Clone

Amazon.com
Although Leo Kottke has recorded with the occasional guest artist before, Clone marks the first time he has worked with a full-fledged collaborator. Phish bass player Mike Gordon certainly has the musical chops to keep up with Kottke's intricate fingerpicking, but songs like "Car Carrier Blues," in which the singer worries about being crushed by a falling auto from a car-carrying truck, or the surreal "From Pizza Towers to Defeat," which was composed by Bob "Frizz" Fuller, suggest that both musicians were drawn together as much by their slightly skewed worldview as by their musical compatibility. The instrumental tracks, which include generous helpings of Kottke's impeccable picking and Gordon's sinuous bass lines, are augmented by an assortment of peculiar instruments like the "skull flute," kitchen percussion (a polite name for banging on pots and pans), and an ancient, slightly dysfunctional guitar synthesizer called the Condor. The music sounds as if Kottke and Gordon had a great time in the studio together. The only problem with this CD is the title. The word clone implies this is a copy of something, but it's guaranteed you've never heard anything quite like this from either musician before. --Michael Simmons

Reader Reviews
A great collaboration! I can't wait to hear more. Kottke and Gordon make a great pair, an odd couple that have obviously found kindred spirits in each other, in their quirky song selection and lucid interwoven acoustic instrumentation. I feel Kottke is better off with someone to play against, keeping the sound more varied, and what Gordon brings to the mix with his wonderful songs, singing and bass sound is equally playful and new. Perhaps when the Gods clone their creations they come out as delightful recordings like this...I'm glad I got one.  Comment | Permalink |  (Report this)


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