I have heard. It has a great syncopation or meter and a whole lot of feel from the heart that is totally lost with "speed". I love this version.

[@jeffbrockman3970]

Speed. My problem with guys like Al diMeola and Tommy Emmanuel and Satriani, et. al. is that it often seems like they're just saying 'see how fast I can play!' You are right about this version, best I've heard.

[@vincentbuccieri9305]

Master Kotte is a National Treasure!

[@lucky56ification]

wonderful as always 40 years plus ive been listening only gets better. A treasure

[@charlesottina7432]

Back in the 80's I had front row center seats for Leo opening for Phoebe Snow at Carnegie Hall. When Leo finished his set, my wife and I left and on the way out I stopped at the last row of seats and asked the couple if they liked Phoebe Snow. When they said they loved her, I gave them my tickets and pointed to the 2 open seat front row center and wished them a good night. They were in shock and finally realized I was serious. It was a good night for all.

[@jeffbrockman3970]

That's the coolest story on here. Good for you man. Made my night.

[@jeffcooper9363]

ROTFL . Phoebe who?

[@TheDesertwalker]

That was a wise decision, Charles.

[@Iatolaazzahola]

That was awesome. There, is a man with his heart in the right place.

[@cryptapocalypse]

Moving song by a musical genius- hope he never retires it. The kid was talented too, Leo!

[@Paelidore]

The faster version is jaw-dropping. This version allows you to fully appreciate each note, IHMO. Both great in their own right.

[@hmemerson]

I once helped Leo carry his Bozo guitars into a Roslyn, Long Island club.........many hairs ago. I just love the tempo he played on this video! It is definitely slower than when he was young, but it's got so much more groove at the relaxed pace. I do miss the attack-articulation that his old right-hand style (with fingerpicks) provided, but hey: Better for him to be able to play than to permanently cripple his hands! Leo's a treasure!

[@travelingcam8239]

this guy must be a legend ,first time i've seen him

[@reXdownhamOG]

He is. Very much so. Check out My Feet Are Smiling.

[@caroltubeyou]

Most wonderful of all, he is a guy who truly acts like he's amazed that he's allowed to do what he loves to do more than anything in the world. Lucky US!

[@fredogerald1475]

Some of the country and western singers like Jim Reeves with his radio show paved the way for him in the Netherlands.That is if you go for magic sound, originality and mastery on the guitar etc.Unique, quote: there will never be again someone like him who comes near.

[@ManganeseMan]

Wow, Leo is still cranking it out at full force, great posting, great jam LEO!

[@4man]

3:46 followed Leo since the 70s. Unique artist and a master of his craft.

[@gsdickes]

I saw this piece played live in front of a few thousand in 1973 or 1974. It was simply astonishing then and it's even more so now. It seems the last 35 years or so of practice that Kottke guy has put in on it has really paid off.

[@docwill184]

This was the FIRST song I learned on slide 12-String and I quickly incorporated "Machine #2" Yep, Leo launched more guitar-players than Clapton and Page combined...

[@Otispuss2]

Thanks - he hasn't lost anything in the years since I've seen him.

[@badmemory]

In 1973 I saw this Jack Daniels looking record laying around at McCabes in Santa Monica. Playing through the store was this trippy sound of a slide on a 12string guitar-- the song was Vaseline Machine Gun. I bought a six string acoustic that day and rushed to the nearest record store to buy this incredible sounding record. I've been a fan ever since.

[@kenpratt1585]

I missed Leo in person because I was in a homeless shelter who's rules would not allow me to exit then re enter, also I didn't have the cash:but now I get to listen on my iPad in my own pad, pun intended

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Many people in their million dollar homes don't appreciate good music, so you are a wealthy man by my standards.

[@wangdangdoodie]

Indeed. One can't buy taste.

[@jeffbrockman3970]

Good on you brother!! Congratulations. Peace and joy!!

[@tjfingers]

I'd like To thank you for your influence in music played on guitar by its self as a solo musician and the overwhelming interest you sparked in side of me to play slide guitar ! The same day as I had the pleasure of hearing you at Bumpershoot In Seattle center the summer of 1972 I also caught Johnny Winters the same day, that clinched it, I was going to figure out how to play bottle neck slide! from my hart Leo. Thank you so much! TJS

[@kelleytm57]

1st heard Leo on prairie home companion. Have a few very old cassettes of this masters art. truly one of a kind that inspired many others.

[@55chh]

This version (slower if you will) has a decided freight train clickety clack that is absolute dynamite! I LOVE it!

[@Tblanktim-mu1bh]

Every time I hear the name Leo Kottke, I think of the quote on his album. "His voice sounds like geese farts on a muggy day". Classic.

[@noahrobin1941]

Reminds me of quote I once read about Tom Waits’ voice: “sounds like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car.” :D

[@Tblanktim-mu1bh]

@@noahrobin1941 That's about right. "I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things." Tom Waits

[@AxeMoose]

Oh hell yes.

[@leftytracking1397]

Mind blowing Glad I was stoned

[@zankyalbo2208]

I saw Leo at the Backstage in Ballard, WA. He was having a good time.

[@JeffreyCampbell-v3e]

Nobody does it like," Leo!❤🎉😮

[@Cealgaire]

Thanks Studiotrans, Leo is one of my favorite 20th Cen musicians, for sure. You rock dude.

[@RichardStieltjes]

Thanks for posting! This is one of the few recent Vaseline's that is taped completely en in good quality. I replayed it 6 times already, can't get enough of it. He is still able to polish his tunes to an even higher extend. I am refering here to the extra sound he has added on the 5th fret position with his slide. Makes it even more slick.

[@bah667]

Wow, better days

[@dhh02192]

I got to see him in Newark, Ohio, earlier this year. What a treat!

[@mattmacneil3424]

Incredible. I hope to see him play live.

[@ElyasFraenkelIsaacs]

HELLO, I read the below comment. Teaching: my Grandmother was a classical pianist in the 1910's into the 1920's when she had my Mother. With her guidance and tutelage, I can't remember not being near and "playing" the piano as early as 3 or 4 and formally beginning classical piano training at age 6 or so. Age 11 arrived with the Kingston Trio, Pete Seeger and the Weavers , Woody Guthrie, PPM, and everyone. I fell in love with folk music, got a birthday guitar, did the TEN Lessons, practiced made perfect, and then jammed with a number of great, unknown guitarists, and went further by polishing up with Rob and Brian of the Berkelee School. Now to analyze and comment, I think while playing as I did when playing classical piano as a child. In a nutshell, there are chords and scales, many, constructing a tonal architecture by picking and choosing and then structuring and assembling them as you understand harmony and disharmony does it. (C) 2018 The BITTERSWEET(R)TM Company, a Licensed Subsidiary of the FRANCES YORK(R)TM Foundation, Manhattan, New York, USA All Rights Reserved Licensed Member: ASCAP and BMI

[@Raunchola]

man i get shivers down my spine when he starts using the bottleneck on that beautiful song.

[@RickUmali]

Great footage here! One of the master works, that's for sure.

[@chukcanuk]

Glad some one shot this with good quality video

[@durdle1701]

A great song no matter how you mess with it. Any version he plays, fast, slow, or otherwise is a good version. It's his song to do with as he pleases.

[@marmoratus]

what can i say , the best

[@TheVet1971]

Some things just get better and better with age. This is one of those things.

[@robyoung9933]

Guitar Magazine Hall of Fame. Original inductee. Nuuf said.

[@DerGlaetze]

Now I know how the great Rory Gallagher got some of his skills. Leo was one of his idols.

[@michaelkaiser2276]

Genial.

[@2wheelsturnin]

Saw him last night - he's still got it.

[@SongSwan]

Timbo,most people dont put that much thought into what for them is an emotional exercise and experience

[@williamwade6945]

THE BEST GUITARIST IN THE WORLD!

[@hamilcarbarca9980]

just for the record Eliscash55...I love BB King and I love Eddie too. EVH is a genius not for the speed with which he plays but for his feel, his groove and his tone. That is what made him famous as well for BB King. Music is not a sport, it is an art form...This version ShiimyDigg, btw, is incredible and to quote elviscash, "It's all about the soul."

[@benetrutenberg7057]

The guy that turned me on to Leo Kottke said, "You gotta hear this guy play guitar, it sounds like he's got 12 hands."

[@antoniocamargo6565]

Benet Rutenberg

[@AGL0626]

Benet Rutenberg at least the guitar is 12-stringed XD

[@patclair9555]

Benet Rutenberg That's about right. A friend took me to see him around 1970, 71 maybe at U Pitt student union. I was around 14-15. Leo was of course ~45 years younger as well. I was blown away, all that sound coming from one guy with one guitar. I've been a huge fan since and still today. lucky to have seen him about 6-7 times over the years; once with M Hedges, of whom I had never heard at the time. That was a killer show.

[@wangdangdoodie]

pat clair. You saw him with Michael Hedges! You lucky so and so! I saw Leo twice but was never fortunate enough to catch Hedges. I'm envious.

[@GarysBBQSupplies]

I totally agree with that comment!

[@Mariazellerbahn]

Awesome talent.

[@IQuarent]

This guy gets on encore wherever he goes...

[@sparkelcow]

This is the stuff of bliss

[@siamesee88]

Sound is great quality!

[@Gemylon]

If you watch again you might see that he's playing on a 12-stringed beauty :)

[@odor9]

Thanks so much for posting this! I wanted to go to this concert so bad, but it's hard to make a Thursday night 2 hrs away. Fantastic video!

[@mraltay10]

i want him as my guitar instructor, then i will show the whole world how awesome Leo Kottke is

[@Saltedcoil]

I came here poking around because someone mentioned a good fingerpickin' guitarist. I'm now looking for "6 and 12 string guitar". Man, what a trip.

[@chukcanuk]

Thanks for posting a hi fi version of this.

[@Geekman333]

Criticism of anybody this good has to be the product of some serious insecurity and envy. Sorry he can't just enjoy it for what it is...freakin' beautiful.

[@babbchuck]

I agree. Tommy takes styles from other people's playing, and does them amazingly well. But Kottke doesn't copy or perfect other styles - he has completely invented his OWN style. I remember when 6&12 String Guitar came out - it was like nothing else before. And this song - Vasoline Machine Gun - just totally blew everyone away. It's not Leo's technical ability that I admire him most for (although it's incredible) - it's his creative genius. Not to mention he's just a great, funny guy!

[@Cealgaire]

Leo still has it!

[@jeffreycampbell-ic3ng]

God," were getting old!"

[@PoppaJayJohnson]

EXCELLENT!

[@thpaine1950]

I see him tonight (along with Loudon Wainwright III) in Park City -- Valentine's Day gift from my wife! Hope he will do this one.

[@DaleClaus]

Wonderful, I have listened to his music for 40 years! Now for those of you who have not listened to Brazilian music, check out Almir Sater - Doma.