The Wake

Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon are among the most innovative musicians working today. The former is a finger-picking guitar virtuoso, the latter played bass for Phish, and together they’ve created one of the most musically fulfilling CDs of the past year. Sixty Six Steps, on the RCA Victor label, captures the unbelievable skill and interplay that made their first collaboration, 2002’s Clone, a success.

With a little help from percussionist Neil Symonnette, Kottke and Gordon have bottled the sounds and attitude of Nassau, Bahamas, where they recorded Sixty Six Steps. Laid-back tempos and Gordon’s reggae-tinged playing create the foundation upon which the guitar and vocal melodies come to life.

As with their first project, the new record is a mix of covers and originals. Among the borrowed songs are Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion” and Phish favorite “Ya Mar.” The originals don’t represent the best of either songwriter, but they work well with one another to make a consistent record.

Longtime Kottke fans and newcomers alike will revel in the impeccable guitar work on songs like “Living in the Country” and “Rings.” And while the Kottke/Gordon tour doesn’t stop in Minnesota, Leo will be playing a solo date at the Ordway in November.

Underneath the incredible abilities of these musicians, there must be a deep sense of humility. That’s the only explanation I can find for their capacity to collaborate with such amazing results.