For Kottke, satisfaction is respect from peers

LOS ANGELES Let others have the riches and fame. Guitarist LeoKottke says he is content with the respect of his peers and the morearcane satisfactions that have resulted from more than 20 years as anAmerican original.

"I've won those guitar readers' poll things, and those are allnice," Kottke said during a recent interview. "But the stuff thatreally sticks with me is when (jazz guitarist) Joe Pass camebackstage to a show I did in Australia and said, `Boy, you got somenice little things there.' That's the stuff that's rewarding."

Since 1970, on albums with titles such as "My Feet Are Smiling"and "Burnt Lips," the Minnesota-based virtuoso has exercised aprodigious, award-winning technique and has displayed a rare humorwhile playing his 12-string acoustic guitar.

Kottke will be in the Chicago area early in the autumn, for twoMcHenry County concerts at 8 p.m. Sept. 21 and 22 at the WoodstockOpera House, 121 Van Buren in far northwest suburban Woodstock.Tickets are $14. Reservations: (815) 338-5300.

After the Woodstock shows, Kottke will perform at 7:30 Sept. 28at Chicago's Park West, 322 W. Armitage. Tickets are $20.Reservations: 559-1212.

He also is trying to complete a new album, to be called "That'sWhat," and he said he's a bit worried about it.

"My wife hates it. My manager hates it," Kottke said. "Therecord company likes it, which is a reversal of my usual experience,and therefore a little terrifying.

"I like it a lot. It's got more going for it than I usuallymanage to get on a tape. I think I've learned how to make the rightkind of mistakes instead of the ones that happen because you'retrying not to make any.

"I'm finding if you keep your first or second take and there'ssomething in it you can't stand, in a couple of months you can'tremember what bothered you about it. Plus, I'm beginning to noticethat mistakes have their own kind of charm. There's really nothingwrong with them."

Along with a few humanizing flaws, "That's What" will includesome other departures from Kottke's past efforts.

"The most obvious thing is there are two tunes with as many assix trombones on them," he said. "That was something I had to dosooner or later because I used to play trombone, and I wanted to hearsome choral 'bone."