Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Six decades ago, Leo Kottke unveiled a revolutionary approach to the acoustic guitar, preferring folky, bluesy and roots rock instrumentals, usually characterized by unconventional tunings, but even became a reluctant voice in the mainstream singer/songwriter scene.

The Athens, Georgia native nonetheless rose to recognition on a global level, especially throughout a push by multiple major record labels in the 1970s, then reinvented a more classical fingerpicking style following fairly serious nerve damage in the ‘80s.

The now 80-year-old icon stayed on the road ever since, most recently teaming up with Phish bassist Mike Gordon in the studio for a trio of projects, including their latest long-player, “Noon.”

Needless to say, the always warm and welcoming Space, now featuring a super easy entrance and expanded lobby, was in for something special when Kottke came to his second home of sorts for two shows, which in the case of the closer, encompassed around 90-minutes of carefully chosen originals and covers.

“Ojo” and “Everybody Lies” were a few textbook examples of the solo headliner’s signature style, who continued to engage and affect across each carefully concentrated strum of the six-string.

Kottke kept defy age during “Vaseline Machine Gun” and “Twice,” the latter initially cut alongside Gordon, plus maintained a casual, comical and almost stream of consciousness conversation with the crowd.

He also put a personal stamp on everything from Paul Siebel’s “Louise,” to Pete Seeger’s “Living In The Country” and Cymarron’s “Rings,” as the audience attentively looked on and applauded in amazement.

However, it was an untitled tune, penned alongside The Bad Plus’ drummer David King when “the virus” was happening, that showcased the breadth of Kottke’s skills and suggested he has lots of life left to live, both creatively and personally, which will hopefully lead to revisiting Evanston or elsewhere in the area for at least another couple stirring round of recollections.

For additional information on Leo Kottke, visit LeoKottke.com.

Upcoming shows at Space include Alicia Witt (Dec. 17); Kelly Hogan, Scott Ligon, Casey McDonough and Nora O’Connor (Dec. 18); “A Charlie Brown Christmas” featuring Chris White Trio and Choir (Dec. 19-21); The Dave Specter Band (Dec. 20); Joel Paterson (Dec. 21); Ben Levin’s Holiday Blues Revue featuring Lil’ Ed and Candice Ivory (Dec. 22); Ouray (Dec. 26); Android Paranoid: Radiohead Tribute (Dec. 27); Illegal Smiles: John Prine Tribute (Dec. 28); Old 97s (Dec. 29); “In Conversation”: Rob Miller & Rhett Miller (Dec. 30) and Old 97s (Dec. 30-31). For additional details, visit EvanstonSpace.com.

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