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Leo Kottke — When Shrimps Learn to Whistle
Album: Dreams And All That Stuff
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1525









Released: 1974
Length: 3:22
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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(Instrumental)
Comments (128)add comment
Leo Kottke conjures up a better time.
Posted 6 months ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
Sounds like everything else he’s done. Kinda boring. 
Posted 8 months ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
Wonderfully skilled as Leo is I always wish RP would play his mentor's instrumental guitar music, that of John Fahey. 

The character to Leo's left on the album cover photo makes me think it's Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart)
Posted 8 months ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
yeah…even though I’m an atheist, Kottke earns a 9 or even a ”godlike” rating. 
“You shall hear his strings and his strings shall set you free.”
☮️😉
Posted 11 months ago by Roguewarer    [ Reply ]
9 -> 10
Posted 1 year ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
 DChas wrote:

This was one of my very first albums . . on vinyl . . I still have it


That's a funny cover and title for such sweet music
Easy 9 from this waterboy
Posted 3 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
A late friend stated that Leo has some of the most creative abuse of a 12 string guitar he's heard. 
1974...geez...still sounds new
He's good to see live, too.
Posted 4 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
Been a fan of Mr Kottke since the early 70's.  One superb guitarist!
Posted 4 years ago by rxcapasso    [ Reply ]
my foot just taps when i hear this
Posted 4 years ago by wpgjet    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
 
 
You're confusing it with Vaseline Machine Gun.
Posted 5 years ago by buddy    [ Reply ]
I thought the title of this was Vaseline Shrimp.
Posted 5 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 Art_Mickey wrote:
Every RP session has a song that gets me to turn it up. This was it. 
 
Agreed, with one slight alteration to what you said "...at least one song...." and this is one of them to me too!  Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
This was one of my very first albums . . on vinyl . . I still have it
Posted 5 years ago by DChas    [ Reply ]
Every RP session has a song that gets me to turn it up. This was it. 
Posted 5 years ago by Art_Mickey    [ Reply ]
Whoah! How bout that album cover! How bout that pickin?
Posted 5 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Just heard him in concert. Small venue. What a treat. 
Posted 6 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
I never would have guessed this is 43 years old. Nice.
Posted 6 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
Gosh! I haven't heard this in ages, and of course still love it. I'm dating myself but will say I fancy a "run around" with my pristine vinyl copy. {#Guitarist} 
Posted 7 years ago by Mugwump    [ Reply ]
I really like this one but I've found that with Leo's music a little goes a long way. For me, it's like eating a very rich piece of cake.  One small piece is enough.  More right away is too much.
Posted 7 years ago by garyalex    [ Reply ]
 TreborG2 wrote:
now to follow this with Journey of the Sorcerer .. that would be awesome..

 
Heh. Yep.

This song is such a great memory for me. Love it. 
Posted 7 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Never ceases to amaze.
Posted 7 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}{#Guitarist}{#Guitarist}
Posted 8 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

I can't find any independent corroboration that's Sean Penn next to Leo on the album cover. Can you—or anyone—provide same, please?

 
Naw...It's just a dead-ringer look-alike.  Penn didn't really get famous until the 1980's.
 
It's still a great song/title anyway!! 
Posted 8 years ago by Lindo525    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
In my London family a trump was a loud noise form your nether regions, so why can't a shrimp whistle, I ask.

 
I haven't seen anything in the meejah relating D. Trump and fart.
My relatives in Poland laughed and thought it most apposite when I told them of the connection. 
Posted 8 years ago by owchita    [ Reply ]
In my London family a trump was a loud noise emanating from your nether regions, so why can't a shrimp whistle, I ask.
 
Posted 8 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 exurbia wrote:
Gotta be a contender for "Best song title ever"

 
I agree totally! I saw him perform a couple months ago solo without shrimp. He is still one the best players ever.
Posted 8 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
Gotta be a contender for "Best song title ever"
Posted 8 years ago by exurbia    [ Reply ]
So great....not long enough!
Posted 9 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
Marvelous! {#Cheers}
Posted 9 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
 wtango wrote:
I wonder if this playing is current-event driven?...
'Sea monster' of prehistoric era resembled 7-foot giant shrimphttps://news.discovery.com/animals/7-foot-long-sea-monster-was-ancestor-of-shrimp-150311.htm

shrimpy

 
Prescience, perhaps?
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite magical Kottke moments...more please!
Posted 9 years ago by amoreena    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
wow cool, I have the same plaid shirt Sean Penn's wearing in that photo

 
I can't find any independent corroboration that's Sean Penn next to Leo on the album cover. Can you—or anyone—provide same, please?
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 skooba wrote:
I once had a sea monkey (brine shrimp) that could hum, but I could never teach him to whistle.{#Roflol}

 
{#Lol}
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
This is really guitar played with the balls. Awesome sound.
Posted 9 years ago by eveliko    [ Reply ]
If I were a believer, musicians like Leo Kottke would be my prove of God's existence.
Posted 9 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
I wonder if this playing is current-event driven?...
'Sea monster' of prehistoric era resembled 7-foot giant shrimphttps://news.discovery.com/animals/7-foot-long-sea-monster-was-ancestor-of-shrimp-150311.htm

shrimpy
Posted 9 years ago by wtango    [ Reply ]
Leo is awesome {#Bananajam}
Posted 9 years ago by ShamanManu    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:
Right before this track, the PSD button had served up John Prine's "Fish and Whistle."

The RP software is almost spooky some times.

 
John Prine, a musical hero. So glad RP plucks out a few of his gems every now and then. {#Clap}
Posted 9 years ago by mccuff    [ Reply ]
I once had a sea monkey (brine shrimp) that could hum, but I could never teach him to whistle.{#Roflol}
Posted 10 years ago by skooba    [ Reply ]
Right before this track, the PSD button had served up John Prine's "Fish and Whistle."

The RP software is almost spooky some times.
Posted 10 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Is that cow bells I am hearing? Coolio!
Posted 10 years ago by Krakus    [ Reply ]
wow cool, I have the same plaid shirt Sean Penn's wearing in that photo
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
now to follow this with Journey of the Sorcerer .. that would be awesome..
Posted 10 years ago by TreborG2    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}
Posted 10 years ago by marek100    [ Reply ]
Saw him recently at the Birchmere in Alexandria VA.  Not only was his playing phenomenal, his story telling had the audience roaring with laughter.  He's an astounding muscian and just comes across as a very intelligent man who is somewhat bemused by the world around him. 
Posted 10 years ago by Jeffrey    [ Reply ]
Would be interesting to follow this up with "Song of the Shrimp" by Frank Black, off "Honeycomb" cd. I think they would go well together, musically and thematically.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fImyrOt_DZs
Posted 10 years ago by lasker98    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
Fortunately, I hear no geese farts on a foggy day (as Leo famously described his own voice).

 

But those geese farts sound so sexy...
Posted 10 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
love this guy.
Posted 11 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Fortunately, I hear no geese farts on a foggy day (as Leo famously described his own voice).
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Decent (5) for both of the melodies. Total = 10.
Posted 11 years ago by polymath    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Anything Leo Kottke plays is, to me, a ten. SUCH talent, and he doesn't go for the flash and dazzle - he just plays from the heart and soul, and that's what resonates with me. And he's a very modest, unassuming guy, too, which only makes me love his music more.
 

Well said...  I agree...

miss you...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Huge Leo fan.  Was lucky enough to see him several times in small venues before his fingers started giving him trouble.
Posted 12 years ago by oldsinger    [ Reply ]
   Smokin!
Posted 12 years ago by Rockit    [ Reply ]
 Antigone wrote:
I have a very specific memory associated with this music ... to the first comedy performance I saw by two friends of mine, years and years ago. They used this as music during one of the breaks between scenes. Hearing this takes me back, instantly to that time and venue.
 
And now it breaks my heart because one of those friends, the one I dated, committed suicide several years ago. Such a loss.
Posted 12 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
this is from the same guy who did a child should be a fish or something?
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Watching this genius play guitar is an amazing thing. So many sounds coming from ONE guitar. Yep amazing!Cool
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:
Is that Les Claypool on the cover with Leo?  I'm joking, of course.  Still, I gotta wonder.

 

Haha, nice.  Claypool and Kottke, now that would be an awesome combo.  Then again, the Mike Gordon/Kottke collaboration was pretty damn nifty.
Posted 12 years ago by StoneyG    [ Reply ]
So good for the ear holes, Pandalus cochleanus
Posted 13 years ago by mcYammer    [ Reply ]
Reminds me a lot of Mike Oldfield - which is around the same time period.  I wonder if they ever collaborated?
Posted 13 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
Anything Leo Kottke plays is, to me, a ten. SUCH talent, and he doesn't go for the flash and dazzle - he just plays from the heart and soul, and that's what resonates with me. And he's a very modest, unassuming guy, too, which only makes me love his music more.
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 DigitalJer wrote:
I wish I had half of this mans talent
 
While I don't deny that he has talent, what he really has in abundance is SKILL.  And that skill came from a hell of a lot of hard work and practice.  Dude worked his fingers to the point where he had to change his style due to RSI.  So I admire his hard work and dedication, as well as his creativity and musical aesthetics.

Posted 13 years ago by spacemoose    [ Reply ]
Is that Les Claypool on the cover with Leo?  I'm joking, of course.  Still, I gotta wonder.



Posted 14 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
I wish I had half of this mans talent
Posted 14 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
Once I got past my fear of Oklahoma feedlot scary man, I too played the bejeezus outta this on vinyl, too!

Thanks, Leo

Posted 14 years ago by mcYammer    [ Reply ]
Maybe shrimp can't whistle, but they're noisy as hell. The majority of natural ambient noise in shallow warm water has been attributed to shrimp in several published studies. Mostly popping and snapping. If I were a shrimp, I'd certainly be snapping to this!

Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
I had this on vinyl way long ago. What an absolutely amazing album.
Posted 14 years ago by FrankMc    [ Reply ]
 alux wrote:
Is this the highest rated acoustic guitar piece on RP?  It is certainly deserving.
Correction:  Michael Hedges' Aerial Boundaries is at 8.3, which is also very deserving.  
 


Embryonic Journey is the highest rated acoustic guitar piece if I'm not mistaken
Posted 14 years ago by bwanab    [ Reply ]
Is this the highest rated acoustic guitar piece on RP?  It is certainly deserving.
Correction:  Michael Hedges' Aerial Boundaries is at 8.3, which is also very deserving.  
Posted 15 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
 Frater_Kork wrote:
Memories...

I remember that album cover from my dads vinyl collection, we used to play the dog out that record (and the others as well of course).
Kottke drove dad into buying an acoustic guitar, pretty much like everyone else back in the 70:s I guess. The sounds he wrenced from that poor instrument were pretty horrid... He got over it after a few years and picked up photography instead wich was easier on the ears but created interesting chemical stenches from the cellar darkroom instead.

Thanks for playing that record Bill. Time to visit dad, raid his old vinyls and share a beer.
 
That's great {#Bananajam}
Posted 15 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Personally my favorite is Maryland blue crab, but shrimp are right up there!

Posted 15 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
Memories...

I remember that album cover from my dads vinyl collection, we used to play the dog out that record (and the others as well of course).
Kottke drove dad into buying an acoustic guitar, pretty much like everyone else back in the 70:s I guess. The sounds he wrenced from that poor instrument were pretty horrid... He got over it after a few years and picked up photography instead wich was easier on the ears but created interesting chemical stenches from the cellar darkroom instead.

Thanks for playing that record Bill. Time to visit dad, raid his old vinyls and share a beer.
Posted 15 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
 forge wrote:
Kottke is such a god. I hear he's been suffering carpal tunnel from all these years of mind-bogglingly great guitar playing, which is probably one of the great injustices in all the Universe.
 
There was a great interview with him and Mike Gordon on NPR where he talked about it.  It wasn't the carpal tunnel stuff so much as he the fingering style he was using ended up really damaging his hands, and he couldn't play for something like a year.  He came back and learned how to work around it and is now playing like crazy (again :)

See the section on the wikipedia page related to this:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Kottke#Injury_and_new_playing_style


Posted 15 years ago by shayde    [ Reply ]
jayhawks to the shins to leo kottke...  this is why they call you mix-master-bill.  i love it..

Posted 15 years ago by i4niblind    [ Reply ]
 sunnysideandy wrote:
When my avocados learn to salsa, then I will expect shrimps to whistle.
 
LOL! Ah well, at least you can get bananas to dance - {#Bananajam}

So, which one's Leo on the album cover? ;-)

Pretty damn good on the ol' gittar, in't he? 7 from the Nottingham jury.
Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 ick wrote:
I had endless shrimp last night, some Cajun, some scampi, some were coconut but none of them knew how to whistle.
 
It is hard to tell at that point.
Posted 15 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
Kottke is such a god. I hear he's been suffering carpal tunnel from all these years of mind-bogglingly great guitar playing, which is probably one of the great injustices in all the Universe.


Posted 16 years ago by forge    [ Reply ]
When my avocados learn to salsa, then I will expect shrimps to whistle.
Posted 16 years ago by sunnysideandy    [ Reply ]
I had endless shrimp last night, some Cajun, some scampi, some were coconut but none of them knew how to whistle.
Posted 16 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
This guy sure can pick a guitar.  Signature voice as well.
Posted 16 years ago by Ericac    [ Reply ]
Follow this one with John Prine's Fish and Whistle. Just a suggestion.
Posted 16 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]
Mmmmmm . . . shrimp!
Posted 16 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Just saw Leo two nights ago (2/7/08, 3rd row center) and I believe this was the best I've ever seen him play. He was so on that night! What a genius of his instrument. I just sat slack jawed at his complex chord structures, his phrasing and his ability to find and squeeze in all those amazing notes. It's nice to know that in this day and age, that there's still something we Americans can be proud of. Kottke is certainly an American original. Absolutely amazing performer/musician. Oh yeah, and his twisted sense of the world, let us not forget his storytelling.
Posted 16 years ago by sharkartist    [ Reply ]
pkimbrel wrote:
It's Matt Damon and Chuck E. Cheese after a shave, isn't it?
The guy on the right is Les Claypool, I think.
Posted 16 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
LOL I'm sorry Kentucky, but I've seen that face there
It's Matt Damon and Chuck E. Cheese after a shave, isn't it?
Posted 17 years ago by pkimbrel    [ Reply ]
My favorite Kottke track. Just amazing, and a 10.
Posted 17 years ago by danimal3114u    [ Reply ]
I have a very specific memory associated with this music ... to the first comedy performance I saw by two friends of mine, years and years ago. They used this as music during one of the breaks between scenes. Hearing this takes me back, instantly to that time and venue.
Posted 17 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
cc_rider wrote:
Those aren't masks.
LOL I'm sorry Kentucky, but I've seen that face there
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
Wow, haven't heard this in ages. It was such a departure from "My Feet Are Smiling" and "Ice Water."
Posted 17 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
Just the title gets a 7. Kind of cool, a little different than what I expect from Mr. Kottke. In a good way. c.
Posted 17 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
MojoJojo wrote:
Kentucky. They're everywhere.
Those aren't masks.
Posted 17 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
prairiedogj wrote:
Great album cover. Great music.
and great song title.
Posted 17 years ago by siandbeth    [ Reply ]
WonderLizard wrote:
Ever wonder what Kottke and Hedges would have sounded like together live?
I saw them both live @ the "Count Basie" theater in Red Bank, NJ. It was in the early 90's. Hedges came on first, then Leo came on. They did a couple of songs together. The concert venue was packed with recording devices - recording was encouraged by the artists and people brought all kinds of rigs. I wish I had known. It was an amazing evening, to say the least.
Posted 17 years ago by healyf52    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
...by the way, where can I get that cool mask?
Kentucky. They're everywhere.
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
prairiedogj wrote:
Great album cover. Great music.
Monument Valley.
Posted 18 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Ever wonder what Kottke and Hedges would have sounded like together live?
Posted 18 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Great album cover. Great music.
Posted 18 years ago by prairiedogj    [ Reply ]
Pearhead wrote:
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Thanks, Pear.
Posted 19 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
Not deaf, shortie, TONE-deaf. shortie wrote:
For being deaf, he sure responded well to what the audience called out when he played. Vaseline Machine Gun (from 6 and 12 String Guitar) was my first Kottke experience. What a sublime song to hear in your formative years. :)
Posted 19 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
great
Posted 19 years ago by higado    [ Reply ]
one word MAGIC
Posted 19 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
Need an emoticon for shivers running down my back. By the way, where can I get that cool mask?
Posted 19 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
Music too good for words.
Posted 19 years ago by plutodazed    [ Reply ]
Cynaera wrote:
... Did y'all know that Leo Kottke is tone-deaf? I remember hearing an interview with him on a now-defunct Eugene, Oregon radio station, Acoustic Cafe. Mr. Kottke admitted that he's deaf as a post, and has to tune his guitars to certain frequencies so he can hear what he's playing. He hates the way he sings, but he feels that it's only right he portrays his songs. Just thought I'd share that.
For being deaf, he sure responded well to what the audience called out when he played. Vaseline Machine Gun (from 6 and 12 String Guitar) was my first Kottke experience. What a sublime song to hear in your formative years. :)
Posted 19 years ago by shortie    [ Reply ]
I love Leo Kottke - he did a song called "Machine #2" that our local radio station radical used as his opening theme, just before he played the likes of Lindesfarne, Jethro Tull, It's A Beautiful Day and killer Rolling Stones. Did y'all know that Leo Kottke is tone-deaf? I remember hearing an interview with him on a now-defunct Eugene, Oregon radio station, Acoustic Cafe. Mr. Kottke admitted that he's deaf as a post, and has to tune his guitars to certain frequencies so he can hear what he's playing. He hates the way he sings, but he feels that it's only right he portrays his songs. Just thought I'd share that.
Posted 19 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
I can still remember when I relocated to Minneapolis, MN. Kottke lived in Minnetonka, a little suburb, and gave a concert every Christmas at a little theater in downtown Mpls. What a wonder he was! And he's got new material out with one of Phish's folks.
Posted 19 years ago by shortie    [ Reply ]
Can he EVER. I agree... you gotta see him in concert, it's a blast if you like guitar. This song's a great pick from him, too... he's got a lot more technical pieces, but this one's fun. DMay wrote:
The dude can tear up the guitar.
Posted 19 years ago by Jra    [ Reply ]
The dude can tear up the guitar.
Posted 19 years ago by DMay    [ Reply ]
i highly recommend seeing him in concert if you get the chance. he sounds great live, and his stories are really engaging and hilarious (at least they were to me).
Posted 19 years ago by LLMikeJ    [ Reply ]
As soon as I heard good (really good, not "I-kiss-Mark-Knopfler's-Dire-Straits-sounding-ass" "good") I knew it had to be Kottke. How about "Jack Gets Up"?
Posted 19 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
"chopsticks" lick in there. Love Leo, he sounds like no other.
Posted 19 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
oldslabsides wrote:
I really dig Leo; and I want some of whatever he's smoking when he names his tunes...
From the liner notes in a compilation CD, the title is a reference to something Nikita Khrushchev had said: "Those who wait for the Soviet Union to abandon Communism will wait until shrimp learn to whistle."
Posted 20 years ago by greenplato    [ Reply ]
oldslabsides wrote:
grammatically, you are correct....but you need to consider the rest of the title...."whistling shrimp?"
Maybe he's referring to small people and/or kids rather than creatures of the sea...
Posted 20 years ago by the_om    [ Reply ]
Chinto wrote:
I thought it was Shrimp..no 'S'....ahem.so I'm picky. A part of my life is R P
grammatically, you are correct....but you need to consider the rest of the title...."whistling shrimp?"
Posted 20 years ago by Red_Dragon    [ Reply ]
I thought it was Shrimp..no 'S'....ahem.so I'm picky. A part of my life is R P
Posted 20 years ago by Chinto    [ Reply ]
I really dig Leo; and I want some of whatever he's smoking when he names his tunes...
Posted 20 years ago by Red_Dragon    [ Reply ]
Actually, that's "goose farts on a muggy day" but who's keeping track?
Posted 20 years ago by c-nuck    [ Reply ]
frednic wrote:
This whole album is most exellent! It's all instrumental. Leo has said that his voice sounds like farting ducks. I disagree but for people who do, here ya go.
Actually, leo said he never wanted to sing because he thought his voice sounded like goose farts in the wind. It's just a matter of how fowl you want to be in the quote (sorry 'bout that!)graphics/smiles/eusa_whistle.gif
Posted 20 years ago by shutter    [ Reply ]
Thank god we have Leo in this world with us!!! Who else would give us a song titled "When Shrimps Learn to Whistle"? What a great tune! I've been remiss in not pulliing this record down off my shelf and listening to in years. Many kudos to Bill for his continued mastery at pulling rabbits out of the hat!!!
Posted 20 years ago by sharkartist    [ Reply ]
frednic wrote:
This whole album is most exellent! It's all instrumental. Leo has said that his voice sounds like farting ducks. I disagree but for people who do, here ya go.
Let's just say he's achieved greater mastery of the instrument that he wasn't born with. As for the other.......
Posted 20 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]
This whole album is most exellent! It's all instrumental. Leo has said that his voice sounds like farting ducks. I disagree but for people who do, here ya go.
Posted 21 years ago by frednic    [ Reply ]