Recorded in just three and one-half hours, the release of this truly iconic album virtually launched Leo Kottke out beyond the St. Paul, Minneapolis confines where he had been ensconced as a local phenom. By jumping on board John Fahey's burgeoning Takoma label, Kottke's guitar wizardry (especially finger-picking a 12-string, usually reserved as rhythm accompaniment) gave other guitarists far and wide, second thoughts. Throw in some sassy slide work on both 6 & 12 and you'll know why this particular record is commonly referred to as an Intro to Guitar 101. With twelve original compositions plus a few by some guy named J.S. Bach, Kottke's blues, folk, country and classical channelings dictate both his playful and reflective approach on each. Highlights include blazing picking techniques on Broken Bicycle and Vaseline Machine Gun with some muscular bottleneck slide work on The Sailor's Grave On The Prairie.