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Leo Kottke — A Child Should Be A Fish
Album: Ice Water
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1522









Released: 1974
Length: 3:41
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(Instrumental)
Comments (110)add comment
Kottke played the freshman orientation concert at UNC Chapel Hill in 1973. His playing was, of course, astounding. But how the hell does he tune  a 12-string guitar and tell funny, rambling  stories at the same time?  I've seen him many times since and it still baffles me.
Fucking god on a guitar
Fabulous tune from the Master that is Leo Kottke.

BTW, according to QI, there's no such thing as a fish!!
 lily34 wrote:

i don't understand the title.



Few of Leo's titles make sense to me, love him anyway!!
 lovelyhelicopter wrote:

I used to be a fish.



We all were.
Kottke's ability to lose his distinct fingerpicking in the crystal swarm of a D-tuned guitar is perfection.
Sublime.  10 all the way.
Like a fish, seen and not heard?
Nice way to ease in the first day of 2020. And to think this recording is going on 46 years old. Thanks Bill!
I used to be a fish.
 lily34 wrote:

i like this explanation.
 
If your child is a fish, so are you.
Ich liebe Leo mit seinem wundervollen Stil. Danke Bill & Rebeca Goldsmith für das Senden
Have not listened to this album in some time - 6- And 12-String Guitar tends to stay in rotation - but I'm glad to hear it. Thanks for the spin!
As unique a style as this is there is nevertheless a tip of the hat to Joni Mitchell and Jaco Pastorius here...and a big thank you to John Fahey as well.
Like a fish. Always in a school. Always learning. ^_^
 Proclivities wrote:

I think it has something to do with Abe Vigoda, from when he was on "Barney Miller".

 
{#Lol}
 Proclivities wrote:

I think it has something to do with Abe Vigoda, from when he was on "Barney Miller".

 
i like this explanation.
 lily34 wrote:
i don't understand the title.

 
I think it has something to do with Abe Vigoda, from when he was on "Barney Miller".
 kevdub wrote:
was that a snippet/sample used in "people in the middle" by spearhead? in the song ice water...

 
Yep, uncredited though, as far as I know…
First heard this one shortly after the album's release back in '74, and knew I'd found the base definition of "guitar god;" Kottke will always occupy a high seat in that Pantheon - this one always elicits chills and tears...magnificent!
Thought this was Adrian Legg for a minute there.
Doesn't young Arthur have a turn as a fish in The Sword in the Stone?
Kottke is always amazing.
 Megavolt wrote:

Yeah, his voice sounds likes a goose fart on a foggy night. That's what Leo says, anyway.

 

I'll take it any day!
one of the most intense and all-immersing acoustic guitar playing I've ever seen on stage, outstanding performance.
 Kokoloco53 wrote:
This is one of the few albums that Kotke sings on that I've ever hear, on "Me and Pamela Brown" . What a great guitarist, deep voice.

 
Yeah, his voice sounds likes a goose fart on a foggy night. That's what Leo says, anyway.
Love "Mr Plastercine Fingers" as a good mate once described him. {#Guitarist}
 lily34 wrote:
i don't understand the title.

 
Exactly. I don't either. I suppose that's the beauty of an instrumental. You can use any obscure phrase or title to represent it. I suppose it's not too surprising that it's Leo Kottke. Though a brilliant instrumentalist...his porch light seems to be flickering.
was that a snippet/sample used in "people in the middle" by spearhead? in the song ice water...
I used to call my daughter "Fish". Not sure why. She doesn't like it anymore, but she's OK with "Squid" or "Squidling". Go figure.



very cool...
 
This is one of the few albums that Kotke sings on that I've ever hear, on "Me and Pamela Brown" . What a great guitarist, deep voice.
 expatlar wrote:
Where I live it absolutely NEVER rains in February. We woke up last night to hard steady rain and it's been doing it for hours, right in to our late morning coffee. Didn't want to interfere with the rain sound, but I finally turn on the radio to...Nick Drake and Leo Kottke. Life is good.
 
Wow... where do you live? Where I live, it ALWAYS rains in February.

(and November, December, January, March, April, May, June, September, October...)
Beautiful tune. And an amazing set with more awesome jangly guitar than you can shake a stick at. And that's quite a lot.

Must resist urge to sit on deck and drink beer, looking at the mountain-curse you RP!
Something very not of this place, this daiy routine of A to B.  To me this tune takes me somewhere else, neither here or there, and I like it, and so the good people did cheer . . . "Hoo Rah".
i don't understand the title.
Well, the selection is magical, Leo. But the title ... really. Cheapens things a little.
Where I live it absolutely NEVER rains in February. We woke up last night to hard steady rain and it's been doing it for hours, right in to our late morning coffee. Didn't want to interfere with the rain sound, but I finally turn on the radio to...Nick Drake and Leo Kottke. Life is good.
Never enough Leo Kottke on RP.
 Mita wrote:
Most kids I know are fishes. Maybe Leo has something else in mind...
 
Kids were better in the olden days, they say. Fins ain't what they used to be :o)

I'll get me scales...


Most kids I know are fishes. Maybe Leo has something else in mind...
 Carl wrote:
I, too, am a bit sleepy but it could also be the big Thanksgiving dinner earlier with turkey, potatoes & gravy, lamb & spinach manja topped with homemade yogurt, and many other sides, wine & more wine, desserts, after dinner libations, and chocolates... Nah!

 
Bring on the recipes for all that yummy food. (And I'm still trying to roast the perfect turkey. Please - PM me with the recipes for ALL of that bounty.  And please, do it to this song, because it's rather awesome...)

This guy is truely amazing.
 ziakut wrote:
I like this...but I'm falling asleep....Zzzzz
  I, too, am a bit sleepy but it could also be the big Thanksgiving dinner earlier with turkey, potatoes & gravy, lamb & spinach manja topped with homemade yogurt, and many other sides, wine & more wine, desserts, after dinner libations, and chocolates... Nah!

I like this...but I'm falling asleep....Zzzzz
This guy is fantastic in concert {#Music}
Cant stand a whole album. But one song from time to time is fine!
Wow, that was really beautiful.
What is it about Leo Kottke's music that brings out the goofy in us all? {#Roflol}  I love this song - I love his music.  Truly, he's one of the most inventive (and quirky) guitar players alive today... {#Notworthy}
Pretty song but can't resist

And a shoe should be a taco.  Mmmm ... shoes.
Just when I'd given up and logged out, you play this! Redeemed!
A child should be a fish . . . just not in the Gulf of Mexico . . . or anywhere else near a BP oil rig!
fish child

 WayUpNorth wrote:
Child & Fish
 
Made me laugh! I so hope Meryl wins the Oscar.
Superlative.
I heard this and without looking at the screen I knew it must be Leo Kottke. RP is teaching me. {#Smile}
I've seen him live many, many times, always a great show.
Paradise is seriously lacking in Kottke rotation...please sir, may we have more.
8 > 9
I was a fish.
I crawled out of the water and stood up.
I want to go back to the water. 
Nobody plays enough Leo Kottke anymore. My CD collection lists leeward with his music.
Recognize that genius guitar sound anywhere.
Child & Fish
Ah, so that's where the Spearhead sample is from!

Sweet.

God bless Leo-what a gift to mankind.

Almost anything from Leo Kottke is good stuff. He can even sing, though he doesn't think he sings well, he's sings with nice strength and intonation. Thanks Leo.
This is sooo nice. I haven't listened to Leo Kottke for a long time.  This is different, and really great!
Longtime Leo fan, but I don't think I've heard this one before. I'm not used to hearing him play chords this rich and lush. May just be my new favorite Kottke song.

 caregiver wrote:
Thanks Bill. My feet are smiling.
 
{#Yes}

I always have loved the sound of an amplified acoustic guitar.
Very nice.

good song ...great guitar...a 9 ?
Makes me want to fall down just at the sheer joy of it.
OMG, WTF was I thinking?!? 3 8
Thanks Bill. My feet are smiling.
YYaaahhhh!
so nice.
Hannio wrote:
Yes, as long as he keeps his mouth shut.
I assume you refer to his singing ability. Leo might concur and thinks his voice is pretty much "duck flatulance". I'd rather hear him twist the strings too, but I heard him say that his aggressive playing has forced him to relearn a new style or be crippled from carpel tunnel. He could have just retired. On the other hand when he "opens his mouth" between songs his dry humor and storytelling is mesmerizing. Go Leo.
Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Kottke = Great.
Yes, as long as he keeps his mouth shut.
sukilau wrote:
coulda sworn this starts out like a Joni Mitchell tune...
for sure...
coulda sworn this starts out like a Joni Mitchell tune...
Kottke = Great.
Ahhhhh Leo, The sun's just going down and this is sounding really good right about now.
Stunning!
Wow, I love Leo but have never heard this. BEAUTIFUL! I've seen him a few times and he's hilarious - he sounds half-asleep and sits on-stage languidly bitching about this and that, then rips out the most energetic and incredible guitar sound you could ever hear. Total fire and ice.
10 - amazing
Wow.
trekhead wrote:
The song...for NAF.
Damn, you beat me to it.
skyguy wrote:
um... look at the date.
I'm guessing you would have to put forth some effort to find a release date and I am not going to let that get in the way of a joke.
Geecheeboy wrote:
Maybe that title was inspired by the Nirvana cd cover.....
um... look at the date.
I like most Leo K- it's nice to hear him picking before he develooped carpal tunnel and went to his more rythmic stuccato style.
Maybe that title was inspired by the Nirvana cd cover.....
ice water ... ... yum!
All Kottke all the time. Well no not quite. But still, a master.
Kottke...blowing me away since the mid seventies. I had forgotten how wonderful this album is. Need to get the CD. Damn you, RP! (I'm headed for Amazon.)
I love this album. Deams and all that Stuff, is one of my favs too.
Pretty.
The song...for NAF.
I'm really startin to like this guy. Hadn't heard of him before I stumbled onto RP. good stuff
woozurdaddy wrote:
This one is a 12....if you've never seen Leo live, make the effort...he doesn't disappoint...
Except when he opens his mouth. I usually like deep, masculine sounding voices, but something about his grates me. His guitar playing needs no vocal accompaniment anyway, as far as I'm concerned. I saw LK sometime around '72-'74 at the Armadillo World Headquarters. Great show.
Bought LK's 'My feet are smiling' back in the day ('74?) and he still doesn't disappoint.
I love this!
Not bad.
I little on the dull side for Mr. Kottke. He's an amazing musician, but I think he's got lots of stuff that I like better than this.
OK, that's a freaky song title. At a certain moment I thought Bill was doing an incredible segue into Spearhead's "People In Tha Middle", but apparently that song just starts with a sample from a guitar slide from this one...
Beautiful acoustic piece. More Leo Kottke is a welcome thing. The interesting title only makes it better. I particularly appreciate the time he takes making music. No rush, just enjoying the music to its fullest.